Naruto: Konoha’s Kanpu

Land of Iron.

After sprinting for more than half an hour, Yondaime Raikage, clad in his lightning armor, finally managed to shake off Tathagata with Onoki in his hand.

"I never expected to see the Wood Release of the Shodaime Hokage again after all these years."

Onoki said solemnly while breathing heavily, "That guy called Senju Tathagata, is he really the member of the so-called Abyss?"

"I'm more inclined to believe he's a Konoha Shinobi!"

Yondaime Raikage snorted coldly and said, "You saw it yourself. Namikaze Minato and Gekko Kanpū both ran away at the critical moment. They clearly intended to use Senju Tathagata's hand to kill us, and then pin it on that fabricated Abyss organization!"

Ōnoki caught his breath and rubbed his back again. When it didn't hurt much anymore, he immediately used the Ultra-Lightweight Rock Technique on himself and began to float gently: "Whether that Senju Tathagata is from the Abyss or Konoha, we are in a very passive position!"

"You mean…" Yondaime Raikage narrowed his eyes.

"An alliance!" Onoki declared, "Konoha's strength is increasing rapidly. Namikaze Minato and Gekko Kanpū have also shown their ambitions and strength. If we don't form an alliance, it's only a matter of time before Konoha swallows us up!"

"Of course not!"

Onoki shook his head decisively, "Those two villages have lost their Biju. The Godaime they elected are either too weak or lack the necessary resolve. There's no need to form an alliance with them!"

Yondaime Raikage nodded in agreement and then fell into deep thought, seems to be thinking about the pros and cons of forming an alliance.

Onoki waited patiently without urging him.

After a while, Yondaime Raikage responded, "Okay! We are allied now!"

Although there had been grudges between the two villages, especially since the Yondaime Raikage's father had died in the Land of Earth. The relationship between Shinobi Villages was built on a cycle of conflict and blood debt, and the only clear constant was interest!

There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests!

Yondaime Raikage asked thoughtfully: "What are your plans next?"

"I plan to hire Akatsuki to invade the Land of Fire!"

Onoki unperturbedly said "If the so-called Abyss is actually Konoha, then they will surely make a move! If the Abyss and Konoha are not connected, we will still gather intelligence on Konoha's current strength through Akatsuki."

"And then?" Yondaime Raikage asked with a frown.

With his straightforward character, he disliked Ōnoki's sneaky methods, but in such a situation, he can only suppress his temper.

"Then?"

Onoki shook his head: "We'll see what happens when the time comes."

Even as a seasoned old coin, he knew he had to proceed cautiously against Konoha, lest they take too big of a step, pulling their eggs… Cough, pulling his back! ℞ä₦𝐨ᛒЁ𝘚

After that, the two discussed further details, such as the division of the commission for hiring the Akatsuki and whether Iwagakure should send troops to Kusagakure and worked together with Kumogakure in Yugakure to apply pressure on Konoha.

After over an hour, they finally finished discussing things. At the same time, they also estimated that Tathagata had retreated, so they each signaled their guards. And not long after, Kurotsuchi, Akatsuchi, Darui, C, and Samui arrived at their location.

"Then, I will leave it to you." Yondaime Raikage said solemnly.

Onoki also said politely, "Transfer the commission for hiring the Akatsuki as soon as possible. That organization won't act without the money."

"Okay!"

After their final words, the two groups went their separate ways.

At the same time.

In the capital of the Land of Iron, inside Mifune's residence, Godaime Kazekage, Temari, Kankuro, and Chiyo, along with Godaime Mizukage, Heki, Haku and Chojuro are all gathered together.

"Everyone, I apologize. Traditionally, the Five Kage Summit is hosted by our Land of Iron, but this time, things have gone terribly wrong. I deeply apologize!" Mifune bowed deeply, kneeling on the floor.

Chiyo waved her hand dismissively, "It's not your fault. It's all because of that Shinobi who calls himself Senju Tathagata."

"Advisor Chiyo, what should we do next? Should we continue with the Five Kage Summit?" Temari asked nervously.

"In the previous battle, Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato and Gekko Kanpū suddenly disappeared, and then Senju Tathagata turned around to chase Sandaime Tsuchikage and Yondaime Raikage…"

Chiyo shook her head slightly, "The situation is too complicated. First, let's find out if Onoki and A are still alive."

"I will take care of that!" Mifune said.

"Thank you, Mifune-dono." Temari hurriedly said, expressing her gratitude.

"It's my duty, Kazekage-dono. No need for thanks."

Mifune returned the gesture and then dispatched his people to search for Onoko and Yondaime Raikage.

Half a day later, intelligence reports finally arrived.

"Mifune-sama, someone saw Sandaime Tsuchikage boarding a ship back to the Land of Earth!"

"Mifune-sama, someone else saw Yondaime Raikage and his guards leaving from another port, presumably heading back to the Land of Lightning!"

After hearing the reports, everyone present fell silent.

"So, Onoki and A have both left…"

Chiyo frowned, and asked, "Is there any information about the Yondaime Hokage?"

"Sorry, we haven't found any trace of Yondaime Hokage or Gekko Kanpū." The Samurai reporting the information simultaneously shook their head.

"Outrageous!"

Heki, the Godaime Mizukage, is furious, "What is the meaning of their actions? This is supposed to be the Five Kage Summit. How can they just cancel it because of Senju Tathagata? Onoki, A, and Namikaze Minato are too cowardly!!"

"Cowardly…" Kankuro suddenly glanced at Heki strangely.

Sensing Kankuro's gaze, Heki immediately snapped, "Kazekage-dono, please discipline your subordinate!"

"Kankuro is not my subordinate, he is my younger brother!" Temari said.

"Whatever he is, you…" Heki was about to complain again, but was interrupted by the impatient Chiyo.

"Enough, stop arguing."@@novelbin@@

Chiyo stared at Heki coldly, and said with a snort: "Mizukage-dono, with three of the Five Kage absent, it seems this Five Kage Summit is over. What do you plan to do next?"

'Plan? What plan can I have?'

Heki then muttered, "I have to go back and ask for instructions…"

'No, I am the Godaime Mizukage, how can I say such things?'

"I need to discuss this with the elders in the village." Heki said calmly.

Chiyo gave him a contemptuous look, and said: "In that case, Temari, we should return to the village. From now on, Sunagakure will not concern itself with the affairs of Kirigakure, Kumogakure, or Iwagakure!"

"Yes!"

…

As night fell, the semi-paralyzed Kakashi and the blind Uchiha Obito were warming themselves by a fire.

As for Minato's shadow clone, it had dissipated in the afternoon. Kakashi thought that Minato would arrive soon after, but now it was almost night, and no one had come!

This is an icy place, so even if there is a bonfire, it is still very cold!

Obito sat by the fire, his disfigured face and dark eye sockets giving him a ghostly appearance.

"Obito, speaking of which, I haven't properly apologized to you for what happened to Rin." Kakashi suddenly said.

"Can your apology bring Rin back to life? No, so, there's no need for you to apologize." Obito replied softly, his tone filled with indescribable pain and hatred.

"Obito…" Kakashi looked at Obito across the fire, and his face contorted with pain. In the flickering flames, he seemed to see a familiar, pretty face and that pretty face seems to be faintly distorted.

Pain, regret, guilt, self-blame… Various negative emotions suppressed by Kakashi for years finally broke out because of Obito's 'casual response'.

In a moment of distress, the beating flames suddenly began to spin, and then inexplicably vanished.

Seeing this, Kakashi was taken aback, "This is…"