"What do you mean, cooperating with the Akatsuki?"
When the Raikage said that some among the Five Great Ninja Villages had actually cooperated with the Akatsuki, Gaara, the Kazekage, frowned and voiced his question.
"Hmph. After the Third Shinobi World War, the world entered a period of peace. To cut expenses, the various countries reduced their support for the ninja villages. Without supplies, the number of ninja naturally declined."
As the Tsuchikage spoke, he looked toward the Raikage and the Hokage.
Unlike the other villages, Kumogakure had always maintained the largest number of combat ninja, while Konoha had quietly prospered over the years. Who knew how many ninja capable of taking on ten opponents it had trained?
"Under those circumstances, when certain missions required experienced, powerful ninja, hiring the cheap yet formidable Akatsuki was naturally the best option."
The Akatsuki had only begun hunting tailed beasts in the past year. Before that, although the Tsuchikage had known they were dangerous, he had still entertained the idea of using them.
Now, his past dealings with the Akatsuki had instead become ammunition against him.
"Hmph. Besides Iwagakure, Kirigakure isn't above suspicion either. Rumor has it that the Akatsuki originated in Kirigakure."
Seeing that the Tsuchikage was still shamelessly making excuses for his past collusion with the Akatsuki, the Raikage snorted and turned toward the Mizukage.
"The previous Mizukage was indeed controlled by the Akatsuki."
Upon hearing the Mizukage say this, the Raikage stood up in shock.
He had thought the Tsuchikage's collusion with the Akatsuki was bad enough. He had never expected Kirigakure to be even more disgraceful—even the Fourth Mizukage had been controlled.
"Is that where the Five Kage Summit is being held?"
Several figures appeared within the Land of Iron, several thousand meters from the site of the Five Kage