Chapter 114: Hidden Leaf Village, Year 61 – A Different Five Kage Summit

Chapter 114: Hidden Leaf Village, Year 61 – A Different Five Kage Summit

January 1st, Hidden Leaf Village, Year 61.

For most people, this day marked the joyous start of a new year. But for the Five Kage and their escorts, it was simply a day of travel.

To avoid unexpected incidents and maintain control, the Five Kage Summit was never held in any of the Five Great Nations. As in the original timeline, the summit took place in the Land of Iron, with its legendary samurai general, Sanshō, presiding over the proceedings. Only the Land of Iron, whose military strength ranked just below the Five Great Shinobi Nations, had the capability to protect the Kage and earn their respect.

The moment Samui’s team left the Hidden Leaf, Tsunade departed the next day with her two personal escorts—Izayoi and Hatake Kakashi.

“Wood Release really is convenient,” Kakashi remarked one evening as the trio camped in the wilderness. Sitting inside a wooden cabin created by Izayoi’s Wood Release: Four Pillars House Technique, he bit into roasted meat he’d hunted earlier. “Your control over Wood Release surpasses even Tenzō’s. Experimental subjects just can’t compare to the true Senju bloodline.”

Before Izayoi could respond, Tsunade—gnawing on a wild boar leg—grinned proudly. “I’ve never seen that Wood Release test subject, but Wood Release isn’t just a typical bloodline limit. Ōnoki’s Dust Release is a Kekkei Tōta combining three nature transformations. Wood Release might seem like a simple fusion of water and earth natures, but its core lies in Yang Release chakra.”

“No one rivals the Senju and Uzumaki clans in vitality and Yang chakra strength—not even the Akimichi. That test subject, or even you, who somehow gained Wood Release by accident, could never match Izayoi’s. Your Yang chakra reserves are worlds apart.”

She reached out to pat Izayoi’s shoulder, but he dodged with a grimace. Tsunade shrugged, wiping grease from her hand as she continued, “Besides, Izayoi inherited both Senju and Uzumaki bloodlines. He awakened his grandfather’s Wood Release and the Uzumaki’s two unique abilities. His bloodline purity might even exceed Hashirama’s.”

Kakashi’s visible eye gleamed. “Is that why Sasuke Uchiha awakened Wood Release?”

Tsunade blinked. “Sasuke awakened Wood Release too?” She turned to Izayoi. “Did you transplant your cells into him?”

“Yeah,” Izayoi said casually. “Itachi’s return to the village shook Sasuke badly. If I didn’t help him, I was afraid he’d fall for Orochimaru’s temptations.”

“A few years ago, my Kagura Shingan detected an unusual chakra signature,” he continued, smirking. “It carried both Sharingan and Wood Release traits. Unlike your constant chakra drain, this person’s chakra balanced itself. Considering Hashirama and Madara’s history, I suspected Wood Release and Sharingan could counterbalance each other, allowing someone to wield both.”

“And it worked.” Izayoi grinned at Kakashi. “Sasuke’s strength doesn’t disappoint, does it?”

“More than you know,” Kakashi sighed. “At this rate, I’ll struggle to keep up soon. After the Chūnin Exams, I might hand Team 7 over to him like Kurenai did.”

Tsunade frowned, eyeing Kakashi’s forehead protector. “If Wood Release suppresses Sharingan, want to follow Sasuke’s path and take Izayoi’s cells?”

“No thanks,” Kakashi declined. “My dōjutsu isn’t as powerful as Sasuke’s. I’ll stick to my limits.”

After losing so many comrades, he’d long abandoned the thirst for power. With Izayoi, Sasuke, and Naruto leading the new generation, he saw no need to risk himself.

Sensing his thoughts, Tsunade dropped the subject. Frankly, she was surprised he hadn’t broken like she once did.

After dinner, Tsunade roped them into a game of dou dizhu, eager to gamble away her money. Kakashi, ever the supporter of Jiraiya’s Make-Out Tactics series, happily obliged. Izayoi, their biggest creditor, joined too. A big win for Tsunade would mean trouble even he couldn’t handle.

---

The Land of Iron bordered the Rice Country to the north of Fire Country. Unlike the Rice Country’s forests and plains, the Land of Iron was harsh and mountainous, perpetually blanketed in snow. Even skilled shinobi found their Body Flicker techniques tested by the deep winter drifts.

It took Tsunade’s group over two days to reach it from the Hidden Leaf.

“Lady Tsunade, long time no see,” Sanshō greeted her warmly at the gates. Unlike other Kage, he addressed her with the common honorific, reflecting his neutral role.

“General Sanshō! Almost didn’t recognize you,” Tsunade teased, recalling their encounters during the Second Ninja War. “Time’s been cruel, but you’re still as radiant as ever.”

“Hah! This is my secret technique,” she laughed. “You wish you had it.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Tsunade asked, “Who’s arrived already? I’m not the first, right?”

“The Raikage and Tsuchikage are here,” Sanshō replied. “Only the Kazekage and Mizukage remain.”

“As expected,” she nodded, then grimaced. “Sunagakure still hasn’t chosen a Fifth Kazekage. Chiyo’s probably representing them. Hate to see that poison-crazy old hag again.”

Sanshō chuckled awkwardly, then noticed Izayoi’s rare formal attire—a green flak vest. “This must be Lord Izayoi?”

“Hah! My protégé’s reputation precedes me,” Tsunade joked, introducing them. “This old man’s Sanshō, commander of the Land of Iron and leader of its samurai. You’ll probably work with him someday.”

“And this is our future Sixth Hokage,” she added to Sanshō.

Izayoi bowed politely. “General Sanshō.”

“A prodigy indeed,” Sanshō beamed. “I grew up hearing tales of Hashirama. It’s an honor to meet his legacy. I hope to see another golden age in my lifetime.”

As a neutral leader, Sanshō eagerly anticipated Izayoi’s growth—and a peaceful shinobi world.

Izayoi smiled, saying nothing.

After settling into their quarters, the Sunagakure and Kirigakure delegations arrived two days later. The summit convened in the Land of Iron’s grand hall.

A single beam of light illuminated a table bearing five differently colored hats, each inscribed with a kanji representing the Five Chakra Natures—Wind, Fire, Water, Earth, and Lightning. These symbols represented the Five Great Nations ruling the shinobi world.

The light expanded, revealing six figures seated around the table—four men and two women.

The summit’s organizer, Fourth Raikage; the host, General Sanshō; the Fifth Hokage Tsunade; Sunagakure’s acting Kazekage Chiyo; Iwagakure’s Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki; and Kirigakure’s de facto Mizukage, Master Yuta.

In the audience stood numerous samurai and the Kage’s personal escorts.

Tsunade’s guards were Izayoi and Kakashi; Chiyo’s, Baki and Gaara; Ōnoki’s, Ōnoki’s, Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi; Raikage’s, Darui and C; Yuta’s, Mei Terumī and Ao.

Izayoi leaned toward Kakashi, who’d shed his usual laziness for a serious expression. “That guy with the eye patch—is that the ‘Byakugan Killer’ from the A-rank wanted list?”

“Yeah,” Kakashi muttered. “Stay calm. This is neutral ground.”

“I was just asking,” Izayoi said with a smile.

As Izayoi sized up Ao, the guards from the other ninja villages were secretly studying this mysterious Wood Release user.

After all, before Sasori of the Red Sand and Pain (Deva Path) claimed the top bounties, Izayoi had been the most wanted man on the Black Market.

Likewise, before Akatsuki crossed every line imaginable, the great villages had unanimously agreed—back then, Izayoi was considered the greatest threat to their future.

Gaara’s gaze lingered on Izayoi, his expression clouded with memories of the Hidden Leaf Village Destruction Plan.

Temari, meanwhile, thought of Hinata Hyuga. She wondered how the Byakugan-wielding prodigy with that scandalously mature figure was faring now.

At twenty-eight, Mei Terumi was entering her prime—her mature allure unmistakable—as she murmured, “So that boy is Izayoi? I heard he only graduated last March. He doesn’t look like a recent graduate!”

Ao’s temple twitched visibly beneath his black eye mask. His uncovered left eye narrowed as he studied Izayoi. “His chakra is immense,” he muttered. “Not inferior to Sunagakure’s One-Tailed Jinchuriki.”

“This young and already rivaling a Jinchuriki? What’ll he be like when he’s fully grown?” Mei’s expression darkened instantly.

If nothing went wrong, the next generation of Five Kage would include her and Izayoi.

The thought of facing such a monster left Mei—despite being one of the Ninja World’s rare dual Bloodline Limit holders—feeling immense pressure.

Meanwhile, the Five Kage began their discussion.

“Master Yuta,” the Tsuchikage began, “I never expected the Hidden Mist’s representative to be you. Truly a surprise.”

Ōnoki’s words sounded polite, but his sharp eyes betrayed suspicion. The other Kage shared his skepticism—especially since Chiyo’s presence was a glaring clue.

Master Yuta didn’t bother hiding the truth. “The Mizukage has passed away. I’ve come to represent the Hidden Mist at this Five Kage Summit to address Akatsuki.”

“You mean to say…” Tsunade’s voice faltered.

“Correct,” Yuta confirmed. “The Mizukage died because of Akatsuki. Even the Hidden Mist’s Blood Mist Era was orchestrated by them. The Mizukage had been under their genjutsu for years.”

“I see…” The room exhaled collectively, finally understanding why the Hidden Mist trained its ninja so brutally.

It wasn’t about creating killing machines—it was because their leader had been a puppet himself.

“But what genjutsu could control a Kage—and a perfect Jinchuriki at that?” Chiyo interjected, shifting all eyes toward Tsunade.

Tsunade’s face tightened—not because she feared their suspicions of the Hidden Leaf, but because of memories from thirteen years ago. The Nine-Tails’ rampage.

Few techniques could suppress a Tailed Beast: Wood Release, the Uchiha Clan’s Sharingan, or the Uzumaki’s Adamantine Chains. Raw power worked too—like the Third Raikage battling the Eight-Tails to a standstill.

Yet among these, only the Uchiha’s Sharingan could control a Tailed Beast through genjutsu. And for that, one needed the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan.

But thirteen years ago, Itachi Uchiha had been just a child.

Clearly, the Nine-Tails’ attack had a hidden hand.

Records also showed that everyone who’d attended Kushina Uzumaki’s childbirth had died mysteriously.

Tsunade finally spoke. “The Sharingan can control Tailed Beasts through genjutsu—but only the Mangekyō Sharingan. However, the Blood Mist Era predates Itachi’s birth. Add the Sage’s Eye’s unknown powers, and we can’t rule out its ability to control both Jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts.”

“Unlikely,” Master Yuta countered. “Ao’s Byakugan observed Yin Release chakra controlling the Mizukage. It resembled the Uchiha’s Sharingan far too closely.”

A sudden slam shattered the tension. The Fourth Raikage shot to his feet, his fist crashing onto the table. The guards leapt into action, Body Flickering to shield their leaders, hands on weapons, eyes locked on enemies.

“Again, you Hidden Leaf dogs!” the Raikage roared, pointing at Tsunade. “First Danzō and Root, now the Uchiha’s Mangekyō! Hokage, you owe me answers!”

“Is your brain made of muscle? This has nothing to do with us!” Tsunade snapped, her temple throbbing. “I know Kumogakure’s ruins weigh on you, but the Hidden Leaf is a victim too. The Uchiha Clan perished years ago. Only Itachi remains with the Mangekyō—and his Akatsuki timeline doesn’t match the Blood Mist Era. If Akatsuki’s behind this, either they have two Mangekyō users, or the Sage’s Eye truly controls Tailed Beasts. Maybe Itachi inherited the task only after joining Akatsuki—and was caught by accident.”

“Or… maybe Akatsuki isn’t the culprit at all.”

“What do you mean?”

Tsunade’s words hooked the room. The Kage leaned in, hanging on her next words.

She crossed her arms, grim. “What I’m about to say sounds insane. But listen carefully.”

“Jiraiya’s intel reveals the Sage’s Eye isn’t unique. There are two.”

“Impossible!” The outcry was universal.

One Sage’s Eye had leveled Kumogakure. Two? The world would face two god-tier threats—like the days of the Sage of Six Paths and his sons.

Tsunade pressed on. “Jiraiya’s Shadow Clone infiltrated Amegakure and spoke directly to Akatsuki’s leader. That’s how we learned about the second Rinnegan.”

“Rinnegan can create Human Puppets too. But those puppets have black pins embedded in their bodies, and their eyes turn Rinnegan-shaped. These traits don’t match the puppets that attacked the Hidden Leaf or Kumogakure.”

“Human Puppet Legion—that’s Sasori of the Red Sand’s signature,” the Fourth Raikage frowned. “Can we trust Akatsuki’s leader?”

“I didn’t,” Tsunade admitted, “until I asked Puppet Master Chiyo a question.” Her gaze locked on Chiyo. “Can a Puppet Master control hundreds of puppets without chakra threads? Can they supply endless chakra to those puppets? And are Puppet Masters known for advanced ninjutsu?”

The Raikage’s eyes widened. A critical clue.

The sheer chakra reserves, the effortless Five Chakra Natures, the forbidden techniques—all pointed beyond Sasori’s capabilities.

Chiyo shook her head. “Puppets rely on chakra threads. Even Magnet Release’s metal control demands massive chakra and short range. Wireless Puppetry and ninjutsu from puppets? That’s not our art.”

“Rinnegan’s puppets, however, use Wireless Puppetry,” Tsunade confirmed. “Jiraiya witnessed them using ninjutsu and summoning techniques. But their features don’t match the attackers.”

“Jiraiya’s theory?” Mei asked.

“A second Rinnegan user is manipulating us. By framing Akatsuki, they’re provoking war between the villages and Akatsuki’s leader. They might be rivals—fighting for dominance, or for some artifact only Rinnegan users know about. Something that could shatter the world’s balance.”

Silence gripped the room. The weight of the revelation was crushing.

Fighting Akatsuki alone was manageable. But if a third force had been pulling strings all along—using them as pawns—then their battles could leave them broken, ripe for conquest.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end