"Everyone, stop fighting!"
As Kankurō's voice rang out, Kakashi and the others—as well as Zabuza and his group—were all taken aback.
What was going on?
A Sunagakure ninja squad had actually appeared at the border.
Were they planning to escort the Hidden Mist shinobi?
That seemed impossible.
Even if Gaara had been saved thanks to Shigure, it shouldn't have been enough for Sunagakure to show such goodwill toward Kirigakure.
According to the intelligence Kakashi and the others possessed, Hidden Mist had taken an enormous amount of gold dust from Sunagakure.
Under those circumstances, resentment should have been inevitable.
"Our Lord Kazekage has ordered us to stop this battle," Kankurō said calmly.
"And to deliver a message."
A message?
Both Kakashi and Zabuza turned their gazes toward him.
"Lord Kazekage wishes to meet Lord Mizukage and Hokage-sama in person."
The moment those words were spoken, both men were stunned.
What did that mean?
Konoha and Kirigakure were hunters, competing over the same prey.
Yet now, the prey itself had suddenly spoken up, saying: I want to talk.
Was Sunagakure refusing to remain prey any longer?
Trying to stand on equal footing?
Absurd.
Even so, the Kazekage's request could not be ignored.
Zabuza frowned slightly. He hadn't expected matters to develop this way.
If that was the case, then Lord Shigure probably… wouldn't be very pleased.
Hidden Mist Village
Within Kirigakure, Shigure had just completed the restructuring of the village.
Islands now dotted the once-empty sea, dramatically expanding the village's usable space.
At the same time, Ao was coordinating construction plans, calculating where bridges should be built.
Once Sunagakure's gold dust arrived—even if it came in batches—it would be enough to begin construction between the islands.
When that happened, Hidden Mist Village would undergo earth-shaking change.
On the most distant of the isolated islands—
Shigure stood quietly, surveying his surroundings.
"This will be the meeting place," he said.
"It's far enough from the village. The Hokage shouldn't feel threatened."
Suddenly, Shigure froze.
One of the cloud pigeons he had released had found its target.
Closing his eyes, he focused his perception.
The next moment, his eyes snapped open.
"The Four-Tails Jinchūriki of Iwagakure."
"So… he's there."
The Iwagakure Jinchūriki, Rōshi, was currently cultivating in a small, remote country.
When Shigure's cloud pigeon found him, Rōshi was seated beneath a waterfall, motionless, practicing like an ascetic monk.
Akatsuki
At the same time, the Akatsuki had locked onto the whereabouts of Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki.
"Let's move," Nagato said coldly. "Capture the Two-Tails as quickly as possible."
At present, the only Tailed Beast Akatsuki possessed was Shukaku, the One-Tail.
In Nagato's judgment, to confront Hidden Mist Village, at least four Tailed Beasts would be necessary.
That meant they still needed three more.
Among the Four-Tails, Five-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails, they had to capture three.
"I've also located Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki," Obito suddenly said as he appeared beside Nagato.
Nagato's eyes snapped open.
"I'll go."
Obito shook his head. "No. I will."
"You?" Nagato asked. "So you're finally willing to act?"
Obito sighed softly.
"If we don't move soon, there won't be any opportunity left. The one in Hidden Mist Village is too strong. We need to accelerate."
Nagato nodded. "Then which Tailed Beast should I pursue?"
Obito smiled faintly.
"Isn't there an obvious choice?"
"The Four-Tails hasn't been fully confirmed yet, but the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails remain."
"The Nine-Tails will be extremely difficult… but the Eight-Tails is in Kumogakure."
Nagato understood immediately.
"The Eight-Tails…"
Capturing it would mean confronting the Raikage.
If the battle dragged on, the danger would be immense.
As Nagato considered this, Obito spoke again.
"Zetsu brought back new intelligence."
"The Mizukage of Hidden Mist has invited the Hokage of Konoha for a meeting. The location is an island at sea—neither side will enter Kirigakure."
Nagato stiffened.
"Why are they meeting?"
"Sunagakure," Obito replied. "That's the reason."
Nagato frowned.
"And there's more," Obito continued. "The Kazekage has also requested to join."
At those words, even Konan was momentarily shaken.
"In other words… the Kage of three great ninja villages are about to meet."
Even she couldn't keep her composure.
A meeting between three Kage was no trivial matter.
Given the current state of the world, friction was inevitable.
If things went wrong—
A new Ninja World War could erupt.
Nagato's expression darkened.
He did not fear war itself.
But the fact that these people still hadn't learned—still showed no fear of repeating history—filled him with anger.
"This is exactly why I hate them," he said coldly.
"We must act faster."
If a war broke out prematurely, capturing the Tailed Beasts would become exponentially more difficult.
Mizukage's Office
Shigure sat behind his desk, reviewing the latest report sent back by Kisame.
"So Kankurō suddenly appeared with a Sunagakure squad," Shigure said slowly.
"And our clash with Konoha was forced to stop."
When he finished speaking, Mei Terumī and Ao both fell silent, deep in thought.
This confrontation had been a contest between Konoha and Hidden Mist.
Whoever emerged dominant would decide Sunagakure's fate.
Yet now, Sunagakure had interfered directly.
Were they trying to discard the role of prey?
Seeking coexistence as equals?
Mei's eyes narrowed slightly.
Sunagakure… was thinking far too highly of itself.
"Lord Mizukage, how did you reach that conclusion?"
"Hmph."
Shigure merely smiled.
Gaara was indeed outstanding—but the current Gaara was still not fully worthy of the title Kazekage.
If Gaara truly wished to meet with him and Lady Tsunade, that would first depend on whether he could even set foot on that island.
With that thought, Shigure spoke calmly, his smile deepening.
"Very well. I agree."
"The Three Kage Summit will not bring peace to the Ninja World."
Konoha
In Konoha, Lady Tsunade had no objection to Shigure proposing a meeting.
However, the moment she learned that Sunagakure intended to participate as well, her expression darkened.
"A mere Hidden Sand Village," she said coldly.
"They invaded Konoha and never offered an explanation—and now they dare ask to meet me?"
She let out a sharp laugh.
"Fine. Then we'll settle everything at once."
"I only hope the Kazekage of Hidden Sand has the courage to actually show up."
As news of the impending Three Kage Summit spread across the Ninja World, neither Iwagakure nor Kumogakure could remain calm.
"What are they planning?"
"Two hunters and a single prey—are they discussing how to divide the spoils?"
The Raikage found the situation especially amusing.
Still, amusement did not mean complacency.
If the three Kage clashed during the summit, that would be acceptable.
But if the Mizukage, Hokage, and Kazekage were to unite—
Then Kumogakure and Iwagakure would be the ones who truly had reason to fear.
...
(End of Chapter)
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