Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, Kazan.
Five generations of Hokage sat there like five great Buddhas. Anyone who saw them would have felt immense pressure.
Outside the conference room, the Shichibukai stood guard, while Konoha ANBU concealed themselves around the building. The atmosphere was tense.
Obito and Guy were the most restless of the lot, occasionally poking their heads in to look.
The five Hokage's personalities showed through in the way they sat.
Big Pillar studied the Sand Shinobi and Mist Ninja representatives as though sizing up the younger generation, seemingly pondering how these youngsters differed from the First Kazekage and First Mizukage he had once known.
Tobirama Senju was as cold as ever. At the negotiating table, he was a merciless machine that considered only Konoha's interests.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, a smiling predator with the particular cunning of an old creep.
Minato Namikaze looked the most normal, but a closer look at his eyes made it clear that Minato had no intention of letting the Sand Shinobi and Mist Ninja off lightly either.
Kazan was as imposing as ever, his arms folded across his chest. A sweep of his fierce eyes sent a shock through their hearts. Everyone his gaze passed over felt the unease of being seen through completely.
"Esteemed Hokage..."
"Enough. Spare us the pleasantries. You've seen what Konoha looks like now. Tell us how you're going to compensate us."
Kazan interrupted him, demanding money right from the start.
Before today's meeting, the five of them had discussed their approach.
Aside from Kazan, everyone intended only to demand compensation. None advocated wiping out the two shinobi villages.
The problem of Madara Uchiha remained unresolved, and another major war likely lay ahead. At a time like this, they needed to unite the