Amegakure.
"Kyoichi, how's Nagato doing? And… the Rinnegan?"
"Last time we talked, Nagato said he wanted to destroy them. But I thought about it—those eyes once belonged to the Sage of Six Paths himself. They're far too precious to be destroyed so lightly."
Kyoichi sat with Yahiko in the main hall, speaking casually over tea.
They'd talked briefly before, but with Hanzō around, there was only so much they could say.
Yahiko nodded in agreement. "It's true—there's no need to go that far yet. Worst case, we can deal with it later. He must be worried about me and Konan, that's all… Tell Nagato we're fine. He doesn't need to shoulder everything himself."
Kyoichi sighed helplessly. "Saying it won't change much. What we really need is a way to deal with Madara."
If words were enough, half the tragedies in this world would've never happened.
People aren't machines; they can't be perfectly rational. Most end up like Obito—driven by emotion and obsession. Nagato… was just a slightly better version of that.
"Haa... There's only so much Amegakure can do. We'll help you gather intel, deliver messages—but when it comes to Madara himself, that's all on you."
Yahiko knew his limits.
Compared to ordinary shinobi, he was formidable. But next to Kyoichi? Not even close. There were plenty in Konoha stronger than him too.
"Madara's my problem. But he's got plenty of subordinates—those things are troublesome too. We'll need everyone's help to wipe them out."
Kyoichi laid it out plainly.
Yahiko nodded grimly.
Those pale, plant-like creatures… if left unchecked, they would plunge the world into chaos.
Just then, two Amegakure shinobi entered.
"Yahiko-sama."
"Speak freely. Kyoichi's a trusted friend of Amegakure."
"Yes, sir! A small delegation from Sunagakure and Iwagakure has arrived at our borders. Shall we bring them in immediately?"
"Take them straight here." Yahiko stood up at once.
They'd been waiting for these two groups—no sense in wasting time now.
Although Kyoichi, sipping his tea leisurely, didn't share the urgency.
"There's no rush. Let them come at their own pace. If they haven't eaten, make sure they do before meeting us. We're not in a hurry."
The Amegakure ninja blinked, glanced at Yahiko, then nodded.
"Follow his words. If they're not in a hurry, let them eat first."
"Yes, sir!"
Yahiko smiled wryly. Of course, neither Suna nor Iwa would have the mood for food right now.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before both delegations arrived.
They had been on their way to Konoha, but when they heard they could meet in Amegakure instead, they quickly changed course—closer, safer, and more convenient.
No one wanted to take the long route if they didn't have to.
Truth be told, if they didn't need Land of Fire's help so badly, neither Suna nor Iwa would've bothered with Konoha at all. But reality didn't give them that luxury.
Konoha wasn't just powerful militarily—it now dominated trade and logistics too. Countless nations had become dependent on its supply routes and merchant caravans.
It's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but never the other way around.
Times had changed. The shinobi world was quietly reshaping itself, and the old rules no longer applied.
That was Iwagakure's concern.
Suna, on the other hand, already understood the game.
Elder Ebizō knew perfectly well—Konoha's true weapon wasn't just its ninja, but its commerce. Through trade, it waged wars of influence and control.
The prosperity and recovery Suna enjoyed now? All tied to Konoha's hand.
Trying to cut ties and go solo?
If Konoha could lift them up, it could just as easily tear them down.
That's why Ebizō personally led his team this time—to prevent misunderstandings and ensure Suna's stability.
Iwagakure's delegation was even grander.
Ōnoki himself had come.
"Such a pity, Ōnoki-sama… All of Iwagakure, and not a single worthy successor? You're far too old to be running around like this. As your junior, I can hardly bear to watch."
"You brat, stop spouting nonsense! If it weren't for you insisting on face-to-face talks, I wouldn't have to travel all this way! And what's age got to do with it? I can still fight another ten years if I have to!"
Ōnoki glared, beard bristling with indignation.
He'd wanted to handle things through letters, but this kid insisted on an in-person meeting—and not just anywhere, but here.
Kyoichi smiled faintly.
Moments later, Ōnoki winced, his face turning pale.
"Your back gave out? You see, I told you—you're too old for this. Time to find a successor."
Kyoichi's tone wasn't mocking; it was genuine.
Ōnoki was powerful, wise, and shrewd—but no one escapes age. Even Hashirama Senju, strongest of all, had succumbed to mortality.
As years pile up, even the sharpest blade dulls.
Ōnoki stayed silent.
If he had a capable heir, he wouldn't still be doing this himself.
And why didn't he have one?
This brat had no sense of guilt? Half of Iwa's elite jōnin died during the Third Shinobi War—slain by him and Minato.
Sure, Iwa started that war—but still…
Ōnoki sighed inwardly.
Kyoichi spoke again. "A leader doesn't need power alone. Even without Dust Release or bloodline ties, you can find a successor. Don't be so rigid."
Ōnoki snorted. "If you called me all the way here just to lecture me, I'll be taking my leave."
He'd meant to throw some threats around… but honestly, what could he threaten Kyoichi with?
The boy was a monster. Even a year ago, he'd already surpassed him. Now? Probably untouchable. Even with Light and Heavy Boulder Jutsu, Ōnoki wasn't confident he could win.
Ebizō sat calmly beside them, clearly amused. He already knew Kyoichi's true purpose—to gather them for a discussion.
And watching Ōnoki getting verbally dismantled? That was just a bonus.
"Alright, let's get to the point," Kyoichi finally said. "In the near future, I plan to hold a Five Kage Summit. The main goal—unite and eliminate Uchiha Madara. Send him back to where he came from."
Silence.
"Madara, huh? I—wait, what did you just say? Eliminate Uchiha Madara?!"
Ōnoki shot to his feet so fast his already injured back seized again. He nearly fell over, gripping his chair with a pained hiss.
It took him a full minute to steady his breathing.
Then—
"Did I hear that right? You said Uchiha Madara?"
Kyoichi nodded. "You heard right."
Ōnoki froze.
Madara… alive?
Back then, when he was just a child, Madara was already a living legend. That man should have been long dead by now!
"How… how are you so sure Madara's still alive?"
Ebizō leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "And what exactly happened in Kirigakure?"