A Kages Duty

I don't own

Chapter 7

Deal

"Ah, ah M-Mizukage-

"Mei" She said, cutting him off, eyelashes battering with a fury.

"M-Mei, would you be kind enough as to let my arm free" he said, nervous, not of fear, more of this aggressive mode that she had.

The group had decided earlier to walking together, who was confident enough to face nine jonin, three kages and two demon holders was worth facing as a group.

The group had abandoned the Nara's strategic positioning as he didn't know enough of the others to trust them, of course Shikamaru stood at the front as the lead, and Neji at the rear.

The Mizukage's light green eyes sparkled as he spoke carefully, Temari watched from behind, dark green eyes staring daggers at the back of this newcomer, the one latched firmly to Naruto's right arm.

"As you wish" she paused, hinting for his name.

"Naruto" he spoke carefully almost expecting something to happen.

The Mizukage's eyes sparkled in recognition "Ah the famous Naruto of Konoha, son of the great Yondaime, holder of the even greater nine-tailed demon, taught by the finest teachers available, Sharingan Kakashi and the great toad Sanin Jiraiya, victor in the great battle against Pein, even defeating the Kazekage in his demon form while a genin" she smiled almost evilly.

"You know Naruto-kun" Temari gave in an inwards gasp as Mei's hand touched and groped his chest, adding the Mizukage calling Naruto, Naruto-kun.

"My advisors have told me that I should stay on your good side" she smiled as she watched how his warmth never seemed to fade as she openly groped his chest.

"If I had ever known you were this good looking" she said, smile reaching as far as it could.

"Now I can see it will be easier than ever to get on your" she paused as she pushed his forearm firmly against her breasts "Good side".

Kankuro landed face first in the ground in exactly one second later for no apparent reason (Plus a large nose-bleed).

-

With the Mizukage joining the group, all to the displeasure of Temari for some reason, the group arrived at sunset to the neutral ground.

The grounds were covered knee deep in snow, the snowflakes drifted aimlessly in the breeze as the cold air chilled three Suna nins especially.

The groups had made their way to the embassy, but have been told that it had been extended for the tomorrow afternoon, Shikamaru sighed in annoyance, Gaara as well but they overcame it.

The three kages had made their way to the closest inn or tavern or whatever, as long as they were out of this cold all the better Mei and Temari voiced as the men just followed their dominate lead.

The inside of the inn was very lavish and to Naruto's taste a bit too fancy, this was matched by Gaara's Spartan view on life and Shikamaru's laziness to have anything more than what's needed.

The place was made of pure wood, with touches of steel in all the needed places, extravagant rugs were laid across the floors, expensive paintings and tapestries were displayed across the walls, this was definitely not Naruto's type of place to be comfortable in.

All his life he was never given anything, Naruto's early childhood was blurry at best, he had distant memories, which in his opinion, he would rather forget, crying was now in the past, pulling and pushing for attention, begging and pleading.

Never again, he vowed to himself.

He took a seat in the closest empty table, nearest to the burning fireplace that seemed to be the only source of heat in this cold and expensive inn.

Shikamaru took the seat closest to the fire, Kankuro left sightseeing Naruto presumed, Gaara left for his assigned room as the two that was with the Mizukage began bickering with one another.

Mei quickly took the seat to his side, Temari was beaten by a split second, she eye balled the Mizukage, and took the chair opposite to Naruto.

Mei waved for a waitress, an elderly woman approached with a smile.

"How my I help you, honorable guests" she said with a respectful bow, Naruto looked away as Temari and Mei smiled at the polite nature of the woman.

"Some glasses and a bottle of Sake for my friend" she said gesturing to Naruto with a smile.

"Right away, honorable guests" she bowed slowly walking away.

"So I have heard so much about you the great Naruto of Konoha, yet I barely know you" she paused looking suspiciously at Temari for a split second.

"What would you like to know about me" Naruto answered back politely.

"Here's a good one . . . what is your chakra affinity" she asked preparing herself to impress her new 'target'.

"My affinity is wind style" Naruto said quickly.

"Wind style" Temari said, quite shocked, never expecting Naruto of all people to share her affinity and her well known passion.

"And yours I guess is wind as well" Naruto said with a smile at the somewhat shocked look on Temari's face.

"Yes I had it discovered during my academy years" Temari said proud with her affinity.

"Yes well that's all and good but-

"Wait excuse me" Naruto said cutting Mei off.

"Did you say you had your affinity revealed during your academy years" Naruto said, surprised and quite angry at the discovery.

"Yes it was mandatory for all students, wasn't it mandatory for your teaching staff as well" Temari said perplexed at the reaction.

"No it was not" he said quite angry at his teachings, somewhat angry at the under appreciation that the Konoha teaching system had received for the last few decades.

His mind went to the possibilities of him learning his affinity during his academy days; he could have been a prodigy like Sasuke.

"When did you discover your affinity" Mei asked quite peeved at the turn of the subject.

"A few months ago" Naruto said simply, as if it was nothing, thinking more on making some big changes to the ninja academy system.

"Excuse me" both Mei and Temari said at the same time.

"What level are you on"

"He mustn't be too high could he" Mei and Temari said, one after the other.

"I've recently mastered cutting a waterfall with pure wind chakra . . . ah yea" he said surprised at the look Temari had given him.

"All right, how about your father" she said smiling in a dreamy state while her eyes landed back on Naruto "You look a lot like him you know".

Naruto thought more on the subject of his father, but that was for another time "Never met him, never cared for him" he said in a cold tone, a lie true, but this was a matter for another day.

The tone caught Mei off guard.

"A-Ah your mother, I have heard so much Minato, yet nothing of the one who stole him away from the general female public" she said trying to understand Naruto a bit more, whom she found more and more interesting.

"Never heard of her, maybe I share her last name or it's just another name given out to the orphans" he said simply.

"Then who looked after you when you were young" Temari asked.

"Ah, I lived in an orphanage when I was" he paused thinking back all those years ago "About seven".

"Seven" the two girls said together.

"Ah yea, um lived in an apartment by myself for most of my life" he said causally giving up being interested in these various facial expressions these two young girls gave him.

"And now you're the sole owner of the famed Namikaze mansion" Mei pointed out.

Naruto gave a small chuckle to that notion, he had heard of the Namikaze mansion, who hadn't really, the place was known for its beauty and security, Naruto had many attempts to seeing the insides of the mansion, he had tried many times to join the tours that went through the walls of the famed mansion.

Unfortunately he wasn't so lucky, he was just recently pointed out he owns it, Naruto mentally cringed at the thought of joining a place that in his mind represents a place that he was rightfully allowed to join, yet he was denied access, the place was destroyed though, no point anyway.

"Unfortunately the mansion was destroyed along with the village during the invasion" Naruto said.

"Is that all you need to know of my depressing story" Naruto said playfully, when inside, rehearsing his life times was an exhausting experience by itself; Naruto doubted his ability to go through so much grief again.

"How about your teachers" Temari asked "We all hear the stories of Sharingan Kakashi and the great Jiraiya" Naruto gave another laugh as she gave the description of the 'great' Jiraiya and Kakashi.

"Trust me"he said in between small giggles"Two women like you" he said pausing, looking closely at the duo "Wouldn't enjoy the company of the great Kakashi and Jiraiya" he said emphasizing the word great in reference to his senseis.

"Oh and why is that" Mei said simply with a small smirk, Jiraiya's perversion was well known to all.

Naruto eyes looked curiously at the smirk that the Mizukage sported, Temari frowned not sure what was going on at the moment.

The elderly lady returned with a small and a silver tray, holding perfectly the several cups and bottles of designer sake, she carefully placed them at near the honorable guests and left bowing, with the silver platter at her side, Naruto thanked her as she left.

"And why is it that we wouldn't enjoy the company of such renowned shinobi" the Mizukage said holding her cup filled to the end with sake.

Naruto took the bait, looked directly at Mei's eyes and said simply and casually "Because two strong and beautiful women such as yourself would easily be offended with their openly perverse nature" he said with a smile seeing the reactions the two girls displayed.

The casual display that Naruto had been displaying to these ladies, never, ever gave them the thought that he had any interest, at least on a physical level, even the Mizukage was somewhat puzzled by the uninterested Hokage, she put on her best moves dammit.

Now both women know that he saw them as beautiful and strong, Naruto would look back on this day and laugh, this is when it all began.

Both Temari and Mei gulped down some sake as Naruto took a small sip from his glass.

"I think it's time for me to retire to my room" Naruto said, slowly finishing his cup.

"And what will it take for me to join you" Mei said in a seductive manner, latching on to his free arm, bringing her nose closer to the source of musk her body somehow needed to inhale once more.

Naruto smiled kindly to his fellow kage "Mizukage I-

"Mei" she said with a small playful frown.

"Mei" Naruto said correcting himself, he was about to continue, but was at loss for words, how could he deny the Mizukage.

"How about this" he said formulating a plan in that unpredictable head.

He grabbed her hand softly, Mei smiled at the soft contact "After the Summit meeting" he said still unsure if this was all worth it.

"If you behave" he said emphasizing the word strongly "I'll take you out on a date, my treat" Naruto said with a smile.

Temari's eyes widened at the proposal, she grabbed the bottle and messily threw down some more liquid into her glass, for some reason she was upset with this proposal, she wasn't sure why though.

"Deal" she said, offering her hand to seal the deal, Naruto sighed as he softly shook her hand.

"Deal".

-

Mei bounced happily to her room, she skipped past the several doors one sounded like it was filled with Ao and Choujuro bickering, she opened the door to see the two arguing as usual.

She entered with a skip in her step, Ao somewhat curious with this mood asked.

"So what has gotten you into such a mood" he asked with a smile, genuinely happy for her.

"I have a date with the Hokage" she said in a sing song voice.

"A date!!" Choujuro shouted as he stood unintentionally, he blushed like a tomato and sat back down, playing with his index fingers shyly.

"Mizukage-sama, I am highly against this" Ao said with a disapproval tone.

"And I care how" she said in a rebellious teenage voice.

"As your high advisor, your close bodyguard, as a person that holds common sense, I beg of you please reconsider" Ao begged, but sighed at the faraway look in his master and chiefs eyes.

"I will consider what you said Ao" she said in a dismissive tone as she hoped to her room, muttering to herself what to wear for her soon to be coming date with the blonde demon holder.

-

Temari threw herself to the plush mattress, an upset frown marked her face as she angrily rethought seeing Naruto offer a date, to her of all people.

What was it that he saw in her anyway.

Sure she was good looking and all that but, wait.

Why does she even care?

She doesn't care, yeah that's it she doesn't care.

What Naruto does and who he does is his business and his business only.

She laid on her side as she put out the only light in her large room, she quickly shut her eyes and tried to go to sleep, her mind saw an image of the Mizukage, grouping and cuddling that warm body, that body that contained that odor that seemed as simply irresistible.

She growled to herself as she held sat up and fluffed her pillow rather roughly.

"What's the matter with me?" she growled as she threw the pillow down.

She closed her eyes once more, the image of herself replacing Mei's form, herself holding her form against Naruto's, her lips claiming his, his hands holding her, rubbing her, holding her.

His eyes, those blue eyes, deep and emotion filled, electrifying her senses, staring directly at her, her body melted, her muscles relaxed, she breathed out a sigh of relaxation.

His and her legs tangled and woven together in a loving manner, the image sent shivers down her spine.

She woke, her eyes snapped open an a hurry, she felt a small bead of sweat roll down her neck softly, she wiped it quickly as the thought came quickly to her, the name that would remain there for a while.

She said it simply and quickly, 'do I kinda like Naruto'.

-

Mei Terumi went to bed with the thoughts of politics and homeland far from her mind.

Naruto Uzumaki, or is it Naruto Namikaze, she didn't care really, although Uzumaki sounded better with her name, Mei Uzumaki, Mei Namikaze, they both sounded so good.

She gave out a small girly squeal, hugging her pillow with kage strength.

Naruto, he was an enigma, he confused her.

He was young, much younger then herself, that really didn't bother her, if anything that made him more appealing to her, a young teen lusting over herself brought herself to a confidence she hasn't been on for quite some time.

But the maturity he possessed seemed strange with the happy demeanor and youthful light he held, he had a realistic outlook on his life and his peers, he showed some strong leadership at times, so many qualities that appealed to her he just seemed perfect.

And most of all he was strong, nice and handsome, what more could she want?

Hell he was most likely twice as strong as her, and she was pretty tough, the air was heavily filled with his intimidating chakra source, she remembered hearing of Kumo nin stimulating and attempting to make their chakra seem larger and more intimidating, Naruto didn't do this, she was sure.

He also seemed pretty honorable, even for a shinobi of Konoha, she offered herself pretty openly and throughout her years she had a basic grip on the fairer sex, Naruto said no, more than once actually, quite shocking, well not shocking, but surprising to her.

So all in all he was the perfect man for her and she is going for him whether he wanted to or not.

-

The next day started with a fresh snowy breeze, the clouds parted and the sunlight emerged over the busy merchant run city.

The kages of each village returned on time to the city center, the room was the true meaning of neutral ground, the color of the walls were a boring white and the carpets were an ugly, dirt brown, the circular table was large and covered most of the room, leaving small space for the very tall seats, all five separated into even spaces, each holding the insignia of their village in a high banner behind their seat.

Each kage sat down in the same consecutive time, their kage hats hiding their faces from one another, the elderly man in the middle, with dark skin and a bandaged head, long hair reaching his upper back, spoke with a clear political voice, filled with experience and wisdom.

"Place your hats on the table" he paused as he looked the Mizukage first at the far left of him; she nodded and placed it on the table.

Mifune thought of the Mizukage as a breath of fresh air, he has seen the work that the previous Mizukages had done and it led to ruin, his mind saw the corruption spreading faster then he comprehend and he was right, luckily the war never spread to the other countries, and more luckily the war never affected his precious land, he was determined to see his land as a peaceful center of intelligence and common sense, not that of barbaric wars and ignorance.

He looked at the Kazekage next; he nodded and placed his hat n front of him, leaning forward with his fingers folded into each other.

He enjoyed the company of the of the young Kazekage, he was one of the more intelligent persons he had the pleasure to meet, he seemed like a solid leader with great powers in controlling sand, he seemed like he knew what he was doing, he was young, but he was mature and that's the only reason to really worry about youth and it's foolishness.

Mifune looked at the next kage Onoki the Sandaime Tsuchikage; he was the oldest of all kages, stubborn as a rock, very, very cunning, and his age severed him right throughout these long years.

Mifune looked at the next man, the Yondaime Raikage of Kumo, named simply A, he placed his hat disrespectfully quickly downwards, obviously upset with the pace the meeting was set in.

Mifune never liked him, his emotions carried to much hold on his mind, he never thought through things the full way, he was a powerful kage, perhaps the strongest of his villages, but he was too hotheaded, he and that brother of his were really the forms of chaos together.

And then he looked at the youngest kage in the room, Naruto placed his hat before himself, not smiling or showing any sort of movement that would be taken to offense of his fellow kages, his eyes shifted to the man in the middle of the half circle.

Naruto Uzumaki, or was it Namikaze, he was the strongest of the five, not the smartest as the Kazekage or ambitious as the Mizukage nor was he as experienced as the Tsuchikage, but being strong by itself brought a man respect from his fellow peers, not Mifune though, he had more to prove to the general of the land of Iron.

Naruto was the youngest and strongest, a dangerous traits to possess, he had never met him earlier so this man was new to him; he knew not his political sidings, whether he was a war-crazed maniac or a simple peace loving man like himself.

Mifune did look up his records earlier, last in his graduating class, taught by Hatake Kakashi and Jiraiya of the Sanin, he had faced a young Kazekage in battle and won, taught several jutsu's, considered a prodigy by those from other villages, strangely not that of his own village, defeated the Akatsuki leader, and elected temporary Hokage.

He was by all means a prodigy, but this was a subject for another time.

"You are here today because the Raikage has called this meeting together" Mifune paused as he saw everyone sigh in boredom.

"This meeting will begin now" he said watching the interest of the kages dip.

"My name is Mifune" he said announcing his name for the kages to know "And I will this meetings director" he said also announcing his position to the people present.

The meeting begins now.

-

Gaara sighed at the silence, all this for it to begin in silence, sigh, he would be the one to begin this meeting.

"I'll go first" Gaara announced "Listen up" he began before the Tsuchikage cut in.

"The makeup of the five kages sure has changed, you must be something special to be made Kazekage at your age" the Tsuchikage said in a snaring voice.

"Your father must have taught you right" he continued "But apparently he forgot to instill in you any manners" he said rather happily to point out the young boys rudeness.

Gaara was struck; he never expected an argument to implode so quickly, behind the background Temari and Kankuro flinched at the sudden attack on their sibling.

"Who does that Tsuchikage think he is" Kankuro whispered to his sister, who simply told him to shut it.

Naruto rather insulted at the insult thrown at Gaara, replied for his fellow kage.

"Are you sure you're the person to be correcting others in manners Tsuchikage" Naruto said very sharply at the elder.

"Ah yes, Minato's boy, I've got my eye on you young one" he said with a glare.

Naruto returned the glare.

"Is that a threat" he replied.

"Tsuchikage, Na- Hokage, please stop interrupting" she said easing the tensions between the two.

"Kazekage please continue" she said with a sigh in relief.

"I'm a former host" Gaara said with his usual casual voice, each kage did not move in any way that might be seen as shock or surprise.

"Akatsuki captured me and nearly killed me by extracting the beast" he said continuing his monotone voice.

"That's why I believe Akatsuki is extremely dangerous" Gaara's said in a rather sad voice, even for him.

"I requested aid from the other kages many times, but they all ignored me . . . except the former Hokage" Gaara said, stating the news.

Several of the kages sighed in frustration, some shifted uncomfortably at the news of their ignorance.

"Though at this point with so many host captured, it's too late for aid" he said simply, enjoying the looks of anguish from the other kages.

The Tsuchikage snorted in disagreement "If a country has had its host captured, it has no business giving other countries orders" Onoki shouted to his fellow kage.

"You should have tried to recover it in secret" he continued to shout.

"Once it's stolen you can't expect other countries to help you" he said simply, looking behind his shoulders at his guards, who simply nodded at his 'wise' words.

"Appearance, honor . . . I don't have time for your outdated why of thinking" Gaara said simply, enjoying seeing the Tsuchikage grinding his teeth at his remark about his age.

The Mizukage coughed for their attention, she was well read about the subject of demons and their holders.

"Just because the beasts have been stolen is no reason to be afraid" Naruto looked closer at the Mizukage; she shuddered for a split second and returned to form.

The Tsuchikage looked down and smiled, he looked up and said "The hosts must grow with the beasts in order to adapt to them" he said continuing to look at the Kazekage.

"Even then control is difficult" he paused "Right Kazekage" he said with a smirk.

Gaara just stared back at the grinning Tsuchikage, not saying a word, just seeing that smirk made his blood boil, he definitely didn't enjoy this elderly man.

Naruto looked at the Tsuchikage with fury running in his blood, this elderly man was pushing him more so then he should ever push him.

Suddenly Naruto saw it slow motion, the Raikage large fist he brought it up high and went down with speeds found only among kages.

The bodyguards moved with efficiency, Naruto had told his team to hold still if a situation like this came, so Shikamaru lazed back on his side, continuing his nap, Neji watching the whole scene unfold with careful eyes.

"Quit your yapping" he shouted, his arm, elbow deep in the ground, shards of table shattered and moved around the room, the Raikage's bodyguards moved to protect their unstable leader.

All the guards moved into exotic stances, with exotic weapons to match, Naruto watched with a frown, not feeling threatened just curious with the way this Raikage was acting and why.

"Stand down Temari, Kankuro" they both huffed in frustration and returned to their seats.

"Ao, Choujuro it's alright" she said with her familiar smile planted on her face, Choujuro blushed and returned to his seat, Ao complained but followed orders.

The Tsuchikage gestured for his guards to leave and they followed their order.

Raikage huffed and breathed in a deep breath to calm himself, he nodded and his guards sheathed their weapons and left for their seats.

The Tsuchikage saw the 'alertness' of the Hokage's guards, he planned to call him out on it.

"Very skilled men you have their Hokage" he said with a smirk "As quick as a glacier one might say" he said with a small laugh.

"Skilled, why yes they are, as powerful as yours, maybe not" Naruto said "But loyal, very, they are simply following orders" Naruto said looking disrespectfully at the Tsuchikage's eyes.

"And what orders might that be, not get killed by my far more superior Iwa shinobi" the Tsuchikage said quite smugly.

"No" Naruto replied.

"Then what?" the Tsuchikage said.

"To stay out of my way" Naruto said casually, Tsuchikage wouldn't fall for this though.

"Shut it" the Raikage shouted once more.

"Konoha, Iwa, Suna and Kiri" he shouted the four villages to the kages.

"Akatsuki is made up of missing-nin from your villages" he said pointing the finger at the other four, somehow blaming it on the others.

"And that's not all" he began by pointing a finger at the Tsuchikage.

"I know there are those among you, including former kages, who have used Akatsuki for their own, proposes" he said glaring daggers at his elder kage.

"Used Akatsuki" Gaara and Naruto said.

"I don't trust you" he said continuing to point the finger at the old kage.

"I had no intention of speaking with you" he said lowering his accusing finger.

"I called you all here to know where your loyalties lie" he said looking at the remaining three kages.

Before the Raikage's question could be answered, Naruto interrupted him.

"What do you mean "Used Akatsuki" Gaara asked curious with what the Raikage was saying earlier.

"You're the Kazekage, hasn't anyone told you anything" the Raikage said with that familiar hand again raised and accusing another person again "Go ask your elders" he said in a somewhat dismissive tone.

"You used Akatsuki in your own war" A said angrily at the Tsuchikage.

The Tsuchikage sighed, ultimately deciding that coming to these meeting was just a pain in his ass.

He started from the beginning, it was easier that way.

"The great countries are enjoying a time of relative peace . . . they are moving from Military expansion to disarmament" he said ending with a sigh.

"As tensions ease between villages, the threat of war grows smaller and smaller" he said with a voice that had a small sliver of regret or sadness at his statement.

"Military villages are a drain on a country's resources" he said simply, which everyone agreed, shinobi village's cost money, that's as basic as it gets.

"But there is a risk" he spoke suddenly with a grave voice.

"What if a war suddenly breaks out, they can't rely on untested shinobi in the heat of battle" he said in his loud, bashful voice.

"They'd lose the war".

And Gaara worked it out instantly he spoke "So one way of dealing with that was to use a mercenary force" he paused "Like Akatsuki" he said as the realization dawned on his fellow kages.

"It would take time and money for a village to build such a force themselves . . . But Akatsuki were professionals, and they could be hired for relatively little" the Tsuchikage explained.

"Furthermore they always had good results" Onoki reasoned.

A tired of hearing an old man bickering "I don't want to hear it, Tsuchikage".

Onoki simply snorted at the direction of the rude Raikage.

"Suna used Akatsuki to try and destroy Konoha" the Raikage reasoned.

Naruto just frowned at the memory of the Suna invasion, knowing the old man died for his village was a happy thought for Naruto, knowing that the old man went out how he wanted to, but Naruto would never forgive Orochimaru and now Akatsuki was on his list.

"And both the Kazekage and Hokage ended up dying" the Raikage explained.

"And I just can't help but think that it was a part of someone's plan" the Raikage said staring daggers at Naruto.

His eyes stared deeply at the blonde Hokage, unmoving, unwavering.

He then turned to the remaining kage, Mei readied herself, she had inherited the problems of her predecessors.

"And Kirigakure, you are the most suspicious" he said accusing the Mizukage of wrong doings, the Raikage felt a small killer intent directed from the smallest of the guards, what did the Mizukage call him, Choujuro, brave bastard.

"You had no diplomatic relations with other countries and there are rumors that Akatsuki was formed in Kiri" he said with a frown.

The Mizukage looked down in sorrow, he face covered more so by her troublesome hair, she remained speechless, the silence disturbed Naruto, he had never seen this side to her.

She began, regret filled her voice, now Naruto was interested, he sat up and leaned forward slightly.

"To tell you the truth" she began, looking at Naruto for a split second before beginning once again.

"There were suspicions, that my predecessor . . . . The Yondaime Mizukage was being controlled by someone" she said with a wavering voice, her eyesight kept returning to Naruto, seeing how he would react, badly or not.

"It could have been Akatsuki" she said honestly unsure of herself "But I didn't want to make a big deal out of it" she said with a smile, which the Raikage found quite infuriating.

"You all" he said, anger seeping from himself.

"Watch your tongue" the Tsuchikage piped at the younger kage.

"It's because you were continuing to amass power and techniques during the time of disarmament, that the other countries were forced to hire Akatsuki in the first place" the Tsuchikage yelled the loudest Naruto had ever heard him yell.

"What?" the Raikage replied almost in shock, his veins filled with anger, did this man dare accuse A for the kidnapping of his brother.

"Before you two get into another talk and break another innocent table, there's something you all should know" Naruto said quietly with this stored info that he held since his employment in the Hokage position.

"What is it" the Raikage shouted, releasing his anger into the direction of Naruto, who was anything but intimidated by that show of anger.

"Akatsuki's leader is almost certainly Madara Uchiha" Naruto said with a sigh, the shocked looks on the faces of his fellow kages, were well, well deserved, they were talking about a man that has been dead, and this was more than a man, this was a shinobi legend.

"I thought he was long dead" the Tsuchikage said in the most receptacle tone he has ever addressed Naruto in today, probably through shock.

"I don't understand it as well, but my sources said they are certain" Naruto said simply.

Gaara was concerned "And these sources are?" he said curious.

"Let me just say that Jiraiya's spy system is not dead" Naruto said with a small smirk directed at Gaara, while all the other kages, even the Mizukage was unhappy with this news, Jiraiya's spy network was the stuff of legends, if it is still running, security measures must be taken.

Mifune sat by enough; he raised his hand for silence, which gradually came.

He coughed before he began "As a neutral country. I have to say, the leader of Akatsuki has read the signs of the times" he paused thinking before speaking.

"He used the stability and the suspicion of the other countries to increase his own powers, at this rate even land of Iron will . . ." no he won't dare say it, his precious land once again in the fires of war, no, never again, he would make sure of that.

"But there is a silver lining" he paused once more, again thinking before speaking "It's rare for all five kages to come together like this" he again paused.

"What do you say?" he said thinking of the most appropriate words.

"Until the threat of Akatsuki is gone . . .

"What would you think of forming . . . a five-village alliance?" he said unsure of himself and his proposition.

"An alliance" the Raikage looked at it as an insult.

"I like it" Naruto said "This are bad times, cooperation is needed in bad times" Naruto said simply.

Again the director of the summit thought before speaking.

"The chain of command should be uniform" the thought dawned on all the kages.

"We want to avoid as much confusion as possible" Mifune said in his wise thinking once more.

The thought was on each kage's tongue the Tsuchikage was the first to speak.

"So . . . the question is who will have authority over this new army" he said, voice filled with glee and hope.

Mifune saw the pieces collect together; perhaps an alliance is within reach.

"You will only fight among yourselves . . . so I would like you to respect my position as a neutral party"

Everyone nodded in agreement, this was a wise man, everyone in this room respected his ways of thinking, he must come up with the most plausible reason as who should lead an army like this.

Mifune paused once more, the longest pause yet, he thought long and hard this time, he had ultimately made his decision.

"The only host left is Kon-"

The meeting was interrupted by the sudden swing of the large oak doors, what appeared no one expected in their entire life, not even the wise Mifune was prepared for what he saw.

. . . .

A flash of green spandex . . .

. . . .

The brightest pair of teeth a person could ever possess . . .

. . . .

The greatest haircut known to man . . .

He appeared with a bloodied Iwa headband held firmly in his hand.

"Hokage-sama" Lee began, out of breath, sweat covered and out of breath, he must have traveled a long distance.

"What is the meaning of this?" Tsuchikage said in insult to the intrusion, even Mifune was disturbed by the disruption, even more so by what made the disruption, whatever it was?

"Sir Assassination" Lee said in between gasps of air.

-

That's all folks.

Peace

Maori Out