Those who came with Tsunade-sama this time, besides Tenten, included Kakashi and two ANBU squads.
When the Hokage travels, safety comes first.
Tenten was brought along because she can use Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique), allowing her to evacuate the Hokage at any moment. She also carries the Rikudō no Dōgu (Six Paths Tools), and her strength is nothing to scoff at—an excellent bodyguard.
As for Kakashi, as one of the Hokage's aides, it was natural for him to attend.
It might even be that Kakashi-senpai actively sought to come—after all, he was the one who originally suggested holding the Five Kage Summit, and he suspects Uchiha Obito might show up to take a look. For various reasons, Kakashi had to be here.
There was no need to worry about the village.
Plenty of powerful ninja were guarding it, and Neji with the Tenseigan (dōjutsu) was there as well, so security was guaranteed.
"Tsunade-sama, Kakashi-senpai." Natsuki finally greeted them.
"You finally noticed us."
Tsunade-sama teased, "Just now your eyes were full of Tenten. Should we turn around and wait a while?"
Unlike Tenten's blushing, Natsuki's face was thick as city walls. He pretended not to hear and turned to greet the others. "Gaara, Temari, Kankurō—you're here too."
Sunagakure had sent the three siblings. Gaara was the Kazekage, while Temari and Kankurō, his older sister and older brother, were both jōnin.
There were other guards as well, but Suna's overall strength truly wasn't what it used to be. Their most presentable jōnin, Maki, stayed behind to guard the village.
If someone snuck in while they were "just at a meeting," it would be beyond embarrassing.
"Long time no see, Natsuki, Sasuke."
Gaara smiled. "I'd just returned from Mount Myōboku when I heard you fought the A and B brothers—and Natsuki even won. That strength is enviable."
The others nodded. That level of strength was indeed a bit much.
Although Natsuki was said to have defeated the Tenseigan, many from other villages didn't really believe it. Beating the A and B brothers was different.
A and B were famous; as early as the Third Shinobi World War, their names shook the world. Their strength was universally recognized. For Natsuki to defeat such a duo—especially with A himself not denying it—naturally shocked many.
Natsuki didn't care. He waved it off, not wanting to dwell on it.
The group entered the meeting site together.
The Land of Iron's venue was truly remote. The surroundings were nearly desolate, with only a lone castle, guarded entirely by samurai, looking like a sturdy fortress.
The reason for choosing the Land of Iron was its neutrality, and because the country was governed by samurai rather than shinobi.
The Land of Iron's leader, Mifune, was also very strong, and his fairness inspired trust.
So, basically, none of the villages objected.
They were led to the conference chamber and, at the door, ran into the delegation from Kumogakure.
The Raikage, A, greeted them with rare good temper. "Hokage, Kazekage, you made good time. Unlike that old fossil Ōnoki—still nowhere in sight. Probably going to use 'back pain' as an excuse again."
"Raikage."
Tsunade-sama and Gaara nodded in acknowledgment.
Natsuki glanced at the people behind A—besides guards Darui and C, Killer B had come as well.
Which made sense. B wasn't hiding for now, but A wouldn't dare leave his younger brother in the village alone. Never mind whether Akatsuki might take the opportunity to invade; given B's personality, he'd probably turn the village upside down within days. By the time they returned, every young shinobi would be rapping in unison—the annihilation would be total.
At the moment, though, B was staring, dumbfounded, at Tsunade-sama, cheeks flushed and heart racing as if he'd fallen in love.
Seeing this, A immediately flared up. "B! Where do you think you're looking on the Hokage! Don't embarrass Kumo!"
B stammered, "B-but the Hokage's… her bosom is truly magnanimous—"
A, Darui, and C could only facepalm. The embarrassment was complete.
Everyone else—including Tsunade-sama—wasn't surprised. Tsunade's beauty was renowned; called the most beautiful Hokage, the most beautiful princess. Even at her age, she used ninjutsu to maintain a youthful face and voluptuous figure. No man could resist.
In that sense, B's reaction was only human.
Fortunately, Mifune arrived just then and took the initiative. "Hokage-dono, Kazekage-dono, Raikage-dono—thank you for coming from afar. Please enter the conference chamber first. I've heard that the Mizukage-dono and the Tsuchikage-dono are almost here—please be patient."
Everyone filed into the chamber and took their seats.
Natsuki studied Mifune.
Bandages were wrapped around his head. He looked like a mild-mannered samurai, yet now and then a glint flashed in his eyes—like a famed blade drawn from its sheath.
Though not a shinobi, he was no weaker than anyone present.
Back then he'd only lost to the so-called demigod, Hanzō the Salamander. Even if he wasn't quite Kage-level, he was certainly at elite-jōnin level—nothing to underestimate.
The Land of Iron's kenjutsu was unique as well, though Natsuki didn't know much about it.
Mifune also noticed Natsuki's gaze and smiled. "I presume this young man is the famed 'Konoha Demon Blade' Natsuki. I've heard you recently defeated the A-and-B combination. Is that true?"
Everyone looked at Natsuki, then at A.
A didn't deny it. "Natsuki is formidable. We did lose."
For a moment, every gaze fixed on Natsuki in surprise. Hearing rumors was one thing; hearing it from the person involved was another. It meant Natsuki truly possessed overwhelming strength.
In this world, the strong are given respect.
Natsuki didn't quite know what to say, so he simply offered a friendly smile. He wasn't the type to "pose cool."
At his side, though, Tenten proudly raised her chin like a peacock displaying its tail. After all, her boyfriend's name now shook the ninja world—his Four Guards were radiant by association.
Thankfully, they didn't have to wait long. The delegations from the Land of Earth and the Land of Water arrived.
Ōnoki was a very, very short old man who walked with his hands clasped behind his back like a patrolling cadre.
With him came the future Kage Kurotsuchi and the pudgy Akatsuchi—representatives of Iwagakure's younger generation. Their true strength remained to be seen.
The Mizukage, Mei Terumi, was an alluring woman, accompanied by the somewhat bashful Chōjūrō.
A spoke first. "Ōnoki, you finally made it. I half-expected you to croak on the road."
Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi immediately gripped their weapons. A was cursing their elder, and if not for Ōnoki stopping them, they might have lunged.
Ōnoki chuckled. "Hohoho, this old man will live for decades yet. If anyone dies first, it's the Raikage. After all, I heard the famous A-and-B brothers lost to some half-grown kid from Konoha. What a knee-slapper."
(End of Chapter)
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