On the eve of the Six Kage Summit.
The Kage were each making their own moves.
Tsunade hadn't come only to speak with Naruto. Even before he arrived, she had received a visit from the Fifth Kazekage, Baki, in her private quarters. It was only natural. Sunagakure was considered one of the weakest of the Six Great Ninja Villages, and its only Tailed Beast had been captured. The village was now gripped by a deep sense of crisis. After clashing head-on with an Akatsuki member and suffering severe injuries, Baki had become even more aware of the hardships and threats Sunagakure faced.
Konoha was Sunagakure's ally, and it had provided considerable assistance in the battle to reclaim the One-Tail. With the Six Kage Summit about to begin, there was no reason for Baki not to consult with Tsunade beforehand. Put politely, the two villages would stand together and face whatever came. Put bluntly, Sunagakure needed to cling to Konoha's coattails. This was about more than dealing with Akatsuki; it was also about navigating the complicated international climate ahead. Relations between the nations had grown increasingly tense and harsh.
For now, everyone had a common enemy to deal with.
Who knew whether another Shinobi World War would break out once the problem was resolved?
Sunagakure, already weakened to its limits, couldn't withstand such a disaster.
So naturally, the village needed a powerful leader who could protect it and guarantee its safety. Most importantly, the current Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, seemed like someone easy to get along with. That was why Baki had not hesitated to make Sunagakure's position clear, albeit discreetly: in the upcoming events, including the Six Kage Summit, Sunagakure would follow Konoha's lead.
They would stand together, come what may!
Meanwhile, as the one who had proposed the summit, Fourth