One Week Later – Main World, Konohagakure Village – Web Net Station
"My memory… something's not right."
Gaara sat in the waiting area, frowning over bits and pieces that wouldn't line up in his mind.
The other three Kage had all fought until they were knocked out during the "New Fourth Ninja War." Even if a chunk of their memories was missing, it was still easy enough to guess they'd been taken down by the shadows—so having gaps wasn't too puzzling.
But Gaara had known about the plan before the war. His recollections suddenly skipped to him getting knocked out, and then Shukaku inside him was gone. All of that strongly suggested tampering.
If it was Link, manipulating people's memories wasn't so far-fetched. Considering how many outrageous abilities that guy had shown, one more memory-altering jutsu wouldn't be a stretch.
Anyway, after he woke up—he found himself on the battlefield, with Bubble standing over them, leaving behind only, "Three days from now, there'll be a Five Kage Summit in Konoha Village." Then he was gone. Gaara had wanted to chase him, but as a Kage, he had to look after his own troops and retreat. The Black Shadow Army might not have been out for blood, but if anyone resisted, they wouldn't hold back either. Many were wounded, and it could've gotten serious—he still had to watch for moves from the other villages. He simply couldn't run after Bubble to get answers.
He remembered back when Link first declared war on Sunagakure—Gaara, as a jinchūriki, could have gone off recklessly, but now that he was a Kage, he had responsibilities, no room for such impulses.
He missed that chance. He hadn't seen Sasuke, Bubble, or Link since. No clue what actually happened. At the next Five Kage Summit, the ones who came were one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, and the legendary Second Hokage, Tobirama.
Because the "Conquer the World" Link hadn't shown up again, none of the major villages were truly willing to acknowledge Konoha's leadership. Testing, bloodshed… until last month, the Five Great Nations, pressed by Tobirama's tactics and the power Konoha had displayed, were half-forced, half-persuaded to form an Alliance branch. The Five Kage, as representatives, plus their guards, would travel to the Second World's Alliance headquarters for an official visit and to sign a treaty.
(I wonder what he saw?)
Gaara glanced over at Ao from Kirigakure, sitting some distance away. Ao had the Byakugan, and Gaara suspected the man might have secretly seen something just now. Judging by how Ao kept fidgeting, probably he'd glimpsed something and reported it over the Web Net to the Mizukage. The Fifth Mizukage's tense demeanor looked like that of a startled bird.
"Gaara, what do you think traveling to another world is going to be like?" Kankurō asked softly from beside him. "Maybe it's Link's technique again?"
"I don't know," Gaara answered straightforwardly. "They just announced on the PA that the Line 1 Web Net portal to the Second World opens in five minutes. We'll see for ourselves."
Kankurō fell quiet.
[Ding…ding…]
The broadcast came overhead, and the entire "tour group" from the Main World's Alliance branch stood up together, following guide Hatake Kakashi to the platform.
Most of them kept neutral expressions, but the three from Kirigakure were visibly nervous. They soon passed security, reclaimed their weapons and luggage, and lined up waiting. A few seconds later—
(Such a powerful surge of chakra.)
Gaara felt it deep below the station. Then, not far from the platform, the wall shimmered and formed a huge, door-like portal.
The Four Kage exchanged looks, saying nothing. They kept quiet and filed into the portal in order.
(What's down there, anyway?) Temari asked in their private Web Net group.
Kankurō added, (That chakra…I almost thought there was a Tailed Beast underground about to fire a Tailed Beast Bomb, but the "feel" is off.)
Gaara watched them talk without chiming in. He knew the other three Kage would be discussing that chakra signature among themselves as well.
(Could it be a Tailed Beast set loose? Could it be Link's jutsu? Or some special technology…?)
Brimming with questions, he stepped through the Web Net portal onto the bustling streets of the Alliance headquarters.
"Alright, everyone," Kakashi said calmly, "I've already arranged accommodations for you. Follow me."
Gaara had spent some time here before, so it wasn't new to him. Unlike the others, who were frantically gathering intel, he was fairly familiar with the layout. He hopped onto Web Net's forum and news pages, skimming updates.
(Still, this place sure changed a lot.)
He recognized the surroundings vaguely—back then, it was an empty lot, and not long after, it turned into such a prosperous area. Off in the distance, he spotted Uchiha police wearing fan crests—reincarnated Uchiha, apparently.
Before long, they arrived at a district near the Alliance Building lined with hotels—mostly for hosting official guests invited by the Executive Committee. Publicly owned, very expensive, only for dignitaries and a few wealthy fools. Right across from them was the main commercial district, and behind was the Enforcement Squad's HQ.
After Kakashi helped everyone check in via Web Net, he said politely, "You have free time tomorrow—just don't leave the Alliance base. Then, on the morning of the next day, Lord Tobirama will meet with you."
With that, he Body Flickered away.
Gaara handed his luggage off to Kankurō and, ignoring Ōnoki's "come talk with me" look, hurried out of the hotel. He'd just messaged Sasuke, who invited him to drop by Friend's House for tea. Gaara was eager to learn about Link's secrets—and why his memories were missing. The other Kage's scheming barely concerned him.
Knowing the Alliance's power, Gaara doubted the four major villages from the Main World could stand up to them. The conflict wasn't even on the same level.
"Hmm?" He hadn't gone far before noticing Ōnoki being escorted by the Enforcement Squad into the Alliance Building.
He paused. (Wait, that's not my Ōnoki from the Main World…it must be the Second World's version.)
(What happened…?) he wondered.