An Unexpected Turn...

The Five Great Nations—or rather, the four remaining Kage: Hokage Naruto Uzumaki, gravely wounded and still recovering, but stubbornly presiding over the meeting; Kazekage Gaara, less severely injured but drained of chakra; Mizukage Chojuro, just awakened from a coma after suffering severe injuries and still extremely weak; and Raikage A, gravely wounded and on the brink of death, barely clinging to life—along with their chief advisers, had gathered in a heavily guarded chamber in Konoha.

The atmosphere was as oppressive as a tomb.

The image of Shikamaru Nara's brutal death, Uchiha Sakuya's godlike Perfect Susanoo (a note: Sakuya's Susanoo skeleton was originally blue. But after he was forced to transplant his younger brother's Sharingan, it turned a deep purple. The reason was still unknown), and the Allied Shinobi Forces' near-total annihilation haunted everyone like a nightmare. Despair and helplessness wrapped around every person present like cold vines.

Tsuchikage Kurotsuchi had been captured, the acting Tsuchikage had died in battle, and Iwagakure had all but ceased to exist. Cloud Hidden, Kirigakure, Sunagakure, and Konoha had all suffered devastating losses, with their strongest fighters decimated. None of them would be able to fight again for years. They couldn't even see any hope of rescuing Kurotsuchi or reclaiming the Tailed Beasts.

"Is there really... no way?" Naruto's voice was hoarse. He clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms. Even his blond hair seemed to have lost its usual luster.

Gaara silently studied the glaring marker representing Phantom Branch Village on the sand table, then slowly shook his head. "Against such an overwhelming gap in strength, strategy seems so powerless... Unless..."

Unless what? Unless a miracle happened. But where would they find one?

Chojuro coughed weakly, his face deathly pale. "We... need time... to recover..."

"Recover? By the time we're back on our feet, that monster will only be stronger!" Raikage A was weak, but his fury remained. Yet beneath it lay nothing but frustration and despair.

Just as the meeting reached an impasse and despair threatened to engulf everyone—

Caw!

A sharp crow's cry suddenly rang out from the chamber's only ventilation shaft!

A black shadow shot into the room like an arrow and landed squarely in the middle of the conference table!

It was a Ninja Crow, entirely black, with keen eyes and a body far larger than an ordinary crow's. Tied to its leg was a small scroll marked with the Uchiha Gunbai and a strange mirror design.

Everyone tensed at once! The guards immediately stepped forward, warily watching the unexpected visitor.

"It's an Uchiha crow!" Kakashi said gravely, his one eye filled with concern.

The crow seemed almost humanly intelligent. It arrogantly surveyed the battered Kage gathered around the table, then lowered its head and deftly untied the scroll with its beak, dropping it onto the table.

The scroll unrolled by itself. It was completely blank.

But the next moment, a cold, immense surge of chakra billowed from the scroll, gathering in the air into the indistinct figure of a man wearing a Spiral Mask. It was Uchiha Sakuya!

Though it was only a chakra recording, the coldness and oppressive force in his eyes still made everyone present catch their breath.

The figure spoke. His voice was cold and calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority that echoed through the silent chamber:

"To the Kage who cling to life:

"Endless war and sacrifice have grown tiresome. Uchiha Ren's life must be appeased with a more worthy offering."

"I give you one final chance."

"Three days from now, at noon, in the Valley of the End."

"The Allied Shinobi Forces may send the one you deem... strongest."

"Fight me. The battle will decide the victor—and who lives or dies."

"The rules are simple:" "If the Allied Shinobi Forces win, I, the 'Sasuga' organization, and Phantom Branch Village will all be at your disposal. The Jinchūriki and the Tsuchikage will be returned." "If I win..."

The figure paused, his voice turning even colder and more resolute. "Then the Shinobi World must recognize me as the First Phantom Kage!" "From this day forward, the Five Kage Summit will become the Six Kage Summit! The 'Phantom' will hold a position and authority equal in every respect to those of the other Five Kage!" "Phantom Branch Village must also be fully recognized as the Sixth Great Shinobi Village, with all the legal rights and benefits that entails!" "And a ceasefire and alliance agreement must be signed on the spot. We will not encroach upon one another!"

"This is my final ultimatum." "Accept, or... await complete destruction." "Choose."

As soon as he finished speaking, the chakra image vanished. The scroll burst into flames with a soft poof, turning into a small pile of ash.

The crow gave a mocking caw, spread its wings, and disappeared through the ventilation shaft.

A longer, deathly silence settled over the chamber.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden, earth-shattering challenge.

A duel? With the future of the entire world at stake?

If they won, they could end all this, rescue the hostages, and eliminate their greatest threat? If they lost, they would have to recognize that monster's status, and the entire order of the Shinobi World would be turned upside down?

It was... insane!

But...

After a moment of silence, everyone's gaze slowly and involuntarily turned toward one person.

Naruto Uzumaki.

He was the only one among the Allied Shinobi Forces who might still be able to face that monster—the strongest, and the only one with the qualifications and strength to do so.

Though he was gravely injured, though his Nine-Tails Chakra was nearly spent, and though the outcome was uncertain...

It seemed this was the only light, faint yet piercing, that shone into the depths of despair.

Should they seize that glimmer and stake everything on a chance at a future? Or refuse, then wait for their opponent to recover—and perhaps bring about an even more complete destruction?

The burden of the decision weighed on every Kage, especially Naruto Uzumaki.

The Valley of the End, three days from now. A decisive battle that would determine the fate of the Shinobi World was about to begin.