Chapter 249: The Dazzling Entrance

The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.

The Fourth Raikage, A.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.

Aside from Kirigakure's Kage, Terumī Mei, who had yet to arrive, this was perhaps the most complete gathering of the Five Kage in nearly a decade.

The hot-tempered Raikage, A, erupted with lightning the moment he laid eyes on Minato.

"Namikaze Minato, return my sworn brother to me! If not, I, A, will raze Konohagakure to the ground today!"

Before Minato could respond, Kakashi shot a sidelong glance at the Raikage and remarked, his tone neither soft nor harsh,

"If I remember correctly, Raikage-sama, you said the exact same thing five years ago."

A's imposing aura wavered for a brief moment before his eyes widened in fury, locking onto Kakashi.

"You insolent brat! This is a discussion between Kage—who gave you the right to interrupt?!"

Minato raised a hand, shielding Kakashi behind him as he spoke in a calm tone.

"No need to be so angry, Raikage-dono. My student has always been blunt—please don't take it to heart."

"Hmph."

Suppressing the fire in his chest, the Raikage gave Minato a deep, scrutinizing look.

"You're as smooth-tongued as ever, Hokage. I can't compare."

"But I just hope that once my army marches, you'll still be able to maintain this same confidence."

With that, the Raikage took half a step back, ceding the floor to the other two Kage.

The exchange with Minato and his student had already put him at a disadvantage in terms of presence—it wouldn't be wise to keep talking.

Taking over the conversation, Rasa's gaze was cold as he spoke.

"Hokage, do you realize that the jinchūriki of Sunagakure—my son—has also been taken?"

"I never wanted to be enemies with Konoha, but your village has pushed us too far. Don't blame us for fighting to the death."

Hovering midair at the same level as the others, Ōnoki chimed in.

"The agreement to distribute the Tailed Beasts among the villages was a pact made by your First Hokage to maintain peace."

"Yet now, Konoha has unilaterally broken that agreement, disregarding the will of your predecessors by seizing the Tailed Beasts. Just what is your village's true intention?"

"You, as the younger generation, don't feel even a shred of guilt? Do you not fear being condemned by the entire shinobi world?!"

Minato let out a soft sigh, spreading his hands helplessly.

"When one intends to condemn another, any excuse will do. The three of you are all wise leaders—you should be able to see the truth."

"This is clearly the work of someone orchestrating things from the shadows, fabricating accusations, and fanning the flames to sow discord between our four villages."

"I only ask that the three of you don't blindly believe rumors and allow yourselves to be manipulated."

Ōnoki let out a heavy snort, his voice firm.

"Hokage, stop deceiving yourself. The more you deny it, the more it seems like you have something to hide."

"All the jinchūriki from every village have been taken by 'Yoru'—except for Konoha's."

"Isn't the true mastermind obvious at this point?"

Rasa pointed a finger at Minato, his expression twisted with anger.

"Tsuchikage is right. How do you explain this, Hokage?"

Minato remained silent, a bitter taste lingering in his heart.

("Obito… This time, you've really turned the whole shinobi world upside down. How am I supposed to clean up after you?")

The Raikage seized the moment to sneer.

"Hokage, weren't you full of righteous arguments just now? What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"

Just as Kakashi was about to speak—

A lazy voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

"What's so hard to understand? It's because Konoha is simply too powerful, so Yoru dares not make a move against us."

"Minato-sensei was just being considerate—he didn't want to hurt your self-esteem, so he chose to remain silent."

"So why push him so hard and bring trouble upon yourselves?"

Following the voice, a man draped in a long cloak emblazoned with a fan crest strolled in with his hands in his pockets, swaying leisurely with each step.

(Imagine Doflamingo here.)

Hearing that familiar voice, Kakashi turned around in surprise, embracing the newcomer in a tight hug.

At the same time, he couldn't help but whisper in complaint,

"Obito, even at a crucial moment like this, you had to be late?"

(Come on, I rushed over the moment I heard the news—I didn't even have time for a proper reunion with Rin!)

(I just got delayed on the way, trying to figure out how to conceal my Rinnegan…)

After some quick internal calculations, Obito chuckled and patted Kakashi's back before stepping away from the embrace. Looking at Minato and the assembled Kage, he spoke,

"Sorry, I was a little late. But heroes always make their entrance last, right?"

'When did this kid show up?!'

The Raikage's expression changed instantly, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

'He slipped past my perception… Has his strength grown even more?!'

'Dammit!'

Recalling his previous humiliating encounter, the Raikage cursed inwardly but held his tongue.

Ōnoki, too, remained silent, deep in thought.

'Could Uchiha Obito actually be… that Uchiha brat from back then?'

'No, that's unlikely… If he were Madara's grandson, he'd be in his forties by now…'

Unaware of the two Kage's contemplation, Rasa's reaction became all the more foolish.

Still fuming, he pointed an accusatory finger at Obito, his voice seething with rage.

"Insolent brat! Who said you could speak?!"

(How infuriating!)

The stark contrast between Konoha's dominance and Sunagakure's decline filled Rasa with fury and resentment.

'Just because you're strong, does that mean you can do whatever you please?'

Obito raised an eyebrow and shot Rasa a flat glance.

A moment later—

A sharp "snap" echoed through the air.

Rasa's finger was severed at the base. Blood gushed freely.

Obito bowed slightly, his tone sincere.

"My apologies, Kazekage. I just don't like being pointed at."

"But since it's your first offense, I'll let you off with just this."

Rasa's guards paled in shock.

"Kazekage-sama! Are you alright?!"

A few of them immediately unsheathed their weapons, glaring at Obito with murderous intent.

"You bastard! How dare you attack the Kazekage?! Do you have a death wish?!"

Obito shrugged.

"I did it right in front of you all—how is that a sneak attack?"

(Ninja business. Can it really be called 'sneaking' at this point?)

Rasa gritted his teeth, forcing himself to endure the pain. He raised his other hand to signal his guards to stand down.

"I'm fine. Fall back."

"But Kazekage-sama—"

"I said fall back!"

"…Understood."

As his men withdrew, Rasa glared daggers at Obito.

He hadn't even seen how the other man had attacked.

The other Kage were just as shaken.

'This brat is even more terrifying than before… Damn it!'

The Raikage's eyes gleamed with menace.

'No matter what, he must die. I can't let him grow any stronger!'

Ōnoki, on the other hand, had another thought.

'That move just now… It was a space-time jutsu. He must be connected to that Uchiha…!'

Even Minato sighed.

"This just killed any chance of peace talks, huh?"

Obito simply smirked.

"Well then—let's start the Fourth Shinobi World War."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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