The Tsuchikage mocked Naruto for being young, but Naruto shot back, ridiculing him for being an old relic.
Fight fire with fire — when it comes to trading insults, Uzumaki Naruto has never been afraid of anyone.
"What a thick-skinned brat," the Tsuchikage sneered, though his mockery had been turned against him, leaving him annoyed.
Before he could retort, Kurotsuchi burst out in clear laughter.
"Hahaha, Grandpa, he's looking down on you!"
Kurotsuchi always enjoyed seeing her grandfather take a loss — after all, he'd clung to the Tsuchikage's seat without stepping down for years.
"Shut up, Kurotsuchi," Ōnoki snapped, then turned his gaze toward the Fourth Kazekage, his eyes narrowing shrewdly.
"Where's Kakashi? What about Tsunade and Jiraiya?"
Then, in a voice dripping with malice, he added:
"I heard Konoha and Sunagakure fought a battle. Don't tell me they all died?"
The Third Tsuchikage was trying to sow discord between Konoha and Suna.
But since the war had dragged his own village into things, Rasa wasn't about to hold back either.
"Old man Tsuchikage, you sure love to run your mouth. There aren't many your age who still meddle in everyone else's business. Careful — one of these days your meddling might cost you your life."
Ōnoki snorted.
"Tch, as if I'd waste my time worrying about your affairs. I'd rather be resting."
"If you're tired, then hurry up and retire. Leave the position to the younger generation instead of clinging to it forever," Rasa countered sharply. He had every confidence to talk back now.
"Yeah, Grandpa, if you're worn out, just hand the Tsuchikage's seat over to me!" Kurotsuchi chimed in. To anyone listening, it sounded like she was taking Rasa's side.
"Shut up, Kurotsuchi!" This time, it wasn't Rasa who got under Ōnoki's skin, but his own granddaughter. Slamming the table in anger, he accidentally strained his back.
"Agh—! My back, dammit—!"
Kurotsuchi looked gleeful.
"Hahaha! If your back's bad, just take a rest already, you big dummy!"
She'd been undermining him for over a decade.
Ōnoki suddenly felt he might not die on the battlefield after all, but rather from sheer frustration at his own granddaughter.
Finally, Akatsuchi couldn't take it anymore and spoke up.
"Kurotsuchi, don't antagonize Tsuchikage-sama."
"Heehee, whatever~" Kurotsuchi stuck out her tongue and made a silly face at Akatsuchi, but at least stopped provoking her grandfather.
Just then, a lazy, alluring voice drifted in.
"I could hear laughter from a mile away. Seems everyone's in a good mood."
A striking woman stepped through the door. Long auburn hair framed her mature beauty, and one lock fell perfectly to cover her right eye. Her emerald eyes gleamed with confidence.
The Fifth Mizukage, Terumī Mei.
Behind her followed two attendants — Ao and Chōjūrō.
Ōnoki clicked his tongue.
"Tch, another unfamiliar face… and a woman, no less." He muttered under his breath.
In any other world, a comment like that would've gotten him blasted instantly. Luckily for him, Mei let it slide this time.
"And where's the Raikage? He's the one who called this summit — why hasn't he shown up yet?"
Seeing no one respond, Ōnoki shifted his gaze toward the one seat still empty.
"The old man's already here."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a booming voice rang out, followed by a towering, muscular figure striding into view.
The Fourth Raikage, A, arrived flanked by two of his personal guards, exuding overwhelming presence. His chest bore seven distinct scarred imprints from past battles, each one a testament to his ferocity.
As expected of Kumogakure — the most technologically advanced of the Five Great Villages, Naruto thought to himself.
Indeed, the arm Raikage had lost to Naruto before had now been replaced with a mechanical prosthetic. The craftsmanship gleamed with such sophistication that it seemed every bit as formidable as the original limb.
If only Doto Kazahana had possessed this level of technology, Naruto mused.
Ōnoki tried once more to stir trouble.
"You were the one who convened this summit, yet you're the last to arrive. Aren't you looking down on the rest of us a bit too much?"
"Something came up on the way," the Raikage replied bluntly, without a second thought.
"Raikage-sama, what exactly is the purpose of calling this Five Kage Summit?" Mifune quickly interjected, seeing Ōnoki was about to provoke further.
He understood all too well — the Tsuchikage clearly wanted to cause a scene. But if he was going to stir up trouble, at least don't do it here in the Land of Iron.
Since the host himself had spoken, Ōnoki shut his mouth and sat down obediently.
"Of course, this is about a matter of utmost urgency," the Raikage said gravely, seating himself. His eyes swept around the room, lingering briefly on Mei with a slight frown before moving on. Finally, his gaze fixed on Naruto and his two companions.
"And why are there just a bunch of brats here?" His eyes widened, his mustache bristling with anger. He slammed his hand on the table, bellowing:
"Konoha, what is the meaning of this?!"
"Where is that old dog, Danzō?!"
Among the Five Great Nations, not a single Kage was unfamiliar with Danzō's name — many had suffered at his hands. His reputation as the "Darkness of the Shinobi World" was no less infamous than that of a Hokage.
Albeit, entirely for the wrong reasons.
Ōnoki seized the chance to needle them again.
"Oh, so Konoha only sends its youngsters? Looks like they've no use for us old relics after all." His tone was dripping with sarcasm.
"The Fifth Hokage's old injuries have relapsed. She's currently recuperating in Konoha, so we were sent in her place," Naruto replied casually, then added pointedly:
"And Raikage-sama, I'd advise you to watch your tone. Danzō is the Fifth Hokage of Konoha."
The Raikage's eyes narrowed, a dangerous aura radiating from him.
"And you? Can you represent Konoha? Can you represent the Hokage in making decisions? What rank are you in your village — chūnin? Jōnin? Or just a genin?"
The Five Kage Summit is no place for lightweights. For Konoha to send a mere trio of children? What kind of insult is this?
In the shinobi world, strength ruled, but there was still a measure of respect for seniority. At Naruto's age, it was all too easy to be underestimated.
How strong could kids this young possibly be?
Of the four Kage present, only Rasa truly knew how terrifying Naruto and his team could be.
After all… even at their age, Naruto was strong enough to casually rip off the Fourth Raikage's arm.
Naruto's voice was calm.
"Me? I'm nothing more than the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
In an instant, crimson chakra flared around him, tangible and oppressive, filling the entire chamber with a malevolent aura. Six fiery tails lashed and writhed behind him as Naruto slowly raised his head, his eyes locking onto the Raikage.
"So tell me, Raikage-sama…"
"…Do you think this is qualification enough?"