Hearing my words, the Sand shinobi beside me finally seemed to understand.
"Lord Kazekage… do you intend to use this opportunity to demand that Kirigakure return the tailed beast that belongs to Sunagakure?"
Tailed beasts?
I, Gaara, smiled faintly.
Would such a thing truly benefit the current Sunagakure?
Aside from its strategic use as a deterrent, a tailed beast offers little real help.
And now, I have come to understand an undeniable truth—if a village wants to become strong…
It must cultivate its own power.
Tailed beasts, in my eyes, only shackle a village.
Such things are not worth wanting.
However, the Sand Gold Supply Treaty signed with Kirigakure must be abolished.
If it remains in place, Sunagakure will never rise again.
A few decades later, when we finally realize the cost, it may be far too late.
"Tailed beast? I'm not asking for it," I said calmly.
The Sand shinobi froze.
Not… want it?
That is a tailed beast! How could someone simply refuse it?
I looked through the window at the village, half-buried in its familiar shroud of wind and sand.
"Compared to the empty prestige of being one of the Five Great Villages… what Sunagakure needs more is for its people to live better lives."
"Not taking the tailed beast will weaken our voice among the Five Nations… but in return, our villagers will finally have the chance to prosper."
"What I want," I continued, "is to abolish the Sand Gold Supply Treaty."
I looked back at the shinobi, my voice steady.
"A single tailed beast is nothing when compared to the future of the village."
The shinobi stared at me, stunned. My age was young, but at this moment… even he had to admit I was worthy of being the Kazekage.
"…Understood," he said with a small smile.
"Lord Kazekage, Sunagakure will attend the Five Kage Summit. I will send a reply to Kumogakure."
I nodded and waited for him to leave.
Only once I was alone did doubt flicker in my mind.
Will giving up the tailed beast really be enough to obtain what I want?
Iwagakure
The Third Tsuchikage was already preparing to depart.
Ōnoki looked at Kurotsuchi and Deidara.
"You two will accompany me to the Five Kage Summit."
Deidara frowned. "Old man, think carefully. That man is dangerous.
If he didn't attend the Summit, he might've taken back the tailed beast through private means.
But if you pressure him on a stage like the Five Kage Summit… I guarantee he won't back down."
"Hmph. Temperamental, is he?"
Ōnoki smirked. "All the more reason for me to see with my own eyes how strong the current Mizukage truly is."
He folded his arms.
"Besides… Kumogakure demands their tailed beast returned.
And our Iwagakure isn't just missing the tailed beast taken by Kirigakure—there's also Han."
His tone hardened.
"For an Iwagakure jinchūriki to join Kirigakure… that is something we absolutely cannot tolerate!"
They had initially suspected the information was false.
But reality proved otherwise—Kirigakure had indeed taken in a shinobi from another village.
A blatant violation of the unspoken rules.
Kumogakure
One after another, Kumogakure received confirmation—Sunagakure and Iwagakure had agreed to the Summit.
Three villages against two.
Even if Konohagakure refused, they would be forced to attend.
Konohagakure
Tsunade stood before the gathered Konoha shinobi.
"Kumogakure is clearly losing patience. Kirigakure is becoming too arrogant.
Yes, their strength has indeed skyrocketed… but arrogance has limits."
"To rob the Scroll of Seals from Konoha in broad daylight—this cannot go unanswered."
"We will attend the Five Kage Summit. Alongside the other three villages, we will place pressure on Kirigakure.
I refuse to believe that the Mizukage has the nerve to challenge the entire shinobi world."
The four major villages essentially represented the entire ninja world.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, listening to the heated discussions.
This time, it wasn't a matter of whether she wanted to go—Konoha had no choice.
Shigure had taken the Scroll of Seals.
The shame was too great.
Even if she personally understood Shigure's stance, Konohagakure could not remain silent.
If they refused to attend…
Konoha might avoid direct conflict with Kirigakure—but would earn the resentment of every other village, and perhaps even lose its qualification to participate in future Summits.
Such a consequence was unacceptable.
If Konoha refused to attend this time… then by the next Five Kage Summit, it might not even be considered worthy of a seat.
Tsunade's expression tightened; she seemed genuinely conflicted.
Shikaku stepped forward, standing beside her.
"Hokage-sama, regardless of the outcome, Konoha must participate.
This is a turning point for the entire shinobi world.
If we hesitate now, we'll only be letting others drag us along by the nose."
Tsunade paused—stunned for a moment.
He was right.
This moment would define the course of the ninja world.
Konoha could not remain absent.
"…Very well," Tsunade said at last. "Konoha will attend the Summit."
She rose to her feet, frowning thoughtfully.
"But… should I bring Grandfather with me?"
Shikaku took a moment to think before responding.
"That mustn't happen. Bringing the First Hokage would indeed strengthen Konoha's presence… but it would make us appear as the leaders of an anti-Shigure front."
To stand at the forefront against Shigure now would be unwise.
Tsunade nodded.
"Then Kakashi and Might Guy will serve as my escort."
They were the ideal choice—experienced, strong, and trusted.
Shikaku agreed with a small nod.
Kirigakure
Hizuki stepped forward and handed Shigure the formal invitation from Kumogakure for the Five Kage Summit.
Shigure only glanced at it, scoffing.
"Ridiculous. A Five Kage Summit?"
Did they really think something like this could be used against him?
Even if the four villages united—what could they possibly do?
A faint smile curved at the edge of his lips.
There was not the slightest trace of pressure.
"Ignore it," Shigure said. "Hizuki, I have a task for you instead.
Take the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and leave Kirigakure—go retrieve an artifact… one connected to the Shinigami."
For the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, to be revived with Edo Tensei, his soul—sealed within the Shinigami's stomach—must be retrieved.
Shigure already possessed the Edo Tensei technique.
All that remained was reclaiming Minato's soul.
Hizuki bowed his head.
"Understood, Lord Mizukage. I will complete the task as swiftly as possible."
With that, he turned and departed.
Shigure left the Mizukage Building and descended into the underground chamber beneath it.
Sasuke was already there, prepared.
"These are the sacrifices you wanted," Sasuke said, gesturing toward several unconscious bodies on the floor.
Shigure inspected them—thieves, mercenaries, mountain bandits… disposable scum.
At least they could serve a final purpose.
"Good. Then let's begin."
Sasuke unfurled a scroll.
A cluster of Sharingan stared back from its surface.
Shigure raised an eyebrow.
So many Sharingan…
Just how many Uchiha had Danzō slaughtered back then?
The thought made even him fall silent for a moment.
(End of Chapter)
📝 Limited-Time Offer (Ends Soon): $9 → 20 chapters ahead
🔟 Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin
😊 Thank you for your support!