Chapter 99: The Summit of Shadows

The Land of Iron: The Gathering of Power

The frozen peaks of the Land of Iron stood untouched by time, their towering forms carved by wind and war. Snow fell in slow, deliberate waves, blanketing the ancient fortress where the Five Kage had gathered.

Inside the great summit hall, a massive circular stone table stood at the center, surrounded by banners bearing the symbols of the Five Great Nations. A dim fire crackled at the far end, casting long shadows across the cold stone walls.

At the head of the table sat Mifune, the leader of the samurai, his presence the only thing preventing outright conflict.

To his right sat the Raikage, his muscular form tense, his golden eyes burning with fury. His fingers twitched against the table, barely resisting the urge to break something—or someone.

Beside him, the Tsuchikage, Onoki, floated slightly above his seat, his aged face twisted into a scowl. His patience, like his back, was running thin.

The Mizukage, Mei Terumi, sat with crossed arms, her expression unreadable but piercing. She had not spoken yet, but her silence was its own weapon.

The Kazekage, Rasa, sat with his hands folded, his golden eyes sharp as ever. His village had just lost its Jinchūriki, and his patience was running out.

And across from them—

The delegation from Konoha.

At the center sat Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, his expression calm but unreadable. To his right sat Danzo, his lone eye watching everything with quiet calculation. To his left, Jiraiya, who, for once, was not smiling.

And standing just behind them—

Ryusei.

His Golden Tinted Byakugan gleamed faintly in the dim light, his presence calm yet unshakable. Unlike the other Kage, who radiated emotion, Ryusei was still.

Waiting.

Observing.

And when the time came, striking.

The summit had begun.

The Accusations Begin

It was the Raikage who broke the silence.

"I won't waste time." His deep voice rumbled through the chamber. "Someone has stolen the Jinchūriki. The Five Great Nations have been stripped of their strongest weapons. And now, the balance of power is shattered."

His fist slammed into the table, cracking the stone.

"I want answers. Now."

Silence.

Then, the Tsuchikage scoffed. "And what makes you so sure Kumo wasn't the first to move?" His voice was sharp, accusing. "You had the most to gain if the other villages lost their Jinchūriki first."

The Raikage's chakra flared instantly. "Watch yourself, old man."

The Mizukage finally spoke, her voice smooth as silk, sharp as steel. "Konoha admitted to losing the Nine-Tails first," she murmured, watching Hiruzen carefully. "And yet… you remain far too calm."

Her gaze lingered, waiting for him to flinch.

Waiting for him to stumble.

But Hiruzen only smiled.

"Konoha never needed the Nine-Tails," he said smoothly. "It was only sealed because it was too powerful. The First Hokage placed it under control because its existence alone disrupted the balance of the world."

Silence.

Then, the Kazekage narrowed his eyes. "That's a bold claim."

Hiruzen exhaled, his pipe resting between his fingers. "Is it?" His voice was quiet, yet filled with something undeniable. "For years, Konoha has remained the strongest village. With or without a Jinchūriki."

The words hung in the air.

Undeniable.

Unchallenged.

And for the first time, the Kage hesitated.

Because deep down—they knew it was true.

The Truth is a Weapon

The Mizukage leaned forward slightly, her emerald eyes gleaming with intrigue. "If that is the case, then tell me, Hokage…"

Her lips curled slightly.

"What happened to the Nine-Tails?"

The room stilled.

All eyes turned to Hiruzen.

This was the moment they had been waiting for.

The truth.

And yet—Hiruzen only smiled.

"As I said before," he murmured. "We lost it."

The Raikage's teeth clenched. "Lost?! What kind of answer is that?"

Danzo, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm. Controlled. Dangerous.

"That is the only answer that exists."

Jiraiya shrugged. "You can believe it or not. Won't change the reality of things."

The Tsuchikage's scowl deepened. "You mean to tell me one of the strongest Tailed Beasts in existence simply… disappeared?"

Hiruzen nodded. "Yes."

The tension in the room thickened.

The Five Kage had come seeking the truth.

Instead, they were left with doubt.

And that—was the perfect weapon.

The Silent Threat

For most of the meeting, Ryusei had remained silent.

Watching. Calculating.

Waiting.

Now, as the Kage exchanged tense glances, he finally moved.

A single step forward.

And instantly—the air shifted.

The Raikage stiffened. The Kazekage narrowed his eyes. The Mizukage's gaze flickered with curiosity. The Tsuchikage frowned.

They could feel it.

An aura unlike any shinobi they had ever faced.

A presence that was beyond them.

And yet—Ryusei never spoke.

He only looked.

And in that moment, they understood.

Konoha had come without fear.

Because they did not need to fear.

The balance the Kage wanted to preserve had already been shattered.

The truth they wanted to uncover was already lost.

And the ones standing before them had already won.

The Five Kage were searching for power.

But power was standing right in front of them.

And they could do nothing.

The summit was over.

The world was no longer balanced.

It now belonged to Konoha.

And soon—

Everyone would know it.

End of Chapter 99.