After a long, stunned silence, Ohnoki of the Five Kage was the first to speak.
"Uchiha... who are you really, and what is your purpose?"
Obito—who had once been Yamato Arata before transmigrating into the body of Uchiha Obito—replied without hesitation.
"I, Uchiha Yu, am not some saint. I'm just a mortal... trying to challenge the gods. As for my goal—if I had to name one—it's freedom."
Ohnoki narrowed his eyes. "Freedom? From where I stand, your so-called freedom looks more like unchecked destruction. It threatens the stability of the entire ninja world!"
"Hmph... maybe," Obito replied with a half-smile, his tone cryptic. "But your vision is too narrow. You can't see it yet. Everything you protect, everything you cherish... it's insignificant in the face of what's coming. When the real disaster arrives, none of you will be spared."
The real disaster... Namikaze Minato's expression turned grave. "Mr. Uchiha Yu... you know something, don't you? If you're willing to share what you know, perhaps we'll better understand your motives. The policies of the Five Great Nations could change accordingly."
"Hokage, you're seriously going to entertain this nonsense?" Raikage scowled.
Obito glanced at Minato. He lowered his gaze, deep in thought.
The celestial beings... the Ōtsutsuki will descend upon this world one day. Their power is enough to erase the ninja world entirely. To stand against them, I'll need to gather all the tailed beasts and become the Jinchūriki of the Ten Tails. But right now, the necessary pieces aren't in place.
That's why I founded Hidden Sound Village. It buys time, gives me space to grow stronger, and eventually gives me leverage to extract what I need from the Five Great Nations.
That was Obito's true purpose. But would he say any of it aloud? No.
Not because he feared their reaction—but because telling them would be pointless. Would the Kage simply hand over their tailed beasts? Would they believe the warning of someone they consider the ninja world's public enemy?
Even if they did believe him... humans are selfish. They wouldn't act.
Obito was no exception. He didn't blame them, nor did he intend to explain himself.
Talking things out—that was Naruto's way. Obito had no use for that kind of sentimental idealism.
He lifted his head and met their eyes.
"I have nothing to say to you."
Minato's brows drew together. "Then... will you continue attacking the major nations and villages as you've done before?"
Obito gave a small, casual laugh. "There's no point in hiding anything. Everything I needed for now—I've already acquired. I have no plans to take further action until the next item on my list appears. Sometimes, even a false peace has its uses. Of course... as long as none of you make the mistake of coming after me again."
If war breaks out and one of the Jinchūriki is killed, the resurrection of a tailed beast will delay my plans indefinitely. I need to avoid that at all costs.
The reason Obito chose to reveal himself during the Five Kage Summit was twofold: first, to legitimize Hidden Sound Village in the eyes of the world, and second, to make clear that he wouldn't be making any major moves in the near future—so no one could use him as an excuse to ignite another war.
"Why should we believe anything you say?" Raikage barked.
"Because," Obito replied calmly, "you don't have a choice."
Minato spoke again, surprising everyone with his sincerity. "Mr. Uchiha Yu, I still want to believe you."
"Oh? Do you, now?" Obito raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
There was something Minato understood better than the others: it was Obito who had intimidated Danzo into backing off, preventing him from impeaching Minato or threatening Kushina.
Minato didn't know why Obito had helped—but he knew he owed him.
So, standing tall, Minato declared: "I, Namikaze Minato, acting as the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, hereby recognize Uchiha Yu, the Hidden Sound Village, and your status as its Kage."
Kazekage Rasa nodded solemnly. "Sunagakure does the same. Uchiha Yu has not caused trouble within the Land of Wind. We see no reason to oppose him."
Ohnoki grunted. "Then Iwagakure will also acknowledge it. Same reasons."
Of course, Ohnoki didn't want to accept it—but the reality was clear. Obito had already proven himself with overwhelming power, and the tailed beasts he now controlled were reason enough for even stubborn old Onoki to bow his head. The fact that Obito hadn't touched the Land of Earth gave him the excuse he needed to accept, without losing too much face.
With three Kage now having spoken, Raikage and Mizukage's expressions turned sour. Of all the Kage, they had the deepest grudges against Obito—each had lost an arm to him.
Obito turned to Yagura, watching the inner conflict unfold on the Mizukage's face. Smiling beneath his mask, Obito pulled an object from his Kamui dimension: the Explosive Blade: Spray Canister, one of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist.
"Yagura," he said casually, "this sword was a souvenir from my trip to Kirigakure. It means nothing to me... but it's important to your village."
Yagura's eyes narrowed. "What? You're trying to bribe me?"
"You misunderstand," Obito said. "I'm just settling a debt. Option one—you get nothing, and risk losing even more. Option two—you recover one of your Seven Swords. I trust the Mizukage of a great village can make a smart decision."
Yagura gritted his teeth, fists clenched, resentment seething beneath the surface. But... he wasn't a fool.
Finally, he gave in. "Kirigakure recognizes Uchiha Yu, the Hidden Sound Village, and the title of Kage."
"Smart choice," Obito replied, tossing the sword at his feet. "That's the kind of pragmatism a Kage should show."
Mangetsu Hōzuki stepped forward, sealed the blade into a scroll, and gave Obito a long, meaningful look before returning to stand behind Yagura.
Four Kage had now acknowledged Obito's legitimacy. Only Raikage remained.
The Fourth Raikage, Ay, stood stiffly, fists trembling. He knew the political game was over—but he couldn't swallow his pride.
Obito calmly pulled out a glass container. Floating inside was Raikage's severed arm, preserved in culture fluid.
"Raikage... your taijutsu relies on raw power. Your limbs are your weapons. Losing an arm might not seem like much to others, but for you? It's a crippling loss. You put on a tough front, but I know better..."
"What are you trying to say?!" Raikage roared.
Obito tilted his head. "You should thank me. I retrieved your arm from the void, stabilized the tissues, and preserved the nerves. It's still viable. Your village's medical-nin might even be able to reattach it. Wouldn't you rather fight me someday with both arms?"
He spun the container playfully in one hand.
Raikage's expression twisted in rage and conflict.
"Lord Raikage," Tutai murmured, stepping forward. "Please think of the village."
"For the sake of the future, you must put this grudge aside," Troy added.
After a long pause, Ay unclenched his fist.
"Fine. I'll acknowledge Uchiha Yu, the Hidden Sound Village, and the title of Kage. But don't think this means I forgive you! The moment I get the chance... I will kill you."
Obito let the container slip from his fingers.
Tutai dashed forward.
Melt Release: Membrane Wall!
A rubber-like membrane caught the glassware gently, cushioning the fall.
Off to the side, Mifune—the samurai general from the Land of Iron and neutral overseer of the summit—watched the scene unfold. He let out a quiet sigh and stepped forward.
"Since an agreement has been reached... I hereby declare this Five Kage Summit, or rather, Six Kage Summit, concluded!"
The Kage dispersed, each with heavy thoughts and mixed intentions. But one thing was certain:
The ninja world had changed.
A sixth great hidden village had emerged. And its first Kage, bearing the name Uchiha Yu, had shaken the foundations of the old world.
Obito stood alone in the falling snow, exhaling softly.
"The troublesome part is finally over... Now, it's time to fulfill that promise—to soak in a hot spring with Sunset."
For once, a quiet smile formed beneath his mask.