Kumogakure, the same guest room as last time.
The Raikage, A, was just as warm in his hospitality, and this time Killer B was present as well.
For now, B no longer needed to hide. The previous battle had already exposed the fact that he hadn't been captured, and the location of the Thundercloud Gorge was no longer a secret. Hiding was meaningless.
Still, to ensure B's safety, A might send him to the Island Turtle afterward.
The Island Turtle is a giant sea turtle the size of a small island, drifting unpredictably across the ocean. It's extremely hard to find and is ideal for hiding.
If, after the Five Kage Summit, the great villages formed an alliance, they could send all the Jinchūriki to the Island Turtle. Not to mention how long they could remain hidden—people would have to stay there until the method for achieving Perfect Jinchūriki is fully and reliably established.
Thinking about the Summit, Natsuki glanced curiously at A.
A was puzzled. "Natsuki kid, why are you staring at me like that?"
Natsuki said it straight. "The Raikage should have received Konoha's letter and knows that Tsunade-sama wants to convene a Five Kage Summit. Quite some time has passed, yet there's been no reply from you. I want to know what you're thinking. If you believe Kumogakure can handle Akatsuki alone, you can refuse to attend. We won't force you."
"Uh…"
A didn't know how to answer for a moment.
He'd intended to leave Konoha dangling for a few days. When Konoha grew anxious, he would reluctantly agree, thus seizing the initiative—making it look like Konoha was begging Kumo to attend.
But now that Natsuki had asked so directly, he couldn't just blurt out the truth.
So he coughed and stalled. "Ahem! Well, that Kabuto trouble just happened, so I was busy setting up defenses, especially to protect B, so I, uh, didn't have time to look at letters. I only saw it two days ago. Then I gathered the upper brass to discuss it, and we haven't decided whether to attend—yet."
Natsuki and Sasuke exchanged a look and chuckled.
They didn't say anything, but the meaning was obvious.
That excuse wouldn't fool a child. A letter personally sent by the other Kage, marked important and expedited—no matter how busy you are, you spare a glance.
Using "I was busy" to gloss it over… Did he take them for fools?
Darui kept his head down, feeling mortified—like having been caught lying.
"Ahem, well, if Konoha is in a hurry, I can…"
"We're not in a hurry. Konoha isn't in a hurry."
Natsuki shook his head and cut him off. "We didn't call the Summit for Konoha's sake, but for the entire shinobi world. The Akatsuki's leader has the Rinnegan—he's very powerful. He intends to gather all the tailed beasts to forge a tailed-beast weapon, threatening the safety of the entire world. We want everyone united to resist and crush that threat. But if our call goes unanswered, if no one is in a hurry and everyone just waits for death, then why should we be anxious? Heh. We're not anxious at all—we can all just die together."
A's expression turned very ugly.
Not with anger, but with a stab of shame.
Indeed, Konoha convening the Summit was, at its root, for the safety of the shinobi world. Anyone could see that the Rinnegan and a tailed-beast weapon would be a massive threat.
Yet upon receiving the news, his first reaction wasn't to respond immediately. For the sake of advantage, for minor gains, he had stalled—making himself look like a small-minded man chasing petty profit while ignoring the world's safety. Ridiculous.
And he'd even said, "If Konoha is anxious…" Why would Konoha be anxious?
The one who should be anxious is Kumogakure!
Konoha had waited so long; they certainly hadn't been idle. They must have been preparing all along—even preparing to face things alone if no one answered.
By comparison, his Raikage "vision" was really…
A downed a cup of sake, thumped the table, and said, "You're right! Konoha shouldn't be anxious—we should! I was shortsighted and shouldn't have dragged my feet on such a major issue. I'll send a reply immediately and apologize to the Hokage, and I'll urge Iwagakure as well. I figure Ōnoki's the same as me—shortsighted. That's no good."
Natsuki nodded. "Raikage, that's admirable."
A felt embarrassed. "Enough, no need for praise. Wrong is wrong—good thing we corrected it in time."
Natsuki didn't say more. He simply lifted his drink and clinked cups with A.
For a while, the atmosphere stayed lively and amicable.
But things got even livelier. While A wasn't paying attention, Killer B slipped outside, rounded up a bunch of young people, and threw an impromptu concert on the spot. The crowd was on fire…
A felt a headache coming on. Not wanting B to embarrass himself further in front of guests, he flew up and kicked him off the stage.
Truly a big brother—he didn't hold back. B's head punched right through the stage.
After a few days in Kumogakure, Natsuki and Sasuke chose to leave.
They needed to keep showing themselves around, letting Akatsuki know where they were, so that Nagato wouldn't get hotheaded and raid Konoha again.
Even so, Natsuki and Tsunade kept in touch every day to confirm the village's safety. If the village was in danger, he could return instantly with Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique).
The village would also confirm daily that the two of them were still safe.
Truly, Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique) is convenient.
Time, like the White Zetsu slumbering underground, slipped by unnoticed.
Thanks to A's efforts, the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, soon agreed to attend the Summit. Surprisingly, Kirigakure also replied that they would participate.
As for Gaara, the Kazekage, he would be brought back before the meeting via Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning).
The venue was set in the Land of Iron, with Mifune, its leader, presiding over the conference.
Natsuki and Sasuke received the notice and headed straight for the Land of Iron. After the Summit, Sasuke wouldn't need to keep "touring" but would join the Allied forces—assuming the Allied Shinobi Forces could be formed.
On that day, Natsuki and Sasuke arrived at the meeting site in the Land of Iron.
Just as they arrived, they saw Tsunade leading her entourage in as well—and Tenten had come too.
"Natsuki!"
Ignoring the crowd, Tenten ran straight into Natsuki's arms.
Natsuki quickly held her. It had been a while; Tenten seemed thinner. He didn't know if it was a poor appetite or too much work, but it made him ache for her.
Even though they messaged each other every day, Tenten didn't always tell the truth—mostly not to worry him.
Seeing the couple like that, everyone felt a ring of sparkly "dog food" floating before their eyes.
Fortunately, Natsuki and Tenten soon let go. After all, there were many people present, and Tenten was shy. They'd find a quiet place later to be properly affectionate.
(End of Chapter)
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