In a forest littered with corpses, Danzō slowly cast aside the final body. The man had been impaled by five blades and was drenched in blood.
"They are the remnants of the Prajna Group Anbu from the Land of Woods, whom we previously assassinated," Torune Aburame reported with a bow.
"As usual, they never miss an opportunity to strike," Danzō said flatly. He then revealed his right eye, the Sharingan that had belonged to Shisui Uchiha.
"Since moving from the shadows into the light, the troubles have been non-stop," Fū Yamanaka added with a sigh of resignation.
"In the world of shinobi, a ninja prides himself on being unknown."
"However, only by controlling both the light and the dark can the stability of the nation and the village be ensured."
"If this summit is a success and my reputation as Hokage flourishes, the Jōnin will have no choice but to acknowledge me as the true Hokage."
Putting on the Hokage's hat, Danzō let out a cold laugh toward Fū and Torune. "My era has finally arrived."
…
On the road to the Five Kage Summit, Kanon continued walking alongside the Masked Man. She never expected that this man, with whom she held a deep-seated grudge, would now be her collaborator.
But as the Masked Man had said, even if he hadn't killed Izumi, Itachi would have struck heartlessly. Since Izumi's death was a predestined fact, Kanon felt somewhat at peace with it now.
However, she would never forgive him. No matter what, he was the murderer who took Izumi's life.
"You really want to kill me, don't you?" the Masked Man suddenly spoke.
"More than anything. I think about killing you every single second."
The Masked Man nodded slightly, offering no further response.
"But, I want to know, do you have any lead on the Eight-Tails?"
"Why? I have already sent Kisame to search for him," the Masked Man said, sounding puzzled.
"That guy lost all dignity against the Eight-Tails. I want to see for myself if the Eight-Tails is truly that strong."
"Fine. I'll give you Kisame's current search coordinates shortly."
"Why is the snow so heavy?" Kanon felt the blizzard swirling around them.
"Do you need to rest for a while?" the Masked Man asked.
"No need, Madara. The Land of Iron is close at hand."
"And the guards are increasing," Kanon said indifferently.
The Masked Man followed Kanon's gaze. Indeed, many guards had begun their patrols, as the time for the Five Kage Summit drew near.
"Shall we deal with those annoying guards?" the Masked Man inquired.
"Get rid of them," Kanon said. A cloud of white smoke erupted beside her, and a Shadow Clone emerged.
The moment it appeared, the clone vanished. It was replaced by the agonized screams of the patrolling samurai below.
…
Meanwhile, Mifune, the General of the samurai, watched as Gaara approached.
"We have been expecting you, Kazekage-sama. I am Mifune, General of the Land of Iron."
"A pleasure to meet you. I am the Kazekage, Gaara," Gaara replied. Behind him, Kankurō was shivering from the cold.
"It's freezing... the climate here is the exact opposite of the Land of Wind."
…
Elsewhere, Team Taka had arrived. Sasuke sent Jūgo to use animals to find an easy path inside.
"How is it?" Sasuke asked after a hawk flew back to communicate with Jūgo.
"We can enter from the west. There are fewer guards."
Sasuke nodded and issued his next orders: "Karin, keep constant track of the guards' chakra positions."
"Begin the infiltration!"
"Do I have to go too?" Karin asked, sounding frightened.
"This is exactly the time for you to put your abilities to use," Suigetsu teased.
"Your name is Zetsu, right?" Sasuke looked toward him.
"What is it?" Zetsu asked, somewhat puzzled.
"I need you to point out which one is Danzō. Come with us."
Watching the distant guards, Sasuke and the others began to take a detour.
"Focus now and confirm the positions of the enemy's chakra, Karin!"
Watching the antics of Team Taka behind him, Zetsu felt a bit speechless.
"Sasuke, you certainly have your hands full."
"The most urgent matter is confirming Danzō's appearance before the meeting starts."
"Don't lie to me," Sasuke said coldly.
Karin pointed at Zetsu with a smirk. "If he lies, his chakra will become disordered. Don't forget, I'll be watching you at all times."
"I won't lie. After all, Danzō is a nuisance to us as well," Zetsu replied flatly.
…
On the road through the Land of Iron.
Naruto was currently on his knees before the Raikage, pleading for Sasuke's life.
Seeing Naruto like this, Kakashi could hardly bear to watch. Yet the Raikage remained cold. "We are going to take down Sasuke and his sister, Kanon!"
"You'd best give up on any thoughts of revenge after that."
"Raikage-sama, concerning the incident years ago when you targeted the Hyūga's Byakugan... that matter was never truly resolved in Konoha," Yamato reminded the Raikage, whose back was turned to the group. "To avoid war with Kumogakure, who had planted the seeds of conflict, Konoha swallowed its pride and did not retaliate. I hope you haven't forgotten the great sacrifice we made for that."
Kakashi stepped forward as well, looking at the Raikage. "Now, this young shinobi may be clumsy, but he bows his head and begs here for the sake of both Kumogakure and Konoha. Raikage-sama, as one of the Five Kage, how do you feel about this?"
The Raikage turned around and looked at Naruto kneeling on the ground, shouting fiercely: "A ninja should not bow his head so easily! A ninja should respect action and power. There is no room for compromise in the talks between shinobi! Human history is the history of war. Since the Third Shinobi World War, it has been the survival of the fittest. That is the truth of the shinobi world!"
"The Akatsuki are international criminals. Because of that, not just me, but the entire world will be hunting the Uchiha siblings. To bow and beg for a criminal, to ask for mercy for a comrade's safety... in the shinobi world, that isn't friendship. Konoha brat, think carefully about what you should be doing! You can't survive in this cruel world by being a fool forever!"
As expected, Naruto's kneeling earned no sympathy from the Kumogakure ninja, only mockery and disdain. Karui, in particular, flashed a derisive smile at Naruto.
Watching the Kumogakure ninja depart, Kakashi lowered his head. He was about to help Naruto up when he sensed a dangerous presence.
BOOM!
A terrifying Chidori Sharp Spear slammed down toward him.
Naruto and Kakashi retreated in quick succession as a violent explosion erupted where they had just been standing.
"Who is it?!" Yamato cried out in shock. He turned his head, and his pupils constricted.
Kakashi reacted the same way.
The two of them stared at Kanon and Tobi standing on a tree branch, completely frozen. Naruto, in particular, hadn't seen Kanon since the destruction of Konoha.
"Oh? If it isn't Naruto? Why are you on your knees?" Kanon asked mockingly.
Her expression held nothing but intense killing intent and a crazed look in her eyes.
"Kanon..."
Before Naruto could even react, Kakashi pushed him aside. A Chidori Blade crackling with lightning grazed Naruto's eye; without Kakashi's intervention, he would have been impaled.
Kanon leapt down, her hands forming signs with a speed so great even Kakashi could barely track them.
"Since I've run into you, you might as well die here."
Suddenly, a massive water dragon erupted from behind Kanon, surging toward the three of them.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
BOOM!
The water dragon crashed through the snow, sending all three of them flying in an instant. But it wasn't over; this was the killing blow.
Kanon formed another sign.
"Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
BOOM!
A terrifying sea of flames swept toward the three of them, blotting out the sky.
Kakashi looked at the approaching inferno with a grim expression.
"Earth Release: Mud Wall!"
BOOM!
The massive earth wall was swallowed by the sea of fire. But even then, it wasn't over. The Kanon before them felt different to everyone—cold, filled with endless hatred and killing intent. Every move she made was a lethal strike.
Behind the veil of the firestorm, dozens of Shadow Clones leapt into the air, each one wielding a Sage Art: Big Ball Rasengan.
Kakashi understood that Kanon truly intended to kill them now. Furthermore, he and Naruto were no longer a match for her, especially with Madara appearing at her side.
"Tenzō! We have to retreat! Don't try to fight her head-on!"
BOOM!
A massive explosion shook the area.
The Masked Man looked down at the ruins, shocked by the sheer ruthlessness of Kanon's attack.
In the clearing, Naruto, Kakashi, and Yamato had disappeared.
"Did they escape?" Kanon's expression turned cold. She was about to give chase when the Masked Man pulled her back.
"Isn't your target Danzō? Your objective now should be the Five Kage Summit."
"I know that. But killing them would only take a few minutes."
"Since they've run, forget it. The primary target is Danzō," the Masked Man said flatly.
"Tsk." Kanon snorted. Currently, she was more than capable of killing them.
"There will be plenty of chances to kill them later, but you only have one shot at Danzō. Seize the opportunity," the Masked Man said before departing with Kanon.
————
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