Return to the Village

When Naruto arrived at the meeting room, Ōnoki immediately stated his request.

"Right now, only the power of the Tailed Beasts can protect the village. Naruto, I know this puts you in a difficult position, but I have no other choice. Please."

Naruto grew agitated the moment he heard Ōnoki's words. "Didn't we agree to let the Tailed Beasts be free? Now you want to use their power again. Isn't that just the same as before?"

"Naruto! If the Shinobi World were truly at peace, of course we would keep our promise. But perhaps you don't realize just how chaotic things are now. Several small shinobi villages have already been slaughtered by those mercenary groups. Without the Tailed Beasts' power, Iwagakure will suffer the same fate against them!"

Ōnoki tried to reason with him. "Don't worry. As long as you persuade the Tailed Beasts, Iwagakure will offer them the best possible treatment. They can name whatever conditions they want."

"No. I promised the Tailed Beasts that I would never let anyone use their power again. Grandpa Tsuchikage, I'm sorry, but I can't agree to this."

Ōnoki's expression changed at once. "Naruto, then I can only capture the Tailed Beasts by force. Or will you go and deal with those mercenary groups yourself?"

Kakashi's face changed. "Lord Tsuchikage, please don't joke around. Naruto—"

"I'm not joking. With Naruto and the Nine-Tails' power, let alone three hundred thousand people, even twice that number would be no problem. No matter how powerful their weapons are, ordinary people are still ordinary people."

Ōnoki stubbornly clung to his position. "This is the perfect chance to let the Daimyo see the strength of shinobi."

"I object!" Gaara said furiously. "Naruto's power should be used for peace, not to create needless slaughter!"

"As long as we eliminate