245. Five Kage Summit

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After much deliberation, the Mercenary Squad decided to continue observing and refining their plan.

"Why rush?" their leader mused. "The advance payment is already in, and the client hasn't pushed us for results. We'll take it slow. If the opportunity doesn't arise, we can always pick up another job. No point dying for one task we still need to eat."

Meanwhile, the Akatsuki wasn't pressuring them either, simply because they were swamped with their own work.

Capturing a Jinchūriki is only the first step. Extracting the tailed beast requires using Phantom Dragon Nine Consuming Seals (Genryū Kyū Fūjin) to transfer the beast into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path (Gedō Mazō).

While the technique sounds impressive, its execution is less so. It requires the combined effort of all nine Akatsuki members and takes three days and three nights to extract a single-tailed beast.

By comparison, the monk Chiriku from the Fire Temple was able to extract both the One-Tail (Shukaku) and Seven-Tails (Chōmei) in less than a day during the earlier attack on Sunagakure.

Of course, this discrepancy might be due to the need to synchronize the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path with the extraction process, making it more complicated.

Currently, the Akatsuki is short-staffed. Even counting Konan, Tobi, and Zetsu, there are only eight available members. Furthermore, Zetsu mostly handles surveillance and security during the extraction.

As a result, extracting the Two-Tails (Matatabi), Four-Tails (Son Gokū), and Five-Tails (Kokuō) has taken over half a month. Naturally, they've had no time to chase the Mercenary Squad for progress.

After sealing the three-tailed beasts, three of the statue's nine eyes opened, but there were signs of "indigestion."

According to Black Zetsu, this could be due to the improper sealing sequence. Ideally, the tailed beasts should be sealed in order, from the One-Tail to the Nine-Tails.

Another possibility is that the conflicting chakra natures of the beasts are causing internal clashes. Only by gathering all nine beasts can true balance be achieved.

When questioned further, Black Zetsu offered no concrete evidence. After all, he is merely "Madara's will" and couldn't possibly know the intricacies of the Sage of Six Paths (Rikudō Sennin).

With no better explanations, Pain ordered the group to speed up the capture of the remaining beasts, deciding to personally join the effort if necessary.

---

Meanwhile, nearly a month had passed since the disappearance of Iwagakure's two Jinchūriki.

Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, had repeatedly sent teams to search for them, but all efforts had been in vain. The situation was becoming increasingly difficult to conceal.

Realizing the danger posed by the Akatsuki, Ōnoki decided to call for a Five Kage Summit, proposing that the Five Great Nations unite to eliminate the organization.

Ōnoki believed that if the Akatsuki's goal was to harm Iwagakure specifically, they would have already acted further.

However, if their target was the tailed beasts, other villages would likely face the same threat.

For example, Sunagakure had been attacked recently, and instead of hiding the incident, the Sand and Leaf villages openly warned other nations about the Akatsuki.

Based on intelligence, it seemed likely that Deidara was involved in the attack on Sunagakure. "That brat... wonder if he's been killed yet," Ōnoki muttered.

Rather than waiting for the other villages to initiate cooperation, Ōnoki decided to act first, securing a leadership position in the alliance. His goal was to recover Iwagakure's tailed beasts while minimizing losses and maximizing benefits.

Ōnoki's ability to balance risks and rewards earned him the nickname "Ōnoki of Both Scales." His village's leadership trusted his judgment completely and fully supported his decision.

"Send word to Konoha, Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure! Summon the Five Kage for a summit!"

"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage!"

---

Konoha (Hidden Leaf Village)

The first to receive the message was Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.

"A Five Kage Summit about the Akatsuki? Sounds good."

Minato viewed the Akatsuki as a growing threat that would eventually need to be addressed. Any chance to collaborate with other villages would reduce risks and strengthen alliances.

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade supported his decision, and Minato promptly replied in agreement.

----

Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village)

The situation was more complex for Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage and the Three-Tails Jinchūriki.

"An opportunity to eliminate the Akatsuki? We can't hide forever," Yagura declared. "I'm still the Mizukage!"

"But your safety—" one of his advisors hesitated.

Yagura waved the concern away. "I trust my own strength. I'll select capable guards. Besides, no one would be foolish enough to attack during a Five Kage Summit."

Reluctantly, the advisors agreed, and Yagura prepared to attend.

----

Sunagakure (Hidden Sand Village)

Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage, shared a similar mindset. As the One-Tail's Jinchūriki, he knew the Akatsuki would come for him eventually. A united effort to eliminate them was ideal.

Both Kankurō and Temari supported Gaara's decision. "Anyone who tries to harm our brother deserves to be crushed," Temari said grimly.

----

Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village)

The reaction from Fourth Raikage was less cooperative.

"That old fox Ōnoki is definitely up to something!" Raikage slammed the message onto his desk.

His secretary, Mabui, had researched Ōnoki's extensive history. As a legendary figure who led Iwagakure from poverty to strength, Ōnoki was a formidable strategist.

"This summit isn't just about eliminating the Akatsuki," Mabui speculated. "Ōnoki might use this as an opportunity to reveal that we've lost the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, destabilizing the balance of power and turning the other villages against us."

Raikage opened his mouth to argue but fell silent as Mabui continued. "No, this goes even deeper. What if his real goal is to incite competition over the unclaimed Two-Tails? If someone else takes it, the balance will be broken, and we'll become the primary target. Worse, they might even come after the Eight-Tails!"

Raikage blinked, utterly baffled by Mabui's rapid deductions. "Are you... overthinking this?"

Mabui ignored him, her forehead damp with sweat. "No wonder Ōnoki has survived since the Warring States Period. His plans run five layers deep!"

Raikage "...What are you even talking about?"

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