The Land of Iron, outside the snow-capped castle.
Before them stood the enormous castle gate, and in front of it stood Mifune and their core retinue, waiting.
Upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with Hagoromo and Shisui behind him, Mifune stepped forward and addressed Hiruzen Sarutobi in a steady voice, "Welcome to the Land of Land of Iron, Hokage."
"I am Mifune, the general of the Land of Iron. I am ready for you. Please follow me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded, "Then I'll have to trouble Admiral Mifune."
In the Land of Iron, the general is like a shadow, in charge of the nation's military and armed forces.
Hagoromo looked at Mifune with curiosity. In an era teeming with ninjas, there was still a country that maintained the samurai system.
I don't know what to say anymore.
"Your Excellencies, weapons are not permitted inside the venue. Please store them here; we guarantee their safety."
Mifune's attendant stepped forward and looked at Hagoromo and Shisui, speaking to them.
Upon hearing this, Shisui removed his Ninja Blade, while Hagoromo raised his hands to indicate that he was unarmed.
The Amenonuhoko is located within a spatial dimension, and even if it were taken out, this group of people wouldn't be able to lift it.
After confirming once again, Mifune led Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others into the castle.
Footsteps and the rustling of armor echoed within the castle, creating a solemn atmosphere.
"Have the other shadows all arrived?"
Hagoromo withdrew her gaze and looked at Mifune's retreating figure, asking a question.
"They've all arrived, and are already waiting inside the venue."
Mifune paused, then turned his head and replied.
He then said no more and continued leading Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others toward the venue.
Every so often along the way, there were samurai standing guard, watching the people passing by.
Creak--
As they drew nearer, two warriors waiting outside the venue pushed open the heavy doors behind them.
The venue was very spacious, with a U-shaped table and a central table placed in the very center.
Upon hearing the sound, the four figures sitting behind the table all turned to look at the source of the noise.
Hiruzen Sarutobi strolled inside and sat down at the seat marked with the character for "fire." Directly opposite him was the seat of the host, Mifune, from the neutral Land of Iron.
Hagoromo and Shisui stood behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, like the other four Kage's guards.
Hiruzen Sarutobi removed his straw hat, placed his hands on the table, and scanned the other four Kage before finally fixing his gaze on Mifune.
Mifune stood up abruptly, faced the Kage, and slowly began to speak, "The main topic of this Five Kage Summit is a person who appeared within the Akatsuki, Madara Uchiha."
"This is also something that all the other Kage want to ask the Hokage."
After saying that, Mifune sat down.
His purpose in being there was purely to make an opening statement and to offer reassurance and calm the situation if it became unmanageable.
"Hokage, so much time has passed."
The Fourth Raikage A, spoke directly, "Can Konoha give us a definite answer today?"
"What exactly is this so-called Madara Uchiha?"
Raikage A's tone was almost accusatory; the occasion was a formal meeting concerning important matters for villages in various countries.
However, Hagoromo only glanced at Ai before paying no further attention.
The investigation teams sent by various countries have practically turned the Land of Rain upside down, but they still haven't gotten what they wanted.
As for the hostages, Konoha only kept Konan.
The corpses of Deidara brought back by Iwagakure and Sasori brought back by Sunagakure were both interrogated and subjected to spells.
Meanwhile, in Sunagakure, Hagoromo observed Gaara appeared much more mature than he had a month ago.
Indeed, experience is a test of character.
I reckon Chiyo has pretty much taught Gaara, which is why I let him out.
However, the guards who came with them were actually Baki and Temari.
"Raikage, before we begin, let me emphasize something."
"Akatsuki is a missing-nin organization; their actions do not represent the will of Konoha."
"Konoha itself is the primary target of Akatsuki. Several of Akatsuki's nominal leaders and former members were captured by Konoha."
"My purpose in attending the Five Kage Summit is not internal strife, but unity."
"Although most of the Akatsuki members have been killed, some still managed to escape. I imagine that strange things must have happened in your respective villages before you came here."
"You all know in your hearts that some things weren't done by us, but someone wanted to see us disregard everything and fight amongst ourselves."
"Here, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would like to state one thing first: Konoha looks forward to cooperating with everyone, rather than letting hatred between nations continue from generation to generation, as has been the case in the past."
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a glass bottle and placed it on the table.
As soon as the glass bottle appeared, all four figures couldn't help but look at it.
Gaara glanced at it briefly, then paid no further attention.
Sunagakure needs to ensure now is how to travel alongside Konoha, not to steal something that's only good to look at but not useful.
The Raikage, however, seemed to be breathing more rapidly.
Of all the Kage, he was the one with the most ideas about the Rinnegan.
Mei Terumi, Gaara glanced at it once and then paid no further attention.
Kitsuchi Tu stared for a while before closing his eyes.
"These eyes belong to the leader of Akatsuki; they also have a name: 'Rinnegan'."
"This is the sincerity of Konoha."
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Mifune, indicating that he could take it.
Mifune frowned slightly. This was a hot potato; the Land of Iron was not as powerful as Konoha.
Moreover, the Raikage's gaze had been fixed on him from the very beginning.
Helpless, Mifune sighed, "Kages, His Hokage has shown his sincerity, so do you have any objections?"
"Sunagakure has no objections, nor any interest in the Rinnegan."
Gaara's slightly immature voice was the first to speak.
Mei Terumi glanced at the Rinnegan again, then turned her head away.
Kitsuchi then looked at the Raikage: "Iwagakure has no interest in the Rinnegan, but..."
These words drew the attention of everyone present.
"Those who have designs on the Rinnegan, shouldn't they offer something?"
"Is this compensation for Konoha, and also beneficial to our other villages?"
The meaning is self-evident: Kumogakure can have his own ideas, but he must give something in return; otherwise, Kitsuchi wouldn't have let Kumogakure obtain it so easily.
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Raikage A, looked at the Kitsuchi.
That Ōnoki's son has changed quite a bit; now he always tries to involve everyone when he speaks.
"We in the Kumogakure Village can take it, but we can't afford to pay too high a price."
The Fourth Raikage immediately adopted a shameless and roguish demeanor.