At the Five Kage Summit, Danzō sat in his place, looking at the assembled leaders with a faint, knowing smirk.
"I am honored by your trust. I am willing to accept this heavy responsibility."
The Raikage grit his teeth, glaring at Danzō with pure disdain.
"Why the Hokage?!"
"This man is the very definition of the 'Darkness of the Shinobi'!"
"We cannot entrust such authority to a man like him!" the Raikage bellowed in protest.
"Who else, then?" Mifune asked calmly.
"My village hasn't produced a single member of the Akatsuki! That lack of credibility is exactly why I should be the one to lead!" the Raikage barked.
"You fail to inspire conviction," Mifune replied flatly.
"What did you say?!" The Raikage's jaw tightened.
"To lead the strong, one certainly needs temperament and power, I am well aware of that. However, a man who allows himself to be driven entirely by emotion and acts solely through brute force will only leave the Allied Forces in pieces, much like the table you just destroyed."
Mifune turned his gaze. "The Kazekage is far too young for such a mandate; the other nations likely wouldn't show him the proper respect."
"Conversely, the Tsuchikage is advanced in years and gives the impression of lacking the necessary vigor for action. Furthermore, his past preference for utilizing the Akatsuki makes him the candidate least deserving of trust."
"As for the Mizukage, the Hidden Mist was the birthplace of the Akatsuki; it is highly probable that spies still linger there."
"While we do not yet know why the Akatsuki is gathering the Tailed Beasts, we cannot simply hand over the Nine-Tails on a silver platter."
"Therefore, I believe the Hokage is the most appropriate choice to hold the reins."
Hearing Mifune's reasoning, the Raikage spoke up in dissatisfaction: "This is essentially forcing us to show all our village's hidden cards."
"I refuse to acknowledge any 'Allied Shinobi Force'!"
Danzō let out a small, mocking laugh. He was a master of political maneuvering, and this Five Kage Summit felt like his own perfect performance, flawless in every way.
Just as Danzō was about to stand and finalize the announcement, one of the Mizukage's retainers, Ao, leaped forward and exposed Danzō's scheme. He possessed the Byakugan of the Hidden Leaf's Hyūga Clan.
Furthermore, this man had encountered Shisui Uchiha on the battlefield and instantly recognized the distinct signature of his eye.
Danzō's plot was laid bare. Suddenly, every eye in the room was fixed on him; in an instant, he had become the target of everyone's suspicion.
"Hokage... did you manipulate Mifune?!"
"You bastard!!!" The Raikage was white with rage, poised to strike.
Suddenly, in the very center of the meeting hall, Zetsu's form emerged.
"Hello!"
In a flash, the retainers of the Five Kage moved to protect their masters.
"One after another!" the Raikage snarled.
"It's the Akatsuki," Danzō said tonelessly.
"Indeed," Ohnoki nodded.
"The Uchiha siblings are here, you know!"
"I wonder where they're hiding?!" Zetsu's voice carried a hint of mockery.
At the mention of Sasuke Uchiha, the Raikage's eyes widened.
"What did you say?!"
Gaara also looked surprised. "Are Sasuke and Kanon both here?!"
"Is it them?! Why would those two show up here!" Kankurō exclaimed.
"Is it the girl who captured Han-sama?!" Kurotsuchi was equally shocked; she had personally clashed with Kanon before.
"Then who is this in front of us?"
"One of the Akatsuki members. If I recall, his name is Zetsu."
At that moment, Zetsu looked at the Five Kage with a taunting expression. "Let's all look for Sasuke and Kanon together."
Before Zetsu could continue, the Raikage's hand clamped around his neck.
"Where are the Uchiha?! Answer me properly!"
Zetsu looked at the Raikage, his expression turning solemn.
Even though this is exactly what Kanon wanted... this guy... is fast... Zetsu thought, surprised by the Raikage's speed.
"If you don't answer, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
…
Naruto was currently lying inside a wooden house created by Yamato. As he lay there, his mind was filled with the words Kanon had spoken when she destroyed Konoha.
He thought of the killing intent in her eyes and the cold, heartless way she had struck just moments ago.
His heart was in turmoil. He still didn't understand why Kanon had become like this, but he knew he could no longer convince her to return to Konoha.
If Kanon went back to Konoha, she would surely be executed. He was trapped in a painful contradiction.
Suddenly, a voice came from the window: "Hello there. Let's have a little heart-to-heart, Naruto Uzumaki."
"You!" Naruto vaulted up, a Rasengan instantly swirling in his hand.
BOOM!
A massive explosion tore through the area.
"A Rasengan right off the bat? You should know by now that won't work on me." The masked man stood on the roof, looking down at Naruto.
Suddenly, countless wooden beams erupted from the rooftop, binding the masked man and creating a barrier between him and Naruto.
"Naruto, stay back," Yamato said firmly.
Behind the masked man, Kakashi revealed his Sharingan, holding a Lightning Blade ready.
"As expected of 'Copy Ninja' Kakashi. You're quick."
"I won't let you lay a finger on Naruto that easily, Madara Uchiha," Kakashi said calmly.
"Then did you not hear what I just said? All attacks are useless against me, Madara Uchiha."
Yamato's expression turned cold. "No matter what you've done, it won't work. Your intangibility is different from Kanon Uchiha's. This area is already within my domain."
"Hmph..." the masked man chuckled.
"I didn't expect it to be that easy."
"I have a plan of my own. For now, I've just come for a chat."
"A chat?" Kakashi asked suspiciously.
"Yes. About what caused Pain, Nagato, to betray me."
"Naruto, I'm starting to find you quite interesting."
Naruto roared in anger, "You bastard! What do you intend to do with Sasuke and Kanon?!"
"Tell me the truth about Kanon and Sasuke!"
The masked man shook his head slightly. "I cannot speak of Kanon. Her strength exceeds my own; if I speak too much, she might kill me."
"In this dull shinobi world, a flower like her, one that once craved peace and kindness, has already withered."
"As for Sasuke..."
"Fine. I'll tell you."
"About the man whose very marrow has been infested by the revenge and hatred of the shinobi world."
"Sasuke Uchiha. If we are to talk about Sasuke and Kanon, we cannot avoid Itachi!"
"First, listen to the truth about Itachi and the story of the night of the massacre. And, of course, I will tell you everything Kanon suffered on that night as well."
…
"Where is Sasuke?! Answer me!" the Raikage roared, tightening his grip on White Zetsu's neck.
"Then let me give you a hint!"
Suddenly, a massive explosion erupted.
All Five Kage felt the terrifying shockwave.
"That commotion? Is it Sasuke Uchiha?!" the Raikage asked.
"Doesn't matter. I'm going to check it out!"
"One-eye of the Mist, keep an eye on the Hokage! C! Darui! Let's go!!"
BOOM!
The Raikage punched through the wall and charged outside, his two retainers following close behind.
"What a violent fellow..."
"Even after becoming a Kage, the brat from the Cloud hasn't changed a bit," Onoki grunted, remaining composed.
Meanwhile, the people of the Land of Iron began broadcasting the alarm.
"Switch to battle configuration phase two! Locate the intruders, Kanon Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha!"
However, the moment the operator turned on the radio, only screams of agony could be heard from the other end.
…
"Kanon-chan is being too reckless. At this rate, she's going to alert the Five Kage!" Karin whispered.
"There are too many enemies. Kanon is still wreaking havoc down there... so that's the skeletal Susanoo?" Suigetsu watched the battlefield below. Seeing Kanon standing atop Manda's head, radiating pure killing intent, even he felt a chill.
"This is bad. We're going to get caught at this rate. We've been exposed!" Karin cried.
Sasuke, standing beside the three, gripped his Kusanagi sword, ready to join the fray. Suddenly, Karin looked up.
"This chakra... Sasuke! Wait! Above Kanon and Manda!"
BOOM!
A terrifying explosion shook the ground as the earth was shattered. A bolt of lightning descended from the sky, a kick aimed directly at Kanon atop Manda's head.
"Lateral Bolt of Pain: Drop!" This was a powerful technique where the Raikage concentrated Lightning Release chakra into his leg.
Such a sudden assault caused even Manda's pupils to shrink. It was too fast; there was no room to dodge!
SHING!
The Raikage's eyes widened in shock. His leg passed right through Kanon's head, it even passed through Manda's head.
The kick struck nothing but air. And in that precise moment, Kanon's fist smashed directly into the Raikage's face.
The Raikage hadn't expected her to be so fast, to be able to land a clean hit on his face in the middle of his own Lateral Bolt of Pain: Drop.
The Raikage was sent flying like a blue meteor, crashing into the ground and carving a deep furrow into the earth.
Kanon's punch was incredibly heavy. Darui and C, descending from above, were struck with horror as they looked down at the gargantuan Manda and the cold, rotating Three-Tomoe Sharingan in Kanon's eyes.
"That girl... it's Kanon Uchiha!" Darui and C instantly retreated to the Raikage's side.
Having noticed them, Kanon turned her cold gaze toward the trio.
"So, it seems you are the Raikage," Kanon said simply.
Standing atop Manda, Kanon crossed her arms. Her slender frame, her striking presence, and her breathtaking beauty were all on full display.