Chapter 208: The Kage Preparing to Depart
Peaceful, good times were merely a few people's personal feelings. In truth, the ninja world's winds and clouds surged tumultuously, offering almost no breathing room. The Third Shinobi World War had only recently ended, yet new dark clouds already occupied the ninja world's skies, threatening this fragile, glass-like peace.
The continent's northwest contained the Land of Earth's extremely vast territory. Among these desolate mountain ranges stood an immensely powerful, substantial ninja village—Iwagakure.
Rock-like steadfast Rock ninja gathered here.
"Bunka, Akatsuchi."
"Tsuchikage-sama."
"This time when traveling to the Land of Iron to attend the Five Kage Summit, you two will accompany me!"
Behind the office desk sat an elderly man. His hair was graying and sparse, possessing a bright red bulbous nose. His aged face bore wrinkles left by years of weathering. His stature proved exceptionally diminutive like a child's—sitting in his office chair, both legs hung suspended directly.
But this seemingly comical little old man was precisely the Third Tsuchikage revered by Iwagakure's tens of thousands of Rock ninja—honored as "The Fence-Sitter" for being fair, just, and always securing benefits for the village—Ōnoki.
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama."
Two of the four burly men standing before the office desk responded loudly.
Ōnoki turned his gaze toward the other two burly men, instructing, "Kitsuchi, Han—you remain in the village. During my absence, you must stay alert and vigilant. Guard carefully. You've all seen the intelligence Konoha's envoy provided."
"Tsuchikage-sama, that intelligence... is it real?"
Kitsuchi, who possessed the same style as Ōnoki—though not a bright red bulbous nose—and an exceptionally tall, imposing build like an upright walking gray bear, asked with some difficulty believing, "Could this be Konoha's scheme? Deliberately deceiving us to attend this Five Kage Summit they organized? Might they have already set traps in the Land of Iron?"
He couldn't be blamed for conspiracy theories. The intelligence Konoha ninja provided truly proved somewhat alarming.
A Mangekyō Sharingan capable of creating others' replicas, the legendary first among the three great pupil techniques—the Rinnegan... These things sounded truly somewhat absurd.
Not only him—standing beside him, Han, Bunka, and Akatsuchi all similarly displayed obvious doubt on their faces.
Ōnoki shook his head. "The intelligence is highly likely authentic. Setting aside other matters, you all know about Sunagakure's changes from some time ago. Fourth Kazekage Rasa died. That Pakura rushed back to Sunagakure to succeed as Fifth Kazekage."
"Just last night, I received detailed intelligence transmitted from within Sunagakure. When Sunagakure was attacked, besides a mask-wearing Uchiha clan ninja, the attackers appearing at Sunagakure also included Konoha's Shinobi of Darkness Shimura Danzō and Kumogakure's genius Magnet Release ninja Troy."
What the hell?
A mask-wearing unknown Uchiha, Konoha's Shinobi of Darkness Shimura Danzō, Kumogakure's genius Magnet Release ninja Troy... what type of combination was this?
Moreover, if memory served correctly, both Konoha's Shinobi of Darkness and Kumogakure's genius Magnet Release ninja Troy had supposedly already announced death reports.
How could dead people possibly attack Sunagakure?
Could there really exist such an abnormal ability to create others' replicas?
Ōnoki's expression grew grave. "Sunagakure's encounter makes me very uneasy. Konoha's envoy claimed Sunagakure encountered attack because the attackers targeted the One-Tail Sunagakure possessed. Moreover, their objective very likely isn't only the One-Tail but all the remaining Tailed Beasts."
"Therefore, I absolutely must attend this Five Kage Summit. I need to clarify the truth of events from Konoha. Only by grasping the truth can we calmly respond. If we face this crisis lurking in darkness completely confused, we might very likely repeat Sunagakure's mistakes. I absolutely will not allow the same thing to happen to our Iwagakure."
Ōnoki spoke with decisive resolution. His determination showed plainly!
Having spoken to this point—
Kitsuchi knew this matter held no possibility of changing.
He sighed. "Tsuchikage-sama, please take utmost care during this Five Kage Summit."
Speaking of which, Konoha, the Mist ninja, and Cloud ninja had all entered the Fourth era. Sunagakure was even forced to fast-forward to the Fifth.
Only their Iwagakure still had the Third in office.
This certainly could be interpreted as their Third Tsuchikage possessing powerful strength and stable rule. But from another angle, it could also be read as having no successors—only allowing this old fellow to continue shining and generating heat.
Hatefully, he as a son possessed insufficient talent, unable to succeed his father and inherit the Fourth's position. Could only let his father continue sitting in the Tsuchikage's seat, exhausting himself for the village.
"My safety doesn't need your concern. Kitsuchi, you and Han must stay alert without a moment's slackness or negligence. Maintain contact constantly. If there's the slightest disturbance, use summoning techniques to contact me."
Ōnoki still instructed uneasily.
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama. I'll stay constantly guarding the Tsuchikage Building going forward."
Kitsuchi answered seriously.
"Tsuchikage-sama, I'll exert full effort assisting Kitsuchi-senpai."
Wearing a red conical hat, clad in entirely red armor, with an enormous red gourd on his back, Five-Tails jinchuriki Han responded loudly. Standing together with Kitsuchi, they resembled two small mountains—tall, filled with oppressive presence.
But before child-like diminutive Ōnoki, they proved exceptionally obedient.
"I'll go and return quickly."
Ōnoki slowly floated up from his chair, placing the Tsuchikage's conical hat on his head. His gaze turned toward the window, his mood rather heavy.
The continent's southwest—within the vast, boundless desert, hundreds of large and small oases composed the great nation called the Land of Wind. Sand ninja, tempered thoroughly by wind and sand, took root in this land, developing a distinctive ninja arts system. They possessed unique Sand jutsu and unrivaled throughout the ninja world Puppet Technique.
However—
Past harsh survival environments ultimately restricted the Sand ninja's expansion. Limited resources couldn't support too many ninja. Discussing numbers, Sunagakure undoubtedly ranked last among the five great ninja villages.
"Chiyo-sama, Ebizō-sama, after I leave, village matters are entrusted to you both."
The young woman speaking stood by the window, gazing at the village's streets and alleys.
Her build proved rather tall and slender. Dark green hair tied in a bun with a simple, unadorned hairpin inserted. Only two locks of hair blown down onto her forehead's left and right sides were dyed brown-yellow. Her features were proper and beautiful, her skin lustrous, truly feast for the eyes.
This beauty was precisely Sunagakure's newly appointed Fifth Kazekage—Pakura.
"Kazekage-sama, truly unnecessary for me or Ebizō to accompany you?"
Chiyo stared at Pakura's back. "This Five Kage Summit represents an excellent opportunity for us. Konoha is withholding the One-Tail, refusing to return it to us. At the conference, we can borrow the Rock ninja's, Cloud ninja's, and Mist ninja's momentum to pressure Konoha. Those fellows definitely won't enjoy seeing a Konoha strong to the point of unmatchability..."
"Chiyo-sama."
Pakura turned around, meeting Chiyo's gaze. Her expression proved resolute. After inhaling deeply, she said in a deep voice, "Please recognize reality. Currently, we simply lack the capital to antagonize Konoha. What we must do now is train the new generation, recover our vitality as quickly as possible—not obsess over seizing back the One-Tail. Even if we got that thing back now, what use would it serve? The village fundamentally cannot find any suitable jinchuriki."
"Rasa's youngest son..."
"Sealing the One-Tail into an infant's body—I absolutely disagree with such things."
Pakura unceremoniously interrupted Chiyo's words.
Ebizō sat on the sofa, watching his older sister and the young Fifth Kazekage confront each other. His face showed distress, his mouth continuously emitting helpless sighs. He couldn't dissuade his sister Chiyo, nor did he wish to rely on seniority to order Kazekage-sama around dictatorially.
Therefore—
Could only continuously sigh, nervously watching two women nearly forty years apart in age confront each other.
"...Do whatever you want! You're the Kazekage. You decide."
Chiyo averted her gaze.
She yielded first.
Even Pakura froze momentarily. As a Kazekage supported into office single-handedly by Chiyo and Ebizō, she'd mentally prepared for Chiyo-sama to rebuke her or even strip away her Kazekage position.
She hadn't expected Chiyo would be first to choose yielding.
This instead made Pakura feel somewhat embarrassed. Her thoughts remained simple—she hadn't yet polished the thick skin a Kage should possess. Looking at Chiyo, old enough to be her grandmother, she stammered, "Chiyo-sama, my words may have been somewhat impulsive. That, please..."
"Enough!"
Chiyo shouted loudly, interrupting Pakura's apology. She called out imposingly, "Kazekage-sama, produce the momentum you just used confronting me! Though I feel you're excessively soft-hearted, but... regardless, you are currently our Sunagakure's Fifth Kazekage. When attending this Five Kage Summit, you absolutely must not disgrace our Sunagakure's prestige. Even if unable to secure benefits at the conference, you also absolutely cannot let the village suffer any losses!"
Looking at the stunned Pakura, her face darkened. She demanded sharply, "Understood?"
"Understood."
Pakura pursed her lips, smiling.
Though opinions differed, Chiyo-sama remained the same as herself—hearts filled with the village, actions all for the village's betterment.
Ebizō inserted timely commentary. "Kazekage-sama, Baki's strength isn't poor. His Wind Release accomplishments prove unmatched among the younger generation. Having him accompany you poses no problems. But Yashamaru... won't he prove too weak?"
Pakura had refused Chiyo or Ebizō accompanying her to attend the Five Kage Summit, instead specifically naming Baki and Yashamaru—two people who'd recently returned from Konoha. The former could be understood, but the latter... truly proved difficult to feel reassured.
"Both elders, don't underestimate Karura's younger brother."
Pakura's mouth corners lifted. "Karura told me personally—Yashamaru's talent doesn't fall below hers. Only his personality proves too gentle, lacking sufficient competitive desire. So he needs someone to push him forward, give him a reason he must grow stronger."
"In any case, both elders, please trust my choices!"
Pakura spoke resoundingly.
The continent's east—upon the vast, boundless ocean, thousands upon thousands of islands dotted like stars, composing one of the ninja world's five great nations—the Land of Water. Mist ninja silently traversing through water vapor were the ninja world's most professional, cold-blooded assassins. Kirigakure's cruelty consequently stood uniquely unrivaled throughout the ninja world.
Of course, this described Kirigakure past. After enduring this high-pressure environment for decades, Mist ninja had grown somewhat weary of this attitude treating internal and external matters identically cruelly. So since the Fourth Mizukage took office, everything within the village had been changing.
For instance, the ninja academy's mutual slaughter perverse policy had already been abolished. So even though the Third Shinobi World War ended in utter defeat—losing so thoroughly even underwear was gone—Fourth Mizukage's reputation within the village didn't prove as terrible as he'd personally anticipated.
Kirigakure, the Master's residence.
"Master, village matters are entrusted to you."
Gōji Yagura visited the Master before departure.
Withered as firewood yet spirit vigorous, the Master looked at the baby-faced Mizukage kneeling before him, using that hoarse voice to say, "Mizukage-sama, please act cautiously. The Rinnegan's authenticity I also cannot determine, but the Mangekyō Sharingan's terrifying nature is beyond doubt. Originally, Uchiha Madara relied precisely on this power to rampage across the ninja world. Aside from First Hokage, none could oppose him!"
"Rest assured. I definitely won't be foolish enough to become a prominent target. We Mist ninja standing behind Konoha waving flags and shouting will suffice."
Gōji Yagura said with a smile.
The Master nodded lightly. Though Gōji Yagura's answer couldn't be called excellent, barely it also qualified. This was fine. Though possibly unable to seize opportunities hidden within crises, merely avoiding crises actually already sufficed.
Current Kirigakure sought not opportunities but stable recuperation, recovering vitality depleted in war. Otherwise, even if opportunities were delivered before them, they lacked the strength to seize them.
"Alright, Master, I'm departing now. You needn't see me off, elder."
Gōji Yagura drained the teacup's contents in one gulp, picking up the Mizukage's conical hat placed on the table. Rising, he walked from the tea room. Standing outside the door, Kisame Hoshigaki and Ameyuri Ringo silently followed closely behind.
Before long—
The Fourth Mizukage and two guards' figures vanished within hazy mist.
The continent's northeast—here lay rolling, undulating towering mountain ridges. Majestic peaks after majestic peak resembled sharp swords piercing straight toward the firmament. Standing atop mountain peaks, one could clearly hear thunder echoing within cloud layers.
Belligerent by nature, Cloud ninja erected long bridges between mountain ranges, establishing this Kumogakure perched high atop mountain peaks.
At Kumogakure's entrance—
Hundreds of Cloud ninja gathered at this location. They were seeing off the Fourth Raikage about to travel to the Land of Iron to attend the Five Kage Summit.
"Dodai, after I leave, pay more attention to village matters."
A looked at Dodai before him, speaking in a deep voice.
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
Dodai nodded heavily.
A's gaze shifted, looking toward Eight-Tails jinchuriki Killer B beside him, equally imposing. He spoke extremely seriously, "Bee, remain in the village during this period. Don't run around recklessly. You've also seen the intelligence Konoha transmitted. That damned Konoha missing-nin might very well infiltrate the village again causing trouble. Yugito Nii still isn't mature enough. So I can only rely on you assisting Dodai in protecting the village. During my absence, you absolutely must protect everyone in the village. Understood?"
"I'll definitely protect the village properly, big brother."
Killer B didn't clown around, answering very seriously.
A nodded with gratification. Then without further delay, he immediately called to two guards, saying, "Darui, C—let's depart!"
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