The Land of Iron's climate resembled that of the Land of Snow—harsh, freezing, and blanketed with ice all year round. Unlike the shinobi nations, this country had no ninja forces. Instead, it was protected by disciplined samurai, warriors clad in armor who upheld their own code and traditions.
The Land of Iron stood apart from others with its independent culture, self-governing authority, and formidable military strength. It was also famous across the ninja world for its exceptional swordsmithing. Many shinobi traveled here from afar, seeking to commission blades worthy of legends.
After Tsunade and her group departed from Konoha, they traveled for a week before finally reaching the snow-covered land.
The moment they stepped foot inside the borders, Ino whispered, shivering slightly,
"It's so cold..."
"Indeed," Kushina replied with a nod, tightening her cloak.
The three had already prepared thick clothing for the journey. Wrapped warmly, they pressed onward toward the Land of Iron's capital. Along the way, they saw heavily armored samurai with twin blades at their waists patrolling the snowy paths.
The warriors recognized the Hokage's attire and the iconic hat carried on Tsunade's back. Without question, they allowed the group to pass. After all, no one would dare impersonate the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf.
"Are these the samurai of the Land of Iron? They're so different from those I've seen before—so heavily bundled up," Kushina whispered.
"That's likely because of the weather," Tsunade answered calmly.
Though the Land of Iron was not large, the three kunoichi moved swiftly, reaching the capital by midday. High stone walls rose before them, soldiers patrolling the ramparts. A massive iron emblem was engraved in the center, a symbol of the country's pride. In the distance, three towering mountains sculpted to resemble wolf heads loomed like guardians, reminiscent of the Hokage Rock back in Konoha.
Upon entering the city, a samurai approached, bowing respectfully. He was followed by several others.
"Welcome, Hokage-sama! I am Okisuke, a subordinate of Mifune-sama. Please, follow me. Mifune-sama has been expecting you at the inn."
"Thank you. Lead the way," Tsunade replied.
Okisuke guided them through the capital until they reached a stately post house, designated to host emissaries from foreign lands.
As they walked, Tsunade asked, "Which of the other Kage have arrived?"
"All except the Kazekage," Okisuke answered truthfully. "He has not yet arrived, but is expected soon."
"I see," Tsunade murmured with a nod.
Inside the inn, they were greeted by the leader of the Land of Iron himself.
"Welcome, Hokage-sama," Mifune said warmly, bowing slightly. "You must be weary from the journey."
"I'm fine," Tsunade replied, shaking her head.
Noticing the exhaustion on her face, Mifune continued, "Kazekage-sama should arrive later today. The Five Kage Summit will begin in three days. This will give you time to rest and recover."
"Understood," Tsunade replied.
Mifune personally escorted them to their rooms.
"Hokage-sama, this is your chamber. The adjoining rooms will house your attendants," he explained with a courteous smile.
"Much appreciated," Tsunade said with a nod.
"Then I'll take my leave. We'll meet again in three days."
When Mifune departed, Ino finally let out a sigh of relief. "Finally, we can rest..."
"Go ahead, both of you. Use these two days to recover your strength," Tsunade instructed.
Before Ino could respond, the sliding door burst open. Terumi Mei stepped inside, her expression shifting from surprise to amusement.
"So it really is you... Big-breasted Tsunade!" she teased.
"Mei-san!" Ino exclaimed happily, running toward her.
Mei's smile softened at the girl's enthusiasm. "Ino, you're here too? What a pleasant surprise."
"Yes! Tsunade-sama brought me along to see the world," Ino said cheerfully.
For Ino, this was her first journey beyond the village, and meeting a familiar face in such a distant land made her all the more excited.
Behind Mei stood Ao and Chojuro. Ao frowned, instinctively stepping forward to block Ino, but after realizing the bond between her and the Mizukage, he hesitated and stood down.
From their conversation, it was clear Ino shared a strong connection with Mei, which made Ao more cautious. Perhaps she was close to both Mei and Tsunade, a possibility that demanded his respect.
"You're here to babysit as well, I see," Mei said sarcastically, shooting Tsunade a glance.
Their usual rivalry sparked immediately, but Ao and Chojuro quickly closed the door and took guard outside. If the two Kage wanted to argue, then so be it—at least the room's peace would be maintained.
Later that evening, the Kazekage, accompanied by Temari and Kankuro, finally arrived, weary from travel. With their arrival, all five Kage were now gathered in the Land of Iron.
Three days passed swiftly. Kushina and Ino spent the time exploring the capital, marveling at the samurai culture and architecture. Despite Kushina's age, her innocence made her no different from Ino—both were wide-eyed, curious, and eager to experience something new.
On the morning of the summit, as the sun rose above the snow-covered mountains, Mifune led the five leaders to a heavily guarded conference hall. Rows of armored samurai lined the perimeter, their vigilance unmatched.
As Tsunade entered, she saw that all the other Kage were already seated. She was the last to arrive.
"Hokage-sama, you certainly have a grand entrance. Making us wait this long," Ōnoki muttered with irritation.
Not long ago, he had suffered defeat at Tsunade's hands, and the sting of that humiliation still lingered.
Before Tsunade could respond, Mei leaned back with a smirk. "If you dislike waiting, Tsuchikage-sama, you're free to leave. No one is forcing you to stay."
Though Mei and Tsunade often bickered, they shared a strange sense of camaraderie, one that outsiders had no right to interfere with.
Tsunade gave Mei a sidelong glance and smirked. "She's right. If you're too old to wait, Tsuchikage-sama, you're free to go."
Ōnoki scowled, unwilling to be outdone. "And when exactly did Hokage-sama and Mizukage-sama become family? This old man must have missed the news."
"Family, you say?" Mei chuckled. "Well, if you put it that way, yes... in personal matters, I suppose you could say we are." Her voice carried a subtle edge, her confidence unwavering.
With the Kage gathered, the long-awaited summit was about to begin.
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Milestone,
100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter