Boom!
A loud explosion echoed through the sky...
The Raikage, along with his two right-hand men, arrived at the capital of the Land of Iron.
"Raikage-sama!"
Immediately, a samurai stepped forward, respectfully welcoming the Raikage and guiding him toward the reception room.
"How's it looking?" the Raikage asked gruffly. "Besides me, who else has arrived?"
"I have!" came a sharp, elderly voice before the samurai could respond.
Onoki, with his hands behind his back, approached the Raikage, flanked by Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi.
"You're here early, you rascal!" Onoki said with a chuckle.
"Tsuchikage!" the Raikage grinned widely.
"Why don't you greet your seniors?" came a refined voice from behind them.
Soon after, Pakura appeared.
"Pakura, the Kazekage of Sunagakure!" Onoki's expression shifted as he looked coldly at her. "Pakura, they say you're a hero of Sunagakure. But look at what you've done, turning your village into a vassal of Higakure. Aren't you ashamed to face the former Kazekages?"
Pakura didn't rise to the provocation. "The purpose of a Kage is to give the villagers a better life. Sunagakure is faring better than Iwagakure now, which proves my decisions were correct."
Onoki's expression darkened.
Pakura calmly continued, "As long as my people are living well, what does it matter if we are called a vassal? Besides, Higakure hasn't interfered much in Sunagakure's affairs. Our so-called 'vassal status' is nonsense. We've simply forged strong cooperation in several areas. In my time as Kazekage, I've brought Sunagakure closer to its peak."
The two followers behind Pakura glanced at each other, their eyes betraying some unease. She was right—under Pakura's leadership, Sunagakure had indeed made rapid progress.
One of the most significant achievements: Sunagakure no longer lacked water.
This was a monumental leap forward! With a stable water supply, life improved, and Pakura initiated an ambitious plan: the Oasis Transformation Project. She intended to turn Sunagakure into a green village, much like Higakure.
When this plan was announced, many were left in shock, jaws dropping. Sunagakure had always been defined by its desert location. Pakura's vision was to transform the barren desert into a forest and build new cities—a vast undertaking that could easily strain Sunagakure's resources.
But Pakura dared to dream, and with support from Itsuki, she took bold steps. Borrowing just one person from Itsuki silenced most of the Sunagakure higher-ups. That person was Tenzo, a Wood Release ninja. Though not at the level of Hashirama Senju, Tenzo still made significant contributions, and within a month, Sunagakure began seeing results.
This gave the village hope. If Sunagakure could truly become as lush as Higakure, it would be nothing short of exhilarating.
Even Itsuki himself was puzzled—why hadn't Sunagakure asked for help in the original timeline? Why didn't they reach out to Konoha for assistance from someone like Yamato to transform their environment?
Yamato, although not as powerful as Hashirama, could, with enough time, completely change Sunagakure's surroundings. It might not happen in a month, but in a year? Three years? Certainly.
But this time, there was no hesitation. Sunagakure had Pakura, and she was the leader among Itsuki's allies. Itsuki vividly remembered the day Pakura, dressed in formal attire as Kazekage, came to Higakure. What started as a diplomatic mission turned into an intense battle in Itsuki's office, with desk collapsing under the strain.
In the end, Itsuki emerged victorious, impressed by Pakura's strength. He agreed to her request and sent Yamato to Sunagakure. Now, Tenzo's abilities far exceeded what they were in the original story, nearly at the level of a Kage.
And so, Sunagakure began its golden era. In less than a year, they would achieve their dream of transforming their village into a garden oasis.
"I'll face the former Kazekages with pride, even after I'm gone," Pakura said calmly. "Tsuchikage-sama, can you say the same?"
Onoki's face darkened, but he remained silent. While Iwagakure hadn't seen major failures under his leadership, there hadn't been much growth either. In particular, the lack of elite ninjas was a widely known issue, and the village had no clear successor. The only promising ninja, Deidara, had defected and fled to Higakure. When Onoki learned of this, he nearly stormed Higakure in fury.
Raikage, standing beside Onoki, also didn't look pleased. Under the leadership of previous Raikages, Kumogakure's strength had steadily grown. Even the current Raikage had enjoyed success for much of his life—until recently.
First, they lost the Two-Tails, then thousands of ninjas were killed in a confrontation with Higakure. After that, they lost the Eight-Tails. The Raikage felt utterly humiliated, as though he had failed his village entirely.
Pakura's words now seemed like a challenge to both the Raikage and Onoki. The two of them exchanged glances, their combined aura pressing against Pakura, who stood her ground without retreating.
"Gentlemen..." A bald man with a bandaged head stepped into the scene.
It was Mifune, the general of the Land of Iron.
He frowned and spoke in a low voice, "Please don't forget the purpose of your meeting here. If you want to fight, take it outside. Go ahead and destroy the whole ninja world if you must."
The three Kage ignored him.
Mifune, oblivious to the reality, seemed to think he could hold the same status as the Kage, but he didn't understand—the ninja world belonged to the ninjas, not the samurai. The Kage respected him only to maintain balance, not to place him on their level.
Seeing his words have no effect, Mifune turned to Pakura.
"Kazekage-sama, please lower your head and show some respect," he said gravely.
"What?" Pakura was taken aback.
"You may have spoken out of turn," Mifune continued. "No matter what, both the Raikage and Tsuchikage are your seniors, especially the Tsuchikage, who is older than even the Third Kazekage. You should show respect to your elders."
Pakura laughed in disbelief. A mere samurai daring to lecture her about respect?
Respect?
"I'll send you to your grandmother!"
Pakura squinted his eyes, about to speak, when suddenly a light laugh echoed.
"What's going on here? Is everyone having a friendly interaction?"
A new presence appeared.
It carried a powerful aura, blending with Pakura's, and together, they clashed against the auras of the Tsuchikage and Raikage, forcefully pushing their energy back.
"Mizukage?"
Seeing her arrival, both the Tsuchikage and Raikage's expressions darkened.
Mifune's face also stiffened slightly.
Two versus two!
Now things were evenly matched.
And don't forget—there's still Uchiha Itsuki, known as the strongest shinobi in the world.
If he shows up...
"Ahem!"
Mifune quickly cleared his throat and said, "Everyone, please don't forget the reason we're in the Land of Iron. It's not for war, but for survival. Think of your villages, think of your people."
"Hmph!"
Both the Raikage and Tsuchikage let out cold snorts, simultaneously withdrawing their auras.
They took the opportunity to de-escalate the situation.
Terumi Mei and Pakura exchanged a glance and also withdrew their energy.
If Itsuki were here, he'd probably spit on the ground and curse them as fools. Such a perfect opportunity! They should've kept building up their power and pressed forward all at once!
They could have completely humiliated the Raikage and Tsuchikage!
But alas!
Pakura and Terumi Mei were much more reasonable; they weren't like Itsuki, who always needed to stir up trouble.
Besides, they didn't even know each other well.
Although they knew they were both Itsuki's women, Itsuki had many women, so who knew what this one was thinking?
It would be fine if she wanted to team up, but what if she didn't?
So, neither had any intention of provoking a war.
Phew!
Mifune silently breathed a sigh of relief.
If a fight had broken out, things would have gotten very complicated for him.
He couldn't exactly bring his samurai to suppress them—that would only cause problems for the Land of Iron.
Even though these shinobi villages had been greatly weakened, none of them were to be trifled with.
"Where's Uchiha Itsuki?" the Raikage asked coldly, glaring at Terumi Mei and Pakura. "He has the Flying Thunder God technique, yet he's the last to arrive. What's the meaning of this? If I recall, the Land of Iron isn't far from Fire Village."
"What's there to explain?" Pakura responded indifferently. "Maybe he got delayed. If the Raikage hadn't used the Eight-Tails as bait, we wouldn't even be gathered here."
"You…"
Such a casual remark enraged the Raikage, and he nearly started fighting again.
"Lady Kazekage!"
Mifune couldn't hold back any longer and sternly said, "Please, watch your words."
Pakura turned to him, glaring coldly. "What should I watch? What exactly should I be mindful of?"
"These two have provoked me multiple times. Am I not allowed to fight back? What, has the Land of Iron already sided with Iwagakure and Kumogakure?"
"Is this Six Kage Summit just an excuse to pressure us?"
Terumi Mei's gaze also turned dangerous as she stared at Mifune.
Mifune's expression shifted slightly, and he quickly said, "That's not what I meant. I just wanted to remind you that the Raikage is your elder…"
"Elder?" Pakura scoffed. "When I was dominating the battlefield, he was probably still in diapers."
"You insolent—!"
The Raikage exploded in fury, lightning instantly crackling all over his body.
Pakura didn't back down, flames of Scorch Release surrounding her in orange fireballs.
The Tsuchikage glanced at Terumi Mei.
Though they seemed calm on the surface, their auras were mingling, and war could break out at any moment.
Their subordinates were also preparing for battle.
After a brief silence, Mifune unexpectedly shifted his energy toward Pakura.
This scene shocked not only Pakura and Terumi Mei but also Onoki and A.
What the hell?
What's going on here?
Why are you siding with us? Did we make some secret agreement?
"Please, stop this!"
Mifune's voice was calm but carried a heavy sense of danger.
"Yo, what's this? Someone picking on my girls?"
Just then, a cocky voice sounded.
Everyone's expressions changed upon hearing it.
Then…
Boom!
With a dull thud, Mifune was suddenly slammed to the ground by a massive force, lying flat on his stomach.
In a comical twist, his head was pressed down while his butt was sticking up in the air.
Without hesitation, Itsuki kicked him.
Boom!
Mifune flew through the air and crashed into a wall, letting out a pained groan.
Everyone was stunned.
Yet, strangely, none of them were surprised.
Yes, this is exactly what Uchiha Itsuki would do.
In the next moment, a handsome man appeared in front of Terumi Mei and Pakura, pulling them into his arms, one on each side.
"Miss me, ladies?"
"Hmph!"
The response came as a cold snort.
Not from Terumi Mei or Pakura.
It was Temari, who had accompanied Pakura.
She glared at Itsuki with a hostile expression.
Itsuki blinked and created a shadow clone, embracing Temari as well.
"Miss me, sweetheart?"
"…"
Everyone was speechless.
Is this even allowed?
Can you at least act like a normal person?
Are you going to use shadow clones for everything?
"Get lost!" Temari shouted, kicking the clone away.
Boom!
Itsuki dispelled the shadow clone and grinned. "Don't be mad, Temari. Let me settle these two first, and then we can catch up."
He turned his gaze toward Mifune, who was struggling to get back on his feet.
"Hey, Mr. Land of Iron, what exactly are you trying to do? Care to explain?"
Mifune glared at Itsuki.
He had heard that Itsuki was powerful, but that kick was so humiliating.
His anger was about to consume him.
"Mifune!" the Raikage growled, his voice carrying a crackle of electricity, momentarily snapping Mifune back to reality.
Breathing heavily, Mifune stared at Itsuki.
"I have no other intentions. I only wish to end this conflict as quickly as possible. After all…"
"Slap him!"
Itsuki interrupted, pointing at the Raikage and Tsuchikage. "Give those two a slap, and I'll believe you."
Mifune fell silent.
"Lord Hokage, please don't joke around."
"A joke? You think I'm joking?"
Itsuki tilted his head. "You attacked my women in the name of justice. Was that a joke?"
"Alright, Mokukage!" Onoki suddenly spoke up. "We're all here now. Let's find a place and hold the Six Kage Summit as planned."
His gaze was cold. "Or are you really planning to kill Mifune?"
Itsuki nodded without hesitation. "Yeah, that's exactly what I'm thinking."
(End of Chapter)