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The Next Day.
Shinobi from the Five Great Nations jointly took over the now-deserted Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village).
In the traditional Japanese-style room atop the tallest building in Amegakure—
Present were the current Five Kage:
- Tsunade (Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure),
- Gaara (Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure),
- Mei Terumī (Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure),
- A (Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure),
- Ōnoki (Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure).
Also in attendance were:
- Mifune, the general of the Land of Iron,
- Shion, the shrine maiden of the Land of Demons,
- Chiriku, the monk of the Fire Temple.
Leaders from various factions across the shinobi world had gathered in one place.
Additionally, there were three former Hokage:
- The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju,
- The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju,
- The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Along with them were the guards who had accompanied their respective leaders.
What was once a relatively spacious room was now packed to the brim.
Even the three great sage leaders of the summoning realms had voluntarily shrunk their sizes to peacefully share the space with the humans:
- The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku,
- The White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave,
- The Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest.
"Is everyone here?"
A sudden voice broke the silence as Kaito finally appeared at the entrance.
Today, he was dressed unusually—wearing a pure white kariginu (hunting robe) and a tall black eboshi cap, the traditional attire of an onmyōji.
Behind him stood two young guards: Sasuke Uchiha and Neji Hyūga, positioned to his left and right.
Removing his geta (wooden sandals), Kaito stepped onto the tatami-covered floor in white tabi socks. Sasuke and Neji also took off their shinobi sandals and followed barefoot.
Kaito walked straight to the head of the room, elegantly kneeling in seiza posture and lightly flicking his wide sleeves. Sasuke and Neji knelt quietly behind him, their usual rebellious demeanors replaced with rare humility.
"Everyone, please make yourselves comfortable."
Drawing a new kōmori ōgi (bat fan) from his sleeve, Kaito swept his gentle gaze across the room.
The attendees settled into their seats.
"Today, we have gathered here to discuss the threat posed by the extraterrestrial Ōtsutsuki clan."
Kaito smiled warmly, his tone calm.
"As leaders of your respective factions—and many of you my seniors—I need not elaborate further on the dangers the Ōtsutsuki pose to our world."
He bowed slightly.
"I ask that we set aside past grievances and unite to face this enemy that threatens our entire planet."
"First Hokage-sama?"
Noticing Hashirama raising his hand, Kaito inquired, "Do you have any questions?"
"I do." Hashirama indeed looked puzzled.
"Then please, speak freely." Kaito nodded. "I will answer to the best of my ability."
Hashirama cheerfully lowered his raised hand and asked—
"Where's Madara?"
"..."
The entire room collectively stiffened at the question.
First Hokage Hashirama Senju… What a terrifying man.
Kaito nearly lost his carefully maintained composure. With a swift snap, he unfurled his fan to hide his twitching lips.
"What's wrong?" Hashirama glanced around, oblivious. "Didn't you say you'd answer anything?"
"Yes..."
Struggling to keep his expression neutral, Kaito slowly lowered the fan.
"Perhaps… Madara-sama found the idea of a meeting too tedious and chose not to attend?"
He attempted to lighten the mood with a joke.
"I see."
Hashirama nodded, then smacked his lips.
"It does seem pretty boring."
He looked around once more before abruptly standing.
"With four Hokage already here, you probably don't need me."
And with that, he leaped out the nearest window.
Big brother!!!
You forgot your shoes!!!
Tobirama's face darkened, though his inner voice screamed in silence.
As expected of the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju!
The others collectively sighed in a mix of awe and exasperation.
"Ahem."
Kaito cleared his throat, steering the awkward atmosphere back on track.
"Regarding the Ōtsutsuki invasion, does anyone else have questions?"
He casually fanned himself, as if Hashirama's abrupt exit had never happened.
"If so, please speak freely. I will do my best to address them."
A brief silence followed.
"Cough, cough. Then allow this old man to say a few words."
Ōnoki, the eldest among the human attendees, finally spoke up.
Kaito gestured politely. "Tsuchikage-sama, please."
"After our battle with Kaguya, I have no doubts about the threat posed by the Ōtsutsuki."
Ōnoki kept his eyelids drooped, deliberately playing up his aged frailty.
"However..." His voice creaked weakly. "How should we prepare for an enemy whose arrival is uncertain? As Tsuchikage, I must prioritize my village's survival. We cannot afford to abandon profitable missions and exhaust our resources on hypothetical threats."
"Kaito-dono, you are the one who saved the world."
Ōnoki bowed slightly, his posture trembling.
"Forgive this old man's bluntness."
Trying to flatter me first, huh?
Kaito raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
"The truth is, both I and Iwagakure are stretched thin. If we invest too much before the enemy even appears, the village may collapse under the strain."
His tone carried a practiced, weary apology.
So this is Ōnoki's "weak old man" tactic?
Internally amused, Kaito maintained a diplomatic smile. "You exaggerate, Tsuchikage-sama. I am not asking for total mobilization—only that everyone make some preparations."
With a flick, he snapped his fan shut.
"Unless the Ōtsutsuki arrive in overwhelming force, I can hold the line long enough for reinforcements."
"Kaito-dono, are you suggesting..." Mei Terumī's eyes widened slightly. "...you intend to shoulder the defense alone?"
"Not at all."
Kaito chuckled lightly.
"While I'm not demanding full commitment yet, I do hope for your support in another way."
"Go on."
Gaara cut straight to the point.
"The Amegakure shinobi fled in haste. Now that the village is under joint occupation, I propose we formalize this arrangement."
Kaito laid out his plan.
"Let us collectively invest in transforming Amegakure into the frontline fortress against the Ōtsutsuki."
Amegakure?
A land grab!!
The Kage's eyes gleamed with interest—until Kaito added:
"Of course, I will personally oversee its defense."
Meeting each leader's gaze, he asked, "What do you think?"
After speaking, Kaito fell silent, carefully observing the subtle shifts in the room.
He could see the Five Kage's initial excitement—quickly dampened at the mention of his direct involvement.