Chapter 101 - Everyone Has Their Own Plans
Chapter 101 - Everyone Has Their Own Plans
Just now, they were still outwitting each other during the Chunin Exams, and now the other person has become the Kazekage while he's still a genin.
Even someone as carefree as Naruto felt the surreal nature of the situation and even suspected that he might be under some sort of genjutsu.
It wasn't until Gaara put down his Kazekage hat and gently said to him, "Naruto, it's time for you to work hard too," that he snapped out of his daze.
"Work hard?" Naruto pondered seriously, counting with his fingers, "Genin, Chunin, Jonin, and then Hokage. I still have three stages to go!"
Naruto scratched his head in distress, having failed this Chunin Exam.
If he wanted to try again, he'd have to wait another two years for the next one.
With this in mind, Naruto ran in front of Gaara, pushing Makimaki away, and asked with an envious face, "Gaara, quickly tell me how did you become Kazekage? Do you have any tips?"
On the side, Chiyo looked at Naruto, who was very familiar with Gaara, and wondered how Tsunade had brought the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails.
The reason why Sunagakure allowed Gaara to become Kazekage was that the village truly lacked talented people.
But Konohagakure was different.
Not to mention Kakashi Hatake, who was a suitable candidate.
"How interesting. There's already a jinchuriki who has become a Kage, and there will be another one in the future?" Onoki looked at Gaara and Naruto with some emotion.
Having lived a long life, he had witnessed many things that were once unimaginable.
For example, jinchuriki, the ninja forces of the major hidden villages, had always been treated as weapons.
A jinchuriki as a Kage?
This would have been absolutely impossible and unimaginable in the past.
As for the Fourth Mizukage being a jinchuriki as well, when he truly became the Mizukage, he wasn't a jinchuriki yet. It was only after Yugao Nin's death that he chose to implant the Three-Tails into his body to better control the tailed beasts.
Times have changed, and even the long-dead can be resurrected nowadays.
Onoki felt that he understood the world less and less.
The casual chat didn't last long.
After the five Kage took their seats, the host of this Kage Summit, Mifune, stepped forward and solemnly announced, "It is an honor for the Land of Iron to host this Kage Summit. As the moderator of this meeting, I declare the Kage Summit officially open."
"Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Naruto clapped excitedly.
However, he soon stopped when he saw that everyone else was just staring at him, and he wondered in his heart, "Why isn't anyone clapping? Isn't it customary to give a round of applause before Grandpa Hokage gives a speech?"
After this little interlude, the Kage Summit proceeded to the main topic.
Without the nobles and officials' long-winded speeches, the initiator of this summit, the Fourth Raikage, A, did not hesitate to raise his amputated arm and said, "This is all because of Hagoromo Otsutsuki. According to our intelligence analysis, Hagoromo was not in his peak condition when he fought against my Cloud ninja forces. Now that so much time has passed, he must have become even stronger. With a legendary ninja like him roaming free, there's no doubt that he will have a huge impact on the current state of the ninja world!"
"So, Raikage, what do you suggest?" Tsunade looked at A.
A's voice deepened as he said, "I propose that we form a Shinobi Alliance between the Five Great Ninja Villages, just like in the time of the First Hokage, to eliminate Hagoromo Otsutsuki, who does not belong in this era or in the system of the Five Great Shinobi Nations."
"An alliance? Just to deal with one person? Raikage, your proposal is too extreme," said Chiyo, one of the elders from Sunagakure.
Although Gaara had become the Kazekage, he severely lacked experience in village affairs, and his presence here was more of a symbolic gesture.
The one making the real decisions was Chiyo, who had experienced all the Shinobi World Wars.
Forming a coalition was not just a matter of words or gathering a group of people; it entailed much more.
Manpower, resources, finances, and the various missions that would have to be set aside—the preparatory steps alone would strain the resources of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
While they were all aware of Hagoromo's strength, only those in leadership positions truly understood the constraints of their villages.
Faced with practical considerations, Oonoki, as the leader of Iwagakure, was not enthusiastic about A's proposal, which involved upending the status quo and deviating from the traditional means of replenishing their resources through war.
After all, a war against a single individual was vastly different from a war against an entire ninja village.
The approach suggested by the Raikage was disproportionate to the situation at hand.
Mei Terumi shared similar sentiments.
While Kirigakure was eager to deal with Hagoromo Otsutsuki, they were reluctant to commit their full forces, understanding the significant costs involved.
However, A remained steadfast in his conviction. "When facing an opponent like Hagoromo Otsutsuki, if we decide to take action, we must go all out and not leave anything to chance. As for Hagoromo's inaction thus far..."
"A figure of his stature during this tumultuous era is not one to be taken lightly," A continued. "Setting aside any potential actions against the Five Great Ninja Villages, his mere presence and influence could lead to the establishment of a new ninja village with a mere wave of his hand, which would undoubtedly affect our standing."
The shinobi world may seem vast, but the pie has already been divided.
While the emergence of a new, small ninja village may not be a concern, the involvement of someone like Hagoromo Otsutsuki would undoubtedly result in a significant shift in the distribution of missions and economic resources among the Five Great Ninja Villages.
This was something they could not accept.
After all, the essence of the Great Ninja Wars was the redistribution of power and resources.
Although A's words were speculative, everyone present, aside from the ever-impulsive Naruto, fell into a thoughtful silence.
"If I recall correctly, Hagoromo Otsutsuki's recent reappearance was due to the defection of Uchiha Sasuke from Konohagakure, was it not?" Mei Terumi directed her question to Tsunade, who had remained silent until now.
Tsunade glanced at Naruto, who unconsciously clenched his fists at the mention of "Sasuke," and nodded. "Yes, after Uchiha Sasuke defected, he followed Hagoromo Otsutsuki."
"That's understandable," Oonoki, the eldest among them, said with a smile. "The Hagoromo and Uchiha clans were once allies and have maintained a good relationship. It's only natural for Sasuke to seek refuge with Hagoromo after leaving Konoha."
While the Five Kage Summit was convened primarily to discuss Hagoromo Otsutsuki, Oonoki had not forgotten the threat posed by the first and strongest of the ninja villages, Konohagakure.
Stirring up trouble for them was, in his opinion, a convenient side benefit.
Additionally, there was another thought that Oonoki kept to himself.
If possible, perhaps they could establish contact with Hagoromo Otsutsuki.
Just as they had hired the Akatsuki in the past...
From a certain perspective, Hagoromo could become a formidable ally.
As for the conflict between the First Tsuchikage and Hagoromo during the Valley of the End battle, that was all in the distant past.
The players from that era had long since passed away.
Moreover, what enmity could remain between individuals of their stature that couldn't be resolved through discussion?
(End of Chapter)
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