In the conference room of Konoha Village,
Toki Uchiha spoke with a heavy heart to the gathered Tsuchikage, Raikage, the leader of Kusagakure, and the distinguished figures from various nations attending the meeting:
"I never expected things to happen so suddenly."
"When the Third Hokage went after Danzo, he voiced his opposition. Later, he was stationed at the Daimyō's residence and took the Nine-Tails away."
"Considering the position of the village, we have no choice but to disband Konoha as a shinobi village and instead transition into a commercial village."
"Who would have thought that the Nine-Tails would go berserk again...?"
He sighed.
"Alas, the Uchiha bear great responsibility for this. We initially believed Obito was merely being controlled by Madara, but who could have imagined that he had actually collaborated with Asuma to release the Nine-Tails once more?"
"This Jinchūriki's seal was far too weak."
Toki sighed before smiling at Ōnoki and Raikage A, saying:
"Now that Konoha is no longer a shinobi village, we hope that another village can take on the responsibility of caring for this Jinchūriki."
Ōnoki and Raikage A immediately shook their heads:
"No, no. The tailed beasts were already divided when they were first allocated. We are not the type to break our word."
The room fell silent as everyone stared at the two Kage.
Indeed, no one who had become Hokage had a thin skin. Was the old man really so determined to keep his word? No, it was obvious he didn't want to take it! Or rather, he didn't dare!
The Nine-Tails had gone berserk twice already—once destroying Konoha and once wiping out the Daimyō's palace. Who in their right mind would want to take responsibility for such a disaster?
Kumogakure had nearly lost its strongest Third Raikage when the Eight-Tails rampaged. If they took in the Nine-Tails as well, their own tailed beasts might wipe them out before the next Great Ninja War even began.
Besides, this Nine-Tails was still just a baby and couldn't even refine chakra yet. The seal had already been broken twice—why risk a third time?
Only an idiot would willingly take this ticking time bomb.
Toki turned his gaze to the Fourth Raikage.
"Kumogakure recently lost its Two-Tails, correct? You could consider taking in the Nine-Tails to balance the loss. You know its power—you wouldn't suffer any losses."
Raikage A slammed his fist on the table and roared:
"Nonsense! Do you think we in Kumogakure are the type to take advantage of others' misfortunes? We signed a peace treaty, and we will honor it! Keep the Nine-Tails for yourselves!"
But in his heart, Raikage A cursed.
If only the Nine-Tails went berserk again and wiped out the Uchiha! Then, Konoha's scientific ninja tools and summoned beasts would all be his...
This time, there was no old bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi to get in his way.
Damn it. They had said the sealing techniques would be shared equally, yet Konoha had hoarded them all.
If those people weren't already dead, he would at least dig up their corpses just to relieve his frustration.
Seeing the Fourth Raikage's firm refusal, Toki turned his gaze to Ōnoki.
But Ōnoki also refused outright.
His village already had two Jinchūriki, and their relationships were strained. If a third one went berserk, it could trigger a chain reaction and completely destabilize everything.
Toki sighed regretfully and said:
"In that case, Konoha will continue to take care of the Nine-Tails for now. If anyone is interested in taking it, you're welcome to claim it at any time."
"Not interested. Not interested."
Once the room had settled, Toki smiled again and continued:
"Now that this matter is resolved, let's move on to the next topic—discussing the formal process for Tsunade, the sole heir of the Fire Daimyō, to succeed the position of Daimyō."
The room fell into stunned silence as everyone turned to look at Toki in shock.