Chapter 13: The Five Kage Summit

The Land of Iron, the nation of samurai, was located near the Lands of Earth and Lightning, bordering the Lands of Fire, Waterfall, and Fields. Its climate was perpetually cold, with heavy snow covering the land year-round.

Due to its historical neutrality in the conflicts of the ninja world, it had avoided the ravages of war and became the ideal location for hosting the Five Kage Summit.

At this moment, near the border of the Land of Fire, Team Taka was racing at full speed, about to enter the Land of Iron.

"Hm!?" Karin suddenly frowned. "There's an unknown chakra ahead!"

Sasuke and the others halted, immediately on guard.

*Whoosh!*

Countless butterflies appeared, gathering mid-air to form the graceful figure of Konan. Her expression was cold and detached. "This path is closed."

Sasuke frowned. "That cloak—you're with Akatsuki…"

Suigetsu turned to the White Zetsu leading them. "One of your comrades?"

The White Zetsu shouted, "Konan! You betrayed Akatsuki! Why are you here?"

Konan replied calmly, "Akatsuki was founded by Yahiko in Amegakure. It was merely stolen by you. I can call myself Akatsuki anytime, anywhere."

White Zetsu growled, "Damn it… I didn't expect her to interfere!"

Sasuke said coldly, "If she's not one of your allies, then I have no problem taking her down."

White Zetsu responded, "Ah, by all means, clean up the traitor for us. I'd be delighted…"

Sasuke gripped his sword and stepped forward. His Sharingan spun, evolving into the Mangekyō Sharingan with a faint sound. His gaze was icy. "Don't get in my way."

Konan's response was a rain of paper spears, rolled from countless sheets of paper.

"Scatter!"

Team Taka dispersed.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

Sasuke swung his Kusanagi sword, deflecting the oncoming paper spears.

But Konan's technique was vast in range, long-lasting, and surprisingly powerful.

While intercepting the attacks, Sasuke's left eye locked onto Konan's figure in the sky. A line of blood trickled from the corner of his eye, staining the snow below—a stark contrast against the white ground. Bloodshot veins spread like a web across his pupil.

—*Amaterasu!*

*Fwoosh!*

The black flames of Amaterasu ignited Konan's paper body, ending the rain of paper spears.

"Unquenchable black flames… Amaterasu… The same power as Itachi's eyes…"

Konan murmured as her body burned to ashes.

However, as paper fragments scattered through the air, more versions of Konan appeared!

Jūgo muttered, "Just now… was that only a clone?"

Sasuke demanded coldly, "Karin, can you locate her real body?"

Karin formed a two-finger hand sign, enhancing her sensory ability through her Kagura Mind's Eye. After a moment, she shook her head. "All the chakra signatures are identical!"

White Zetsu groaned, "That woman's abilities are incredibly troublesome… Sasuke, you should conserve your chakra before fighting the Five Kage!"

Sasuke, impatient, snapped, "It doesn't matter. Burn them all!"

*Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!*

Black flames erupted in the air, indiscriminately attacking Konan's clones.

Karin worried silently: Since learning that Danzō became Hokage, Sasuke's chakra has changed. It's so cold now…

On the towering snow-capped mountains, the Five Kage Summit was proceeding as scheduled.

The venue was adorned with the flags of the five great nations: Wind, Fire, Earth, Lightning, and Water.

Around the massive circular table oriented east to west, the Five Kage were all present.

The Fourth Raikage, A.

The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of Both Scales.

The Fifth Kazekage, Gaara of the Sand.

The Sixth Hokage, Danzō Shimura.

The Kage's bodyguards stood behind the curtains, closely monitoring the proceedings and ready to intervene at any moment.

In the center sat Mifune, the general of the Land of Iron and the host of the summit. Behind him stood two renowned samurai, Chōjūrō and Rikaaku, both famed warriors with strength comparable to elite Jonin.

But in truth, these two were none other than Naruto and Orochimaru in disguise.

"Naruto, I didn't expect you to know the Land of Iron's layout so well. We infiltrated without any trouble…"

Of course, in his previous life, Naruto had served as the head of the Five Kage and had organized multiple summits. He had also visited the Land of Iron at Mifune's invitation.

In a stable nation like the Land of Iron, fortresses rarely changed.

The three of them had devised their plan on the way.

Naruto explained, "Danzō's right eye is from Shisui Uchiha and contains the Kotoamatsukami. That genjutsu is extremely dangerous, even for me. Unless I can kill Danzō before he activates Kotoamatsukami, a decisive victory is nearly impossible."

"Therefore, the basic strategy is to exhaust Danzō's use of Kotoamatsukami before engaging in battle."

Orochimaru asked, "And how do we exhaust it?"

Naruto replied, "If I'm not mistaken, Danzō will likely use this technique on Mifune during the summit to gain the upper hand. It's not a jutsu that can be used multiple times in a day…"

With the Rinnegan, Naruto could theoretically resist Mangekyō genjutsu, but he decided to err on the side of caution.

Konan asked, "So, does that mean we ambush him after the summit, on his way back to the village?"

Naruto shook his head. "That would be too late. We're not the only ones targeting Danzō. If we encounter others, it could complicate things."

"I'll infiltrate the venue with Orochimaru, blending in as samurai maintaining order. We'll keep a close watch on Danzō's movements…"

"To be honest, Transformation Jutsu is my specialty…"

"As for Sasuke, Konan, I'll need you to stall them. But remember, don't engage in a prolonged fight…"

…

Back to the present.

Mifune announced in a deep voice, "The Five Kage Summit begins now."

Gaara rested his hands under his chin and addressed the other four Kage. "I'll speak first. Listen carefully."

Ōnoki chuckled. "The Five Kage certainly have changed. To become a Kage at your age… impressive. It seems your father taught you well… though not manners."

"Damn that old man!" Behind the curtain, Kankurō, one of Gaara's bodyguards, clenched his teeth in anger.

Gaara responded calmly, "Indeed. That's why I sit here as Kazekage."

"Ha ha ha ha ha…" Ōnoki laughed. "What an arrogant young man."

"What's with that Tsuchikage!?" Kankurō, hot-headed as ever, was itching to storm out and confront him.

"Be quiet…" Temari, the more level-headed of the two, cautioned him. Despite her words, her hand moved to her weapon pouch, ready to act if necessary.

"Tsuchikage, please refrain from interrupting," Mei Terumī, the Mizukage, interjected diplomatically. "Kazekage, please continue."

Gaara said, "I was once a Jinchūriki, captured by Akatsuki. I believe Akatsuki poses a grave threat."

"I've repeatedly requested action from the Five Kage, but my pleas were ignored… except by the previous Hokage."

"And now, with the Jinchūriki of each nation taken, it's too late to join forces."

Ōnoki offered his perspective. "For the great nations to lose their Jinchūriki is a disgrace—a humiliation that undermines their authority. Seeking help from other nations immediately after such a loss would be unthinkable."

Gaara scoffed. "Tradition? Authority? Such outdated notions are meaningless."

Ōnoki thought to himself, *Ah, the arrogance of youth…*

Mei Terumī added, "Whether outdated or not, as Mizukage, I admit we've been too passive. But even if the Tailed Beasts are taken, they don't immediately become a threat. Controlling them requires knowledge, skill, and time."

Ōnoki agreed. "A Jinchūriki must grow alongside their Tailed Beast, forming a bond over time. Even then, control is difficult. But I digress… Isn't that right, Kazekage?"

Gaara remained silent.

At that moment, Danzō spoke, his tone measured. "Before we continue debating, there's something I'd like to address…"