Saitō led the three of them out of the room and into a corridor lined on both sides with fully armed samurai. They silently watched the newcomers, ready to spring into action and seize them at the slightest suspicious movement.
“This place was rebuilt after the last Five Kage Summit to strengthen its defenses,” Saitō explained as they walked. “There are five separate corridors. Each of the Five Kage will take an independent route to the meeting room, so there is no need to worry about another Kage harboring ulterior motives.”
Tobirama nodded slightly. "Thank you for the trouble."
Saitō apparently had nothing else to introduce along the rest of the way, so he fell silent. The others had little in common to discuss with a samurai like him, leaving them to walk in silence.
After they had walked some distance, a door came into view. Saitō stepped forward and slid it open, then moved aside. “Please enter. Only the Five Kage and our general, Lord Wanosuke, may enter this room.”
Tobirama and his companions entered to find a circular table, with one section deliberately separated from the rest. Seated there was a burly old man with a thick beard and an unusually commanding gaze.
"It has been a long time, Lord Tobirama... no, I should call you Lord Hokage," the old man said slowly.
Despite his advanced age, his voice was strong and resonant, exerting an intangible pressure. Kazemori Masaki and Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged glances. This had to be Wanosuke, the man Tobirama had called the god of samurai.
“It has been a long time, Lord Wanosuke.” Tobirama bowed slightly. Although Wanosuke had not presided over the previous summit, he had been responsible for arranging it.
“You are the first to arrive. Please take your seat.” Wanosuke gestured toward