Five Kage Summit!

Heavy snow fell, covering the ground with silver frost. The goose-feather-like snowflakes fluttered down, as if draping the Uninhabited Land in a beautiful silver veil.

In the solemn and quiet conference hall, the five Kage were already seated, while Mifune, the Admiral of the Land of Iron, sat at the front and began to preside over the meeting.

"Please place your straw hats in front of you, Five Kage. Today, we are gathered here in response to the Raikage's call to discuss the threat posed by the Akatsuki to the Shinobi World and how to deal with it. I am the host, Mifune. The Five Kage Summit will now begin!"

"I'll go first, you all listen up!" Gaara, lifting his chin with both hands in a boss-like manner.

"The Five Kage have really changed a lot. To become Kage at such a young age is truly remarkable. Your father's teaching must have been excellent, but unfortunately, he lacks manners!" Tsuchikage Onoki mocked, relying on his seniority.

"Yes, that's why I'm sitting here as the Kazekage!" Gaara said calmly.

"Hahaha, what an arrogant fellow!" Ōnoki laughed heartily.

"Lord Tsuchikage, could you please stop interrupting? Lord Kazekage, please continue," said Mizukage Mei Terumi impatiently.

"I was originally a Jinchūriki, and I even died once because the Tailed Beast was extracted from my body. I should be the person with the most authority to speak on this matter in Akatsuki..."

Leaving aside the heated debate among the five Kage in the conference hall, Naruto quietly left the hall, looked somewhat dejected as he gazed at the bleak snow falling outside.

He wasn't upset because he was defeated by Roy with overwhelming strength. In fact, after witnessing Danzo's madness and Roy's redemption in the dream bubble formed by the Truth-Seeking Ball, he no longer harbored any hostility towards Roy and even naively and optimistically worshipped him.

His current despondency stems entirely from the fact that on his way to the meeting, not only did his attempt to persuade the Raikage to abandon his "strategy" of hunting down Sasuke fail, but he was also struck down by the Raikage's determination to kill Sasuke, which plunged him into self-doubt.

"Naruto, cheer up. This depressed state is not like the Naruto I know. Besides, things may still be turning around," Sai comforted him earnestly.

"As far as I know, when Cloud Hidden Village, another Jinchuriki from Yugito Nii, was captured, the Raikage didn't get this angry. This shows that the main reason he's so furious this time is because the Eight Tails Jinchuriki that Sasuke took away is his best brother."

"So, as long as we rescue the Eight Tails- Tails Jinchuriki before the Akatsuki extracts the Eight Tails- Tails in our future operations against Akatsuki, the Raikage might consider our efforts and drop the warrant for Sasuke's arrest."

"There should be enough time. After all, the Akatsuki doesn't have many high-level combatants left, and extracting the Eight Tails is a huge undertaking. Presumably, the Eight Tails Jinchuriki won't be in any danger for a long time."

"You're right, Sai. Thank you so much, otherwise I might still be lost!" Naruto said excitedly.

"However, finding Akatsuki's stronghold is not an easy task. Perhaps we can contact Miss Shizune and ask her to inquire with Lord Roy about the possible location where the Eight Tails Jinchuriki is being held."

"Naruto, is the Lord Roy you're talking about the guy who took in Deidara?" A clear voice interrupted their discussion. Looking up, they saw a flamboyant young man from the Sand Ninja Village and an elegant older woman.

"Temari, Kankuro, it's you two!" Naruto greeted them first, then said in a deep voice, "Indeed!"

"We've finally found that guy! The feud between Deidara and the Sand Village won't end so quickly!" Kankuro said resentfully.

Seeing Naruto hesitate, Temari wisely said, "Don't worry, Naruto, I know that guy saved your Konoha, so we won't force you on this matter."

"Temari, Kankuro, as a friend, I hope you can put aside this hatred. Lord Roy's strength is probably far greater than you imagine. At the very least, I am no match for him in my Tailed Beast form. If you insist on this, it will only bring disaster to the Sand Village!"

"What? Even in your Danzo Beast form, you weren't a match for him?" Temari exclaimed in shock. Because of Danzo's affair, Konoha remained tight-lipped about it afterward, so they didn't know much about what happened that day and what role Roy played in it.

However, Naruto's strength and the power of the tailed beasts were already etched in their minds, which is why they were so shocked when they heard that Naruto in his tailed beast form was instantly killed.

"It's utterly ridiculous! How could those vicious rogue ninjas possibly return to the right path? I absolutely disagree with their talk of temporarily lifting the warrants for their arrest. Hokage, don't let their hypocrisy blind you!" the Raikage rebuked without any politeness.

"Lord Raikage, please watch your words! Putting aside Lord Roy's thwarting of the Akatsuki, his efforts for the peace of the Shinobi World alone deserve our respect. Moreover, the Dream God Sect Cult is even more powerful than the Akatsuki. Under these circumstances, ignoring their changes and pushing them completely to the enemy side would be extremely foolish!" Tsunade retorted sharply.

"Hmph, that last sentence was your true intention, wasn't it, Lord Hokage!" the Raikage mocked.

"Hokage and Raikage, say less. Weren't we talking about how to take back the Tailed Beasts from Akatsuki? Why did we bring up the Dream God Sect again?" Mei Terumi said to the peacemaker.

"Hmph, I'm not comfortable leaving any Akatsuki remnants behind the main camp after the war begins. If this matter isn't properly defined, they might turn against us, which would be a devastating blow to the Alliance!" The Raikage's expression was displeased, clearly annoyed by the four Kage's indecisiveness.

"Personally speaking, I don't have a good impression of the Dream God Sect that took in Deidara, but from the perspective of the village's Kage, I agree with the Hokage's opinion. Since they haven't shown any obvious harm yet, let's appease them for now, send people to keep an eye on them, and wait until the operation against Akatsuki is over before making any further plans!" Gaara said indifferently.

Upon hearing Kazekage mention Deidara, Ōnoki hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Anyone who can win Deidara's heartfelt respect is no ordinary person. If he genuinely seeks peace, that's fine, but if not, it could be a disaster for the Shinobi World!"

"Although we never officially fought, I did meet the leader of the Dream God Sect once. His domineering aura that seemed to encompass the Four Seas is something I still can't forget. Forgive me for speaking disrespectfully, but that man's kingly aura far surpasses that of the daimyo of various countries!" Mei Terumi said, lightly touching her red lips with her jade finger.

"You mean he might be eyeing the power held by the daimyo of various countries?" Ōnoki asked.

"Not necessarily, but it is indeed possible, so my suggestion is that before thwarting Akatsuki's plot, we should temporarily... Who's there?" Mei Terumi's expression changed drastically, and she quickly formed hand seals, spewing corrosive acid in a certain direction in the venue.

"Lava Release: Dissolving Apparition Technique!"