In the bedroom, Kageyama Kogetsu, Mikoto Uchiha, and Kushina Uzumaki were all awakened by the sound of the frog croaking.
None of the three said anything, because frogs weren't active in this season. As the saying goes, when things are abnormal, there must be something strange.
Kageyama Kogetsu, who had the privilege of sleeping naked, got up, put on a black nightgown, and flashed out of the bedroom.
Seeing the person it was looking for, the messenger toad immediately spat out a scroll. It looked quite clean, without any strange mucus.
Kageyama Kogetsu beckoned with his hand, opened it, and read it. A moment later, he smiled and said, "Tell the Great Toad Sage that I know, and I can be reverse summoned at any time."
"Croak, croak." The messenger toad croaked twice in thanks, then turned and jumped into the pond.
"Hehe... it seems those two really feel the pressure, to even think about Sage Mode."
"But it doesn't matter. No matter how much they struggle, it's futile. Everything they do will only benefit me."
"I'm getting a little tired of always fighting with the Tenseigan. It seems I'll be able to fight openly with my black eye soon."
"I wonder if the Sage of Six Paths will jump out then..."
"I remember the Sage of Six Paths only jumped out when Naruto and Sasuke were heavily injured by Madara Uchiha and on the verge of death."
"If the two of them are fine, he probably won't jump out."
"Well, it doesn't matter. As long as the plan succeeds, even if he jumps out, it will be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."
"If he goes too far, I'll just refine the Sage of Six Paths and swallow the Pure Land."
Thoughts raced through Kageyama Kogetsu's mind. The next moment, he flashed back to the big bed in the bedroom, took off his nightgown, and hugged Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki, who also had the privilege of sleeping naked, back to sleep.
...
At nine o'clock the next morning, Kageyama Kogetsu received the Kumogakure delegation in the Hokage's office.
Everyone took their seats in the guest area according to rank. Kageyama Kogetsu sat in a single armchair, a cigar in his mouth, legs crossed, looking like a big boss.
Dodai, Samui, Karui, and Omoi sat in a row on the black leather sofa. Five teacups were placed on the coffee table, steam rising and a fragrant aroma filling the air.
"You have come a long way, but I didn't have time to entertain you yesterday. It was truly impolite of me."
"I'll use tea instead of wine to toast you as an apology."
Hearing this, Dodai and the other three breathed a sigh of relief. From his past deeds and this sitting posture, he didn't look like an easy person to deal with, but unexpectedly, he was so polite.
"Lord Hokage is too polite. Having had a similar experience, we understand very well," Dodai said with a smile, raising his teacup.
After taking a sip of tea, Kageyama Kogetsu leaned back against the chair, resuming his sitting posture.
Dodai and the other three didn't feel any displeasure, thinking it was a habitual posture. Lord Raikage also had some unique habits. It was normal for strong people.
"The Masked Man and his group are truly hateful. They are simply public enemies of the ninja world!" Kageyama Kogetsu said indignantly.
"Lord Hokage is right. The Masked Man and his group, this cancer of the ninja world, must be eradicated!"
"We represent Kumogakure on this mission to Konoha for three purposes."
"First, to rush over and notify Konoha. Unexpectedly, we were still late. Fortunately, Lord Hokage responded in a timely and appropriate manner."
"Second, to share some special intelligence with Konoha. This intelligence is something Brother Eight-Tails instructed us to notify you of before he sacrificed himself."
"Oh?" Kageyama Kogetsu had vaguely guessed it, but still pretended to be curious.
"I'm all ears."
Dodai then expressed what the Eight-Tails Gyūki had said in his own words. Kageyama Kogetsu's expression gradually became solemn.
"So the Akatsuki collected Tailed Beasts to revive the Ten-Tails..."
"They want to break the ninja world order led by the five great ninja villages, and want to rule or even destroy the world!"
"A bunch of lunatics. This cannot be tolerated. We must destroy them!"
Kageyama Kogetsu took a deep drag, the end of the cigar glowing scarlet. He frowned, looking furious.
Dodai nodded in deep agreement. "Lord Hokage is right. Lord Raikage feels the same way."
"Lord Raikage believes this matter requires the five great ninja villages to act together. Therefore, he has sent envoys to Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure, hoping to convene a Five Kage Summit."
Kageyama Kogetsu laughed. "Great minds think alike."
Putting aside their stances, Kageyama Kogetsu quite admired the Fourth Raikage. Although he inherited the bandit-like characteristic of Kumogakure to snatch good things everywhere, he had many merits himself.
"I agree to convene the Five Kage Summit, but I think we can go deeper."
Dodai said seriously, "What does Lord Hokage mean?"
Kageyama Kogetsu spoke eloquently, "The threat of the Masked Man and his group is not only to the five great ninja villages but also to other small ninja villages, non-ninja forces, and even the whole world."
"In matters concerning the survival of the ninja world, it's not appropriate for ordinary people to participate, nor do they have the ability to participate directly."
"Non-mainstream small ninja villages are too weak; it makes no difference whether they are there or not. But mainstream small ninja villages need to participate."
"The combined strength of mainstream small ninja villages is no less than that of a great ninja village. How can they be absent?"
"Besides, I might as well make things completely clear."
"If we, the five great ninja villages, take the brunt of it, even if we win the war, our losses probably won't be small, maybe even heavy."
"If we don't bring the small ninja villages on board, aren't we giving them a chance to rise after the war?"
"Which of the five great ninja villages wants to be replaced by a newly risen power?"
"I'll state my position here. Five signboards mean five signboards. There cannot be a sixth!"
Dodai's heart stirred, his eyes lit up, and he smiled broadly. "Lord Hokage is absolutely right. Our Kumogakure didn't consider it thoroughly enough."
How could the small ninja villages stay out of it?
Some members of the Akatsuki also came from small ninja villages.
What? Undercover agents?
Regardless of whether they were undercover or rogue ninja, ultimately, did they come from small ninja villages or not?!
Other small ninja villages that didn't produce rogue ninja also had to participate, because the safety of the ninja world was the responsibility of every ninja!
"Lord Raikage won't disagree with such a suggestion. After all, it increases the possibility of exterminating the Masked Man and his group."
Kageyama Kogetsu flicked the cigar ash and smiled. "That's good. Send an invitation to each small ninja village and each of the five great ninja villages."
"We'll hold a Ninja Village Summit. The location will be set in the neutral country, the Land of Iron, the samurai power."
"There's no rush to determine the time. Everyone can decide after communicating through intelligence personnel."
Now that everyone was a collaborator, it wasn't appropriate to say "spies." "Intelligence personnel" sounded better.
"Lord Hokage's proposal is excellent. Our Kumogakure has no objections," Dodai said seriously.
"Good, then it's decided."
"Come, let's toast with tea instead of wine. I hope we can cooperate happily," Kageyama Kogetsu said with a beaming smile.
I don't know if you'll be happy in the future, but I'll most likely be very happy.
"We dedicate this cup to Lord Hokage."
Dodai raised his teacup with both hands, and the other three followed suit.
"Haha, good."
Not long after finishing the tea, Dodai and the other three stood up to take their leave, immediately setting off to return to Kumogakure.
Firstly, the longer they stayed outside, the greater the danger. Secondly, there were many things to do in Kumogakure, requiring the four of them to rush back and share the burden.
...
On the other side, Madara Uchiha, piloting his Perfect Susanoo, finally flew near Mount Myoboku.
The other end of the planet was barren. Except for differences in terrain elevation, there was no difference elsewhere. Madara Uchiha spent some time searching from high altitude.
Upon seeing the lush green, cloud-shrouded Mount Myoboku, Madara Uchiha landed from afar and used the Magic Lantern Body Technique to contact Obito...
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