The vast meeting hall fell into a deathly silence. All eyes were fixed on Kosuke, a hint of surprise etched on their faces. In their view, U
The vast meeting hall fell into a deathly silence.
All eyes were fixed on Kosuke, a hint of surprise etched on their faces.
In their view, Uchiha Kai's rise and his methods were unacceptable to the Five Great Nations.
After all, the tailed beasts were a crucial military asset for the Five Great Nations.
Every gaze in the room turned towards Hanzo of the Salamander.
With Kai absent, Hanzo was undoubtedly the highest authority in Amegakure.
"You're inviting Kai-sama to the Five Kage Summit. There must be conditions attached," Hanzo said suddenly.
Kosuke and the others were taken aback. They were well aware of the conditions.
When they had first received the order, they had believed it to be an ideal compromise.
However, after witnessing Kai's relationship with the four tailed beasts, their perception had completely shifted.
After a moment's hesitation, Kosuke sighed. "The Third Hokage proposed that Kai return the tailed beasts. In exchange, the Five Great Nations would forgive all past transgressions…"
"Return the tailed beasts?" Konan said, momentarily stunned. She was about to speak, but Yahiko stopped her with a shake of his head.
The Akatsuki were now under Kai's command, along with Hanzo.
However, the Third Hokage's invitation was for Amegakure, not the Akatsuki.
Speaking out of turn could have unintended consequences for the Akatsuki.
"Kosuke, you should know that even if I went, the outcome wouldn't change. Asking Kai-sama to hand over the tailed beasts is impossible. If that happened, the summit wouldn't lead to peace; it would spark a war," Hanzo said gravely.
"The old man Sarutobi is likely senile. If I were to go, I wouldn't act according to your wishes. You need to consider this carefully."
"That's…"
Kosuke was at a loss for words. After a moment of thought, he said, "Alright, then Hanzo-sama, please accompany us."
"As for what you said, I'll inform the Hokage. As for the departure date…"
Kosuke looked at Hanzo.
"The summit is in four days. Let's leave immediately!" Hanzo stood, his gaze shifting to Yahiko.
"You and I now serve Kai-sama. The Akatsuki hasn't been recognized by other nations because you're unable to engage in political matters. Come to Konoha with me. You can show yourselves to the world."
"We're going, too?" Nagato said, surprised.
Hanzo had always been a smiling tiger to them. He had never allowed the Akatsuki to rise to a political level.
Avoiding suppressing them was already a victory.
Suddenly elevating them to the political stage felt like a dream.
Nagato felt uneasy.
"Thank you, Hanzo-sama. Since we're all trying to secure a better negotiation position for Kai-sama, the Akatsuki will gladly accompany you," Yahiko said, taking a deep breath.
They had waited too long for this opportunity.
The Five Kage Summit was being held in Konoha.
The place where their teacher, Jiraiya, had grown up.
Meeting their teacher again as invited guests would be an honor.
Yahiko had never imagined that his efforts to reach the upper echelons of politics would be so easily achieved through Uchiha Kai's influence and power.
He clenched his fist.
He knew it was all because of strength.
"Don't thank me yet. You'll be standing alongside me, meaning any decision will make you enemies of the Five Great Nations. The entire ninja world will be against you. You must be prepared to face the world's animosity," Hanzo said gravely.
Yahiko dusted off his clothes, standing tall before everyone. "When I joined Kai-sama, I was prepared to face the world. Our strength might not match Hanzo-sama's, but our resolve is no less."
"Yes, Yahiko is right," Konan chimed in quickly.
However, feeling the strange gazes, her face flushed. "Don't misunderstand. I'm just a member of the Akatsuki, so of course I support the leader's proposal…"
Seeing Konan's obvious embarrassment, Kosuke chuckled. "Then let's depart quickly. Hopefully, that Kai doesn't cause any more trouble in the meantime."
With Hanzo's decision and Yahiko's resolve to face the world, the Five Kage Summit was set in motion once more.
However, the outcome of this summit remained unknown to everyone but Uchiha Kai.
Meanwhile, at the border of Kusagakure, a space-time rift opened.
Kai emerged first, followed by Orochimaru and Kimimaro.
Having just arrived, Orochimaru eagerly looked around.
The vast wasteland caused his expression to change drastically. He looked at the dissipating spatial rift, his heart burning with desire.
However, remembering Kai's terrifying power, he quickly suppressed it.
He couldn't afford to make a move on Kai. Even if he succeeded, he wouldn't live long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
"Swish! Swish!"
The sound of air being cut echoed, snapping Orochimaru from his thoughts.
He quickly looked towards the sound, seeing kunai flying towards them.
Before he could react, a slender figure leaped forward.
The muscles on the back of his hands rippled, and two bone blades erupted, deflecting the incoming kunai with precise movements.
Seeing this, Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. He felt a sense of familiarity, then suddenly realized. "That's the Leaf-Style Sword Technique? He's mastered it to such an extent at such a young age?"
Kai paid no attention to Orochimaru's surprise.
If he had to choose Orochimaru's top general from the original story, it would undoubtedly be Kimimaro.
He was already proficient with bone-based attacks. Learning the Leaf-Style Sword Technique was a simple matter.
"Who are you? How dare you trespass on our forbidden ground!" A dozen Kusagakure ninja appeared, surrounding Kai and the others.
A tense atmosphere filled the air.
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