Konoha.
Inside a hotel room.
"He wants to unify the Ninja World!"
Ōnoki narrowed his eyes, his tone grave.
The moment he said that,
the room fell into a deathly silence.
Though everyone shared that concern,
no one dared to voice it outright.
Unifying the Ninja World!
Even Hashirama Senju, the First, had failed to accomplish that!
"Has he gone mad?"
"If he starts a full-scale war, how many people will die?"
"Isn't he afraid Konoha will sink into a quagmire it can't escape?"
Mei Terumi cried out in shock.
"Lord Mizukage, you are too naive."
"With the strength Konoha has displayed, this isn't a war at all."
"This is a one-sided crushing defeat!"
"That brat Chiba alone is enough to match the entire military strength of our four villages!"
Ōnoki shook his head, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
"Then what should we do?"
"Are we supposed to just watch him put a blade to our throats?"
The Raikage irritably raked a hand through his hair.
Though unwilling to accept it, he could not refute it.
"That is why I summoned all of you here tonight."
"Konoha may be strong, but if the four ninja villages present here join forces..."
Ōnoki swept his gaze around the room, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
But before he could finish,
Rasa suddenly coughed, interrupting Ōnoki's speech.
"Lord Kazekage."
"What insight do you have?"
Ōnoki looked at Rasa with displeasure.
Rasa leisurely picked up his cup and took a sip.
"Lord Tsuchikage's proposal is very good."
"But please forgive Sunagakure for being unable to participate."
Ōnoki froze.
The Raikage and Mei Terumi also looked at Rasa in utter astonishment.
"Kazekage!"
"What do you mean by this?"
"Are you planning to surrender to Konoha?!"
Rasa set down his cup, his expression unchanged.
"Lord