Even the fingers of her right hand, which rested on the table, were lightly tapping the surface. Her nails were painted crimson, and each rhythmic tap seemed to silently signal toward Shizune, who was standing beside her.
Shizune averted her gaze, lowered her head slightly, and stole occasional glances at Uchiha Hikaru.
Hikaru realized that tonight might turn into a battlefield of a different kind.
He strode directly to the center of the round table and sat down.
"This emergency Five Kage Summit was convened for one reason, and I believe everyone here already knows it. It's the Akatsuki—an organization of rogue ninja from across our nations, now operating as a mercenary group."
As he finished speaking, Shizune distributed the materials she had prepared in advance, placing them in front of each Kage.
Ōnoki glanced at the printed sheets of information. His heart skipped a beat. That disobedient bastard... he's actually on this list?
He didn't want to believe it. But he also knew—Konoha would never fabricate such claims.
Opposite him, Rasa's brows furrowed deeply as he read through the pages. Sasori...?
That traitor assassinated the Third Kazekage and fled the village. So he escaped into this organization afterward? And to think, he was seen within the Wind Country just a year ago, alongside other defectors...
This was a mess. That old crone Chiyo still held significant sway in Sunagakure. Dealing with her would be tricky...
Mei Terumi glanced down at the list and saw the name Jūzō Biwa. Her heart clenched.
What a pity... Had the Fourth Mizukage not been under control, Jūzō might have become one of my most trusted allies.
Raikage A, meanwhile, wore a face brimming with pride and defiance. He gave a low scoff.
"There are no traitors from Kumogakure on this list. If there were, I'd have personally torn them apart before they left the village alive."
Uchiha Hikaru leaned back in his chair, his arms folded as he addressed them.
"According to all the intelligence we've gathered so far, every major village—except for Kumogakure—has had rogue ninja defect to the Akatsuki."
"This data has been provided by Konoha. Now, we'd like to hear what you have."
Rasa responded first.
"We in Sunagakure do have some information."
He placed a stack of reports on the table and clenched his right fist. Then he turned to glare at Ōnoki, his voice tinged with restrained fury.
Tsunade noticed the sharp shift in the room's atmosphere. The air felt charged, thick with hostility. Her eyes flicked between Rasa and Ōnoki.
Seeing Hikaru give a subtle nod, Rasa's restraint broke.
He pointed directly at Ōnoki, his tone accusatory.
"During the Third Great Ninja War, our forces in the Rain Country encountered Iwagakure shinobi fighting alongside mercenaries from Akatsuki."
"And even last year, your village hired Akatsuki's bounty hunter—Kakuzu—along with another ninja to hunt shinobi in our Wind Country."
"According to this intel, that other ninja was likely Hidan."
"The Akatsuki didn't just grow on their own. Iwagakure's financial and logistical support helped fuel their rise!"
Ōnoki slammed the table, his small frame trembling with indignation.
"Kid, war is built on deception and tactics. Didn't you seek reinforcements from Konoha during that war?"
"And now you're blaming me for hiring mercenaries? That's rich."
"If you hadn't been losing to Konoha, you would've attacked the Land of Fire yourselves!"
"Let's not forget—during the Third War, it was Sunagakure that fought Konoha the hardest... and also surrendered the fastest."
He ended with a sneer, looking at Rasa with contempt.
Rasa's fists trembled in rage. This arrogant old bastard... I can't even win an argument with him. Damn it!
Standing at the side, Raikage A glared at Ōnoki.
So this is how Iwagakure had the manpower to send 10,000 shinobi to trap my father while fighting on multiple fronts… You had Akatsuki doing your dirty work.
You bastards killed my father!
With fury bubbling up, A stood up abruptly, bowed briefly to Rasa, then spoke with clarity and force.
"Lord Kazekage, I apologize for our actions last year when a unit from Kumogakure entered the Wind Country."
"When we saw that strange pillar of light erupt into the sky, we believed it might have been caused by an artifact lost from our village, so we sent a recon team."
"It caused unintended disruption to your forces."
"Kumogakure is prepared to offer 100 million ryo in compensation as a formal apology."
Rasa's expression softened slightly.
The intrusion from Kumogakure hadn't caused major damage—seven or eight teams at most, maybe a few dozen shinobi in total.
Now that the Raikage had apologized sincerely and offered reparations, it was clear this was an olive branch.
He wants to ally with me against Ōnoki.
The enemy of my enemy... is my friend.
Rasa gave a rare smile and gestured politely.
"You're too kind, Lord Raikage. Since an apology has been given, we in Sunagakure won't press the matter further. We hope Kumogakure finds its lost artifact soon."
The two men exchanged smiles—an unspoken alliance forged in that moment.
Ōnoki, sensing danger, immediately turned toward Mei Terumi, attempting to win her support.
But Mei Terumi didn't even acknowledge his gaze. Or perhaps she did—but simply didn't care.
Her eyes remained fixed on Uchiha Hikaru, occasionally flicking to Tsunade with a hint of envy in her expression.
She spoke, her voice calm but laden with conviction.
"Kirigakure did not participate in the Second Great Ninja War. During the Third, our involvement was due to the Fourth Mizukage being placed under genjutsu control."
"I'd like to once again thank Konoha for liberating us from the blood mist three years ago."
"Kirigakure will remain Konoha's staunchest ally."
Her statement was firm, and the smile she gave Hikaru was unmistakably warm.
Ōnoki scowled. This woman has been kissing up to Konoha since the Chunin Exams... Damn it. Have I really been left isolated here?
Just then, Uchiha Hikaru gave Ōnoki a lazy smile.
The old man's heart dropped.
"Lord Tsuchikage," Hikaru began, voice calm and measured, "if I remember correctly... Deidara was your personal student."
"A shinobi chosen as your heir, and potential successor as Tsuchikage."
"How curious... such a prodigy betraying Iwagakure and joining a terrorist organization that wreaks havoc across the ninja world."
"Do you have anything to say about that?"
All eyes in the room turned toward Ōnoki.
Tsunade clenched her fists.
That's right. During the last war, it was Iwagakure shinobi who killed Nawaki… My little brother.
And today, we finally corner you, you smug old bastard.
—
(End of chapter)
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