Konoha Hokage Building.
Tsunade sat behind her desk, her hands clasped beneath her chin, staring intently at the scroll spread across the tabletop. The scroll was made of high-quality rock goat hide, a specialty of the Land of Earth, and bore the seals representing the supreme authority of the Five Great Nations.
"The Five Kage Summit..."
Tsunade repeated the words softly, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger, only confusion. "That old bastard Ōnoki is betting everything he has this time."
"This is an open scheme."
Shikaku Nara stood by the window, looking out at Konoha's bustling streets. Even at night, Konoha was brightly lit. Massive searchlights swept across the clouds, while the chimneys of distant Arsenals spewed black smoke—the mark of productivity—day and night.
"Madara Uchiha's resurrection is enough to snap the Shinobi World's fragile nerves." Shikaku turned around, his expression grave. "Ōnoki knows perfectly well that Iwagakure alone can no longer oppose us militarily. His only way out is to form an allied force."
"He wants to put us over a fire." Tsunade sneered, lightly tapping her fingers on the desk. "If we don't go, it means we have a guilty conscience, confirms our ambition to swallow the Shinobi World whole. If we do go..."
Tsunade clicked her tongue irritably. This was something that needed careful consideration.
The doors were pushed open, and Naruto walked in.
He held a freshly printed document: the latest production capacity report from the First Arsenal.
"We're going." Naruto casually tossed the document to Shikaku, then walked straight to the water dispenser and poured himself a cup. "And we're going in grand fashion."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "You're not afraid it's a trap? Kabuto Yakushi has Madara Uchiha in his hands."
"Madara?" Naruto took a sip of water and said casually, "It's fine.