Devil From The Heavens
Chapter 36: The Summit, Part Two
"They will speak of you as a tool."
"Hm?" Being viewed like that wasn't anything knew but that was out of nowhere for him. "It's not surprising for me but why'd you say that?"
"Because I will need to talk about you in the same way." Konan's lip turned down in the slightest frown. "The Kage have similar outlooks when it comes to their shinobi. These men and women are born and raised to be used at the village's discretion. If they have the impression you're an independent entity separate from Ame, it will weaken our position in negotiations."
While he understood what she said on a surface level, he was vaguely aware there was a lot more to it that he didn't.
"Tch, is this what politics really are? I was right to leave my father to do all the talking growing up." He sneered. "By 'our' do you mean your village's? I'm the reason Ame's even really allowed in. Couldn't I negotiate on my own?"
"We're all aware and I thank you for working alongside me." Konan replied sincerely. "But as you said, you've let someone else do this for you. Kages have years of experience in matters like these, they could very easily swindle you into unfavorable terms."
He scoffed. "I'd just twist their arms, literally and metaphorically, until they buckle."
"Would you have your only means of interacting with the villages be fear and hostility?"
He raised a brow. "Isn't that yours?"
"Yes." The samurais ahead opened the doors. "It's miserable."
There was a collectively held breath as Darui struggled against the man. A wrong move from any party involved could turn the peaceful meeting on foreign soil into an international incident. Broly pushed against the sword and Darui was sent flying back. The shinobi landed and slid on his feet until he was back where he started. He was already poised to lash out again but a raised hand from Mifune stopped him.
"Raikage! There is to be no blood shed here!"
"This is the man who killed A and got B captured!" Darui yelled as he shook in place from adrenaline. "He's exactly what we've convened to address!"
There was a quick glance from the masked man to Temari and Tsunade. He was just as confused as they were. "I can't say you're familiar."
"This is a case of mistaken identity as I will explain momentarily." Konan interjected with a severe look thrown Darui's way. "He's never stepped foot in Kumo."
"I'd- I'd recognize that face anywhere!"
"Listen to them." Broly ground out. His own irritation was quickly rising. "This won't end well for anyone."
"Like I would-!" One of the Kage's group put a hand to his shoulder. They exchanged some looks and Darui's shoulders slumped somewhat. Without a word, he returned to the table.
Ōnoki shook his head at the display. How did he share a title with such hot headed children? He turned to Konan. "We have only started. How did you know this was even happening?"
Mei cast a knowing glance at Temari and Tsunade. "Yes, I'm curious as well as I thought only the Great Villages knew of this."
"Do the Great Villages believe themselves to be the only ones with eyes and ears everywhere?" Konan looked at each Kage in turn. There was an underlying hostility in her gaze of old grudges. "Amegakure does what it needs to for self-preservation."
"We've hardly begun anyways." Muttered Ōnoki. "Fine, fine! This is all giving me a headache anyways! I only really have the slightest inkling of what we're facing. Care to elucidate on that, Tsunade? You're the one that asked for this summit."
"Right." The Hokage nodded and stood as the rest settled into their seats. Ame's delegation had to be accommodated for but soon they were sat at the table next to Temari. She shrunk back as Broly grew close but the Saiyan never took notice of her.
"As you all know, there have been recent unusual occurrences all over the nations. Craters and glass left where settlements once stood. Things quickly escalated and Taki was destroyed before Suna not long after. Most recently was-" She took a moment to clear her throat. It was still hard to even say it. "Most recently was Konoha."
"I won't attempt to put up a facade of any kind. We were attacked directly by an asset of the Akatsuki that crushed us. It was by miracle alone we were able to survive the ordeal with most civilians alive and with our Jinchuriki safe with us." Tsunade tapped the table anxiously. Did she reveal that it was Broly? Would that help? She was already on shaky ground with Iwa given their history; that would ruin any attempt at trust given she explicitly asked for them to be let in. Mizu's relationship with Konoha was better but that was mostly due to the village withdrawing itself from affairs to deal with a civil war.
She glanced at Konan. Ame's Kage was stone faced; she was probably prepared for any possibility here. She'd play it safe.
"From what we could gather, the Akatsuki have been gathering Jinchuriki in an attempt to create some kind of weapon. We believe these disasters are a direct product of that."
The Mizukage leaned in with an eager curiosity. They were already aware of Akatsuki's gathering of the Tailed Beasts since their own was stolen but this was new. "If that's the case, how do you explain Darui's...insistence that this man that Konan brought along is responsible for A's assassination? Konan here is a quote-unquote former Akatsuki and she so happens to be aligned with Kumo's assailant?"
Tsunade gestured to one of her guards who brought a bag out. "Therein lies the answer."
She opened it up and pulled out the severed Hybrid head Broly left behind. While it had been brutally mangled, the resemblance was still there. She invited Darui to take a closer look.
"If this was in better condition, I'm sure the Raikage would find it an exact match."
He shot her a skeptical look as he went over and grabbed the head. He scanned it for a few seconds, turning it to and fro, as realization crept on him. He let out a long sigh. "This is him. The skin matches his tone far better and the hair is closer in color."
Tsunade nodded. "Madara has made an unknown number of these and they're what's responsible for attacking our villages. I make no exaggeration when I say just one is enough to cause a catastrophe."
Mei wanted to be more skeptical of the claims but given four of the Kages in attendance were seemingly familiar with the threat and none were objecting to what the Hokage was saying was a compelling argument on its own. She locked eyes with the Kazekage, Temari was her name she believed, and the blond woman nodded to confirm the Hokage's words. Well, that answered her own unspoken question.
As for Ōnoki, he remained dubious of the claims being presented. Iwa's main rival was exposing its soft underbelly to all of them alongside Suna. It seemed too good to be true so it had to be. The old man crossed his arms. That didn't make sense; his own shinobi confirmed Konoha's state just a couple days ago. The Leaf was being honest with this specific detail. Yet it was still a leap to believe everything they said. Perhaps Konoha gained control of this 'weapon' and directed it to Kumo to steal their Tailed Beast and shore their strength back up? It was unlikely but not implausible. Akatsuki would be an easy scapegoat if that were the case.
"Say I believe what you have to say, Hokage." He pointed to Konan. "I imagine your insistence on their presence is in part due to a potential solution. One would assume anyways."
Konan took that as her chance to step in to the discussion. "And you would assume correctly. Ame has gained the answer to Madara's machinations and overwhelming power. Something we believe he will little ability to deal with."
Mei connected the dots and looked the masked man up and down appreciatively. "This handsome man, I imagine."
Konan nodded and gestured to Broly. "It is in Broly here that we find our solution to the conundrum of Madara Uchiha. He is the original on which he based his copies."
Iwa's Kage scoffed in disbelief. "Unbelievable! We know the history between our villages and Ame. If he's so potent as you say, why come to us seemingly to offer him? Why not take care of Madara on your own and then conquer the rest of us? Surely, that's the most straightforward way to ensure Ame's continued future! What game are you playing with this trickery?"
"As blunt as Ōnoki is, he's got a point." Mei put a hand to her chin. "There's something you want that you can't get through brute force. Not to mention, where on earth did such potent power come from? Surely, we would have heard of this far before this point in time."
"The majority of his power is sealed away." Tsunade added with a scowl. "She wants it removed before she offers help."
Konan nodded. "Lady Tsunade is correct. While his power is potent, it is a mere fraction of what he is capable of. We're in need of a seal master to remove his limiter. We'll offer his strength in exchange for the removal of said seal."
"Ah, so he has the potential to be as you say." Ōnoki leaned back in his chair with contempt. "Why should any of us risk our sovereignty to free him from his restraints then? If what you say is true, he's safer as is. Not only that, you and Konoha seemed to have had some form of this discussion before. Sensible logic given Jiraiya's reported skills with seals so I don't see what this has to do with-"
"...And the acknowledgement of Amegakure as a Great Village. We wish to be treated with the dignity respect, and autonomy afforded to each of your villages. No more of my people shall die to your petty squabbles."
There was a wave of shock that passed through the room. For the entire existence of the shinobi village system, there had only been Five Great villages that formed a precarious balancing act. For as tumultuous as their relationships were, it was a far cry from the constant violence of the warring period before. For a Sixth to be inducted might upset that balance.
At least, there were, Ōnoki thought cynically. Suna no longer existed which left their four and Konoha would be just a step above were it not for their keeping of their jinchuriki. As far as he was concerned, there were two Great villages left with Kumo brought low.
"Absolutely not. Iwagakure and Kirigakure have been left as the top of the pile and you want us to give up such an advantageous position for what? The possibility that this oaf is strong enough to beat back Madara's forces?"
"Your 'position' will not matter if Madara decides that destroying Iwa is suitable for his goals. Konoha was the strongest of the villages and it fell all the same. Kumo only survived because they gave up their jinchuriki." Konan leaned forward and stared down the older Kage. "Do you truly believe your village capable of facing this threat alone?"
'Of course not but Ōnoki is a stubborn old fool.' Tsunade thought as she glanced at Temari. Her fellow Kage looked sick at how the discussion seemed to be progressing. The thought of working alongside both of their village's killer was a terrible one even if the man wasn't in control at the time. It was increasingly clear to her that Ame had them over a barrel.
As far as Tsunade could see, they had a fighting chance even with Broly limited as he was, nobody else did, but even their survival was precarious at best. If Madara had enough of these Hybrids, she was sure even he would be overwhelmed. They had to work together. If only Jiraiya had kept his mouth shut. Broly would have had a more positive outlook on their village and Ame would still be relegated to a background problem. Something to take care of later.
Ōnoki dismissed the upstart 'Kage' with a sneer. "What do you think of this Mei? You're the only other one not afflicted by this specter."
The Mizukage made a thoughtful. "While I do believe your accounts of your villages being attacked, I remain dubious of the claim of his power and there's still the question of where he came from too."
One of the doors to the room had a sudden commotion behind it before it opened. A samurai rushed in.
"Sir, our sensors reported four unknown chakra signatures within the complex."
Intruders? Konan glanced at Broly and he got the message. There was a sudden gust of wind in the room as his muscles subtly bulged. This was absolutely Madara and he would get the Uchiha's head on a pike!
"Where are they?" He demanded.
The samurai pointed. "They said they're coming from that dire-!"
The Saiyan turned and ran through the wall as if the concrete was never truly there. Konan followed the warrior close behind with her guards by her. The rest of the shinobi present were left to stare at the whole left behind.
"Should we help them? Darui asked as he leaned back in his chair and brought a foot up onto the desk.
"No," Ōnoki shook his head. "This is a perfect opportunity for Amegakure to show off."
Broly was soon in a large dark hall lined with massive pillars. The end was shrouded in a curtain of black shadow. Konan landed in a shower of papers with her shinobi.
"Madara! I know you're there!" Broly roared out like a man possessed. "Show your fucking mask!"
From the darkness of the hall came the glint of a blade. A boy of similar age to Naruto stepped from the shadows. Behind him came three others. A trio of shinobi, two kids, one nearly as tall as Broly with orange and the other white haired with sharp teeth, and a red haired girl with glasses, were close behind.
That put a stop to Broly's sudden rage as it was replaced with sudden disappointment. "You're not him." The Saiyan turned his back to the group and their apparent leader felt his own indignation at being ignored. "Who are these pipsqueaks?"
"Who you calling a pipsqueak?!" The white haired boy yelled.
Konan tilted her head slightly as she examined these new foes. "Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto's friend. Be careful, he's got the sharingan just like Madara. The others I'm not so familiar with."
"Pah, I owe Naruto so I probably shouldn't kill him." Broly returned his attention to Taka. "I'll just take his eyes then. The others are fair game."
Sasuke didn't respond and instead made a gesture with his hands. Three Hybrids came out of hiding, all with sneering expressions on their faces. Broly stepped in front of Konan when he spotted the Zetsu. The rest of the group was fodder but those three could kill everyone here in an instant if he didn't kill them as quickly as possible!
"Uh, Sasuke, a lot of them are coming this way. We'll be surrounded if we don't move quick..." The girl meekly commented.
"I would take us more seriously." Sasuke responded as he ignored Karin. "Kill them all but keep Tsunade alive. She's mine to kill. You three, take care of Konan."
Two of them rushed forward to meet him but instead of meeting in a titanic physical clash, the Hybrids deftly twisted around him. Broly followed the right one and pulled his fist back only for it to be caught by the third. He gave it an annoyed grunt and tried to pull away only for this remaining arm to be caught too.
"You think you can hold- huh?" The remaining Hybrid grinned from ear to ear as it hair stood on end. Within its palms was a barely stable mass of ki. They weren't going to fight him like the other group; they were going to remove him to do what they were here to do. "Shit!"
The Hybrid threw its arms forward and fully powered energy wave hit Broly dead on. Everyone save for the attackers hit the deck. The Saiyan swore at the top of his lungs as he was carried away into the sky until he was little more than a pin prick. Konan kept her expression cool but internally she was panicking. Just one of those hybrids could crush them all if they weren't careful and their bulwark was gone for who knows how long.
Through the massive holes in the building, the Kages looked to see what was going on. The Hybrids leapt their way to the unaware shinobi.
"Leave this one to us, boss." Suigetsu said as he stared the Angel of Ame down. "Madara told me you were only dangerous because of Pain. Guess I don't have to worry about that."
"You won't find me easy prey." Wings formed on Konan's back. "I earned my place within the Akatsuki."
Jugo started laughing as his body started to transform. "We'll see about that!"
Author's Notes
It seems our enemies learned from their last encounter. You don't beat Broly, you remove him. Will he back in time?
This is a slightly shorter one. I didn't have as much time to write because I've been busy recently but it came out alright.
Now you guys might notice that some notable characters are not written in this chapter like Chojuro, Kurotsuchi, Akatsuchi, and others. There's a reason for that. I don't wanna. They're not important and taking the time to give them names and dialogue, as minimal as it may be, will have literally the same impact as keeping them nameless/faceless.
Let me know what you think in a review!
Ent out.
Review Responses!
Guest1234: Hey man, you okay?
Dontus -not Donut- Powerus: Luckily for him, he stayed put.
Johannes293: I am actually curious if others feel the same way. Am I rushing the story? I always planned for the Summit to take place right after the siege of Konoha but if it needs to be slowed down, let me know.
fightingchampion: Oh, everyone will know the power balance in the next chapter or two.
Abyss Emperor: Definitely column A and column B there. With his plans coming so close to fruition, he's getting overly eager to see them through and Broly threatens that. Every second that passes is another second that he can wipe out Madara so he's trying to get out ahead of that.
DTLA1992: That would be ironic as hell but man that'd be pushing it on the Sage's part lol. Also, Broly did not destroy Kumo, that was Madara and his Hybrids.
Isaiah Navarro: I have some ideas of how they'd theoretically take care of the Oozaru problem. Thanks for the suggestions!
