After saying that, Tsunade also went quiet.
It's not that she looked down on the other four villages, but right now, Konoha had Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, Uzumaki Mito, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and a mysterious Kurama. Even back in wartime, this kind of lineup would've been impossible to stop.
Konoha was sure Uchiha Obito would start a war. They just didn't know whether it would be a war against the whole ninja world or only against Konoha. Either way, the other villages would definitely get dragged in.
As for the Sand Village, there's no doubt. Gaara almost died, and their village was hit hard in a sneak attack. Many of their top ninjas were killed or badly hurt. Even if Gaara didn't ask for revenge, the Sand would still join Konoha in the fight without hesitation.
And what about the remaining villages?
All their Tailed Beasts were taken. Now, only Konoha and the Sand have any left—and those are powerful weapons. There's no way the others will sit back and let this continue.
The Cloud Village still has the Eight-Tails, at least. But the Stone and Mist? What do they have left? An old man and a village with no Kekkei Genkai users?
Tsunade didn't know Terumi Mei that well, but she'd heard about how tough she was. As for Oonoki, he was the type most likely to try something sneaky—maybe even stab Konoha in the back when things got rough. Tsunade was so sure of it, she'd bet her lifetime of gambling luck on it.
So yeah, her real goal wasn't just an alliance. It was to make sure those three villages didn't betray them during the fight.
This battle was too important. If they lost because someone backstabbed them, and Obito got to start the Infinite Tsukuyomi, the whole world would be done for.
The Raikage fell silent, deep in thought. Oonoki and Terumi Mei glanced at each other, both seeing something unreadable in the other's eyes.
After thinking it over, A finally spoke. "What exactly *is* the Infinite Tsukuyomi? And what is the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?"
"That's a bit too complicated," Tsunade replied, tapping her fingers lightly on the table. "So I'll keep it simple. Chakra originally came from a woman named Otsutsuki Kaguya. She wasn't from the ninja world—she came from somewhere else."
"She planted a seed in this world, and that seed grew into a huge tree—the God Tree. And that tree…"
"…that tree became the Ten-Tails itself." Tsunade took a short breath before continuing. "Later, Kaguya was defeated and sealed by the Sage of Six Paths and his brother. The Ten-Tails had its chakra pulled out, and that chakra was split into the Tailed Beasts you all know."
"The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path is the Ten-Tails' empty shell after its chakra was taken."
She paused for a moment to make sure everyone was following, then kept going. "After beating the Ten-Tails, the Sage of Six Paths gave his chakra to others. Those who got chakra eventually became the first ninjas."
"And the Infinite Tsukuyomi is Kaguya's way of taking back that chakra. I don't think I need to explain what happens to people once their chakra is stolen."
When she finished, she instinctively reached for a cup of water—only to remember she wasn't in her office. There was no water here. She let out a small sigh.
Mifune must've noticed. He whispered something to the samurai standing behind him.
That didn't change A's mind. He frowned deeply. "That excuse is hard to believe, Lady Hokage."
"I'm not trying to make you believe it," Tsunade replied calmly. "That's why I said, I just want you to stay out of our way when the fighting starts. Konoha doesn't have the extra manpower to deal with you too."
She sighed. "If we have to… Konoha won't rule out taking you out first."
This was Tobirama's plan. Of course, she didn't tell Hashirama—if she had, there's no way he would've let her come to this Five Kage Summit.
The moment those words came out, A, Oonoki, and Terumi Mei's expressions all changed. Their faces darkened, even the always-smiling Terumi Mei looked gloomy now.
Oonoki narrowed his eyes at Tsunade, his voice cold. "If Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama were both here, then Konoha might have the right to say that."
No one understood better than him what those two names meant.
Bang—
Just as Oonoki finished speaking, A slammed his fist down onto the table. The force instantly shattered it into pieces, and his Kage hat fell to the ground.
A's eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Tsunade, teeth clenched. "Konoha wants war?"
As soon as those words landed, Darui drew the blade on his back, releasing an intense killing intent.
At the same time, Kurotsuchi and Kitsuchi behind Oonoki, and Chojuro and Ao behind Terumi Mei, all stepped forward. Their killing intent exploded, and chakra filled the room like a wave.
If their Kage gave the word, they'd attack without a second thought.
Gaara clenched his fists and stayed silent.
Seeing things about to go out of control, Mifune quickly stood up. "Please, everyone, calm down!"
But... no one listened.
Despite the thick tension and murderous aura, Tsunade's face didn't change. It was like all that pressure was just a breeze brushing past her.
"I guess I've picked up some bad habits from the old man," she said. "Lately, I think more about talking than threatening."
Then she looked up. In the next moment, a terrifying wave of killing intent burst from her.
"But did you really think that just because I became Hokage... I'd be soft like the old man?"
She had been through two great ninja wars and killed or helped kill countless shinobi. Just how scary was her killing intent?
In the instant it hit, Darui, Mabui, Kitsuchi, Kurotsuchi, Chojuro, and Ao all froze. Their faces changed, their pressure was completely crushed, and they stared at Tsunade in shock.
Then A, Oonoki, and Terumi Mei stood up at the same time. Their killing intent also exploded, filling the Land of Iron. The cold killing aura even made the frozen land feel colder.
Their combined pressure pushed back against Tsunade's, slowly pressing toward Konoha's side. The chakra storm shook the room—banners and furniture were tossed around, and cracks spread across the table.
"Lady Hokage, don't you think you're being a bit full of yourself?" Terumi Mei's voice was now ice-cold.
"Full of myself?" Tsunade looked at her. "No... this is confidence. Naruto, it's your turn."
Just as she spoke, another massive wave of chakra erupted.
The floor cracked open, walls split, and it felt like the earth itself was groaning.
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