At Shindai's place.
Shindai told Pakura about the encounter with Maki at Suna, as well as Chiyo's apology.
As for Chiyo's apology, Pakura remained silent. The damage had already been done—some things couldn't be easily forgiven.
Hearing about Maki, Pakura said with satisfaction, "It seems young Maki has grown up indeed."
Shindai continued, "By the way, in half a month I'll be accompanying Lord Minato to the Land of Iron for the Five Kage Summit. I have to leave again for a while. Sigh, I was originally planning to take down Akatsuki, but didn't expect—no, forget that—their actions were much faster than anticipated. They've already captured every Tailed Beast except the Nine-Tails and the Eight-Tails. Their efficiency is surprisingly high."
Hikaku Uchiha asked in confusion, "But what do they want so many Tailed Beasts for? If they wanted to start a war, having seven should already be enough, right?"
Shindai shook his head, "Not exactly for war… Or rather, someone wants peace in the ninja world through war. But one particular person just wants to bring back his late mother."
Pakura looked puzzled at Shindai, "Bring back his late mother?"
Shindai nodded, "Yeah. I wonder if they'll succeed. At first, I thought we still had a good chance to stop them, but their actions completely caught me off guard. It looks like that pile of crap might actually work. But whatever. Naruto and Sasuke are growing stronger now. We can just sit back and let them carry us forward."
...
The next day.
Naruto and Kushina Uzumaki were summoned to Mount Myoboku via the Reverse Summoning Jutsu performed by the frogs there. Minato Namikaze followed them—he needed to go over some safety instructions.
Half a month later, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade returned to Konoha.
Since Akatsuki was fully mobilized, no other members were available to guard the base. Therefore, although they confirmed that Amegakure did have an Akatsuki hideout, the investigation revealed very little else.
When Jiraiya and his team entered Amegakure, Nagato noticed immediately. However, since no Akatsuki member was currently stationed there, he chose not to interfere or alert them, letting Jiraiya investigate freely.
Now that the Akatsuki base in Amegakure had been exposed didn't matter anymore—the plan had already reached its latter stages. It didn't matter anymore whether that base stayed hidden or not.
After returning empty-handed, Jiraiya reported the findings to Minato Namikaze. He learned then that Naruto had gone to Mount Myoboku to train and wait. Thus, he decided to also go to Mount Myoboku to help Naruto improve his skills.
Sasuke once again approached Orochimaru, expressing his desire to learn Sage Mode.
Orochimaru didn't refuse Sasuke's request. As long as Sasuke wanted to learn [Sage Mode], he would teach him. If he failed—that was entirely Sasuke's own problem, nothing to do with him.
As the Five Kage Summit drew closer, four days before it began, Minato Namikaze assembled Shindai, Obito, Kakashi, and Shisui to head toward the Land of Iron.
The Kage from the other four villages had already departed.
The Root Hidden in the Rice Field.
Before Danzo stood a masked ninja.
Danzo commanded, "The Five Great Kage Summit will begin in the Land of Iron. This is our chance. When all five Kage gather to start the meeting, activate Gyuuten no Aka and kill them all!"
Gyuuten no Aka was a plan devised by Danzo.
Researchers under Danzo used Hashirama cells to create a monster called Nue, capable of absorbing chakra until reaching a certain threshold and then self-destructing.
They also developed a Sealing Technique that could store the Nue within a spatial-temporal dimension in the form of a marking, named this seal "Gyuuten no Aka." By forming specific hand seals, one could implant the Gyuuten no Aka into another person's body.
Danzo's plan was to send this ninja carrying the Gyuuten no Aka mark to the Land of Iron, allowing the Nue to rampage before self-destructing.
"Yes! Lord Danzo!"
Danzo nodded solemnly. "Then, move out."
...
After several days of travel, Minato Namikaze and his party arrived at the Land of Iron and were personally received by Mifune, the general and leader of the samurai forces there.
Upon entering the fortress of the Land of Iron, they met Baki, who had come as the Kazekage's representative, along with Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari serving as his guards.
Minato greeted Baki warmly. Gaara looked behind Minato but didn't see Naruto, prompting him to ask, "Where's Naruto?"
Minato smiled in response. "Naruto is training back in the village. He didn't come this time."
Gaara clearly appeared disappointed. "I see..."
Shindai saw Gaara's expression and secretly thought, We're doomed. Another one got hooked by Naruto.
Suddenly, Shindai spotted several familiar people.
"Well well well, who do we have here? Isn't this my defeated opponents 'Zabuza the Unbreakable' and 'Raiga the Toothbreaker,' along with Mei Terumi, the Mizukage who almost got killed by Kakashi~"
Mei Terumi approached them, accompanied by her guards Zabuza, Raiga Kurosuki, Ao, and Chojuro.
Upon hearing Shindai's mockery, Mei, Zabuza, and Raiga all bulged their temples with anger. What a narrow world fate has brought us into!
Mei ignored Shindai and walked directly toward Minato, extending her hand. "Long time no see, Hokage-sama."
Minato reached out and shook hands with Mei. "Long time no see, Mizukage-sama."
Then Mei exchanged greetings with Baki, who represented the Kazekage.
Shindai suddenly perked up again. "Tsk tsk tsk, isn't this Raikage from Kumogakure, Mr. Underhanded Tactics~ I wonder if Kumogakure plans any petty theft today? Obito, Shisui, you two better watch out. Kumogakure has sticky fingers; they might try stealing your Sharingan."
Raikage A glared viciously at Shindai. "Kid, what did you just say?!"
Shindai threw his head back defiantly. "What if I say it again?"
"You actually think I'm scared of you?"
Kankuro and Temari were both stunned.
This Shindai... how does he end up at odds with practically everyone?
Minato Namikaze felt a migraine brewing. He couldn't control him at all—it was completely hopeless!
"Alright, Shindai, that's enough. That's all in the past. Now we're allies, comrades."
Minato gave Kakashi, Obito, and Shisui a meaningful glance.
Understanding immediately, Kakashi, Obito, and Shisui clamped a hand over Shindai's loudmouth and dragged him toward the back.
"Well now, this is something indeed," Onoki of Iwagakure Village entered the fortress. "A gathering of all five Kage rarely happens. The last time we had all five Kage together was during the original Kage Summit convened by the first generation Kage of each village."
Mifune spoke up. "Since all Five Kage have arrived, let's head into the meeting room to begin this summit."
Everyone followed Mifune toward the meeting room.
Shindai and his guards took seats in the spectator stands to observe.
The Five Kage had already taken their seats around the conference table.
Mifune announced, "In response to the summons from each of our leaders, we've brought together all five Kage here today. I am Mifune, the officiating host for this meeting. Let the Five Kage Summit commence!"
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