As for the other Kage secretly observing him, Ning Feng paid them no mind—or rather, couldn't be bothered to.
Under Mifune's guidance, he had already arrived at the conference venue in the Land of Iron.
It was much the same as in the original story: a massive conference hall, with the flags and emblems of the major nations displayed around it. The only difference from the original was that among those banners was now an additional emblem—the Land of Rain and Amegakure—clearly bearing the character Rain.
"This is the conference hall of the Land of Iron. Esteemed Kage have traveled a great distance, and our samurai failed to provide proper hospitality—please forgive us."
As he spoke, Mifune gestured toward the hall, signaling for the Kage to take their seats.
After briefly exchanging polite courtesies with Mifune, the Kage each sat down in their respective places.
Ning Feng quickly noticed that the Rain Shadow's seat was positioned between those of Konoha and Iwagakure—clearly a deliberate arrangement.
With a faint smile, Ning Feng took his seat as the Rain Shadow, while Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui stood quietly behind him, acting as his guards.
Like Ning Feng, the other Kage also settled into their seats, their curious gazes turning toward Mifune.
Aside from Mifune and Namikaze Minato, virtually no one present knew the true purpose behind convening this Ten Kage Summit.
Before either of the initiators—Mifune or Minato—could speak, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, who was seated at Iwagakure's table, could no longer restrain himself. With a sudden motion, he stood up, his sharp gaze sweeping across the assembled Kage.
"Although this summit was initiated by Lord Mifune and Lord Namikaze Minato…"
"Since the Third Rain Shadow of Amegakure, Lord Uchiha Feng, is present today, this old man would like to ask—does the tailed-beast treaty originally signed by the Five Great Nations still hold!?"
As he spoke, Ōnoki fixed a forceful stare on everyone present.
In truth, even if Minato and Mifune had not initiated this Ten Kage Summit, Ōnoki would have invited the Kage to convene sooner or later to discuss the matter of the tailed beasts.
Ever since the founding of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Konoha, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and the others had agreed to evenly distribute the tailed beasts, ensuring a balance of power among the villages to maintain long-term stability in the ninja world.
But now, the Four-Tails—rightfully belonging to Iwagakure—had become the possession of Amegakure.
On this point alone, Ōnoki demanded justice.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, the Fourth Mizukage Yagura and the Fourth Kazekage Rasa frowned, exchanging glances.
Ning Feng's expression darkened as well. He hadn't expected Ōnoki to go straight for the jugular.
Even Namikaze Minato's eyes revealed a faint killing intent.
"Ahem. Although this old man was not present at the first Five Kage Summit,"
Mifune coughed lightly and spoke up,
"under the proposal of the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, the Five Great Nations each received an equal share of the tailed beasts."
"Konoha has the Nine-Tails, Kumogakure has the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails, Sunagakure has the One-Tails… One could say that even to this day, the tailed-beast treaty signed by the Five Great Nations is still valid."
"It also clearly states that whoever violates the tailed-beast treaty must bear the wrath of the other ninja villages."
Seeing the situation turn tense, Mifune hurriedly stepped in as a mediator.
With Mifune backing him, Ōnoki let out a cold snort and spoke flatly,
"Very well. Since the tailed-beast treaty signed by the Five Great Nations is still valid, then let us address this matter."
"The Rain Village ninja, Uchiha Feng, stole the Four-Tails of our Iwagakure—"
"Do any of the Kage present intend to intervene!?"
When he said the word stole, Ōnoki deliberately raised his voice.
As his words fell, Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui were about to speak in rebuttal, but Ning Feng raised a hand to stop them.
It had to be said—Ōnoki was truly shameless. He had clearly sent the Four-Tails Jinchūriki to assassinate Uchiha Feng, yet now he was turning around and accusing him of stealing a tailed beast.
Just as Ning Feng was about to speak, his teacher, Namikaze Minato, beat him to it.
"Hmph, Lord Ōnoki, you still have the nerve to say that!?"
Minato said coldly.
"It was clearly you who dispatched the Four-Tails Jinchūriki to kill Uchiha Feng. And now you dare accuse Uchiha Feng of stealing your tailed beast?"
"To think that at such an advanced age, Lord Ōnoki's skin is still this thick!"
As soon as Minato finished speaking, Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi behind Ōnoki flew into a rage and were about to make a move—but Mifune flashed forward, blocking between them.
"Gentlemen, harmony brings prosperity, harmony brings prosperity. We have gathered here today for the sake of peace in the ninja world,"
Mifune quickly tried to smooth things over again.
"Hmph! If you truly want peace in the ninja world, then have Uchiha Feng return our Four-Tails!"
Ōnoki snorted coldly.
"Otherwise, don't blame Iwagakure for launching a full-scale war against Amegakure! If it comes to that, the outbreak of a Fourth Great Ninja War would not be impossible!"
"And when that happens, the hard-won peace of the ninja world will once again be shattered!"
From the very beginning, Ōnoki had planned to use the summit to leverage Iwagakure's status as a great power, uniting the other major villages to strangle the rapidly rising Amegakure. Naturally, he needed a suitable pretext.
At the mention of a potential Fourth Great Ninja War, the Kage of Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure all frowned slightly.
Ōnoki was trying to force them to choose sides.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, took a deep breath.
"If a Fourth Great Ninja War were to break out, the entire ninja world would inevitably be plunged into suffering, with countless civilians displaced."
"Since Uchiha Feng stole Iwagakure's Four-Tails, then returning it should settle the matter."
On the surface, Rasa's words seemed to be for the sake of peace—but in reality, he was fanning the flames, hoping Amegakure and Iwagakure would clash so he could reap the benefits as a bystander.
As for the truth of the matter, the Fourth Kazekage couldn't have cared less.
At the side, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, also spoke up quickly,
"That's right, Uchiha Feng. Just return the Four-Tails, so as not to spark another great ninja war!"
Seeing the Kazekage and Mizukage take this stance, Ōnoki couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
He had already anticipated that these two villages would speak this way.
This was exactly what he wanted—using the situation to apply pressure and force Uchiha Feng to hand over the Four-Tails.
Just as Ōnoki was calculating this in his mind, Namikaze Minato—who had remained silent until now—lightly cleared his throat.
"In fact, the reason Minato convened this summit of the Kage…"
"was not only to formally confirm Lord Uchiha Feng's identity as the Third Rain Shadow of Amegakure."
"There is another purpose as well."
"That is—to agree that the Rain Village, too, has the right to possess tailed beasts."
"In other words—of the nine tailed beasts, the six great nations must undergo a redistribution."
The moment these words were spoken—
All the Kage were utterly shaken!
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