The last Five Kage Summit had taken place during the era of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Naturally, the announcement of a new summit created a massive sensation throughout the entire ninja world.
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Konoha Village – Hokage Conference Room
Tsunade gathered everyone for an important meeting. As usual, those present included the village elders, advisors, high-ranking officials, clan heads, and Jonin representatives.
This time, however, she also invited Naruto.
Naruto was thrilled. To him, it was something completely new, and he felt that the village had finally recognized his abilities.
Everyone else, however, understood the deeper meaning behind the invitation.
From the Hokage's perspective, allowing Naruto to attend meant that he was now considered capable of participating in decisions that would shape Konoha's future.
Tsunade began the meeting.
"Yesterday, I received responses from the other Four Great Nations. There were essentially no objections, and the Five Kage Summit will be held in the Land of Iron one month from now."
"Even the Hidden Mist Village, under the guidance of the village elders and the acting Mizukage, Mei Terumi, has expressed support for Konoha's proposal."
"The Hidden Sand Village naturally agrees as well."
"However, it's difficult to predict the attitudes of Iwagakure and the Hidden Cloud Village."
She continued,
"According to Jiraiya's intelligence, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, previously hired the Akatsuki to carry out missions for Iwagakure."
"Of course, the Akatsuki eventually captured two of Iwagakure's Jinchuriki, so even Onoki can no longer ignore the threat."
"The Hidden Cloud Village is in a similar situation," Tsunade added. "They've always favored military strength, and the loss of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito Nii, has made them especially determined to destroy the Akatsuki."
Shizune nodded.
"There's no doubt that all Five Great Nations hate the Akatsuki."
"The problem is that the nations don't trust each other."
"Even if Hokage-sama wants everyone to unite, every village will try to seize control of the alliance for itself."
Kakashi sighed.
"Even at a time like this... they still refuse to let go of their rivalry."
Jiraiya smiled helplessly.
"Unless the world is truly facing destruction, you'll never see the Five Great Nations fighting side by side without any hostility."
Utatane Koharu spoke next.
"The Hokage's proposal is excellent. The Five Great Nations must unite to eliminate the Akatsuki."
"However, we still need to carefully consider what position the Land of Fire should take during this operation."
Homura Mitokado nodded.
"The Raikage will certainly try everything possible to claim leadership of the alliance."
"If the Hidden Cloud Village becomes the leader, they'll gain enormous influence after defeating the Akatsuki and establish themselves as the dominant military power."
Hiruzen chuckled softly.
"That old fox Onoki isn't any different."
"He'll never give up that opportunity either."
Nara Shikaku rubbed his forehead.
"If the Five Great Nations had simply set aside their grudges from the beginning, the Akatsuki would never have grown this powerful."
"Jiraiya warned every village years ago."
"They dismissed our intelligence as exaggeration."
"And now we're paying the price."
Naruto finally raised his hand.
"If that's the case..."
"Then Konoha should be the leader!"
The conference room instantly fell silent as everyone looked toward him.
Tsunade smiled helplessly.
"Naruto... it's not that simple."
Naruto stood confidently.
"But Konoha deserves it!"
"Most of the intelligence on the Akatsuki was gathered by the Perverted Sage."
"We protected our own Jinchuriki."
"We also saved Gaara and Fu."
"We even helped the Hidden Mist Village free the Three-Tails Jinchuriki and ruined the Akatsuki's plan."
"If Konoha can't lead after all that..."
"Then who can?"
Deep down, everyone agreed with him.
Unfortunately, reality wasn't so simple.
Tsunade sighed.
"I agree with everything you said."
"But that only works if the other villages are willing to listen."
"Take the Hidden Cloud Village, for example."
"They currently possess the strongest military among the Five Great Nations."
"They may even be stronger than Konoha at the moment."
"Do you really think they'd willingly accept our leadership?"
Naruto folded his arms.
"If they don't agree..."
"Then we'll fight until they do!"
Tsunade laughed.
"Honestly..."
"That's probably the language the Hidden Cloud Village understands best."
She suddenly looked at him.
"Naruto..."
"Would you like to accompany me to the Five Kage Summit?"
The entire room was stunned.
According to tradition, each Kage could only bring one or two personal guards.
These guards weren't chosen simply for protection.
More importantly, they represented the future of their respective villages.
During the very first Five Kage Summit, Hashirama Senju brought Tobirama Senju as his guard.
Tobirama later became the Second Hokage.
The First Tsuchikage brought Mu, who later became the Second Tsuchikage.
The First Mizukage brought the future Third Mizukage.
Nearly every Kage guard eventually inherited the title of Kage.
The same pattern continued in later generations.
At the summit before the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Fourth Raikage brought Darui and C.
Darui later became the Fifth Raikage.
Mei Terumi brought Chojuro and Ao.
Chojuro eventually became the Sixth Mizukage.
Onoki brought his granddaughter Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi.
Kurotsuchi later became the Fourth Tsuchikage.
Even Gaara brought Temari and Kankuro, who were considered possible future Kazekage candidates should anything happen to him.
The only exception was Danzo Shimura.
As the acting Hokage, he brought Fuu Yamanaka and Torune Aburame simply because they were the Root members he trusted most.
For every village, bringing a future Kage candidate to the summit wasn't merely symbolic.
It allowed that person to meet the world's greatest leaders, build relationships with other villages, and officially step onto the international stage.
Therefore, Tsunade inviting Naruto wasn't because of his unique abilities alone.
She was openly grooming him as Konoha's future Hokage.
Naruto, still young, naturally failed to understand the deeper meaning.
His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"R-Really, Tsunade Granny?"
"I mean..."
"Hokage-sama!"
Tsunade snorted.
"So when you need something, I'm Hokage-sama."
"But when you don't, I'm Tsunade Granny?"
The room burst into laughter.
"Of course," she continued, "I can't make this decision alone."
"What does everyone think?"
Jiraiya smiled.
Naturally, he had no objections.
Still, as Naruto's teacher, he chose not to voice excessive support to avoid appearing biased.
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado exchanged worried glances.
"Tsunade..."
"Isn't this too risky?"
"It's not that Naruto lacks strength or experience."
"Those aren't the issue."
"But he's still the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"The Kage Guards are extremely important."
"Shouldn't we choose someone like Kakashi instead?"
Their concern wasn't simply Naruto's age.
They also hoped Tsunade would delay naming Naruto as the future Hokage and allow Kakashi to serve as a transitional leader first.
Tsunade answered calmly.
"Kakashi is certainly qualified."
"But I still prefer Naruto."
"First, he's a Jinchuriki himself."
"No one understands the suffering of other Jinchuriki better than he does."
"Second, his contributions against the Akatsuki are unmatched."
"He has earned the right to speak at this summit."
She paused.
"And third..."
She didn't finish the sentence.
Everyone understood what she meant.
She wanted to prepare Naruto as the next Hokage.
Hiruzen smiled.
"I support Tsunade's decision."
Koharu and Homura looked surprised.
"Hiruzen?"
He looked at both of them.
"You need to stop treating Naruto like a child."
"His achievements for Konoha—and for the entire ninja world—already surpass those of countless experienced ninja."
"If he weren't so young..."
"He would already be qualified to compete for the position of Hokage."
"It's wrong to judge someone by appearance."
"But it's even worse to judge them solely by age and seniority."
The two elders frowned but remained silent.
Nara Shikaku nodded.
"I agree."
"Naruto isn't just powerful."
"He works harder than anyone."
"He inspires this generation of Konoha ninja, constantly trains to become stronger, and willingly takes on dangerous missions."
"He has long since become a ninja capable of standing on his own."
Shikaku turned toward Kakashi.
"What do you think?"
Everyone looked at Kakashi.
He smiled, his visible eye curving into a crescent.
"Me?"
"As Naruto's teacher, perhaps I shouldn't say too much."
"But even if I set that aside..."
"I fully support Naruto."
"He absolutely possesses the qualities needed."
Kakashi understood that the village had once intended to prepare him as Hokage.
Truthfully, he had never desired the position.
If necessary, he would accept the responsibility.
But if someone better existed...
He would gladly step aside.
Especially if that person was his own student.
Tsunade smiled at Jiraiya.
"And you?"
Jiraiya laughed.
"Of course I don't object."
Tsunade nodded.
"Then it's settled."
"Naruto..."
"You'll accompany me to the Five Kage Summit."
Naruto jumped to his feet.
"Yes!"
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Seeing the unhappy expressions on Koharu and Homura's faces, he quickly sat back down.
Tsunade couldn't help but laugh.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)