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After leaving Nagato's room, "Tobi" did not depart from Amegakure. Instead, he reappeared in a dark, damp alley and pushed open a rusted iron door.
The creaking of the door was accompanied by the dull jingle of a bell. Inside the dimly lit bar, only Kisame sat alone at the counter.
"Former Mizukage-sama... no, Madara-sama, you've arrived," Kisame turned and raised his glass.
"Hn."
"Tobi" walked over and sat at the counter, pouring himself a drink. He clinked his glass with Kisame's, then lifted his mask slightly to reveal his mouth and downed the alcohol in one go.
"Rare to see you drinking."
"Tobi" set his glass down and glanced at Kisame, who continued drinking without pause.
"There haven't been any missions lately, so indulging a little isn't bad."
Kisame grinned, shaking an empty bottle before getting up and retrieving a few more from the shelves behind the counter.
"Besides, the war that will decide the future is coming soon. Who knows? I might just die in it."
"Where's the bartender?"
Seeing Kisame haphazardly mixing different drinks, "Tobi" couldn't help but ask.
"Those cowards were ruining my mood, so I sent them away."
Kisame took a swig directly from the bottle, baring his sharp teeth in a fierce grin.
"Madara-sama."
He leaned on the counter, staring straight into "Tobi's" eyes.
"You seem to have changed the original plan."
"Originally, I did intend to reclaim the Rinnegan and take Nagato's place once he gathered all the Tailed Beasts."
"Tobi" adjusted his mask.
"But I have indeed reconsidered."
"Is that so?" Kisame set the bottle down and leaned closer. "The process doesn't matter. As long as you can guarantee the final outcome is what I desire, that's enough."
"Ah, I promised you, Kisame."
"Tobi" stood up, his crimson eyes glowing ominously beneath the mask.
"We will both escape this false world as we wish."
"Then there's no problem."
Kisame tossed aside the empty bottle and cracked open another.
"I've always looked forward to... entering a new world."
"Yeah."
The space around "Tobi" twisted, his figure rapidly shrinking into a swirling vortex.
"Keep your expectations high. It won't be long now. Well then, I won't disturb your relaxation any further."
"Heh, see you later, Madara-sama."
Kisame chuckled at the now-empty space.
---
News of the upcoming Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron quickly spread throughout the shinobi world.
For a time, many within the shinobi world began stirring with ambition—especially bounty hunters who relied on the underground black market for their livelihood. Their activities reached unprecedented levels.
The fact that the Kage of the Five Great Nations would be leaving their villages with only two bodyguards each was deliberately leaked among bounty hunter circles. Many, unable to resist the lure of greed, began plotting to pull off the ultimate heist.
Though everyone knew that shinobi bearing the title of "Kage" stood at the pinnacle of power, the astronomical bounties listed for them in the black market were simply too tempting. Even if split among many, the rewards would be more than enough to live lavishly for a lifetime.
Soon, bounty hunter groups—both large and small—as well as lone wolves, began secretly collaborating, hoping to overwhelm their targets with sheer numbers and accomplish what was considered the most impossible mission in the black market.
After analysis, most agreed that among the five Kage, the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade—renowned as the "Legendary Sucker"—would be the easiest target. After all, it was common knowledge that medical ninja were relatively weaker in combat.
Additionally, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki was advanced in age, the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī was a woman with little fame, and the Fifth Kazekage Gaara was young and inexperienced—all relatively favorable targets.
Only the Fourth Raikage, in his prime and with a fearsome reputation, was deemed the most difficult to take down.
Furthermore, the tale of the Third Raikage holding off ten thousand Iwa-nin alone for three days before finally falling served as a stark reminder—the Raikage was not an enemy that could be defeated through numbers alone.
The movements of these bounty hunters did not escape the intelligence networks of the Five Great Nations. Each village's spies quickly detected their activities and promptly relayed the information back to their respective leaders.
---
In Kumogakure, hidden among the clouds atop towering mountains, the Raikage's office echoed with booming laughter.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA—!"
The Fourth Raikage, A, clutched a piece of paper in his massive hand, laughing heartily.
"Raikage-sama," his secretary Mabui remarked with a faint smile, "you haven't laughed like this in a long time—not since what happened to Killer Bee-sama."
"Of course," Darui lazily leaned against the wall. "After all, Killer Bee-sama was like a brother to the Raikage. Back then, we were so close to saving him, but in the end... Raikage-sama was filled with regret."
Beside him, the blond-haired Shi lowered his head and muttered, "It's all because we, his subordinates, were useless. Even after tracking them for so long, we still couldn't find where those Akatsuki bastards were hiding."
"What are you talking about?" A stopped laughing, glaring at the three.
"We were just discussing the upcoming escort mission, Raikage-sama," Darui quickly deflected, knowing better than to mention B in front of A.
"Is that so?"
A had, of course, overheard part of their conversation.
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
The three immediately bowed in acknowledgment.
A didn't press the issue. He couldn't blame his subordinates for B's death. Instead, he tossed the intelligence report onto the table.
"Take a look at this."
"Yes."
Darui picked it up first, and the three scanned its contents. Instantly, they understood why their leader had laughed so heartily.
"It seems even rogue ninja know that among the five Kage, none surpass the Raikage in strength," Shi remarked.
"From what I know," Mabui added calmly, "among the current Kage of the Five Great Nations, Lord A is indeed the strongest."
Darui set the paper down, his usual lazy gaze sharpening. "Those greedy bounty hunters wouldn't dare target the Raikage. But even if they do... Shi and I won't let any trash disturb him."
"Among the other Kage, only the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki poses any real challenge to me. But that old man is practically on his deathbed already."
A stood and walked to the window, gazing down at the village beneath the clouds.
"At this Five Kage Summit, I intend to demand answers from the others. They will give me an explanation for Akatsuki's actions! What happened to Bee... will not be forgiven so easily!!"