Time passed quickly. That evening, at Konoha's invitation, the Mizukage, the Kazekage, and Konoha's party gathered for a meal.
Kakashi did not come. He stood guard outside with the other ANBU.
During the meal, a girl with long, pale blond hair and a Kumogakure forehead protector stopped by once, but she left without saying anything.
"Everyone, rest assured. The Land of Iron will remain absolutely neutral during this conference, as always. We will not favor any side."
An older-looking, round-looking man with bandages wrapped around his head smiled and spoke to the five Kage and their attendants seated before him.
"That man's beard is pointy."
Naruto spoke to his teachers inside the Sealing Space.
"Mm-hmm, it certainly is. I remember plenty of clan elders wearing beards like that back in the day."
Hashirama rubbed his chin. He barely had any facial hair, so all he could do was look at other people's beard styles.
Right, he did have an awful lot of leg hair. Perhaps he could style that?
It was not as though he had never had that thought back then, but Mito and Tobirama had both rejected it.
Madara had not rejected it, but he had looked at him strangely. Had he been looking forward to it?
Madara: ...Just how bizarre a mind did this best friend of mine have?!
"All right, Naruto, you should respect your elders. Mifune is someone very worthy of respect."
Minato rubbed Naruto's head as he said this.
"I know."
The opening of the conference passed in a flash, and Ōnoki was the first to speak.
"Ahem. This conference was originally supposed to be chaired by the Hokage, but some matters in our village, along with some matters over in Kumogakure, prevented it from taking place."
Ōnoki stood up, but because of his