Naruto said nothing as he walked back into the room, calmly taking his seat and waited for the meeting to continue; Gaara did the same. The other three Kage were impressed that Naruto could kill his teammate and return as if nothing happened, they wouldn't expect someone so young to manage it as Naruto hadn't been hardened by war. Mifune watched the two youngest members sit and took it as his cue to resume the proceedings.
"Before we were interrupted we were speaking of the Akatsuki and their goals. Whatever they may be, we all acknowledge they are a threat that must be eliminated. I propose an alliance between the Five Great Hidden Villages and the Samurai of Iron Country."
"An alliance of that scale has never been seen." Oonoki stated.
"A threat this significant hasn't either. One organization gaining almost all of the Bijuu is potentially catastrophic no matter why they want them." Mei countered.
"Agreed." Ay grunted. "The question is who will lead us?"
"As a neutral party, I believe I should choose." Mifune reasoned. He knew the shinobi would never accept taking orders from a Samurai, not as the Supreme Commander so he had nothing to gain in his selection. "All of you are leaders of your respective villages and I don't doubt that, even the newest Kage among you has demonstrated his title is not for show. But to lead a Shinobi Alliance is something even beyond the necessities of being a Kage.
With that being said, none of you are ideal for this position. Ay-dono, you allow your emotions to control you and while your shinobi may accept it, others will not. They must trust your decisions are made with a clear and focused mind. Mei-dono, as it has been pointed out, Kiri rarely engaged in diplomacy and as such, very few know anything about your shinobi or you. Asking the other villages to trust you would stress the alliance before it ever took hold."
Mifune stopped to face Oonoki, "Oonoki-dono, you are, simply, too old." Before the aged Kage could answer Mifune continued, "Gaara you, conversely, are too young."
"That leaves Konoha and the Hokage. If Tsunade-dono were here I'd pick her without hesitation. Not only has Konoha had the most experienced with the Akatsuki but has eliminated more of its members. I believe you, Naruto-dono, have been involved in several of those skirmishes am I correct?"
"Hai."
"And yet, even with you having the greatest amount of experience facing them I cannot pick you. You're too new, having only recently gained the title and haven't demonstrated your ability to lead. Fight? Yes. Lead? Not yet. Then there is your status as a Jinchuuriki, you'll be a target of the remaining Akatsuki and it may be wise to keep you from the battlefield."
"Ultimately, the perfect choice is not needed, only the best. I'd recommend-"
"Oh, don't I get a vote?" asked a voice that appeared in the center of the room. Ay went to attack the man but passed right through him, causing Ay to nearly crash into a wall. "I mean, since all of this is about my organization shouldn't I get to weigh in? Seems only fair."
"Who are you and want do you want?!" Ay shouted.
"Me? I'm just a humble man with a goal. You wouldn't mind handing over the last two jinchuuriki would you? I'd greatly appreciate it."
"Bee's not dead?"
"Not yet but it hasn't been from a lack of effort. Now, speaking of jinchuuriki… Naruto you've been a very bad boy. Killing poor Sasuke because he wanted to avenge his clan, how heartless of you." The man in the orange and black swirled mask said. He saw Naruto only stare back at him blankly as if he were bored. "No words? That's fine, I'm sure you'll be plenty chatty when I rip the Kyuubi from you."
"No time like the present." Naruto said evenly.
"Don't be in such a rush. Your turn will come. Now, it seems you all have been plotting against me. I don't appreciate that why not work with me to achieve my goal?" the masked man asked.
"And what is your goal?" Mei questioned.
"World Peace through an illusion strong enough to affect the entire world. Ain't that grand? And all you have to do is let me take the jinchuuriki when I want to. Surely two more lives would be worth it, for peace?"
"You're a lunatic." Oonoki bit out.
"Do you all feel that way?" Tobi asked and saw several head nods. "Fine, since you won't help me I guess I'll just have to declare war on all of you."
"You're one man, why should we care?"
"Naruto, you're really playing this cool aren't you? Maybe you'll care when your precious comrades are dead at your feet. I mean, if your father couldn't best me what chance do you have?"
"My father made you run away with your tail between your legs. You'll forgive me if I'm not overly concerned with your threat level."
"Cold as ice. Your end will be all the more enjoyable because of it." the masked man said, preparing to depart.
"You should know something before you leave." Naruto said.
"Oh, really? What's that?"
"This right now was your absolute best chance to get me. If you leave now you'll live just long enough to regret it before I put your lights out."
"I look forward to it, Naruto. I really do. So much so that I, Madara Uchiha declare the start of the Fourth Shinobi War." the alleged Madara said before disappearing into his spacial rift.
"We need to start amassing our forces quickly, Mifune have you chosen?" Ay barked out his question. Mifune chose to ignore Ay's lack of decorum and respond.
"Yes, you would be the best choice and the Supreme Commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces."
"Good, then we have no time to waste. Each of you will go back and mobilize the entirety of your Shinobi Corps, each Kage will be a commander of a specific division but we'll sort out how to divide our people up once we come together again. The only exception will be you, brat. Mifune was right, if that man is after you then getting you and Bee somewhere he can't find you is paramount."
"No."
"We don't have time for this!" Ay yelled.
"You think I'll ready my people for war and allow you to sideline me while you to command them? You're either legendarily stupid, arrogant or both. If Konoha marches it's because I lead them. I won't be put in the corner." Naruto said, nearing the limits of his patience and temper.
"You don't have a choice, boy! If I tell you to stay away from the fighting you will!" Ay shouted, standing up to his full height, as if to dare Naruto to challenge him.
Naruto's bangs hung over his eyes, his face shadowed as he got unnervingly still. He spoke, barely above a whisper having his fill of this man and his 'orders'. "Order me again and Kumo will need a new Raikage, believe it!" As Naruto finished he shot up, unleashing the entirety of his chakra presence, causing the table before him and ground underneath to crack and crater.
The room was, once again, on edge as the two Kage stared each other down. Each of the Kage's seconds were ready to act, many wondering about the intelligence of the Hokage as he was still alone. Those that knew Naruto were shocked at his show, having never seen this side of him but Gaara understood Naruto's position better than anyone. To manage to become the leader of a village that once scorned you, no one gets to diminish that achievement and Gaara would not have tolerated being relegated to a jinchuuriki when he was trusted with the safety of his people. If fighting broke out he knew whose side he'd be on.
"ENOUGH!" Mifune yelled. "Enough. How can this alliance hope to accomplish anything if we fall apart before we've sufficiently come together. We all agree the Akatsuki is a threat, we agree we need to eliminate it and this Madara. Everything else pales in comparison to that."
"As long as I am Hokage not a single member of my village will be party to this alliance if you attempt to keep me from the front lines. It's just that simple."
"We have no time to indulge your ego, boy. When your enemy tells you what they want you keep it from them. That's basic and a Kage should know that." Oonoki offered.
"My ego? You said you didn't cooperate with us to protect your image. Almost none of you have done a thing even when you were warned. You sat by and let Konoha and Suna deal with this. But now you're all the authorities? No. Sasori, Hidan, Kakuzu, Nagato and Sasuke fell to us. Even Sasuke killed Itachi and Deidara. As far as I'm concerned most of your opinions on this matter are just above worthless.
We bled, we lost people, we mourned and continued on. And now you want to treat me like some item? A teapot in need of protecting when you couldn't even protect the shinobi under your command? I'd never bow to such foolish notions. And make no mistake, I'm every bit the equal of any one in this room." Naruto stopped to meet Ay's eyes, "if not more. My people will not die to protect their Kage my decision is final. If you feel the need to insist I be elsewhere then I wish you all good luck." After finishing, Naruto walked out. There was nothing more that needed to be said, he would not change his mind on this.
"Foolish boy." Oonoki spat, not liking the attitude of the upstart.
"Any one of us that would agree to place the entirety of our forces in the hands of others is not deserving of the title Kage. One of you demeaned us for our age, the other outright said you didn't trust us so why would Naruto agree to your stipulation?" said Gaara in response.
"Because it's what is needed! We're going to war, there is no time for grandstanding." Ay charged.
"That is all you've done since we've gotten here. I agree the alliance is necessary but I must reject your selection, Mifune-sama. The Raikage is too hot headed and has zero respect for those of equal rank to him." Gaara replied.
"I understand, Gaara-dono but even given developments I must stand by my decision. Naruto-dono being the Hokage does not change that he is a target of this war and if he is lost then the entire effort will be for not."
"So, why not have him surrounded by some of our best instead of in hiding on the hopes this Madara doesn't find him? Extracting a bijuu is not instantaneous, that I know from experience."
"We lose time as we bicker. I understand why you ordered Hokage-sama to be elsewhere and not on the frontlines. I also understand why he refused, I'd likely have done the same and your village never attempted to kidnap my mother. If you won't budge on this then I saw we make the alliance anyway, not having Konoha will be a loss but we need to start mobilizing and making other arrangements." The Mizukage spoke and the three other leaders in the room nodded.
"Then, there is nothing left to do than declare the creation of the Great Shinobi Alliance. Please have your forces prepared as soon as possible and keep the lines of communication open." Mifune said and ended the Gokage Summit. He watched as the Village Leaders left, disappointed in the young man that put his title above the good of all.
Naruto, Anko and Kakashi were on their way out of Iron Country, Naruto having explained what happened during the closing moments of the Gokage Summit. Both were surprised a war had been declared, and even more surprised that as of now Konoha wasn't going to be involved. Sasuke's three teammates had been taken into custody by the Samurai, only the Hozuki putting up a fight which Kakashi ended with a raiton jutsu.
They were taking a sedate pace back, sedate for shinobi anyway, as Naruto was thinking over his decision. He truly felt it wrong for him not to be involved and Ay had the least amount of information save Kiri as they'd just emerged from the damages of their civil war. He, to Naruto's estimation, barely knew enough to order a fellow Kage not to fight. He was more than a jinchuuriki and he wouldn't allow anyone to treat him as just a container, a thing to be managed or controlled.
But his argument for not acquiescing is also what plagued him. It was likely the alliance was going to need Konoha and sitting out of the war entirely was asking for the alliance to eventually turn on the Leaf for not supporting the war effort. He'd do all he could to crush such an alliance but the damages would still be significant and it may cost him his life while leaving the world in a worse place. Another cycle of war, of hatred would be sparked and nothing would change.
But how could he tell his people to go fight and good luck. It was one thing to order people take risky missions while he sat at a desk, Hashirama's memories were good for learning to accept that. But war? War is went the Kage step up. Commanders, Generals, and the people that face the challenges their shinobi can't. So, the most significant threat to face the Elemental Nations potentially ever and he was to… hide? He didn't hide from Nagato and he knew the Rinnegan wielder could have defeated anyone in that room.
He would keep an eye out on the situation, have his shinobi ready to move at a moment's notice. He wouldn't leave the Alliance to its fate but he also wouldn't be an absentee leader because the Raikage said so. He simply couldn't accept that and if the man changed his mind then things could be resolved.
"For what it's worth, Naruto, I understand why you chose to opt out of the alliance." Kakashi spoke.
"Understanding isn't agreeing, Sensei."
"Hai, it's not. Had I been selected as acting Hokage, I likely would have agreed to have you sent into protective custody, if for no reason than to give you more time to prepare."
"It's not that I don't understand the argument for hiding us. We don't know who comprises this fake Madara's forces. We don't know when or where they will appear. We're flying in the dark here. But if this man is the existential threat we believe he could be then how could my first and possibly last significant act as Hokage be to leave our fates in the hands of someone I categorically don't respect?"
"You'd be a fool to do so." Anko chimed in.
"Yes. But I'll have us start mobilizing anyway. I doubt we'd be able to avoid this war entirely." Naruto said but the last of his words dropped off and he squinted in annoyance and then let fly a string of expletives. Naruto created a shadow clone before performing the summoning jutsu.
"What can I do for you, Naruto-sama?" the purple messenger toad asked.
"I'm sorry I don't know your name yet but we will get properly introduced later as this is an emergency. I need you to get to Konoha immediately. Have Shikaku or the Elders Homura and Koharu get Team Gai. Have them head to Ame as fast as possible. They are to locate a woman name Konan she was once Akatsuki but left the organization. She has blue hair, orange eyes and utilizes paper ninjutsu. Tell her I believe the one claiming to be Madara may be coming for Nagato's eyes. I'll be on my way as well. Also, relay that this guy has a space-time ninjutsu that allows him to be immaterial. You can't touch him but he also can't touch you. It also allows him to teleport but that's all I know of his abilities; now please go." The toad dismissed itself in due haste.
"I need you along with my shadow clone to get back to Konoha so double time it if need be. You'll inform everyone of what occurred during the Gokage Summit."
"Naruto, what's going on?"
"I let Konan take Nagato and his eyes. I didn't seal them or anything and that fake Madara, if he hasn't already, will likely try to get them and kill Konan for betraying him. I don't have a lot of time and she's one of Jiraiya's last living students. Damnit, I shouldn't have just let her leave." Naruto said, berating himself for such an obvious mistake, one that may cause grievous harm in the coming days. Each shinobi departed toward their intended locations as nothing more needed to be said.
Anko and Kakashi made it to Konoha in a matter of hours, fighting off exhaustion by using a chakra pill each as they reached the gates. The Guards tried to say something but neither Jounin paid attention as they made their way to the Hokage Tower, they had no time to waste. As things blurred past them they arrived at the Tower and demanded to see whoever was in command. They entered the Hokage's office to see Tsunade Senju, looking fully recovered setting at her desk, her fingers steepled together as she looked at the incoming shinobi.
"Kakashi, what the hell is going on and what has my gaki gotten himself into?" She asked and even as serious as things word, Kakashi did a very Naruto-esque thing and rubbed the back of his head while he chuckled.
"It's a rather long story, Tsunade-sama. But the short version is the leader of the Akatsuki declared war on the five great Shinobi nations. There is an alliance between Kumo, Kiri, Suna and Iwa. Because Ay demanded Naruto, as one of the last Jinchuuriki, be sent into protective custody he opted not to join the alliance but ordered us to prepare for war anyway. He's off to Ame to prevent said leader from getting the Rinnegan and… that's pretty much it. Right, Anko?"
"Blondie-sama also killed the Uchiha." Anko said with a smirk.
"Oh, yea… Damn, it's been a busy couple of days." Kakashi replied.
"I can't believe I woke up for this shit. Ugh, I'll need to get in touch with the other Kage and resume command."
"Will you follow Ay's order and have Naruto sent away?"
"Yes. I don't agree with it and if the stories I'm hearing of his new abilities, he'd be a bigger asset in the field. However, if Konoha isn't apart of this alliance we've potentially made an enemy out of the rest of the major villages."
"You think Naruto should have agreed with Ay?" Anko asked.
"No. He had no idea of my status. I'd have been disappointed if he had agreed. Although Ay is a blowhard, bullying asshole. I'm surprised Naruto didn't challenge him to a fight." Tsunade said with a chuckle.
"Well…" Anko said.
"... he challenged the Raikage to a fight?"
"We weren't in the room at the time Tsunade-sama but Naruto said he… what's the word I'm looking for Anko?"
"Threatened?"
"That's it. He threatened to kill Ay-sama if he issued Naruto another order." Tsunade looked at her Jounin in mild disbelief before sucking in a deep breath, causing both ninja to tense assuming she was going to lose her temper. Instead, the Godaime laughed. Hard enough to bring tears to her eyes. It took several moments before she got herself under control.
"I'm entirely too sober for this shit." She said. War as on the horizon, things had progressing rapidly while she was comatose but for this moment she'd laugh at the moxie of her favorite brat.