As Orochimaru's voice trailed off, a chilling silence settled over the area.
The four Kage didn't immediately argue.
As leaders of their respective villages, they were arrogant, but certainly not fools.
Kaguya's overwhelming display, Pain's terror, and the unflappable confidence Konoha had shown proved that the village now possessed the right to 'teach' them.
"Hmph, Orochimaru."
Onoki hovered in mid-air, hands tucked behind his back, eyeing Orochimaru gloomily. "You speak a fine game. Contribute data? It sounds more like you want to strip our four great hidden villages of everything we own."
"Iwa's Particle Style, Kumo's Lightning Style Chakra Mode, Suna's Magnet Style, Kiri's Kekkei Genkai..."
Onoki sneered. "These are the foundations of our villages. What makes you think we'd just hand them over for some so-called 'technical exchange'?"
"Because of this."
Orochimaru didn't take offense. Instead, he let out a raspy chuckle.
He extended a pale palm. No chakra flared. Instead, he held a dark, oddly shaped metal tube.
It didn't look like a traditional ninja tool. Its surface was etched with dense, microscopic seals, emitting a chilling glint that made the heart skip a beat.
"What is that?" Raikage A frowned. "A fire poker?"
"It's 'The Truth'."
Gamakon, the purple toad perched on Minato Namikaze's shoulder, interjected with a playful tone. "It's the kind of truth even ordinary people can use."
Orochimaru licked his lips without further explanation. He tossed the metal tube to a nearby Konoha Anbu.
The Anbu member, clearly handling the device for the first time, seemed at a loss.
"Inject your chakra—just a tiny bit," Orochimaru directed calmly. "Then pull that trigger and aim at those ruins."
The Anbu did as he was told.
He was just an average Chunin with unremarkable chakra reserves.
As a sliver of chakra entered the device, the seals on the metal tube flared to life, emitting a low hum.
"Bang!"
In the blink of an eye, a crimson beam of chakra erupted from the muzzle. It moved with startling speed, punching straight through a massive slab of concrete ruins a hundred meters away.
Boom!
The wall, nearly half a meter thick, shattered instantly. The edges of the hole were charred and molten from the extreme heat.
A heavy silence fell over the crowd.
Raikage A's eye twitched violently.
Onoki nearly fell out of the sky.
Rasa's gold dust tightened instinctively in his hands.
The power of that strike might not have rivaled high-level Ninjutsu, but it certainly packed the punch of a C-rank or even B-rank technique.
But most importantly...
"That Anbu didn't weave a single sign," Onoki muttered, his voice dry as he stared at the metal tube. "And the amount of chakra he used... it was barely enough for a Genin to perform a basic Clone Jutsu."
"Precisely."
Satisfied with their reactions, Orochimaru walked over and took the metal tube back from the stunned Anbu, stroking the cold barrel as if it were a lover.
"Based on the theories provided by Gamakon-kun and combined with my latest curse mark compression technology, I present the prototype 'Chakra Rifle'."
"It requires no hand signs or nature transformation. Eventually, even the need for the user to provide the initial spark of chakra will be eliminated."
"More importantly, it fires rapidly and can neutralize enemies from a distance."
Orochimaru turned, his golden slit pupils scanning the pale faces of the Five Kage. His voice was laced with both temptation and danger.
"Any ninja, even a fresh Genin graduate, can take this and kill an unsuspecting Chunin—or even a careless Jonin—from a hundred meters away with a single shot."
"Now, everyone, imagine."
"If you equipped thousands of Genin in your villages with weapons like these..."
"Would the traditional system of training shinobi still have any meaning?"
Those words struck at the very core of their world.
Training a shinobi was a long and expensive process.
A seasoned Jonin required over a decade of grueling practice and a mountain of resources.
But now, Orochimaru was telling them that with a mass-produced 'gun,' a group of cannon-fodder Genin could pose a lethal threat to an elite Jonin?
"That... that's impossible!"
Rasa gritted his teeth, though his eyes gleamed with greed.
What was Suna lacking most?
Elite shinobi!
Because the Daimyo of the Land of Wind had slashed their budget, Suna had been forced to focus on 'quality over quantity,' leading to a severe lack of boots on the ground.
If they had this weapon...
Suna's massive reserve of Genin could be transformed into a terrifying fighting force overnight!
"Times have changed, Lord Kazekage."
Gamakon spat out a sunflower seed shell and spoke nonchalantly. "The Otsutsuki are coming, yet you're all still clutching your shuriken and kunai like they're treasures? This is just the beginning. Soon there will be Chakra Cannons, Chakra Gundams... Oh, wait, we've already got the Gundams."
"So, what do you think?"
Minato Namikaze spoke up at the perfect moment.
Seeing their resolve wavering, he smiled. "Konoha is willing to share the core technology of these 'Scientific Ninja Tools.' In exchange, we need the combined wisdom of the entire shinobi world to perfect and upgrade them until they can actually harm an Otsutsuki."
"After all, against monsters like those, throwing lives away isn't enough."
"What we need is... industrialized chakra warfare."
Silence.
A long, heavy silence.
The weight of self-interest finally outweighed their pride and arrogance.
Compared to the fear of being annexed by Konoha, the allure of a technology that could instantly boost their military power and change the nature of war was simply too great.
Moreover, they understood something very clearly.
If they refused and Konoha equipped themselves while the other villages remained in the dark...
The consequences would be more terrifying than facing the Akatsuki.
"I... agree."
Onoki took a deep breath and slowly descended to the ground.
He looked at the 'gun' in Orochimaru's hand with a complicated gaze. "Iwa will send its best experts from the Explosion Corps and Barrier Team to join your research. I will have the records regarding our Earth Style secret techniques organized."
"Kumo has no objections either!"
Though Raikage A was a brute, his instincts for weaponry were sharp. "Kumo must have a part in this! Our Lightning Style conduction technology is the best in the world. Without our involvement, you'll just be building fancy fire pokers!"
"Suna joins as well," Rasa followed immediately.
"Kiri... concurs," Yagura said softly.
Obito's heart was heavier than anyone else's.
Looking at that dark tube, a sense of absurdity washed over him.
When did Konoha develop such terrifying technology? It was a good thing he hadn't tried to storm the village just now...
If they actually succeeded and tens of thousands of shinobi started blasting the Gedo Mazo with these guns...
The image was too much for Obito to contemplate.
"Very well."
Minato nodded, his eyes sweeping across the group. "Since we have reached a consensus, specialists will handle the specific details of the cooperation later."
"However..."
Onoki's tone suddenly shifted, a sharp glint in his old eyes.
"Since this is a partnership, it cannot be a one-sided exchange of data."
"This technology is too dangerous. I cannot be at peace if the core remains solely in Konoha's hands."
"What do you propose?" Minato asked.
"We must have a permanent presence in Konoha."
Onoki said in a low voice, "Not just researchers. To show our sincerity and deepen our 'trust,' I propose that the Five Great Hidden Villages implement a student exchange program."
"Students?" Minato raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Indeed."
Onoki stroked his beard, acting magnanimous. "We will select the most talented youth of our generation and send them to Konoha to study. They will learn these new technologies while building bonds from a young age to prevent future wars."
"Of course, Konoha can send people to our villages as well."
That old fox.
Gamakon cursed inwardly. 'Student exchange? It was just a fancy term for 'hostages'.'
By sending their geniuses to Konoha, they were signaling submission by putting their future in Konoha's hands while also planting spies.
If Konoha tried to hoard the tech or move against the other nations, these geniuses would serve as sacrifices or internal saboteurs.
Moreover, Onoki was betting on Minato's 'nice guy' personality to ensure the children were treated well—perhaps even taught everything.
Once those children returned home, the technology would go with them.
"The sound of those abacus beads clicking is so loud I can hear it back on Mount Myoboku," Gamakon whispered into Minato's ear.
But Minato merely gave a brilliant, sunny smile.
"Lord Tsuchikage's proposal is very constructive."
Minato agreed without hesitation. "Konoha welcomes the young talents of every nation. I will arrange for them to enter the Academy... and if they are willing, they can join a special advanced class mentored by the Sannin or myself."
"What?!"
Now it was Onoki's turn to be stunned.
He had expected Minato to make excuses or at most let them do chores in Orochimaru's lab.
Mentorship from the Hokage or the Sannin?
That was an opportunity money couldn't buy!
"Hokage, are you serious?" Raikage A looked at Minato suspiciously. "Aren't you afraid of the student surpassing the master and leaving the master to starve?"
"If it is to stand against the Otsutsuki and for the peace of the shinobi world..."
Minato stood with his hands behind his back, his Hokage cloak fluttering in the wind. He radiated an aura that commanded respect.
"Sectarianism has no place in the face of such a goal."
"Besides..."
Minato added silently to himself: 'Once they come to Konoha, see its prosperity, soak in the Will of Fire, and enjoy the convenience of Scientific Ninja Tools...'
'In a few years, whether they still belong to your villages will be a different story.'
This was an open scheme.
Cultural assimilation was far more terrifying than military conquest.
'Lord Gamakon, your philosophies are truly frightening.'
"Good! Excellent!"
Raikage A slapped his thigh. "Since the Hokage is being so open, I won't hold back either! I'll send them over in a few days! Train them as hard as you like!"
"Iwa will send Kurotsuchi," Onoki said, not wanting to be outdone, immediately offering his own granddaughter.
"Suna... will send Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara." Rasa gritted his teeth, sending over three Jinchuriki candidates.
He had no choice; Suna was too poor. He had to seize this opportunity.
"Kiri will select the best candidates from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen," Yagura said.
A deal for the future of the shinobi world was struck amidst the ruins, settling as the dust did under the lingering glow of the setting sun.
...
Three days later.
The Five Kage left Konoha with their respective guards.
Though they had arrived at each other's throats and left with their own secret agendas, the foundation of a Shinobi Alliance had, on the surface, been established.
Inside the Hokage's office.
Minato rubbed his brow tiredly, sinking into his chair.
"Finally... it's settled."
"Don't relax just yet, Minato."
Gamakon sprawled on the desk, circling locations on a map with a quill. "This is just the first step. Orochimaru's 'gun' might have bluffed them, but it's a long way from mass production. The backfire rate is currently thirty percent. Didn't you see Orochimaru's hands shaking during the demo?"
"..."
Minato gave a wry smile. "Your idea was good, but the risk wasn't small. Those children being sent over are the treasures of their villages."
"What's there to fear?"
Gamakon rolled his eyes. "Once they're in Konoha, they're Konoha's people. Just let Naruto hang out with them. With that kid's 'Talk no Jutsu' and social skills, they'll be calling him 'Big Brother' within six months."
Even at just one year old, Naruto had shown a charm that left the other children in the village enchanted.
"Besides, we have the Kaguya trump card."
At the mention of Kaguya, Minato's expression turned serious.
"How has Lady Kaguya been lately?"
"Watching TV."
"Huh?"
"Orochimaru set up a giant screen for her. He's showing her 'Love Stories of the Shinobi World' and TV dramas based on 'Make-Out Paradise'."
Gamakon shrugged helplessly. "She said she wanted to understand human emotions and culture, but it looks to me like she's just addicted. Yesterday, I heard her asking Black Zetsu why the male lead didn't just use Infinite Tsukuyomi to control the female lead instead of giving her flowers."
Minato: "..."
The Mother of Chakra's vibe seemed to be getting weirder by the day.
"Oh, right, one more thing."
Gamakon tapped the location of the Hidden Rain Village on the map with his quill.
"Nagato took a huge hit this time; he won't let this go. Obito got away too, and he's likely brewing up more trouble."
"The Akatsuki might have retreated for now, but they still have the Tailed Beasts."
"Moving forward, we aren't just doing research."
Gamakon looked up, a cold light glinting in his toad eyes.
"We need to strike first."
"Since they want to hunt the Tailed Beasts, let's give them a 'surprise'."
"What kind of surprise?" Minato asked.
Gamakon grinned, a cunning, almost human smile appearing on his face.
"Let's go, Minato."
"Let's check out Orochimaru's new lab."
"I heard he finally finished that 'Gundam'... er, I mean, that 'Giant Chakra Puppet' thing."