Land of Iron.
After speeding along for over half an hour with Ōnoki, the Fourth Raikage, clad in Lightning Armor, finally escaped Senju Tathagata.
"After all these years, I never thought I'd see the First Hokage's Wood Release again."
Ōnoki panted heavily as he spoke in a low voice. "That man called Senju Tathagata—is he really a member of the so-called Abyss Organization?"
"I'm more inclined to believe he's a Konoha Ninja!"
The Fourth Raikage snorted. "You saw it yourself. At the critical moment, Namikaze Minato and Gekko Hayate both ran off. They clearly wanted to use Senju Tathagata to kill us, then pin the blame on that nonexistent Abyss Organization!"
Once he had caught his breath, Ōnoki rubbed his lower back. When he found it didn't hurt much, he immediately cast Super Light-Weight Rock Technique on himself and slowly floated into the air. "Whether Senju Tathagata is from the Abyss Organization or a Konoha Ninja, we're far too passive right now!"
"You mean..." The Fourth Raikage narrowed his eyes.
"An alliance!" Ōnoki said. "Konoha is getting stronger and stronger. Namikaze Minato and Gekko Hayate have also revealed their ambitions and strength. If we don't form an alliance, it's only a matter of time before Konoha swallows us up!"
"Does that include Kirigakure and Sunagakure?" the Fourth Raikage asked.
"Of course not!"
Ōnoki shook his head firmly. "Both of those great ninja villages have lost their Tailed Beasts. One of their newly elected Fifth Kage is too weak, and the other lacks the nerve. There's no need to ally with them!"
The Fourth Raikage nodded, then fell silent, apparently weighing the pros and cons of an alliance.
Ōnoki didn't hurry him. He simply waited.
After a while, the Fourth Raikage made his decision. "All right! We'll form an alliance!"
Though