Amegakure, Land of Rain.
This place held a unique and complex status in the shinobi world. After all, over a decade ago, it had dared to stand alone against the entire shinobi system. Especially under the leadership of Hanzō of the Salamander, a man once revered as a demigod among shinobi. The current "Legendary Three" of Konohagakure had earned their title only after barely surviving a fierce encounter with him. Even now, Hanzō's name retained enough influence to stir unease throughout the shinobi world.
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure. When the Third Raikage received the latest intelligence report from Konohagakure, he gave a low, impressed whistle.
"Who would've thought that brat from Konoha actually managed to move that old monster? Akatsuki... they've been pretty active lately, haven't they?"
His advisor Darui responded promptly.
"Yes, Raikage-sama. They've developed close ties with Sunagakure. It was Akatsuki who disrupted Ōnoki's operation in the Land of Rain. While their overall strength isn't overwhelming, they're certainly irritating enough. Their leader even visited the Kazekage in person recently."
"Hah... that brat Minato Namikaze really knows how to manipulate power. Darui, go and make the necessary preparations. Looks like the Five Kage Summit will be held in Amegakure after all."
Since the Five Kage Summit required a neutral venue to ensure impartiality and safety, it couldn't be hosted in any of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. At the moment, Amegakure appeared to be the most fitting choice.
"Understood!"
Darui gave a serious nod and turned to begin the arrangements.
Standing nearby, the future Fourth Raikage looked reluctant and voiced his concern.
"Father, are we really going to attend this summit? We sacrificed so much trying to invade Konoha... and now it feels like all of that was for nothing!"
"Idiot!"
The Third Raikage's voice roared with anger.
"Use your damn brain! Do you really think war is just about life and death? War is about profit. If it serves Kumogakure's interests, then there's no such thing as unacceptable outcomes."
"But I don't see what we gain from this Five Kage Summit!"
The Third Raikage glared at his son in disappointment, wondering how he had raised such a fool. He had even been considering stepping down and passing the mantle of Raikage to him.
"Let me ask you this: Who is the most desperate participant in this summit?"
"Obviously Ōnoki. Iwagakure is practically in lockdown right now, terrified of retaliation from Sunagakure. And with both of their Jinchūriki lost, I heard Ōnoki has been begging the daimyo for emergency funds just to ransom back the Four-Tails."
"And besides Iwagakure?"
The future Fourth Raikage paused to think.
"Probably Kirigakure. They were already weakened, and now they're dealing with internal strife and the loss of the Six-Tails as well."
"Not completely brain-dead, then."
"And after that?"
Finally catching on to his father's logic, the Fourth Raikage replied with growing clarity.
"Next would be Sunagakure, Konoha, and our own Kumogakure. Whether we like it or not, as long as that Fourth Kazekage remains active, Sunagakure is clearly the dominant force at this summit. Then come Konoha and us."
"Exactly."
Satisfied now, the Third Raikage began outlining his strategy.
"Between us and Konoha, Konoha is technically the summit's host. And they took heavy losses in the war. Kumogakure, while not unscathed, still has its Jinchūriki and maintains solid fighting power. Most importantly, and this is the critical part, unlike the direct conflicts among Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure, our village and Sunagakure have had the least friction."
The Fourth Raikage's eyes lit up as realization dawned.
"Father... that means in this Five Kage Summit, Sunagakure and Kumogakure stand as the strongest. Konoha is stuck in the middle. Iwagakure and Kiri are the weakest links."
"Exactly. What we couldn't win with brute force, we'll claim through diplomacy!"
Without further hesitation, the Third Raikage issued a firm order.
"This time, you'll come as my escort to the Five Kage Summit."
"!!!"
The future Fourth Raikage's expression twisted with discomfort. He wanted to decline. After all, shinobi like Minato Namikaze and Shikaku Nara, his peers, had already ascended to the position of Kage and advisor. If he attended merely as an escort, wouldn't that be the same as lowering himself before them? But in the face of his father's command, he dared not argue.
"...Understood."
"Good. Now go get ready."
---
Iwagakure.
Since the disastrous assault on Sunagakure and the capture of two of their Jinchūriki, the village had plunged into a state of mounting tension. Under Ōnoki's orders, all shinobi were recalled immediately, and the entire village was placed on high alert.
To outsiders, it seemed shameful for a Kage to show such fear, especially in front of a younger man. But Ōnoki knew he had no choice. He hadn't witnessed the battle personally, yet the reports from the frontlines shook him. The descriptions brought back memories of a fear he hadn't felt in decades, the same dread once invoked by two titans of the past: Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.
Those two had once dominated the entire shinobi world through overwhelming power alone.
Ōnoki couldn't be sure just how powerful the current Fourth Kazekage had become, but the fact that he had subdued two Jinchūriki and three rampaging Tailed Beasts with apparent ease was proof enough. This Kazekage had already stepped beyond the realm of ordinary Kage. Even Ōnoki wasn't confident he could defeat him in battle.
And it wasn't just Ōnoki. The shinobi who had returned from the battlefield, having seen the fight with their own eyes, were carrying back something more dangerous than wounds, a spreading fear of Sunagakure.
"How are you feeling now?"
Inside the Tsuchikage's office, Ōnoki stared at his son, Kurotsuchi's father, Kitsuchi, also known in some versions as Gantetsu. During the chaos caused by the rampaging Tailed Beasts in Sunagakure, Kitsuchi had narrowly escaped with his life. Still, the final Tailed Beast Bomb had struck him hard, leaving him bedridden for over two weeks. He had only just made a full recovery.
"I've recovered, Father!"
Kitsuchi had much he wanted to say, but the weight in his father's gaze left him unsure how to begin.
Ōnoki understood the hesitation and got straight to the point.
"Since you're well again, you'll accompany me to the Five Kage Summit. Things look grim for us this time, but no matter what, we must retrieve Rōshi. And keep an eye on Kirigakure, we'll recover some of our losses through them."
Kitsuchi gave a solemn nod, his face steady.
"Understood, Father. I'll go get ready now."
As he turned and exited the room, Ōnoki gazed out over the village and exhaled deeply. Iwagakure had faced existential threats before, but in those times, the First and Second Tsuchikage had been alive to shoulder the burden. Now...
Just then, a voice rang out from behind him.
"As the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, are you really going to act this weak?"
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed instantly. He leapt back in a flash, forming Dust Release in his hands.
"Who's there!?"
Standing before him was a short, sinister-looking man, nearly matching Ōnoki in height, his expression twisted into a sly smile.
"No need for alarm, Tsuchikage-dono. I'm not your enemy. Let me introduce myself. My name is Victor, and I am the leader of the Land of Valleys. I've come to propose an alliance. So, tell me, Tsuchikage-dono... are you really going to let that brat from Sunagakure force you into a corner?"