In the dark underground space, the Outer Path Gedo Statue had ten fingers pointing upward, with six light figures standing atop them.
The six light figures were all making hand seals, clearly performing some kind of technique.
Next to the Gedo Statue, a girl was floating in the air, unconscious.
This girl was the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
At this moment, the Seven-Tails was gradually being extracted from the Jinchuriki's body and sealed into the Gedo Statue.
One of the eyes of the Gedo Statue slowly began to open.
After a long moment, the eye opened fully.
The Seven-Tails Jinchuriki fell from the air to the ground with a bang, like a hollow shell, lifeless.
As the Seven-Tails was extracted, she died completely.
"Finally, the extraction succeeded. When will the Three-Tails Jinchuriki be captured?"
Deidara asked.
"Some accidents occurred, and the mission failed."
Nagato said with a displeased expression.
The other teams had succeeded in their missions, yet his, as the leader, had failed. It was undoubtedly humiliating.
"Failed?"
Deidara looked at Nagato in surprise.
He hadn't expected Nagato, of all people, to fail.
The others also looked at Nagato with surprise.
Among them, Nagato was the least likely to encounter problems—yet an accident had occurred.
"On the way back, I encountered Uchiha Fugaku. Due to his interference, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki died."
"Although the Three-Tails was unsealed early, it escaped into the sea because of Uchiha Fugaku's obstruction."
Nagato explained with a sullen face.
"Encountered Uchiha Fugaku..."
The others were suddenly understanding. Since it was Fugaku, the situation made sense.
They were all aware of Uchiha Fugaku's terrifying strength.
"Did Shennong and Hidan die at the hands of Uchiha Fugaku?"
Kisame asked with a frown.
"Highly likely."
Nagato replied.
"What incredible power."
Hiruko was both daunted and excited.
He was awed by Fugaku's display of strength, yet eager at the thought of fusing with him through the Chimera Technique.
Compared to another Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, Hiruko longed more to fuse with Uchiha Fugaku.
However, given Fugaku's power, capturing him was near impossible.
"Hiruko, I know you want to fuse with Uchiha Fugaku, but with your current strength, a fight with him means death. If you encounter him again, abandon the mission and retreat."
Nagato warned after noticing Hiruko's desire.
"Don't worry, I won't joke with my life."
Hiruko took a deep breath, suppressing his eagerness.
...
Near the end of the month, Uchiha Fugaku departed from Konoha, heading toward the Land of Iron.
Two people accompanied him—Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.
As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto was targeted by the Akatsuki.
Leaving him in the village would risk an Akatsuki attack in Fugaku's absence. To ensure Naruto's safety and that of the village, Fugaku decided to bring him along.
As for Sasuke, Fugaku wanted him to broaden his horizons. The Five Kage Summit was a rare event.
"Uncle Fugaku, I heard the Land of Iron is super cold. Is that true?"
On the way, Naruto asked.
"Idiot, we're on guard duty. You should call him Hokage-sama."
Sasuke corrected.
"The climate there is indeed cold, but we're going during summer, so it won't be too bad."
Fugaku said.
Two days later, a massive castle-like structure appeared before them—Iron Castle, the venue of the Five Kage Summit.
Upon seeing the trio, a group approached.
They wore samurai armor layered over their uniforms, each with a katana at their waist. These were the samurai of the Land of Iron.
Leading them was an old man with a bandaged head, long white beard, green armor, and a sword at his waist—Mifune, general of the Land of Iron.
"Greetings, Lord Hokage. I am Mifune, General of the Land of Iron."
Mifune greeted politely.
As he spoke, he observed Fugaku.
Though neutral, the Land of Iron stayed informed on the shinobi world. Remaining neutral between the five great nations required deep awareness.
From what Mifune knew, the Fifth Hokage before him was possibly the strongest among the five villages.
His achievements proved this: capturing Orochimaru, slaying the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, defeating the Akatsuki's Pain...
Each feat far exceeded what a typical Kage could do.
"Mifune-sama, thank you for hosting us."
Fugaku smiled.
"You are too kind, Lord Hokage."
Mifune replied.
"Which villages have arrived?"
Fugaku asked.
"So far, only Lord Tsuchikage of Iwagakure."
Mifune answered after a slight pause.
"The Third Tsuchikage, huh?"
Fugaku's expression remained calm, but a faint smile crept to his lips.
Relations between Konoha and Iwagakure were currently strained.
Iwagakure once tried to capture Naruto. Their Five-Tails Jinchuriki died by Fugaku's hand, along with thousands of their border troops.
Still, for now, the Akatsuki was the greater threat.
But if Iwagakure played dirty, he wouldn't hesitate to act.
"Please come in, Lord Hokage."
Mifune gestured, leading them inside.
"After you, Lord Mifune."
With Mifune's guidance, Fugaku and the others entered Iron Castle and were placed in the VIP section.
The Third Tsuchikage's group was also placed there, but due to tensions, Fugaku made no attempt to greet them.
Mifune understood the situation and didn't bring up Iwagakure again.
At the rocky training grounds...
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Naruto summoned hundreds of clones, all charging toward Sasuke.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Sasuke launched flaming shuriken, scattering burning projectiles through the charging clones.
Poof! Poof! Poof!
Dozens of clones vanished in puffs of smoke.
But one Naruto clone dodged through and charged with a Rasengan in hand.
"Chidori!"
Sasuke countered with a lightning surge, the screeching of a thousand birds in his palm as he dashed forward.
"He's just a kid, but so strong!"
"Yeah, from such a young age—impressive for Konoha's next generation."
Some ninjas watched, whispering in awe.
A short distance away, Fugaku observed closely, ready to intervene if needed.
He cared deeply for these future Six Paths-level shinobi.
"All this noise... turns out it's just sparring."
A voice interrupted as three figures approached.
Leading them was a short, hunched old man—the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.
With him were Akatsuchi, his large, burly bodyguard, and Kurotsuchi, a short-haired black girl a bit older than Naruto and Sasuke—Ōnoki's granddaughter and the future Fourth Tsuchikage.
"Fifth Hokage—I've heard much about you."
Ōnoki said with a forced smile.
"Ōnoki of Both Scales—I've heard much about you, too."
Fugaku replied, smiling.
"Such a promising young man, unlike this old relic of myself—twice your age, no less."
Ōnoki chuckled.
He wasn't praising but subtly asserting seniority.
"At that age, maybe it's time to retire and give the younger generation a chance."
Fugaku smiled, mocking him in return.
"My health's just fine. I can still manage a few more years."
Ōnoki responded softly, then looked at Sasuke and Naruto.
"It's a rare occasion. Why not have a spar to exchange techniques—I'll test their strength for you."
"You mean your bodyguards in their thirties?"
Fugaku smirked, glancing at Kurotsuchi.
"Of course not. Kurotsuchi, go spar with Konoha's kids."
"Sure thing. Want me to take them both at once? I don't mind."
Kurotsuchi smiled at Naruto and Sasuke.
She knew her grandfather wanted her to humiliate them through this "exchange."
"Sasuke, you'll spar with Kurotsuchi from Iwagakure."
Fugaku instructed calmly.
Two-on-one, even in victory, would give the enemy room for excuses. He wouldn't offer them that.
As for Sasuke losing? He wasn't worried. Despite being younger, Sasuke could handle her.
In his mind, Iwagakure was asking for a beating—and he'd oblige them.
(End of this chapter)