Heiyan never doubted Orochimaru's research abilities.
Black Zetsu's severed arm was essentially a part of Kaguya Otsutsuki's body, containing not only her biological cells but also storing backups of her memories.
If Orochimaru could study it the same way he researched Hashirama's cells, unlocking the power of Kaguya's cells, that would be ideal. Additionally, extracting Kaguya's memories would undoubtedly hold immense value.
In the past, Heiyan might have hesitated to hand Black Zetsu's severed arm over to Orochimaru for research—after all, that man had always been duplicitous. If Orochimaru gained power from it, there was a chance he could turn against Heiyan.
But now, Heiyan's strength had surpassed even Hashirama Senju in his prime, truly placing him at the peak of the shinobi world. At this point, even the Six Paths Tier was within reach.
Under such circumstances, someone like Orochimaru would be unable to cause trouble under Heiyan's watchful eye, no matter how devious his schemes were.
So, Heiyan decided it was time to fully utilize a mind like his; otherwise, it would be an outright waste.
Back in Konoha.
Before departure, Heiyan hosted a meal at his home for the two brothers Fugaku and Hiashi. After all, the Konoha Sannin hadn't reunited in quite some time.
During the meal, Heiyan spoke about the upcoming Five Kage Summit and warned them to prepare carefully for unexpected events while he was away from the village.
More directly put, they needed to stay vigilant against an attack by Madara Uchiha.
"Don't worry, Heiyan. All my hard training over this past year hasn't gone to waste. I can now open the Eighth Gate. If that old man Madara really dares to come, he won't leave alive."
Hiashi Hyuga looked fiercely determined, brimming with confidence. Right now, he couldn't wait for a battle with Madara to test the limits of his Eight Gates technique.
Already able to open the Eighth Gate so soon?
Upon hearing those words, Heiyan couldn't help but feel surprised at Hiashi's taijutsu talent. After inquiring further, Heiyan learned that the final obstacle in mastering the Eight Gates lay in opening the Seventh Gate—Wonder Gate.
Once that Seventh Gate had been broken through, one could then attempt to unlock the Death Gate located near the heart—but doing so would definitely cost one's life.
"My [River of Three Paths] genjutsu can now rewind up to three minutes—more than enough time for Hiashi to unleash everything." Fugaku added solemnly, eyes fixed and unyielding.
Bolstered by Hashirama cells, living armor, and Two-Tails' chakra, Fugaku's chakra reserves had become incredibly vast, more than sufficient to calmly wield the powers of his Mangekyou Sharingan.
Fugaku had clear objectives—killing Madara Uchiha, recovering the many ancient scrolls once lost by the Uchiha clan, and most importantly, retrieving their priceless treasure—the authentic blazing war fan.
"In that case, I'll leave things up to you two," Heiyan said, feeling significantly reassured.
They both nodded and said in unison, "No matter what schemes lie beneath this summit, we believe in you completely. You'll overcome every danger and return victorious!"
As those words echoed, the three exchanged smiles, raising their glasses together.
Konoha was the last to accept Onoki's invitation, and news of the upcoming Five Kage Summit spread like wildfire across every corner of the ninja world.
In the Land of Earth, at Iwagakure village,
A large crowd of Iwa ninjas had gathered at the village gate, seeing off the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki.
As the one who initiated this Kage meeting, after receiving responses from all the ninja villages, Onoki's prestige had risen rapidly to a new height. He had now emerged as the de facto leader of the ninja world.
The ninjas of Iwagakure naturally felt extremely proud about this situation and flocked around Onoki like planets orbiting the sun, cheering wildly.
Accompanying Onoki on his journey to the Land of Iron were two of his guards—both ace ninja of Iwagakure and top-tier fighters.
The man on the left was only slightly taller than Onoki—about five feet tall. He wore purple clothing and a chestplate, while the hair at the back of his head was tied into small ponytail-like bundles. A thick mustache adorned his face.
You'd guess he was in his 30s or 40s at first glance, but he was actually only in his early twenties. His mature appearance was why everyone in the village called him "Roshi"—Old Purple.
Roshi had been implanted with Son Gokū, the Four-Tails, seven years ago. Mastering the powerful Lava Release Kekkei Genkai, he was one of Iwagakure's two Jinchuriki.
Not only was his height similar to Onoki's, but his personality was just as stubborn. Because of this, the two didn't get along well at all, and Roshi frequently even threatened to leave the village.
Once again, Roshi had been forced by Onoki to join the summit, which was why he wore such a sour face and looked thoroughly annoyed.
The other figure standing to Onoki's right was like a living mountain, standing at an impressive height of over seven feet.
He wore a red hat and red armor, with a composed and calm demeanor that was intimidating enough to deter any enemy.
His name was Han, slightly younger than Roshi, and he too had been implanted with Kokuo, the Five-Tails, during childhood, becoming a Jinchuriki of Iwagakure.
Just like Roshi, Han also mastered the Steam Release Kekkei Genkai. His steam-powered monster strength had brought countless victories to Iwagakure, earning him the moniker "the Steam Ninja."
One Kage, two Tailed Beast Jinchuriki.
Such a formidable lineup would make anyone think they were heading off to war rather than a summit.
However, Iwagakure wasn't the only village making such a big deal out of this—the other ninja villages were much the same.
In the Land of Wind, at Sunagakure village,
Hailed as the "Strongest Kazekage in History," the Third Kazekage arrived at a remote temple deep within the village.
This temple was strictly guarded day and night by Sunagakure's Anbu forces. Outsiders couldn't enter, and those inside could never leave—it was essentially a restricted area of Sunagakure.
The reason for its secrecy was because it imprisoned the Jinchuriki of Shukaku, the One-Tail.
Back during the era of the Second Kazekage, Shamon pursued research into militarizing the Tailed Beasts. At birth, Bunpuku was chosen as the container for Shukaku, the One-Tail, and used as a weapon.
From that point onward, Bunpuku had lived under imprisonment within this temple, never once stepping beyond its boundaries.
"This time for the Kage Summit, I will need you to lend me the power of Shukaku sealed within you."
The Third Kazekage wasted no time getting straight to the point, giving monk Bunpuku orders in a tone that allowed no room for objection.
Bunpuku hadn't originally been considered promising, but through his forgiving and kind nature cultivated over many years, he had actually become spiritual companions with the One-Tail sealed inside him, gaining immense power approaching that of a Perfect Jinchuriki.
A brief silence followed.
"I understand."
Sighing deeply, Bunpuku rose from the cushion. As a jinchuriki, he had long since resolved to dedicate everything for the village.
Following the Third Kazekage, Bunpuku stepped out of the temple for the first time in years—this was where he had been confined for so long.
In the Land of Lightning, at Kumogakure Village.
"Let's go."
The tall, imposing Third Raikage strapped his backpack on his back and strode purposefully outside the village. By his side, Eight-Tails jinchuriki Burubi followed closely like a shadow.
This A–B Combo duo from Kumogakure wasn't heading there for negotiations—they were going for vengeance. Because they both knew, if they failed to reclaim their lost honor on the battlefield, their entire lives would forever remain nailed to the pillar of shame.
In the Land of Water, at Kirigakure Village.
Ever since the so-called "Fourth Mizukage" Danzo left, Yagura Karatachi had inherited the position of Mizukage. Yet officially, they still continued to present themselves to the world under the title of Fourth Mizukage.
After all, during Danzo's tenure, he had never revealed his true face, continuing to serve as Root's leader behind the scenes.
For this Five Kage Summit, Yagura only brought along two ordinary jonin, making him the most low-key among the Kages of various ninja villages—even bordering on understated.
But this couldn't really be helped. After years of turmoil, Kirigakure currently lacked capable individuals.
However, shortly after Yagura departed from the village,
Outside the village in the woods, a figure slowly emerged from beneath the earth.
It was a man who appeared to be in his early twenties, with thick, jet-black long hair styled in a typical shamate fashion—wild and rebellious. His expression carried an air of arrogant disdain.
Undoubtedly, it was Madara Uchiha in his younger form.
Madara's gaze locked onto the backs of two figures ahead.
They were Konoha Anbu ninja who'd secretly been monitoring Madara's movements around Kirigakure, completely unaware their target now stood right behind them.
A slight smirk curved Madara's lips—an expression filled with mockery. Then, extending both hands forward—
[Universal Pull]!
"What's going on?!"
The two Konoha shinobi cried out in shock as their bodies uncontrollably shot backward rapidly.
Next moment.
Puchi.
Their hearts were pierced one after another by sharp blades from behind, their eyes losing their luster before their heads tilted sideways—lifeless.
Thud. Thud.
Carelessly, Madara tossed the two corpses onto the ground. Feeling the surging power within, he couldn't help but raise a hand to his forehead, bursting into wild laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
Madara laughed continuously for several minutes before regaining his usual cold and arrogant demeanor.
The current Elephant Path had been meticulously created using White Zetsu of supreme quality as a sacrificial vessel, through the power of the Rinnegan. It not only possessed half the chakra of his original form at peak strength, but could also use every single Ninjutsu technique Madara knew.
Enhanced further by the Rinnegan, this Elephant Path was even stronger than Madara at his peak during his youth.
To Madara himself, it meant one thing—he was unstoppable.
It was time to get down to business.
"Uzumaki Heiyan."
Madara murmured the name, his gaze turning colder. This time, he would deal with Heiyan in person and eliminate the threat once and for all.
As this thought crossed his mind, Madara vanished from the spot in an instant, tailing Yagura Karatachi toward the Land of Iron.
In Amegakure, within the tallest building at the village center, several jonin gathered in a corner, whispering secretly.
"I heard that during this Five Kage Summit, in addition to inviting the leaders of the five Great Ninja Villages, Tsuchikage also extended an invitation to Lord Hanzo. It seems that both his strength and reputation are enough to place him on equal footing with the various village Kages."
"After all, he's the man known as Semi-God—the hero of our Ame Village."
"But for some unknown reason, Lord Hanzo actually declined the invitation to attend the summit."
"What a shame. If he had gone to the meeting, he definitely could have shined brightly and further elevated Ame Village's status in the world of shinobi."
"..."
They whispered among themselves, puzzled and regretful over Hanzo's decision. However, no one dared to ask Hanzo himself for the reason, however curious they might be—they had to suppress their curiosity.
On the top floor of the building, inside a luxuriously decorated room, Hanzo stood by the window, staring through the endless curtain of rain toward some distant direction.
A frown creased his brow, his gaze darting slightly, lost in thought.
Indeed, Onoki had sent him an invitation.
Actually, even before the Hidden Leaf was invited, the other four Great Ninja Village Kages had already met privately and held a prior meeting.
Hanzo had been present at that secret conference.
At that gathering, the four Kages had simultaneously made a promise to Hanzo—if he were to attend the Five Kage Summit and stand alongside them against Konoha, including the potential use of force if necessary,
Then afterward, the four great villages would jointly issue a declaration recognizing Ame as the Sixth Great Ninja Village. At that time, Hanzo would naturally become the new Ame Village Kage—Amekage.
Faced with such a shocking temptation, Hanzo did not hastily accept. Instead, he said he needed some time to consider. After returning, after much deliberation, he ultimately decided not to go.
The reason was simple.
That man called Uzumaki Heiyan.
"You guys can go ahead and get yourselves killed—but I'm not getting dragged into this mess."
By the window, Hanzo muttered to himself.
He had witnessed Heiyan's rise with his own eyes over the past two or three years. He had fought the man twice before, and both times came out empty-handed.
Hanzo's life experience and intuition told him that no matter what, he must never underestimate Uzumaki Heiyan.
So—he chickened out.
"This Five Kage Summit will surely bring chaos—perhaps even more intense than the battle previously fought in Uzugakure. Regardless of how it ends, either Konoha or the four Great Ninja Villages will suffer heavy losses—or perhaps both sides will mutually destroy each other."
Hanzo mused inwardly, his gaze gradually sharpening.
Perhaps, once the summit ends, he—who stayed out of it—and Ame Village may rise from the shadows to emerge as the true victor.
How exciting.
Thinking about this, Hanzo looked toward the Land of Iron and gave a silent smile.
In the Land of Fire, at the Hidden Leaf Village.
The day of departure had arrived.
At the village gate, crowds gathered as nearly all the villagers came to see off the Third Hokage.
"Third Hokage-sama, Heiyan-sama, Tsunade-sama, may your journey be safe!"
"Make sure to come back safely, alright?"
Waving goodbye to the villagers amid their blessings, the three—the Third Hokage, Heiyan, and Tsunade—set off toward the Land of Iron.
Indeed, the journey was very smooth.
Although this mission included only three people total—including Hiruzen Sarutobi—no hostile ninja dared to launch an attack.
Together, these three were worth an army of a hundred thousand. Anyone who considered ambushing or assassinating them must be out of their mind.
After a full day of travel,
As night fell, the three arrived at a small town and stayed at a local inn.
That evening during dinner, Hiruzen suddenly announced some good news to Heiyan and Tsunade.
"I nearly forgot to mention this to the two of you!"
He smacked his forehead, set down his chopsticks, and said to them, "Right after the Five Kage Summit concludes, it will fall during the New Year festival season. The village will select an auspicious date to hold a grand wedding ceremony for the two of you. I've already assigned someone to begin preparations for it."
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