The lights in the venue dimmed once more, leaving a single bright spotlight illuminating the U-shaped conference table below.
Seeing that order had been restored, Mifune spoke up. "Let us continue the discussion."
Before Hokage Tsunade could respond, Raikage A stepped in, his sharp gaze sweeping across the other four Kage as he called them out one by one. "Konoha, Iwa, Suna, Kiri... Akatsuki was founded by rogue shinobi from your villages.
Not only that, I have also uncovered evidence that some of you—including my predecessor—have used Akatsuki for your own benefit!"
Gaara's eyes widened in surprise. "Used them?"
Raikage shot Gaara a knowing look and continued, "I don't trust any of you, and I have no interest in negotiating. The reason I called for this summit is to hold you accountable!"
Despite Raikage's accusatory tone, Gaara remained composed and pressed further. "How exactly were they used in the past?"
Raikage scoffed, his voice laced with mockery. "As Kazekage, shouldn't you already know? Go ask the elders in your village!"
He then pointed a finger at Gaara, his voice rising with renewed intensity. "Your village hired Akatsuki to fight its wars in the past!"
As Raikage spoke of past conflicts, Gaara remained silent in thought. Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage, leaned back in his chair, his expression serious. "The great nations have stabilized. We have shifted from military expansion to military reduction.
With tensions between villages easing, the threat of war has diminished. However, for our nations, maintaining large shinobi forces is a heavy financial burden.
Even so, carelessly downsizing a village's military force carries risks. If a war were to break out, relying solely on shinobi without real combat experience would lead to inevitable defeat."
Gaara absorbed his words and murmured thoughtfully, "One way to mitigate that risk is by hiring the mercenary group Akatsuki..."
Onoki snorted in amusement, his inner thoughts unreadable. "You're only realizing this now, boy? There are still many things you don't understand."
Seeing Gaara deep in contemplation, Onoki continued, "Training elite shinobi takes time and considerable financial resources. Meanwhile, Akatsuki thrived on war, offering highly skilled combatants who could be hired at a low cost while delivering the most satisfactory results."
A faint, smug smile tugged at the corners of Onoki's lips as he spoke.
Raikage scowled at him. "Don't sugarcoat it, Tsuchikage!"
Onoki merely smirked and said nothing more.
Raikage then turned his attention to Tsunade. "Sunagakure used Akatsuki to attack Konoha—that was Orochimaru. At the time, it was unclear whether he had severed ties with Akatsuki, but because of him, both the Fourth Kazekage and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, lost their lives!
Furthermore, according to the intelligence gathered by Kumogakure, Orochimaru may not have acted alone. There was possibly someone inside Konoha orchestrating events from the shadows!"
Tsunade's expression darkened at Raikage's words.
She had already suspected the identity of the so-called 'insider.' After the Third Hokage's death, Danzo had been the one scheming the hardest for power. If not for Jiraiya and Shikaku's joint recommendation, and the Fire Daimyo's dislike for Danzo, the title of Fifth Hokage might have ended up in his hands instead.
Raikage shifted his focus once more, this time toward Mizukage Mei Terumi. "The most suspicious of all is Kirigakure. Your village has remained isolated for years. Rumors claim that Akatsuki was born there!"
Mei remained silent for a moment before sighing. Then, looking up, she addressed the room. "In that case, I will tell the truth."
Behind her, Ao stiffened in surprise. He thought to himself, Could it be that Lady Mizukage intends to reveal that matter...?
Mei's expression darkened. "The previous Mizukage, Yagura, was likely being manipulated. We suspect he was under the control of someone—perhaps Akatsuki."
Her tone grew heavy with emotion. "That is why we did not wish to make a public spectacle of it."
Raikage scoffed at her answer. "You're all the same!"
Onoki had heard enough. Mei had just exposed an old wound in front of everyone, and Raikage's dismissive attitude grated on him.
"Watch your words, Raikage!"
Onoki's gaze hardened. "In this era of military reduction, you are the one who has recklessly pursued strength, collecting jutsu at any cost. To compete with you, we had no choice but to hire Akatsuki!"
Raikage shot to his feet, his presence imposing. "What did you just say?!"
Unfazed, Onoki merely snorted and looked away. In all his years, he had seen too much to be intimidated.
Tsunade observed the growing tension with a frown. The discussion was spiraling into mutual accusations rather than a productive strategy session. She cleared her throat and addressed the room. "I believe we should set aside our individual grievances and return to the real issue.
Akatsuki has inflicted severe damage upon all our villages. Should we not consider uniting to eliminate this common threat to the shinobi world?"
Raikage let out a sharp breath, his voice laced with skepticism. "Hmph! Lady Hokage speaks of eliminating threats... yet among Akatsuki is the rogue shinobi Sasuke Uchiha, whom your village has failed to hunt down. Tell me, Hokage—how do you plan to deal with him?!"
Tsunade remained silent.
Raikage's eyes burned with fury. "My brother, Killer Bee, was kidnapped by Sasuke! I will tell you this, Hokage—Sasuke must die! If Konoha refuses to deal with him, then Kumogakure will handle it for you!"
Before the room could erupt into another round of accusations, Mifune coughed deliberately, drawing all attention to himself.
"As the representative of a neutral nation, let me say this: the leader of Akatsuki is highly strategic. He has exploited the mistrust between our nations, using the fragile peace to strengthen his own forces. Because of this, each of your villages has suffered irreparable losses."
Mifune's gaze swept across the room before he continued. "It is rare for the Five Kage to convene like this.
I propose that we set aside our differences and form an unprecedented alliance—a Shinobi Alliance composed of all five great villages. Together, we can eradicate this looming threat to our world."
The room fell into a tense silence as the weight of Mifune's words settled upon the gathered leaders.
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