The heated debate between Namikaze Minato and Ōnoki gradually brought the atmosphere at the scene to a fever pitch.
The Fourth Raikage seized the opportunity to pile on. "Everyone, the One-Tail from Sunagakure, the Four-Tails from Iwagakure, the Three-Tails from Kirigakure, and the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails from my Kumogakure have all gone missing one after another. The only village in the Shinobi World powerful enough to capture Tailed Beasts—and the most likely suspect—is Konoha! If Konoha doesn't immediately return the Tailed Beasts to the Four Great Ninja Villages, don't blame us for joining forces and invading Konoha!"
"Fourth Hokage, return Sunagakure's One-Tail, and my younger brother Gaara as well," Temari said through gritted teeth.
"It's time for Kirigakure's Three-Tails to be returned, too, Lord Hokage!" Ao immediately chimed in.
Namikaze Minato narrowed his eyes.
He had anticipated this situation, so he wasn't panicking at all.
"Looks like it's time to reveal the truth." Namikaze Minato let out a discreet sigh, his acting flawless.
"The truth? What do you mean?" Old Fox Ōnoki caught a whiff of conspiracy and immediately grew wary.
"The truth about the missing Tailed Beasts."
Namikaze Minato said coldly, "Many years ago, I sent letters to the Four Great Ninja Villages about the Akatsuki. Do you all remember?"
"Akatsuki is just a war mercenary organization. Why would they collect Tailed Beasts?"
The Fourth Raikage didn't believe a single word of it. "Besides, as far as I know, Akatsuki has been hired by Iwagakure for years to handle dirty work. Instead of pinning the disappearance of the Tailed Beasts on Akatsuki, you might as well blame Iwagakure directly!"
Ōnoki glared at the Fourth Raikage. Why bring up such an underhanded matter in public? What the hell was he thinking?
Namikaze Minato ignored them and continued, "But after years