The Raikage shouted, "What is it!!"

Danzō replied, "The leader of Akatsuki is likely Madara Uchiha."

"What!?" The four Kage were shocked.

Ōnoki, deep in thought, said, "That guy has been dead for a long time, hasn't he?"

Danzō responded, "The specifics are unclear, but the intelligence is accurate."

Ōnoki: "I can't believe Madara is still alive..."

At this moment, Mifune, the neutral country's leader, interjected, "As a neutral party, I wish to say a few words. The leader of Akatsuki understands the dynamics of the times. He exploits the mistrust between nations to expand his power during this period of stability."

"However, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Today, the gathering of the Five Kage is a fortunate event."

"I propose forming a ninja alliance to collectively address the threat of Akatsuki."

Ōnoki said, "A ninja alliance... that's not something that can be easily established. The five great ninja villages are evenly matched. Who would lead this alliance?"

Mifune suggested, "The only remaining jinchūriki is Konoha's Nine-Tails... guiding him should be our top priority, shouldn't it?"

The Kage fell silent.

Mifune continued, "Then why not let the Hokage command the ninja alliance?"

This statement shocked the four Kage.

Outside of Konoha, they were unaware of Naruto's defection!

"What did you say!?" The Raikage reacted most intensely.

Danzō, unfazed, said, "If there are no objections, I will humbly accept..."

The Raikage shouted, "Why the Hokage! He is the embodiment of darkness in this ninja world!! How can we entrust such a person!!"

Mifune glanced at the Raikage. "Then who do you suggest, Raikage-dono?"

The Raikage shouted, "None of our village members have joined Akatsuki. Those who are not trusted cannot bear the burden. I am the most suitable candidate..."

Mifune said, "That might be hard to convince others..."

The Raikage: "What?"

Mifune pointed to the shattered table in front of the Raikage and reasoned, "Do you think ruling ninjas with such force and power is appropriate? If emotions and power dominate, the alliance will end up like this table, shattered and broken."

Crack!

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The Raikage gritted his teeth in frustration.

Mifune calmly said, "Of course, this is just my objective evaluation as an outsider."

"Kazekage-dono is too young for such a heavy responsibility. As Kazekage, he already has enough burdens."

"And Tsuchikage-dono, your age is a factor, and your vitality is lacking. Moreover, your inclination to use Akatsuki makes you hard to trust."

"As for Mizukage-dono, Akatsuki originated in Kirigakure, raising concerns about intelligence leaks and espionage."

"Although we don't yet understand why Akatsuki is collecting tailed beasts, the Nine-Tails must not fall into their hands."

"And since the Nine-Tails belongs to Konoha, we believe the Hokage is the most suitable leader..."

Mifune's reasoning was sound, and the Raikage realized his chances of becoming the commander were slim. He shouted, "I came here to showcase Kumogakure's strength! The ninja alliance is none of my business!"

Mizukage's guard, Ao, with a clear mind, noticed Mifune's bias as the neutral country's leader...

"There's something wrong. We need to confirm... Chōjūrō, prepare for battle."

"Eh?" The young Chōjūrō, inexperienced, gripped his sword tightly.

Ao formed a seal with two fingers, and the veins around his right eye, covered by a black-sealed eyepatch, became visible.

—Byakugan!

Danzō's chakra color was clearly visible to Ao's Byakugan.

He was shocked internally: "How can this be... the chakra color around his right eye and its surrounding meridians is unmistakable. It's Uchiha Shisui's color! A formidable opponent I once faced, a color I'll never forget!!"

Whoosh!

Ao landed behind Mei Terumī and addressed Danzō, "Hokage-dono, could you show us your bandaged right eye?"

"!?" The four Kage were astonished.

Danzō: "..."

Ōnoki asked, "What's going on?"

Ao questioned Danzō, "That right eye... it should be transplanted from Uchiha Shisui, right? Shisui's dōjutsu can enter someone's brain and manipulate their thoughts without them realizing it. It's the highest level of dōjutsu!"

The Raikage realized, "Hokage, did you use it on Mifune..."

Mifune: "!?"

Ao said, "This right eye of mine is a rare trophy from a past battle with the Hyūga. I can't speak for others, but Mifune-dono's genjutsu was just dispelled... Additionally."

Ao sharply glanced behind Mifune, "You two, reveal your true forms!"

"Hmm!?" Everyone's eyes turned to Chōjūrō and Kurotsuchi!

Disguised as the tall samurai Kurotsuchi, Orochimaru thought, "Heh... we've been discovered. You couldn't have anticipated this, Naruto-kun, that the Mizukage's guard possesses the Byakugan."

"..." Disguised as the one-eyed samurai Chōjūrō, Naruto remained stoic.

Given the events of that time, Naruto had learned about this meeting from others' accounts, so he couldn't know every detail.

But the goal was achieved: Danzō's Kotoamatsukami was depleted!

Poof! The transformation jutsu was undone.

Naruto, wearing a mask, and Orochimaru appeared before everyone!

Slash!!

Mifune, without hesitation, drew his sword and attacked...

Naruto drew his sword from his waist, blocking Mifune's swift strike!

Naruto smiled faintly, "As expected of the samurai leader, such fast swordsmanship."

Mifune demanded, "Where are Chōjūrō and Kurotsuchi?"

"Who knows."

Naruto pushed his sword with his left hand and reached for his ninja tool pouch with his right.

"Hmm!?" Mifune's eyes narrowed, and he withdrew his sword.

Naruto pulled out a ninja smoke bomb from his pouch and threw it to the ground.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Amidst the smoke, the sounds of fists and feet clashing echoed.

Then, with a loud crash, the wall shattered... Danzō, clutching his shoulder, fled quickly, with Fū and Torune following closely.

Naruto and Orochimaru were about to pursue when Ao blocked their path.

"Even with a mask, your chakra can't be hidden. You're Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchūriki, aren't you?"

"And you... are Orochimaru, one of Konoha's Sannin, rumored to be dead. I didn't expect you to be alive and with the jinchūriki."

"Heh heh..." Orochimaru chuckled seductively.

Naruto thought, "Ao of Kirigakure, though I haven't interacted with him much, I can see now that he's a sharp ninja. I understand why he was recruited by the 'Kara' organization after surviving the Fourth Great Ninja War."

At this moment, the Raikage shouted, "Nine-Tails jinchūriki, you must be Uzumaki Naruto. Tell me, do you know where Uchiha Sasuke is?"

Naruto: "I know."

Raikage: "Where is he?"

Naruto: "I won't tell you..."