The atmosphere in the shinobi world was like a taut string, ready to snap at any moment.
After General Mifune of the Land of Iron and Kazekage Rasa traded barbs from afar, the five Kage summit was finally held in the Land of Iron's capital.
Amid swirling snow, four of the most exalted Shadow-Level Warriors gathered in a massive castle.
The Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, Ōnoki, known as "Two Scales."
The Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure, Ai, reputed to possess the greatest speed in the shinobi world.
Kirigakure's representative for its elder, Mei Terumi.
Konoha's newly appointed Sixth Hokage, Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin.
Along with General Mifune of the Land of Iron, who presided over the meeting, they made up the summit's attendees.
In truth, Kirigakure sending an elder's representative and Konoha having a Sixth Hokage showed just how quickly the shinobi world had changed over the past decade.
Iwagakure was still on its Third Tsuchikage, while Konoha had already reached its sixth.
Kirigakure was even harder to figure out. If not for this five Kage summit, the other villages would not even have known that the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, was gone!
"My apologies, everyone. Elder Genshi is advanced in years, so I had to attend in his stead. My name is Mei Terumi. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Mei Terumi still wore a revealing outfit, and even on such an important occasion, there was no trace of fear on her face.
The two guards accompanying her this time were Hozuki Mangetsu and Ringo Ameyuri.
Everyone present studied the young woman who was very likely to become the Fifth Mizukage.
That included the newly appointed Tsunade.
Ōnoki, Ai, and the others were not surprised by Tsunade's appointment.
After all, the only people in Konoha qualified for the