Seated in his chair, Fujimoto Tōma acted as though he hadn't heard the Tsuchikage at all. He stretched lazily, arms over his head.
Ōnoki's brow twitched. Just as the old man was about to speak again, Tōma finally opened his mouth.
"Can't be helped," Tōma said evenly. "The Land of Fire is vast. Too many things need attention. I had to squeeze out time just to make it here. Not everyone has the luxury of leisure, you know."
His expression didn't change in the slightest, as if he hadn't delayed his departure for entirely personal reasons.
Ōnoki snorted, rubbing his large nose. "Heh. Perhaps the problem isn't the workload, but how you handle it."
"Oh?" Tōma glanced at him. "Then you should know exactly how Konoha is doing."
He didn't bother hiding the implication.
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed. "Fire Hokage, you're joking. How would an old man from the Land of Earth know anything about Konoha?"
Neither of them believed that.
Before the exchange could escalate further, Mifune cleared his throat sharply.
"Please place your Kage hats on the table."
The moment passed.
Tōma unfastened the Hokage hat from his waist and set it down. Light from above framed the Fire Country emblem behind him, sharp and unmistakable.
Behind the banner stood Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.
Naruto caught sight of Kankurō and Temari across the room and waved enthusiastically. The two returned the gesture with restrained smiles. Fortunately, the banners blocked the view from the other Kage.
"At the Raikage's request," Mifune announced, "the Five Kage have assembled. I am Mifune, acting as moderator. The Five Kage Summit begins now."
Silence followed.
No one rushed to speak.
Finally, Gaara leaned forward, hands folded on the table.
"Then I'll begin—"
"Quite the change," Ōnoki cut in suddenly. "Becoming Kazekage at such a young age. Impressive."
Gaara's gaze remained steady.
"Your father must have raised you well," Ōnoki continued. "Though your sense of etiquette could use work."
Behind the Wind Country banner, Kankurō's hand tightened around his weapon.
Before Gaara could respond, Tōma yawned.
"I find it more irritating," he said casually, "when someone uses their age as an excuse to lecture others over trivialities."
Ōnoki snorted. "No wonder you and the Kazekage get along. You're about the same age."
"True," Tōma replied lightly. "The difference is that Konoha has no shortage of successors. I could step down tomorrow and still sleep soundly. Can the Tsuchikage say the same?"
Ōnoki's expression darkened.
"That nerve seems sensitive," Tōma added. "Which suggests I wasn't wrong."
Ōnoki said nothing more.
Gaara glanced at Tōma and gave a slight nod. Tōma returned it.
Behind him, Naruto clenched a fist. "That old guy's annoying…"
"Quiet," Sasuke murmured.
At last, Terumī Mei spoke. "Enough. Let the Kazekage finish."
Gaara nodded. "I was once a jinchūriki. I was captured by Akatsuki and had my tailed beast extracted. I believe Akatsuki is an extreme threat. I sought help multiple times. Only Konoha responded."
Tōma didn't interrupt.
"Now," Gaara continued, "several jinchūriki have already been taken. Cooperation now may be too late."
"Konoha warned you," Tōma said calmly. "We identified Akatsuki's goals early. Jiraiya gathered intelligence. Names. Abilities. We shared it."
Ōnoki scoffed. "A jinchūriki being captured is a disgrace. No village would immediately seek outside help."
"Pride," Gaara replied flatly.
Mei sighed. "Even losing a tailed beast doesn't immediately cause panic. Controlling one takes time."
Tōma smiled faintly. "Unless you have overwhelming power."
The room stilled.
"The First Hokage. Madara Uchiha," Tōma said. "They subdued tailed beasts through sheer strength. Akatsuki doesn't need control. They only need extraction."
Mei frowned. "You're saying they're comparable to those legends?"
"They have the Rinnegan," Tōma replied. "And Gaara is proof that survival after extraction is possible."
No one argued.
Then the Raikage slammed his fist into the table, shattering it.
"Enough!" he roared. "Your villages' rogue ninja formed Akatsuki. Some of you even used them!"
Weapons flashed. Guards moved.
"Stand down," Tōma said calmly.
Naruto and Sasuke retreated behind the banners. The tension eased.
The Raikage glared at the others. "I don't trust you. This summit exists to hold you accountable."
Tōma clicked his tongue softly.
After accusations flew and confessions followed, Mifune raised his voice again.
"Fire Hokage," he said, "Konoha is the only village that hasn't lost its tailed beast. You discovered Akatsuki's goals first. Please share your stance."
Tōma leaned back.
"Fine," he said. "But understand this."
"Akatsuki attacked Konoha too. With the Rinnegan."
Shock rippled through the room.
"So yes," Tōma continued, "failing to protect your tailed beasts is your responsibility."
He paused.
"And now, my terms."
The Raikage bristled. "What terms?"
"You didn't call this summit just to accuse us," Tōma said calmly. "Your brother was taken. You need cooperation."
The Raikage went silent.
"You want an alliance," Tōma finished. "But you also want command."
He smiled faintly.
"I agree to an alliance."
Then his eyes sharpened.
"But the command won't be yours."
The room froze.