The moment Fujimoto Tōma finished speaking, the meeting hall fell silent.
He didn't bother gauging anyone's reaction. Instead, he turned calmly to Mifune.
"Lord Mifune," he asked, "do you happen to have any tea?"
Mifune paused, visibly caught off guard.
In truth, he'd been startled by how decisively Tōma had pushed the summit straight to its core issue. This wasn't posturing anymore. This was the moment where the villages either united against Akatsuki or fractured completely.
"Yes," Mifune answered after a beat. "We do. It wasn't prepared due to… concerns."
Poisoning, obviously. If even one Kage were harmed, the Iron Country would bear the blame. Even if tea was served, no one usually touched it.
"Then I'll trouble you for a cup," Tōma said casually. "It might help everyone cool off and think clearly."
Mifune studied him for a second before nodding. He instructed his guard to prepare tea, emphasizing the use of his personal stock.
Tōma waited patiently.
Across the table, Gaara was still reeling.
His village had once hired Akatsuki. The elders had kept that from him. If that was true… then his own capture hadn't been some tragic twist of fate. It had been the consequence of past decisions.
Then Tōma's words echoed back in his mind.
So the Raikage's outburst wasn't rage. It was calculation.
Gaara felt a chill.
I really am inexperienced, he thought. I spoke of unity first… and still got swept into someone else's plan.
His eyes drifted to Tōma.
They were close in age. Yet the difference was undeniable.
Gaara inhaled slowly, steadying himself.
I need to learn from him. See the core of the problem. Don't get dragged around by words.
Terumī Mei wasn't faring much better.
After admitting that the Fourth Mizukage might have been controlled, suspicion toward Kirigakure had only deepened. If the Raikage had pushed for command earlier, she might have agreed outright out of guilt alone.
She glanced at Tōma, who sat relaxed, waiting for his tea as if this were a casual meeting.
The Land of Fire really does produce terrifying people, she thought, clicking her tongue inwardly.
Young. Clear-headed. And irritatingly composed.
…And annoyingly handsome.
Ōnoki, meanwhile, had already seen through the Raikage's intentions. None of this was true condemnation. No Kage would dare start a new war with Akatsuki looming.
This was about leverage.
And now, Tōma had flipped the board.
Ōnoki looked at him carefully.
Troublesome kid, he thought. But dangerous in the right way.
The Raikage's eyes were bloodshot.
He glared at Tōma like he wanted to tear him in half. But he didn't move.
He couldn't.
Losing his temper again would only bury his chances at command.
So he sat there, fists clenched, saying nothing.
The tea arrived.
Tōma thanked the guard sincerely before taking a sip.
His eyes lit up slightly. "Excellent tea."
Mifune forced a small smile. He appreciated the praise, but there was no safe way to respond further without inflaming tensions.
Behind the Fire Country banner, Uzumaki Naruto whispered excitedly, "Sasuke, Tōma's incredible!"
Sasuke nodded silently, eyes fixed on Tōma.
He was thinking the same thing.
If it were me… could I do this?
Probably not.
Not yet.
At last, Gaara spoke.
"If an alliance is formed," he said clearly, "I support the Fire Hokage as the supreme commander."
Tōma paused mid-sip, then set his cup down and inclined his head slightly.
"Thank you."
It was early. Almost recklessly early. But Gaara had chosen.
"I agree," Mei added without hesitation. "The Fire Hokage is the better choice."
The Raikage's face darkened.
Ōnoki exhaled slowly.
"Well now," he muttered. "Seems I can't stay out of this forever."
He looked directly at Tōma. "If an alliance is truly necessary, then I'll support you as well. Provided your intelligence proves decisive."
The Raikage's eyes widened.
Even Ōnoki?
Tōma blinked, mildly surprised. He hadn't expected the old man to concede this soon.
Then he noticed the caution in Ōnoki's gaze.
I see, Tōma thought. You're thinking about what comes after.
"Then," Tōma said pleasantly, "Raikage, why don't you listen calmly before deciding?"
The Raikage snorted but didn't object.
Tōma straightened.
"Akatsuki originated in Amegakure," he began. "Its public leader is a man named Nagato, wielder of the Rinnegan."
Mei's eyes briefly lit up.
Then—
"The true leader," Tōma continued, "is a masked man claiming to be Uchiha Madara."
The room froze.
"I've encountered him personally," Tōma said. "I doubt he's truly Madara. But his power is real. Powerful enough to control tailed beasts… and the Fourth Mizukage."
Mei's expression fell.
Ōnoki trembled. "Madara… that monster should be dead."
"Maybe," Tōma replied. "But legends don't always die when they're supposed to."
He continued, detailing the masked man's space-time abilities, information obtained through Nagato.
Then he gestured behind him.
"One through Eight Tails are already in Akatsuki's hands. The Nine-Tails remains in Konoha."
Naruto waved awkwardly.
"This is Uzumaki Naruto," Tōma said. "His jinchūriki."
The other Kage sighed collectively.
"And the other guard," Tōma added, "is Uchiha Sasuke."
Ōnoki frowned. "If that man truly is Madara—"
"He ceased being Uchiha the moment he abandoned the clan," Sasuke cut in coldly. "I won't recognize him."
Ōnoki nodded, saying nothing more.
Tōma continued.
"Confirmed Akatsuki members remaining:
The masked man calling himself Madara.
Kisame Hoshigaki, Kirigakure rogue, wielder of Samehada.
Hidan, an immortal cultist from Yugakure.
And Zetsu, an intelligence specialist of unknown origin."
He leaned back.
"Those are the facts."
The Raikage frowned. "Only four?"
"Four," Tōma agreed, "plus eight tailed beasts."
The Raikage's expression darkened further.
Now he understood.
This wasn't optional.
He stared at Tōma, anger mixing with resignation.
So this is how it ends, he thought. An alliance… under him.
...
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