The Hokage's Resignation and the Five Kage Summit

Jinchūriki had become prey. The mysterious Masked Man who called himself Uchiha Madara and the Uchiha Clan were hunting them relentlessly. With the death of a Kage from one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, an uproar swept through the Ninja World.

The Kage could all sense that the Ninja World was no longer what it had been. Since when could Jinchūriki be hunted at will?

And since when could a Kage be killed so easily?

The fallen Kage had been the Raikage of Kumogakure, a top-tier fighter whose offensive power ranked among the highest in the Five Great Ninja Villages. Yet he had died just like that, without even a chance to struggle.

The Uchiha Clan and the mysterious Masked Man who called himself Uchiha Madara had become targets of suspicion and vigilance for every major power in the Ninja World.

The Land of Fire.

Konoha.

Age showed more plainly than ever on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, every wrinkle a reminder of how merciless time could be.

He watched several old friends enter. Shikaku Nara, head of the Jonin Council, was already waiting, along with the heads of the medical, Anbu, barrier, and other departments. Hiruzen said, "I'm sure you've all heard about the state of the Ninja World. This is a calamity on the scale of the great ninja wars. Jinchūriki from every village are being hunted, and even the Fourth Raikage has died in battle."

Shikaku Nara raised a hand. "Lord Hokage, forgive me for interrupting, but I want to know something. If the village concedes and gives the position of Hokage to the Uchiha, is there any chance they'll return?"

"With the village in its current state, we have no one powerful enough to hold the fort. If that mysterious Masked Man calling himself Uchiha Madara attacks