Rasa's words resonated deeply with most of those present. Many had tears in their eyes, finally seeing the Fourth Kazekage in a new light.
Even Gaara, who had long harbored resentment toward his father, felt a weight lift from his chest. No matter what heinous acts the man in front of him had committed in the past, he was still his father. And now, Gaara could understand why Rasa had acted as he did.
Since the Chunin Exams, he had met friends like Naruto, Fu, Youkimaru, and Utakata—other Jinchūriki like himself. He had also met ordinary ninjas like Shira, Sand #2, and Sand #3, who were dedicated to building and protecting their village. Now, like Naruto, Gaara had a purpose: to become Kazekage and protect his people. The events of the past could be let go…
Kankurō and Temari, standing nearby, wore expressions of relief after so many years. Their father had finally apologized to his son. Reconciliation had come at last.
Yet there were two people who were far from pleased: Ōnoki and A.
Though they rarely saw eye to eye, their thoughts were oddly aligned.
*Rasa… I thought you were the most straightforward of them all. Yet here you are, shamelessly pandering to Konoha!*
The man with thick eyebrows and earnest eyes had somehow learned to play the victim, tugging at the hearts of the Jinchūriki. Truly shameless. No one else could stoop so low.
---
Suddenly, the air above the center of the round table twisted and roiled. A gray-blue figure wearing a white mask marked with the three-ring Sharingan descended.
"Ah… it seems the most important figures of the ninja world have gathered here today," the masked man said, his voice calm yet carrying a sharp edge.
"I wonder what all of you hope to accomplish by convening this grand assembly?"
The moment Obito appeared, A—who had just finished speaking and found himself at the bottom of the group—let lightning flash across his body. In an instant, a blue aura ignited, forming a shockwave that erupted into the air. His fist shot forward, striking the back of Obito's head.
"Go to hell, you little devil!"
Obito remained motionless. A's fist passed straight through him, striking nothing but air, crashing into the floor and creating a half-meter-wide crater.
Before A could even comprehend what had happened, Obito retaliated. A swift kick sent him flying several meters toward Uchiha Hikaru.
Hikaru's eyes snapped open. The Mangekyō Sharingan flared to life, radiating its full power. He extended a skeletal hand, halting A mid-air, moving him aside with ease, and fixed his gaze on Obito.
Everyone tensed, ready to strike at the slightest provocation.
"Obito," Hikaru said calmly, his voice carrying both recognition and menace, "it's been two years since we last met. Why change your mask again? Did I beat the last one to pieces, and now you couldn't find it?"
The Obito who once blushed at the slightest taunt from Hikaru had matured into a resolute, strong figure.
It had been because of his own past inexperience that he had made mistakes in their previous battle, allowing Hikaru to dominate. But now… he was calm.
*Let me show you the results of the past two years of relentless training. If you can break through me now… then I, Uchiha Obito, will truly have lost.*
"Humph. You still talk as much as ever, Uchiha Hikaru," Obito said, his tone casual but biting.
"I am curious… for someone as strong as you, why surround yourself with such a useless lot?"
"When something happens in the village, the first thought is not to report it to Konoha, but to suppress it so that the scandal doesn't spread."
"How absurd!"
Obito's words cut directly to Ōnoki, Rasa, and A, filling them with shame and humiliation.
Mei Terumi, however, remained calm. She had been away from the village, busy with her duties, and if Hikaru hadn't sent word, she wouldn't have known that her Jinchūriki's tomb had been disturbed. There was nothing to hide. If she had known earlier, she would have informed Hikaru immediately. After all, she was his ally, and they shared a familial bond. Otherwise, she might have acted pitifully, provoking him to act.
Obito's words left the other Five Kage and Konan momentarily confused. What exactly had happened? Why would Uchiha Obito say such things?
At that moment, Mifune of the Land of Iron looked directly at Hikaru.
"President Hikaru," he asked, voice firm, "why are you remaining silent? Did something really happen in these villages?"
"At this point, do we still need to keep it hidden?"
As a neutral nation with no ninja and a population of samurai, the Land of Iron had never fought in any war since the one-village-one-country system was established. Its sole purpose was to defend its territory. Because of this, all peace talks during the three Ninja World Wars had been held in the Iron Country.
Obito's grin widened upon hearing Mifune. A straightforward samurai questioning Hikaru's authority—perfect. So easily manipulated.
Indeed, Obito's comments were designed to provoke doubt. He hadn't expected this reaction to be so immediate.
Others had thought it but dared not speak. Now, with Mifune voicing it, the Star Shadow of the Land of Bears, the old man who fancied himself equal to the Five Kage, began to doubt as well.
"President Hikaru," he said cautiously, "I also want to know if the Five Great Nations are deceiving us small nations."
"I am old. I only wish for an heir to succeed me in peace and stability. Star Shadow Village cannot endure torment any longer."
Following him, the crowd's confidence in the Five Great Nations began to waver.
Yet despite Hikaru's calm demeanor and unflaring chakra, everyone felt a strange, oppressive pressure—as if an unseen force locked their souls in place, staring them down with incomprehensible power.
Even Obito, sensing the intensity, felt his body weaken. *What kind of ability is this!?*
Hikaru smiled faintly, resting his hand against his cheek, scanning the assembly with eyes that saw far more than the gathering did.
"Everyone," he began, voice calm but resonant, "the Ninja Alliance is a place where every village pursues growth together. Here, all villages are equal. That is why I sit among you in this circular seat."
"The Alliance's permanent ninja village is recognized as the strongest among the six major ninja villages."
"So, when something happens in another village, why should it be reported to Konoha?"
"Do you truly believe that the other villages are vassals of Konoha?"