249.Ōnoki and A Both Want Command
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As for how the other villages arranged their affairs, that was their own business.
In any case, the subsequent matters of Konoha would be handled by Kazuki.
The location for the Five Kage Summit was once again set in the neutral Land of Iron, as requested by the other villages.
Kumogakure had wanted to host the summit in their own village, but the other villages were unwilling. Thus, the Land of Iron became the best alternative.
Since taking office, Tsunade had inherited a mess and hadn't bothered with formalities like assembling a Hokage Guard Platoon. As such, her security during this trip would be handled by the reformed Anbu.
"For this Five Kage Summit, Konoha doesn't need to get too involved. Kumogakure will take the lead. All we have to do is avoid fanning the flames—Iwagakure will handle that."
When it came to the Five Kage Summit, there was one critical issue that demanded attention. command authority.
Every village wanted control over it—even Konoha.
However, since Kumogakure had already secured Konoha's cooperation through prior negotiations, the command authority was essentially out of Konoha's hands. The remaining four villages would have to fight over it.
Though Konoha had no need to compete for command, they also couldn't openly side with Kumogakure.
"A single command position is enough to make them argue endlessly."
Even within a single village, assembling five ninja units without a unified commander could lead to disputes over leadership. Now, with all five great villages gathered, it was inevitable that heads would clash in the struggle for control.
At the very least, Kumogakure and Iwagakure wouldn't back down easily.
Both Ōnoki and Ay were men with strong desires for control. Getting them to relinquish command would be difficult.
"By the way, Shizune has been acting strangely lately. She even thinks I've been resting at your place too often."
Just mentioning this annoyed Tsunade.
'Isn't my little secretary overstepping her bounds?'
'Can you blame her?' Kazuki gave Tsunade a look that said, You brought this on yourself.
Kazuki and Tsunade walked at the front, speaking in low voices, while the Anbu followed at a distance.
Traveling light, the group entered the Land of Iron within a day.
Unlike Iwagakure and Kumogakure, which sought to dominate everything, Kazuki and Tsunade had timed their arrival carefully. They showed up around the same time as Kirigakure and Sunagakure.
Kazuki had no interest in watching Ōnoki and Ay glare at each other, exchanging veiled insults.
"I didn't expect the Hokage to arrive last."
Coincidentally crossing paths with Sunagakure's delegation, Rasa greeted Tsunade.
"I didn't expect the Kazekage to leave the Land of Wind so eagerly for the Land of Iron. It seems you're determined to secure something related to the Akatsuki."
Tsunade smiled faintly, effortlessly countering Rasa's sarcasm.
The moment they met, the air was already thick with tension—and this was between Konoha and Sunagakure.
One could only imagine how much worse it would be when Iwagakure and Kumogakure were in the same room.
Rasa, having been immediately rebutted by Tsunade, chose not to press further and walked ahead with his entourage.
Kazuki and Tsunade followed behind.
"That guy finally crawled out of the desert. I thought he'd be digging for gold his whole life."
The fact that Sunagakure's Kazekage relied on mining to support his village wasn't exactly a secret in the shinobi world—though few dared to say it out loud.
"..."
Tsunade's voice wasn't quiet, and Rasa, walking ahead, undoubtedly heard her. His lips twitched, but he showed no reaction, continuing forward with his group.
This Five Kage Summit wasn't a formal one, so there was no need for the Land of Iron to act as mediators. The five great villages would handle things themselves, merely borrowing the Land of Iron's territory.
Having the Land of Iron oversee the proceedings?
The situation wasn't that dire yet.
Each village's guards remained outside, with only one person allowed to accompany their Kage inside.
The Anbu stayed behind, while Kazuki entered with Tsunade.
Inside the spacious meeting hall, representatives from Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure were already seated—only Konoha was missing.
Entering the room, Tsunade removed her hat and placed it on the table before taking her seat at the Konoha delegation's spot. Kazuki stood behind her.
Without even needing to observe closely, the thick tension in the air was palpable—especially between Ōnoki and Ay, who sat near each other.
Before the other villages arrived, the two had clearly exchanged words—and it hadn't gone well.
"Now that the Hokage has arrived, this Five Kage Summit shall commence."
Ay, seizing the initiative before Ōnoki could, declared the summit open in his role as the convening party.
"Hmph!"
Ōnoki shot Ay a glare but didn't stand up to interrupt. He merely sat in his chair, displeased.
Fortunately, the Land of Iron had specially provided Ōnoki with a taller chair. Otherwise, given his height, only his head would have been level with the table.
"Everyone, our purpose here is straightforward—to deal with the Akatsuki and Amegakure. The two of you should restrain yourselves."
While Tsunade and Rasa remained silent, Yagura, unable to tolerate the bickering, reminded Ōnoki and Ay.
The five great villages were equals. Could the two of them not take things too far?
The other villages hadn't even stated their positions yet, and already these two were fighting over command.
Did they think Kirigakure, Sunagakure, and Konoha had no say?
"This old man means no disrespect. It's just that the Raikage is being overly domineering. While Kumogakure may have convened this summit, the Raikage's attempt to seize command is nothing short of tyranny."
The moment Yagura finished speaking, Ōnoki jumped in, accusing Ay and deliberately stirring the pot—trying to redirect the conflict onto him and turn the others against him.
"Ōnoki, don't push it!"
Ay's already dark complexion grew even darker.
Yagura sighed. If anything, the situation had only worsened.
Rasa watched the exchange between Ōnoki and Ay without a word. He knew his place.
No matter what, Sunagakure couldn't compete with Iwagakure or Kumogakure.
Rasa was no match for Ōnoki or Ay.
So why bother getting involved? He'd just let them fight it out.
"I knew it."
Tsunade resisted the urge to roll her eyes. This was exactly why she hadn't wanted to attend the summit.
Nothing productive would come of it—just endless bickering.
"Enough, you two. We're here to unite against Amegakure and the Akatsuki—not to watch you argue."
Konoha couldn't openly take sides, but when the time came, they still had to make their presence known.