A firm shout rang out. At some point, Mifune, the general of the Land of Iron, had stepped between the two men. His hand rested on his sword hilt, and a chilling, steel-like sword aura spread from him, forcibly suppressing the hostile pressure radiating from the two Kage.
"Gentlemen, please remember that this is the venue for the Five Kage Summit, not an arena for settling your personal grudges." Mifune swept his gaze across the room. "We have gathered here today to discuss how to deal with the Akatsuki and the enemy lurking behind the scenes. Please return to the matter at hand."
Raikage A gave a heavy snort and reined in his chakra, though his chest still heaved. Ōnoki curled his lip and floated back to his seat.
A brief silence fell over the conference hall once more.
"If we're discussing how to deal with the Akatsuki," Raikage A spoke first, his voice still hard as iron, "then what is there to discuss? Their lair is in Amegakure! Our Five Great Shinobi Villages should form an alliance immediately, muster all our forces, and march straight into Amegakure to wipe them out in one fell swoop!"
He looked around, trying to force the others into submission through sheer presence. "That is the most direct, most effective solution! Crush the threat before it can grow!"
It was a blunt, brutal proposal, yet an immensely tempting one. Tear their enemies out by the roots and end the problem once and for all.
Ōnoki, however, immediately threw cold water on it.
"I object," he said unhurriedly. "Raikage boy, can't you put something besides muscle in that head of yours? They attacked two great shinobi villages so openly and even assassinated the Mizukage. Everything about their actions is suspicious.
"They are clearly trying to