Tsunade had originally planned to have Shinju serve as her personal guard during the Five Kage Summit.
However, since Shinju had taken the initiative to search for Sasuke himself, she didn't press the issue further.
"Alright, but before that, take me to Kumogakure first. Their Eight-Tails jinchūriki still hasn't been found. If this situation isn't handled properly, it could trigger a war…" Tsunade said.
Due to the news from Kumogakure, Tsunade decided that before attending the Five Kage Summit, she would make a detour to the Land of Lightning.
"Don't worry about it, Tsunade-sensei. I'll handle that matter myself," Shinju assured her.
Knowing Shinju's strength, Tsunade didn't object. She nodded.
"Alright. I'm counting on you, Shinju. Once you're done there, come to the Land of Iron."
The Land of Iron — the place where this Five Kage Summit was to be held — did not belong to any shinobi faction. It was an absolutely neutral country.
Shinju nodded.
After finishing his brief talk with Tsunade, he prepared to leave.
At that moment, Naruto beside him wanted to tag along, but Shinju stopped him.
"Naruto, you're not coming with me this time. Stay in the village," Shinju said.
Naruto frowned in protest. "Why not? Sasuke's my comrade too! (｡•ˇ‸ˇ•｡)"
Shinju patiently explained,
"Right now, you're stronger than most shinobi in the village. Having you serve as Tsunade-sensei's guard during the summit is the best arrangement. So I'm counting on you. (๑╹ヮ╹๑)ﾉ"
He wasn't exaggerating. By now, Naruto had not only mastered Sage Mode but also learned many powerful jutsu from Shinju himself. And in critical moments, he could rely on Kurama's power as well…
Naruto's overall strength already ranked among the top in Konoha.
After Shinju finished speaking, no one voiced any objection.
Naruto, who had been dissatisfied just moments ago, suddenly brightened up after hearing Shinju's praise and being entrusted with an important task. He nodded vigorously, eyes shining.
"Got it! I'll complete the mission, no problem! ( ˝ᗢ̈˝ )"
...
After leaving the Hokage's office, Shinju tried to teleport directly to Sasuke's location using the Flying Thunder God.
However, after several attempts, nothing happened.
Frowning, Shinju muttered, "Weird. The Flying Thunder God mark I placed on Sasuke—why did it disappear? (￢‸￢)?"
Although Sasuke's betrayal this time seemed reasonable—after all, that guy had done similar things more than once before (ー_ー)!!—
Shinju still felt that something about Killer B's disappearance didn't add up.
"If I can't get to Sasuke, then I'll have to head to the Land of Lightning myself," Shinju murmured after several failed attempts.
...
Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
The Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, stood at the village gate with his attendants Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi, all three carrying huge travel packs on their backs.
Behind them, the shinobi of Iwagakure shouted their farewells:
"Tsuchikage-sama, please be careful on your journey!"
"Akatsuchi, make sure to protect Tsuchikage-sama!"
"Shouldn't you bring a few more shinobi? Using 'Light-Weight Rock Technique' consumes too much chakra…"
Hearing the villagers' calls, Kurotsuchi scowled and pulled a pseudo-painting scroll from her pack.
Although her chakra reserves far exceeded those of ordinary Iwagakure shinobi, she could only maintain the 'Light-Weight Rock Technique' technique for less than ten minutes…
Just as she was about to activate her art and manifest a giant iron bird from the scroll, Ōnoki raised a hand to stop her.
"The road to the Land of Iron is long. Better to save your chakra," he said.
Kurotsuchi pouted in protest.
"What kind of ridiculous rule is that—only two attendants allowed? If we could bring more shinobi, we'd just fly straight there! ¦•ˇ₃ˇ•｡)"
Ōnoki explained, "That rule was set long ago by the previous generations. And remember, the Land of Iron is the land of samurai. Marching in with a large shinobi force wouldn't be proper. ~_~"
"Enough complaining. Let's move out," he said, taking his first step forward.
A moment later—
A faint crack sounded. Ōnoki froze mid-step, completely motionless!
Seeing this, Kurotsuchi asked with concern and a teasing tone,
"Gramps, you threw out your back again? ╮(╯▽╰)╭"
"I told you not to carry so much luggage. You should've let Akatsuchi take some!"
But the stubborn old Tsuchikage grumbled,
"No way! I carry my own things! I'm the Tsuchikage, after all—how could I rely on youngsters! ヽ('⌒´メ)ノ"
He gritted his teeth, holding his back as he took another step forward—
Crack!
The old man stiffened, looking like he'd been struck by lightning.
Seeing that, the ever-considerate Akatsuchi hurriedly came forward and set Ōnoki down on the large box strapped to his own back.
"Tsuchikage-sama, this way it still counts as carrying your own luggage."
Ōnoki turned his head away. "Even without your help, I can walk just fine. o(￣ヘ￣o)"
Then, as if reminded of something, the old man sighed.
"At times like this, you really see how valuable space-time ninjutsu can be. With Shinju around, Konoha's Hokage must be traveling far more comfortably than me.〒_〒"
...
Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō had also received word from the Raikage. The three siblings gathered at Sunagakure's gate, ready to depart.
Straightforward as ever, Temari said, "Back when Gaara was captured, Sunagakure sent requests for help to all four major nations. Only Konoha came to our aid.
Now something similar happens to Kumogakure, and the Fourth Raikage immediately calls for a Five Kage Summit. Guess in this world, power really does make the rules… (ー ー゛)"
Kankurō tried to comfort her.
"Back then, Sunagakure wasn't in an alliance with the other nations. It was normal for them to be cautious.
Besides, didn't Kumogakure also lose their Two-Tails back then?"
Gaara ignored their back-and-forth, silently putting on his Kazekage hat and walking ahead.
"Gaara, what's the rush? Wait for us!" Temari called after him.
...
Land of Water, Kirigakure.
The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, received the Mizukage hat from a trembling old man.
Placing it on her head, she waved her hand with confidence.
"Alright, everyone—let's move out! ୧⍢⃝୨"
This time, the ones accompanying her to the Land of Iron were Chōjūrō and Ao.
Chōjūrō, wearing black-rimmed glasses, looked young but was one of the new generation's Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielder of the twin swords Hiramekarei.
Ao, clad in a long robe with an eyepatch over his right eye, was much older.
He was currently lecturing Chōjūrō in the tone of a veteran.
"Chōjūrō, as Mizukage-sama's bodyguard, you need to act strong and decisive—don't be so timid!"
Chōjūrō nodded. "I understand."
Then he asked, "By the way, Mizukage-sama doesn't seem that young anymore… Is she married?"
Ao: Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
How dare you ask that!!