Chapter 97: The Gathering Storm

Konoha: The War Begins

The peace had not lasted long.

Ryusei had known from the start that their time in his realm was only a brief respite.

Now, the world was moving.

The Five Great Nations—confused, desperate, afraid. Each of them scrambling for answers, for suspects, for someone to blame.

The Tailed Beasts were gone.

The very balance of power that had ruled the world for centuries had been erased.

And soon, there would be war.

Ryusei stood atop the Hokage Monument, staring down at Konoha as the evening lights flickered on one by one. Behind him, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Hiruzen stood in tense silence.

"The Tsuchikage is making his move," Hiruzen stated, his tone unreadable. "Iwagakure has begun mobilizing troops."

Orochimaru smirked. "Onoki has always been cautious. But now that he feels the world is unstable, he'll strike before someone else does."

Jiraiya crossed his arms. "Kumo isn't far behind. The Raikage is still convinced someone is consolidating power. He's looking for an enemy to fight."

Tsunade's gaze was sharp. "And Suna?"

Hiruzen exhaled slowly. "The Kazekage is waiting. He suspects Konoha, but without proof, he won't act. Not yet."

Ryusei remained silent.

Everything was happening exactly as he had foreseen.

Jinchūriki had always been weapons—deterrents. Without them, the Kage now viewed each other with paranoia.

And soon, one of them would strike first.

Then, the war would begin.

The Five Kage Summit: A Fractured Alliance

In the Land of Iron, at the peak of the frozen mountains, the Five Kage stood in a circle.

Tension crackled in the air like an unsheathed blade.

Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage, floated slightly above the ground, his old, weathered eyes scanning the others. "Iwagakure has been patient. But this… this is no coincidence." His voice was sharp, accusing. "Jinchūriki do not simply vanish."

The Raikage, a towering man of raw muscle and fury, slammed his fist against the stone table. "Then say it plainly, old man. Who took them?"

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, remained still, his golden eyes unreadable. "That is the question we are all here to answer."

The Mizukage, a young but deadly woman, rested her chin on her hand, her gaze distant. "Perhaps we are looking at this the wrong way."

The Raikage glared at her. "And what way is that?"

The Mizukage's lips curled slightly. "What if the Beasts were not taken?" Her voice was silk and poison. "What if they were removed?"

Silence.

Then, Onoki's expression darkened. "You mean erased?"

The Mizukage's smirk widened. "Exactly."

The Raikage scoffed. "Impossible."

The Kazekage's fingers tapped against the table. "Perhaps not."

Every Kage turned to him.

Rasa exhaled slowly. "Konoha admitted to losing the Nine-Tails. But they have been too quiet. Too calm." His golden eyes narrowed. "What if they know something we don't?"

Silence stretched between them once more.

Then, the Raikage clenched his fists.

"Then we make them talk."

Konoha: The Ultimatum

Three days later, a single messenger arrived at Konoha's gates.

Dressed in the armor of the Land of Iron, he carried a sealed scroll bearing the marks of all Five Kage.

The message was clear.

Konoha must answer.

A summit was to be held in one week.

If Konoha refused, it would be considered an admission of guilt.

And war would be inevitable.

Tsunade slammed the scroll onto the table, her expression furious. "They're setting us up."

Orochimaru smirked. "Of course they are."

Jiraiya sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "If we go, they'll demand answers. If we don't, they'll assume we're guilty."

Danzo, standing at the far end of the room, finally spoke. "Then we prepare for war."

Hiruzen closed his eyes, taking a long, deep breath. "No."

Danzo's lone eye narrowed. "Hiruzen—"

"We attend." The Third Hokage's voice was final. "But we do not explain. We let them doubt."

Ryusei leaned against the wall, silent as always.

Tsunade turned to him. "What do you think?"

Ryusei opened his golden Rinne Sharingan.

"They are already afraid."

Jiraiya frowned. "And that helps us how, exactly?"

Ryusei's gaze didn't waver.

"Because when they are afraid," he said softly, "they make mistakes."

The Night Before

The moon hung high over Konoha, bathing the village in silver light.

Ryusei stood atop the Hokage Monument, watching the stars.

He did not turn when he heard Tsunade approach.

She stood beside him, her arms crossed. "You're thinking too much."

He exhaled slowly. "I always think too much."

Tsunade smirked. "I know."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, she nudged him lightly. "So?"

Ryusei glanced at her. "So?"

She raised an eyebrow. "What's the plan?"

His golden eyes gleamed in the moonlight.

"The same as always." He turned back toward the horizon. "We let them believe they are in control."

Tsunade snorted. "And when they realize they're not?"

Ryusei smiled faintly.

"Then the world changes."

Tsunade studied him for a moment. Then, with a small smirk, she leaned in—pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

Ryusei blinked, turning to her.

Tsunade shrugged, smirking. "No thinking. Just accept it."

He stared at her for a long moment.

Then, slowly—he smiled.

For the first time in a long time…

He allowed himself to be human.

Tomorrow, the world would demand answers.

Tomorrow, war would stand on the horizon.

But tonight—

Tsunade kissed him again.

And for now, that was all that mattered.

End of Chapter 97.