The sudden little incident did not affect Enkō and Madara. Before long, the two entered the Hokage Building and saw Hashirama in the distance, dressed in a loose kimono and smiling at them.
Tobirama, with his silver hair, stood beside Hashirama as well. Although he deeply disliked the Uchiha Clan and had opposed inviting the Flame Hidden Village to this meeting, he knew the occasion well enough not to make trouble now. He merely cast the approaching pair a cold glance, looking as though they owed him millions.
"Yo, Madara and Enkō, you're here!" Unlike his younger brother's coldness, Hashirama was exceedingly welcoming. He stepped forward to greet them. "The journey must have been tiring. How about we have a drink together after the meeting?"
Madara merely gave Hashirama a faint glance, ignoring Tobirama's stare as he said in a deep voice, "Forget catching up. Let's begin the meeting."
"Haha, sure. You two were the only ones missing." Hashirama did not mind. He led them toward the conference hall behind him, while Tobirama silently followed at his side.
Creak—
The doors to the meeting room slowly opened, and a grave, oppressive atmosphere washed over them. The room was spacious, with a hexagonal wooden table in its center. The other four Kage were already seated around it, their guards standing quietly at their sides.
The four parties had originally been sizing one another up. After all, anyone who could become the Kage of a great nation's shinobi village—and a First Kage at that—was bound to be a formidable figure. They had only heard of each other before and were still strangers. As for strength, no one could say who was stronger or weaker without seeing it firsthand.
When the doors opened again, everyone's eyes turned toward the entrance in unspoken accord,