The atmosphere in the main hall of the Land of Iron's castle was solemn and grave. After days of negotiations, compromises, and even fighting a common enemy, the "Agreement on the Formation of the Allied Shinobi Forces and Mutual Defense," jointly drafted by the Five Great Nations, was finally laid upon the pentagonal stone table.
Fifth Hokage Tsunade, Fourth Raikage A, Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi, and Fifth Kazekage Gaara-the five Kage who represented the highest authority in the shinobi world-signed their names on the scroll in turn and affixed their respective villages' seals. When the final seal was stamped, an invisible sense of duty, as heavy as a mountain, settled over the entire hall.
General Mifune, serving as witness, solemnly declared, "From this moment forth, the Allied Shinobi Forces are officially established! May you all stand united, repel our enemies, and safeguard the peace of the shinobi world!"
There were no cheers, only solemn silence. Everyone understood the weight of this agreement-and the ferocity of the storm to come.
The alliance's first meeting of its highest decision-making body convened immediately afterward. The first item on the agenda was to determine its next course of action.
"Our most urgent task is to find the Akatsuki's lair, rescue Yugito, and recover the Nether Purification Stone!" Raikage A spoke first, his voice booming as he slammed his fist against the stone table.
"Lord Raikage, impatience will accomplish nothing." Ōnoki floated above his seat, offering a measured assessment. "The Akatsuki's movements are elusive. Neither Pain nor Madara Uchiha (Obito) is an opponent to be taken lightly, and there is also that mysterious 'Sacred Lord.'
"Searching blindly would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. We might only walk into a trap."
"Lord Tsuchikage has a point," Mei Terumi added,