"The Third Hokage's tongue remains as sharp as ever."
Ōnoki allowed himself a faint smile. In his eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi was a man capable of immense hypocrisy, yet even he had to acknowledge that the Hokage's rhetoric far surpassed that of the young Fourth Mizukage.
But eloquence alone did not matter.
From the beginning, Yagura Karatachi had intended to place the blame squarely on Konoha. Whether the evidence was convincing was irrelevant. War required only an excuse. Truth was rarely part of the calculation.
Sensing the oppressive tension thickening the air, the previously silent Third Kazekage suddenly spoke.
"Since this issue cannot be resolved today, let us set it aside and discuss another matter."
"Another matter?" the Third Raikage asked bluntly.
"Yes." The Kazekage interlaced his fingers and smiled faintly. "I propose that we reopen the treaty signed with Konoha four years ago."
Hiruzen's expression remained calm. "I see no issue with that agreement."
"Let the Kazekage finish," Ōnoki interjected coolly. "This is the Five Kage Summit. Konoha may be powerful, but you cannot deny another Kage the right to speak."
Hiruzen gave a restrained snort but remained silent.
The Third Kazekage stood, his voice measured.
"Following the Second Great Ninja War, Sunagakure signed a postwar accord with Konoha. It was, plainly speaking, an unequal treaty.
"Our borders were forced to revert to lines established before the First Great Ninja War. Within fifty kilometers east and west, the Land of Wind must remain militarily undefended.
"Sunagakure is prohibited from developing certain advanced weaponry or researching toxic agents.
"The Ueno gold mines are to be exploited by the Land of Fire for ten years, under Konoha's administration.
"In addition, we are required to pay substantial reparations."
He paused only briefly before continuing.
"According to our current revenue, it will take twenty-eight years to complete those payments."
A heavy silence followed.
The Kazekage turned toward Ōnoki. "And Iwagakure?"
Ōnoki's expression darkened. "We possess abundant ore, so our burden is lighter. Eighteen years."
"Eighteen," the Kazekage repeated softly. "You will live to see yours cleared. The Land of Rain, however, faces two centuries of repayment."
"Two centuries," Ōnoki muttered. "Konoha itself is only thirty-seven years old. Who can guarantee the Five Great Nations will even exist two hundred years from now?"
The Third Raikage turned to Hiruzen. "Is all of this accurate?"
Hiruzen shrugged slightly. "These were the conditions set by the victor."
"That mindset is unacceptable," the Raikage said sharply. "The Five Great Nations claim to be allies in maintaining balance. Yet Konoha treats the others as defeated subordinates."
Hiruzen's eyes shifted to the Kazekage. "What, precisely, do you want?"
"Abolish the existing treaty," the Kazekage replied, "and draft a new one."
He unfurled a prepared map across the round table.
Every gaze in the chamber focused on it.
Red marks dotted several mineral-rich regions within the Land of Fire.
"The Land of Wind is barren and resource-poor," the Kazekage said evenly. "The Land of Fire is not. We request the right for Sunagakure to develop these mines.
"In exchange, we offer labor. My disciple, Rasa, has mastered the Gold Dust technique. He can assist in extraction at no cost."
When he finished speaking, his eyes locked with Hiruzen's.
Under the watchful gaze of the other four Kage, Hiruzen slowly rose to his feet. He reached forward, grasped the map, and tore it cleanly in half.
The paper split with a sharp sound. Fragments drifted downward like falling snow.
"If I refuse?" Hiruzen asked calmly.
Ōnoki's voice grew cold. "Hokage, I advise you to consider your village's interests carefully."
"And I advise you the same," Hiruzen replied without hesitation.
Yagura's voice lowered, steady but heavy. "You refuse to hand over Uchiha Hayashi. You refuse to relinquish resources. Third Hokage, are you prepared to stand against all of us?"
Hiruzen's gaze moved slowly across the four Kage.
"Konoha has endured two Great Ninja Wars," he said. "We do not seek another.
"But if any nation threatens our land or our people, we will respond without hesitation."
The moment he finished speaking, overwhelming killing intent surged through the room.
The air trembled. The round table groaned under invisible pressure as faint cracks spread across its surface.
Bodyguards burst through the curtains, weapons drawn.
Behind Konoha's curtain, Orochimaru remained still, though his body was coiled like a serpent ready to strike. Sakumo Hatake drew the White Light Chakra Sabre, its faint glow cutting through the tension.
Yet none advanced further.
This was the Land of Iron. Open battle here would violate long-standing neutrality.
One by one, the Kage withdrew their killing intent.
"In that case," Yagura said, eyes shadowed, "Kirigakure will test Konoha's resolve."
The declaration was unmistakable.
"My Kumogakure will do the same," the Third Raikage added, slamming his fist onto the table.
"Iwagakure still has unfinished business from the previous war," Ōnoki said coldly.
With three voices already aligned, the Kazekage spoke last.
"Sunagakure has debts to collect."
Four declarations stood against one.
Hiruzen did not step back.
"If war is what you choose," he said firmly, "Konoha will answer."
The Five Kage Summit ended not with compromise, but with open hostility.
---
Outside the conference hall, heavy snow continued to fall over the Land of Iron.
Hiruzen stood quietly for a moment, watching the endless white landscape.
"Barely four years," he murmured. "And war returns."
Orochimaru remained silent before finally speaking in his hoarse tone. "This was inevitable. The other villages sought an opportunity."
Hiruzen shook his head slowly.
"I share the responsibility. Hayashi advised me against imposing such harsh conditions after the last war.
"He said that excessive pressure would only breed resentment in Iwagakure and Sunagakure. He believed it would undermine long-term stability. I ignored him. I was determined to weaken them as much as possible."
He exhaled quietly.
"After the First Great Ninja War, peace lasted more than a decade. This time, we managed only four years."
Snow gathered on his shoulders as he stood motionless.
"Perhaps I am growing old. When this war ends, I may step down."
Neither Orochimaru nor Sakumo responded. The matter of succession was beyond them.
Suddenly, Orochimaru's expression shifted. He formed hand seals and used the Summoning Jutsu.
A messenger snake appeared, carrying a scroll.
"Sensei, urgent news from Konoha."
Orochimaru handed the scroll to Hiruzen.
As Hiruzen read, his brow tightened.
"Kirigakure has already launched a surprise attack," he said gravely. "They used the summit as a distraction."
"Casualties?" Sakumo asked.
"Manageable. Our prior preparations limited the damage."
Hiruzen's voice hardened.
"Send word to Konoha. Recall every shinobi currently outside the village. All missions are to be abandoned immediately."
"Yes."
"Inform Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hayashi to return at once."
Snow continued to fall as his final words cut through the silence.
"Tell them the Third Great Ninja War has begun."
The three figures walked slowly into the snowfall. Their footprints marked the ground briefly before fresh snow covered them, as though they had never been there.
The earth stretched endlessly in white, silent and pure, while war once again descended upon the shinobi world.
---
End of Volume
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