The venue of the Five Kage Summit fell into a brief, eerie silence when the Raikage abruptly stopped speaking.
Tsunade slowly sat down, watching the changes in the Raikage's expression out of the corner of her eye. He had been so aggressive just moments ago, yet now he looked as though someone had seized him by the throat, unable to utter a single word.
She raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly, understanding dawning in her mind.
Sure enough, it was because of Yemu.
Jiraiya had been right. Yemu's abilities were incredibly powerful.
Tsunade cast an almost imperceptible glance at the impassive young man beside her, an amused smile touching her lips.
But she had no idea that Qingxue Uchiha, watching from the shadows, had noticed every bit of that look.
The Raikage's face was livid, but he no longer quite dared to pressure Konoha.
He understood the reasoning well enough.
He was afraid his village would suffer another of Yemu's impossibly powerful sword strikes.
Just as the atmosphere settled into an uneasy stalemate, a series of synchronized footsteps suddenly sounded from the other side of the hall doors.
Every gaze turned toward the entrance.
Formal attire of the Land of Iron, black with gold detailing. Raven hair cascading like a waterfall. Clear, cold crimson eyes.
Qingxue Uchiha walked slowly toward the presiding seat, her icy presence all but overwhelming the chill radiating from the samurai.
Unlike Mifune, she did not wear heavy armor or have white hair and a white beard. Instead, she carried an air of authority that was youthful and cold, yet impossible to dismiss.
Under everyone's gaze, she slowly ascended the dais and took the elevated seat at its center.
"The Five Kage Summit will now begin."
Her tone was calm, yet its weight made everyone instinctively