With the upper echelons of Iwagakure successfully dealt with, the small fry below naturally couldn't cause any trouble.
The complete integration of the former Iwagakure forces into the Land of Rain's system was now an inevitability; it was only a matter of time.
This news put Kaito in a very good mood.
"It seems I've overestimated the loyalty of shinobi. To put it bluntly, they're just a bunch of vicious mercenaries. Their sense of belonging to their village is a far cry from our loyalty to the Rabbit."
With the annexation of Iwagakure breaking the ice, the situation in the Sand Village wasn't far behind.
Aside from the Third Kazekage, most of the other high-ranking officials had either been fed to wild beasts or had become Kaito's loyal dogs.
The Third Kazekage was a bit more difficult. He had kept his eyes closed, not speaking or acknowledging anyone for days. He didn't even react when his food and water were cut off, as if he were already dead.
Seeing this, Kaito decided to just ignore him.
Besides, who said he needed the actual Third Kazekage to play the part?
If Orochimaru could do it, why couldn't Kaito?
Relying on the Normal-type Pokémon skill [Transform], Kaito successfully copied the Third Kazekage's appearance.
This was a true physical transformation, not an illusion or a standard Transformation Jutsu, so it was fundamentally undetectable.
Unfortunately, Kaito's mastery of this move was not yet mature, and he couldn't replicate the Kazekage's Magnet Release. Otherwise, he could have completely replaced the Third Kazekage and lived on as him.
The thought was a little terrifying.
But not having Magnet Release didn't matter. Kaito knew some Steel-type and Psychic-type moves, which could roughly mimic it.
Just as he had finished his preparations, Konoha happened to send him a top-secret letter.
Kaito opened it and couldn't help but narrow his eyes. "This Third Hokage... has he started playing his political games so soon?"
The letter, written in sharp language, detailed the threat of the Land of Rain and invited the Third Kazekage to attend a Four-Kage Summit. The proposed location for the meeting made Kaito feel a wave of nostalgia: the Land of Iron.
"Heh, trying to use the same little trick on me that was meant for Obito? Who do you think you're looking down on?"
Kaito stroked his chin for a moment, having already made his decision.
He would definitely go, but first, he would drag his feet a bit to feign the Third Kazekage's distrust of Konoha, and at the same time, buy some more time.
After two months of back-and-forth, Kaito, in the guise of the Third Kazekage, finally gave his promise to attend the Four-Kage Summit in the Land of Iron.
"That Third Kazekage is really a fool. The Land of Rain is right next door to him. He'll be the next one to be destroyed, yet he's still taking his sweet time."
In a withered forest, Tsunade grumbled as she sprinted across the hard, dry ground.
To her right, the Third Hokage and Orochimaru ran at the same pace, responding to her complaint with a wry smile. "This is the nature of diplomacy between the great nations. When it comes to mutual interests, a consensus is never reached quickly."
"That's why I hate politics the most!"
"Heh, what a shame," Orochimaru chuckled softly.
The three of them, cloaked in light-colored capes, flitted across the increasingly desolate land like moths dancing in the night.
A short while later, they entered a land of ice and snow and saw three mountain peaks ahead, shrouded in heavy snow, that resembled the heads of three wolves.
"Is that the Land of Iron?"
"Yes, we're almost there. Let's hurry!"
"Right!"
To avoid any excessive conflict, Sarutobi Hiruzen had only brought Tsunade and Orochimaru to the Four-Kage Summit, leaving Jiraiya behind to hold down the fort in Konoha.
Once outside the village, they didn't dare to recklessly expend their stamina in case of a potential attack, so they rested after every stretch of travel. It took them two days to reach the Land of Iron.
The current general of the Land of Iron, Mifune, personally led a group of samurai in thick armor to welcome the Third Hokage and his party.
"Honorable Third Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, my name is Mifune, General of the Land of Iron."
"Lord Mifune, we are imposing on you. Thank you for being willing to provide a venue for our meeting," the Third Hokage said with a warm smile.
No one could help but feel a sense of goodwill when faced with his pleasant expression.
Mifune was no exception, and the atmosphere immediately eased.
He could also sense the Third Hokage's sincerity in his words and couldn't help but say with respect, "Although the Land of Iron is a neutral country, it is ultimately a part of this world. We do not wish to see more lives lost to war. That is why we agreed."
"Lord Mifune's integrity is noble!"
"Not at all, not at all..."
After some small talk, Mifune invited them into the Land of Iron and arranged for them to stay in a simple house.
"We should be the first ones to arrive," Tsunade said, reaching out to catch a falling snowflake.
"No, the Raikage arrived even earlier than us." The Third Hokage took out his pipe and took a couple of puffs. "There's a faint smell of electricity in the air."
"Hmm? Is there?"
Tsunade twitched her nose but didn't notice anything unusual. She walked back into the house and sat down. "It's not surprising that the Raikage arrived first. He's always been a man of decisive action. As for his guards, it's probably those two brothers."
"No, I believe it's the Eight-Tails jinchuriki and Dodai," Orochimaru countered.
"Why?"
Orochimaru looked at the Third Hokage and said in a sardonic tone, "Because you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket. Isn't that right, Master Sarutobi?"
"Huuu..." The Third Hokage exhaled a cloud of smoke but did not reply.
Tsunade seemed to understand something and also fell silent.
For the next two days, they stayed in the courtyard and did not wander around.
Until someone came to inform them, "Lord Hokage, all the Kage have arrived. The Four-Kage Summit is about to begin."
"Good!" The Third Hokage took a deep breath, placed the Hokage hat that represented his status on his head, and said in a low voice, "Let's go!"
On the way, they encountered the party from the Land of Wind and saw the Third Kazekage and two unidentified guards.
Neither side had any desire to talk, simply nodding to each other as a greeting.
They entered the meeting room one after another and sat down around the circular table in the center, their gazes clashing like lightning.
The Third Hokage, the Third Raikage, the Fourth Mizukage, and the Third Kazekage were all present.
Mifune looked from left to right and said loudly, "Alright, I now declare the Four-Kage Summit officially..."
"Wait a minute!"
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind Mifune, casually draping an arm around his shoulders.
"Master Mifune, not all the guests have arrived yet. What's the rush?"
"!!"
From the Konoha side, Tsunade was the first to cry out in shock. "Kaito? What are you doing here?"
The Raikage and the others, who had never seen him before, stared at the handsome, ethereal young man, their hearts in turmoil. So, this is Kaito?