Land of Earth – Iwagakure
Tsuchikage Ōnoki stood at the village entrance, flanked by his attendants Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi, each with a large travel bag slung over their shoulders.
Behind them, the villagers called out their goodbyes:
"Please be careful, Tsuchikage-sama!"
"Akatsuchi, protect the Tsuchikage!"
"Shouldn't we take more ninja with us? Those flying chickens consume way too much Chakra…"
Hearing this, Kurotsuchi's face darkened as she pulled out a summoning scroll from her luggage. Even though she had more Chakra than the average Rock Shinobi, her technique could only keep the summoned iron bird flying for less than ten minutes.
Just as she was about to use the scroll, Ōnoki stopped her with a raised hand. "It's a long way to the Land of Iron. Better save your Chakra."
Kurotsuchi pouted. "What kind of outdated rule is that? The Iron Country only lets us bring two ninja companions. If we had more, we could've just flown there."
Ōnoki sighed. "Those rules were made by the older generation. Besides, the Land of Iron is ruled by samurai, not ninjas. We have to respect their customs."
"Alright, enough complaining. Let's move."
The old Tsuchikage took a step forward—
Click.
He froze in place as if struck by lightning.
"Grandpa, did you throw your back again?" Kurotsuchi teased. "I told you not to carry so much luggage—just give some to Akatsuchi!"
Ōnoki protested stubbornly. "No! I'm the Tsuchikage! How can I rely on the younger generation?"
Then he took another step.
Click.
Again, he locked up mid-motion.
Akatsuchi quickly lifted him and gently placed him on a travel box. "Tsuchikage-sama, you can still carry it this way."
Ōnoki mumbled, "I don't need your help…"
Then, his face turned solemn. "If only Morkel were here. With his space-time jutsu, the Hokage of Konoha can travel anywhere in an instant. So convenient…"
Land of Wind – Sunagakure
At the Sunagakure village gates, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro prepared to depart.
Temari muttered, "When Gaara was kidnapped, we begged the other four villages for help. Only Konoha responded."
"Now Cloud Shinobi is in trouble, and the Fourth Raikage calls for a Five Kage Summit. I guess power really does rule this world."
Kankuro tried to reason, "Back then, we hadn't formed any alliances. Everyone was cautious. Besides, didn't Cloud already lose the Two-Tails?"
Gaara said nothing, simply donned his Kazekage hat and led the way forward.
"Wait for us, Gaara!"
Land of Water – Kirigakure
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei accepted her tall Mizukage hat from an old man and waved cheerfully. "Alright, let's go!"
Her companions were Chōjūrō, one of the new generation Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and Ao, a senior ninja wearing a robe and an eyepatch.
Ao advised, "Chōjūrō, protect Mizukage-sama with all your strength. You must act like a real man!"
Chōjūrō nodded, then asked curiously, "Has Mizukage-sama… settled down yet?"
Ao nearly choked. Did he really just ask that?!
Everyone in the ninja world knew the word "marriage" was taboo for Terumi Mei.
She had devoted herself to reforming the village after its violent "Bloody Mist" period and missed the chance to start a family. Now unmarried, she hated being reminded of it.
Predictably, both Ao and Chōjūrō were pounded into the ground for the question.
Moments later, with grace and composure, Terumi Mei said, "Alright, let's go."
Then she added, almost to herself, "I wonder if Morkel from Konoha will attend the meeting. I've only seen pictures of him. He's so handsome… I hope I can meet him in person."
Ao, bruised and embarrassed, forced a smile. "Morkel will likely come. The Five Kage Summit is too important to miss."
Terumi Mei continued dreamily, "Though there's an age gap between us… if he's as charming in person and proposes, I just might consider it."
Ao and Chōjūrō: Mizukage-sama! This is a Kage Summit, not a matchmaking event!
Land of Lightning – Kumogakure
Raikage A sat in his office, anxious.
A messenger entered. "Lord Raikage, it's time to head to the Iron Country."
The Raikage scowled. "How can I attend when Bee is still missing?! Even if we found his body…"
"Don't worry," said the official. "Karui and Omoi have already delivered your letter to Konoha. Morkel might personally investigate."
Raikage brightened slightly. "Morkel's dependable. He recently helped Iwa recover the Four-Tails and Five-Tails…"
"But if he doesn't bring Bee back, and if this is Konoha's doing through Sasuke… I won't let it slide!"
He paused, grumbling, "Did that kid Morkel leave a Flying Thunder God mark in my office or not? Why hasn't he shown up—?"
Swish!
Morkel appeared in the room.
Raikage and his aides: "!!!"
"You—did you leave a teleportation mark in the Raikage's office?! Are you trying to start a war with Cloud Shinobi?!"
Morkel raised a hand. "Relax. Finding Killer Bee comes first. We can argue later."
The mark had been left during his previous mission helping Cloud Shinobi find the Two-Tails. He knew it would raise suspicions, but the situation was urgent.
Raikage finally relented. "Assist Morkel with full support. I'll head to the summit."
Before leaving, Raikage glared at Morkel. "You'd better fix this mess. Or else!"
Bang! The door slammed shut behind him.
Unfazed, Morkel smiled. "He's just worried about his brother…"
The Cloud executives were humbled. "Morkel-sama, let us know if you need anything."
"No need," he replied. "I just came to report."
With that, he vanished again.
"Strength really is everything," someone muttered.
Yunlei Gorge – Land of Thunder
Morkel tracked Killer Bee's trail to a desolate mountain range. Burn marks from Amaterasu's black flames were scorched into the earth.
"Sasuke?" he muttered, narrowing his eyes.
Sitting cross-legged, Morkel expanded his chakra sensing network—first dozens of kilometers, then over 300.
Finally, he sensed a massive chakra signature—Tailed Beast chakra!
He soared toward it, using Wind Style and Lightened Boulder Technique to travel at blinding speed.
Soon, he arrived at a forest with an old temple.
Inside, a badly wounded Killer Bee lay slumped against a pillar.
"Killer Bee!" Morkel called.
The injured man looked up through his sunglasses and grinned. "Yo! It's me, the mighty Bee! I nearly died but didn't flee!"
"You're half-dead, and you're rapping?"
"Rap's my dream, can't quit it now."
"Did your brother send me? That's cool. Konoha's got some good people."
Morkel nodded. "But Raikage's furious. He thinks Sasuke kidnapped you. If I hadn't found you, a war could've started."
Killer Bee winced. Morkel healed him with green glowing Chakra.
Once Bee recovered, he asked for food and shared his story:
"I was ambushed by a masked guy—super strong! He almost killed me. Then Sasuke showed up in Akatsuki robes with some rookies. He didn't say much, just handed me ten bucks and said to follow him."
"He covered for me. I escaped downriver and ended up here."
"So Sasuke… saved you?" Morkel asked.
"Yep. That Black Fire he used—man, it's scary. He's way stronger than before."
"Where is he now?"
"No idea. Probably taken by that masked guy."
Morkel nodded. "Let's head back. Cloud Shinobi might attack Konoha if you stay missing."
"Right."
Grabbing Killer Bee, Morkel vanished in a flash of yellow light.
Raikage's Office
Cloud officials argued loudly:
"Should we declare war on Konoha?"
"Sasuke's to blame!"
"Morkel's strong. Declaring war is risky…"
Suddenly, Swish! Morkel reappeared with Killer Bee in tow.
The room fell silent.
"What's going on? You guys seem fired up," Morkel said with a sly smile.
Bee explained everything.
Now the officials looked even more awkward.
"I guess… we owe Sasuke an apology…" one muttered.
Morkel didn't smile.
Bang!
He sat in the Raikage's chair, legs on the table.
His gaze swept the room.
"What? You think a simple 'thank you' is enough?"