Episode 59: Kage Summit
All of the Kage were sitting at chairs, at a rather long circular table. All of the Kage's henchmen were standing on the over hang.
Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Akagi were up there as well, making sure everyone stayed quiet.
To the Kinkage's right, was Tatsuzo, to his left was Rinji, behind him was Kenpachi, and in front of him was Machiko.
All of the Kage were silent for a moment.
"I, Machiko will preside these proceedings. And now the Kage Summit will begin!" Machiko said.
"Why is this woman talking instead of the Kinkage?" Growled the Raikage. He was a rather large built man with blond hair.
"The Kinkage gave me direct orders to speak instead of him." Machiko stated. "If you have a problem with that than take it up with Kenpachi." She spoke with much authority in her voice.
Ignoring them, the Kazekage stated, "Then allow me to begin."
The Tsuchikage laughed. "My my, how the Kage have changed. To be named Kage at your young age is quite impressive, Lord Kazekage. Despite your father's obviously brilliant guidance... He seems to have not taught you any educate."
"Yes, probably. That is why I was chosen as Kazekage."
The Tsuchikage laughed. "You cheeky young rascal!"
"Lord Tsuchikage," Said the Mizukage. "Please continue, Lord Kazekage."
"I am a former Jinchuriki. The Akatsuki captured me. They took my tailed beast. And that is why I consider the Akatsuki to be an extremely dangerous group. I sought the aid of the six Kage many times. But was ignored... except for the previous Hokage and current Kinkage. Jinchuriki from all your nations have been taken. To collaborate at this point... is simply too little too late."
The Tsuchikage made a noise that sounded like a combination of growling and clearing his throat. "The Great Nations' Hidden Villages can't afford to alert others that their Jinchuriki were taken. It's an embarrassment. Covert rescue and recovery is the norm. No one seeks aid from other lands when Jinchuriki disappear!"
The Kazekage looked him in the eye. "Appearances and status. Such foolish outdated concepts."
"Setting aside if they are outdated or not. As Mizkage, I refrained from acting on this issue. However, I don't think that having our Tailed Beasts stolen is cause for a meeting alone. After all... it takes significant skill, knowledge and time to achieve control over them."
"A Jinchuriki must mature along with their Tailed Beast to adapt to it." The Tsuchikage stated. "And even then, control remains difficult. It's not a simple task. Wouldn't you agree with that Lord Kazekage?"
"Very few have achieved control over Tailed Beasts." The Hokage, Danzo, told them. "Madara Uchiha, Hashirama Senji, and of course the Fourth Mizukage, as well as Lord Raikage's brother- Killer B. However-"
The Raikage raised his fist.
Before anyone else could act, Kenpachi was right in front of the man. With the tip of his sword against his throat.
"My Squad and I worked rather hard to reinforce these tables and chairs. I wouldn't want you to break them so early in the meeting." Kenpachi smiled. "But if you insist... then I guess I'll fight you for it. Always wanted to know how my strength compared to the Kage."
"You brat..."
"That man is so fast..." Stated one of the Hokage's followers. "I'm glad he's on our side."
The other nodded.
Kankuro's eyes widened. "I didn't even see him..."
"I don't think anyone saw him..." Stated Temari.
"Refrain from any more behavior that lacks civility." Stated Machiko. "Kenpachi, go back to your seat one the Raikage slowly lowers his fist."
Kenpachi didn't move. The Raikage begrudgingly put his arm down, and Kenpachi was suddenly back in his position, with his sword at his hip.
"Continue." Machiko ordered.
"The Hidden Leaf. The Stone. The Sand. The Mist. The Steel. The Akatsuki is composed of rogue shinobi of your nations. That's not all, either. From our investigations... among you and the earlier Kage -aside from the Steel- who have used the Akatsuki."
Rinji's eyes widened.
"The Kage used them?" Asked the Kazekage.
"And that's why I don't trust any of you! The Steel is the only place that deserves our trust! I have no interest in any discourse. The reason why I've summoned you all to this summit... is to ultimately question your loyalty!" The Raikage continued.
"What do you mean... that they used the Akatsuki?" Asked the Kazekage.
"You're the Kazekage, and yet you don't know anything? Just ask your village elders back home. You of the Sand have previously used the Akatsuki in battle!" The Raikage pointed at the Kazekage.
The Tsuchikage leaned back in his seat a little. "Currently all six great nations are equally stable. They're moving to military expansion to disarmament. The strained relationships between the nations in the threat of war is diminished. Hidden Villages considered military power by their nations- nearly become costly hindrances. And yet completely eliminating the villages poses it's own risks as well. What if war suddenly breaks out? Relying on ninjas with no battle experience would be problematic. You'd lose the battle without question."
"The Kage out realize... the only way to get rid of that risk... is to use mercenary soldiers..." The Kazekage mumbled. "Namely soldiers from the Akatsuki!"
"It takes effort and money to cultivate accomplished ninja from one's own Hidden Village. The Akatsuki makes war it's livelihood and is made up of experienced professionals. Further more... they can be hired quite cheaply. Best of all... their soldiers always delivered superior results!" The Tsuchikage went on.
"Don't be pompous, Tsuchikage." The Raikage warned. "The Sand once used the Akatsuki to try to destroy the Hidden Leaf. Though, he already left the Akatsuki by then... it was Orochimaru! As a result... your father the Fourth Kazekage... and the Third Hokage Hiruzen... perished. It's also hard to dismiss the possibility that this was all part of an even larger plot. But the most suspicious of all... is the Hidden Mist. Like the Steel, they never engaged in diplomacy, but unlike the Steel that changed recently. It's rumored that the Akatsuki started in the Mist."
"Because it has come to this... I'll be honest. We suspect... that someone behind the scenes was secretly manipulating Yagura the Fourth Mizukage. There is a great possibility that that someone was the Akatsuki. That is exactly why I didn't want to talk big." She looked like she was going to cry.
"Each and every one of you..." The Raikage growled.
"You just watch your tone, Raikage." Responded the Tsuchikage. "In fact... it's because you of the Cloud went around collecting Ninjutsu- seeking more power in this era of disarmament... we had no choice but to hire the Akatsuki to counter your growing power!"
"What was that?" Growled the Raikage.
"Before you start arguing each others' merits..." Said Danzo. "I would like to state the point I was about to make earlier."
"And what's that?"
"It's probable that the leader of the Akatsuki... is Madara Uchiha."
"Are you sure of that?" Asked the Mizkage.
"But... he's been dead for several decades..." Pointed out the Kazekage.
"The Kazekage's right. Madara's been dead for a long long time!" Shouted the Tsuchikage.
"Well I don't know all of the details... but the information is from quite a reliable source." Stated Danzo.
"Are you saying that he's immortal?" The Raikage nearly stood up but eyed Kenpachi and sat back down.
"Perhaps." Danzo calmly replied.
"He really is some kind of indued monster!" The Tsuchikage looked down at the table.
Which one of them is the most dangerous? Thought the Kinkage. Gaara, Danzo, A, Mei, or Onoki... If I attack Gaara the sand will block it. My best bet is to go for... Danzo. But I must gather as much information as possible first...
"The Leader of the Akatsuki has been able to read the times well." Machiko stated. "Despite stabilizing, the Great Nations harbor suspicions about each other. And the Akatsuki seized that weakness to gather it's power."
"Would you just get to the point?" Growled the Raikage.
"Stay calm. We can turn this misfortune into a blessing. It's very rare that all six kage to be in the same room together. What do you all say to this? Until the Akatsuki is destroyed... why not create this world's first Allied Shinobi Forces of the Hidden Villages." Machkio went on.
"Splendid idea." Stated the Hokage.
"A standardized chain of command would also be ideal. Further chaos... must be avoided."
"Alright... whom do you propose you hand the reigns to, then?" Asked the Tsuchikage.
"If the choice was left for you... you'd all just argue. Therefore because we're a neutral party, worthy of decision..."
She's going to pick The Kinkage. Thought the Raikage. I just know it.
"Lord Kinkage is too strange, and he isn't fond of taking things seriously. Lord Raikage rules too much by his emotion. The Akatsuki may have started in the Mist so Lady Mizkage isn't an option. Lord Kazekage is too young. And Lord Tsuchikage is too old. So I think the only logical choice is... the Hokage."
"Listen, Kinkage. I'm done listening to your spokes person. What do you really think?" Growled the Raikage.
Notes: If anyone has any theories for Yumichika's Bankai... please tell me. I've been racking my brain for one... but I can't think of anything good. I can't find anything good on the internet either.
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