Shinobi's lament

by youngmark

After the end of the Old World and the beginning of the Elemental Countries, the Lord of Darkness has returned as the Chosen One. How will the Shinobi Realm fare against the Return of Count Dracula?

16. Chapter 16: Pain and the Summit

Leonardobluesummers: Soma's odds of a soul are through killing enemies and are mostly RNG(though there is an item that doubles the odds), but there are bosses whose souls are guaranteed to be won. Although I'm sure Dracula himself, who had the Power of Dominance for centuries, can decide if he dominates a soul or not. In Jiraiya's case, the 'physical contact' with Naruto is what got him.

Actually, going into familiar territory for a bit, Alucard's Soul Steal spell is another way to use the Power of Dominance, although it only heals him in his case. Dracula, however, can use Soul Steal and gain the soul's power.

Speaking of the soul's power, you're mostly correct. Dracula gains the soul's abilities when he gets it, be they physical or otherwise. But no extra lives, this ain't Hellsing.

Wow, the image of either vampire getting the other's soul just came to mind. That's a terrifying thought.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 16: Pain and the Five Kage

Through Shima's Kuchiyose no Jutsu, Naruto, Fukasaku, Gamabunta, Gamaken, Gamahiro and Gamakichi were summoned in the middle of the village.

Instead of his usual trench coat, Naruto, currently in Sennin Modo, wore an open red coat with black fire-like designs at the bottom. He also had a large scroll strapped to his lower back.

He looked around. The whole place was in smoke, he couldn't see the surroundings.

Shima appeared before Naruto and Fukasaku.

"What's the meanin' of this, Ma?" Fukasaku asked. "Why didn't you summon us to Konoha?"

"This is Konoha. Look."

When the smoke finally dissipated, Naruto could see the village. Most of it was blown off the map, with a very small part of it being in ruins.

"What happened that could cause such destruction?" Naruto asked.

"Pain happened." Shima said. "I couldn't possibly forget this presence."

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he heard footsteps coming from the other side of the deep crater they were in. He saw an orange-haired man with six-studs on his nose.

"You saved me the trouble of looking for you, Kyuubi." Pain said.

Then, five other figures landed next to him, with all of them being orange-haired. One of them was a girl, another had a round face, the next one had long hair that reached his back, followed by one completely bald and the last one had spikes piercing the top of his ears.

"It seems all six have gathered." Fukasaku said.

Suddenly, a panting Tsunade landed between both groups.

"I... am the Godaime Hokage!" Tsunade panted.

"Godaime-sama!" A hawk-masked Anbu landed next to Tsunade.

"I will never let you trample the treasures and dreams of the previous generation! As Hokage, I'll end this here" Tsunade claimed.

"It seems you've come to understand a little of my pain." The first Pain said. "Regardless, I have no business with you."

The bald one then used rockets on his legs to charge toward Tsunade.

Only for Naruto to appear between the two and slam the enemy's head into the ground, making him break down like a machine.

"I am your opponent." Naruto said.

Tsunade was shocked.

"Naruto..." Tsunade muttered.

"The Hokage shouldn't waste her time against trash. Kichi, take Tsunade away." Naruto said before he looked over his shoulder to look at the ANBU. "Protect the Hokage."

The ANBU saluted as Gamakichi landed nearby and grabbed Tsunade.

"Naruto Uzumaki..." The first Pain said.

The long-haired one, the girl and the round-faced one then stood before the first while the one with the spikes stood behind the first.

"I am Naruto Uzumaki, Apprentice of Jiraiya of the Sannin and shinobi of Konoha!" Naruto exclaimed as his left hand reached for something inside his pouch.

Flashback

"Are you sure?" Naruto asked as he looked at the item Jiraiya gave him. "Isn't this important to you?"

"It's fine." Jiraiya reassured. "Not making use of it is a waste, something I'm sure you can rectify one day."

Flashback end

Naruto threw a kunai at Pain before charging, a Fuuton: Rasengan in his right hand.

"Naruto, wait!" Tsunade called out.

The round-faced Pain stepped forth and dodged the kunai before raising his arms and bracing himself. The first Pain also dodged the kunai, along with the one with the spikes.

Just as Naruto was about to attack, he disappeared in a yellow flash, shocking everyone.

The first Pain turned around upon hearing an explosion. Behind him was Naruto, his Rasengan hand on the rear Pain's head and with the tri-pronged kunai he had thrown back in his left hand.

"And I won't let you get away with this destruction." Naruto claimed.

"Naruto..." Tsunade muttered in shock.

"Oh! Ohohohohoho!" Fukasaku laughed in realization. "Minato-chan..."

Gamabunta simply smiled.

Every remaining Pain jumped away from Naruto, still in their earlier formation.

Idiotic. The very formation itself was a weakness. After all, the one that used to be in the back could either be long-range support or one that had to be protected. Like say... the one who could revive the other bodies. And that's why Naruto struck that one first.

Naruto stood up and raised his right hand in the air to create a Fuuton: Rasen-shuriken.

Fukusaku and Shima were awed, What was that Jutsu? The chakra focused in it was staggering.

The round-faced Pain returned to his braced position.

"Every time I use Ninjutsu, the same body prepares itself. This one obviously can counter Ninjutsu in some way. As his 'mythical' power made him believe he is invincible?"

"Surrender." The first Pain demanded. "With your death, peace will be assured!"

"What do you know about peace!?" Naruto said as the clone dispelled and he threw the Rasen-shuriken, to Fukasaku and Shima's shock.

Every Pain stood their ground, unfazed by the incoming Jutsu. The round-faced Pain remained in his defensive position. A Barrier appeared around that Pain.

Naruto's eyes widened. Chakra absorption?!

Indeed. When the Rasen-shuriken reached the barrier, it was slowly being drained.

Naruto inwardly cursed, but he planned to make the best of this information. Sure, he could absorb chakra, but what of Senjutsu chakra?

Naruto sent Senjutsu-enhanced Chakra Chains to restrain the round-faced Pain. As expected, the chains were being absorbed the moment they emerged from underneath Pain.

"It's useless." The first Pain said. "You cannot harm me like this-"

However, the chakra-absorbing Pain turned into a stone toad, to Pain's shock.

"Good job, Naruto-chan." Shima said as she bounced over to him and landed on his scroll. She was carrying a small Katsuyu. "That's three down already."

Katsuyu was small enough to fit inside his pocket.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" The girl summoned a bird with a large beak that tried to attack him, only for Naruto to jump back, making the beak hit the ground, before he jumped over the bird.

"The girl uses summons." Naruto whispered. "What about the other two, Katsuyu-sama?"

"The one who has always spoken to you uses attractive and repulsive forces using himself as the center. The long-haired one can read your mind upon physical contact and take your soul." Katsuyu said before he felt her slump inside his pocket. "Poor Shizune-chan..."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. That made the last one the most dangerous one.

The girl had jumped in the air and tried to attack Naruto with a rod, only for the blond to counter with Muramasa. It was surprising that the rod could resist the demon blade's sharpness.

Suddenly, Shima made a cloud of dust all over the crater, blocking Pain's linked sights. Fukasaku then threw Bunta toward Naruto and the girl, with the boss toad gobbling them both.

Naruto immediately understood the plan. With Sennin Modo, he could sense Pain, but Pain couldn't see him in the darkness of Bunta's closed mouth. He made two Rasengan and slammed them on the girl.

"Rasen rengan!" Naruto said.

Four bodies down, two to go. The bird dispelled now that its summoner was gone.

Bunta opened his mouth and Naruto jumped out, panting as his Sennin Modo was no more.

"Now's my chance." The first Pain said as he charged toward Naruto.

Naruto took off the scroll and ran toward Fukasaku, with Pain giving chase.

Bunta did his best to distract Pain, who dodged Bunta's every attack before landing before Naruto.

"Over here, Naruto-chan!" Fukasaku said as he landed behind Naruto, who immediately threw the scroll over his shoulders.

Pain charged toward him using Taijutsu, with Naruto blocking and countering with Muramasa. Pain was being careful not to be cut down by the blade.

Fukasaku opened the scroll and used it to summon one of the two clones Naruto left at Mount Myoboku to gather Senjutsu chakra.

Naruto immediately forced the clone to dispel, receiving the Senjutsu chakra.

Pain immediately tried to stab Naruto with a rod, only for Naruto to block and break the rod with a single palm strike, thanks to Sennin Modo.

Naruto kicked Pain, sending him flying. When he crashed on the ground, Pain's eyes widened as he saw, through his linked sight, that his second-to-last body was sliced in half by a Kage Bunshin's Muramasa. Unknown to Pain, Naruto made a clone inside Bunta's mouth before he got out. A few seconds after Naruto ran, the clone got out and went straight for the other Pain.

"And then there was one." Naruto said as he charged toward the remaining Pain.

"How?" Pain thought as he tried to get up. "How did he regain his strength so quickly?"

Naruto slammed a Rasengan on Pain's downed body. He looked at the unmoving body before he removed one of the chakra receivers from the body and stabbed it into his hand. With Sennin Modo's sensory ability, he tracked down where the chakra was coming from and found the real Pain's location.

"So, you've found me." Naruto looked at the body.

"Not down yet?" Naruto said as he made a Fuuton: Rasengan. "We'll talk face to face." He then slammed the wind sphere on the body, terminating it.

Naruto took Katsuyu out of his pocket and let her on the ground. "I'll go on alone from here. This is between me and a fellow student of Jiraiya." He said before he walked to where the real Pain was.

"Naruto-kun!" Katsuyu called out.

"Let him go, Katsuyu-chan." Fukasaku said. "We do not know anything about the real Pain's abilities. And Naruto-chan is right: this is between fellow students of Jiraiya-chan. For now, we should spread the news of Pain's defeat at Naruto-chan's hand."

---

"Naruto!" Naruto heard someone call out to him as he tree-hopped in a forest. He stopped and turned around. Inoichi Yamanaka and Shikaku Nara, Ino and Shikamaru's fathers respectively, along with a Hyuuga landed before him. "If you're here, then you must have defeated Pain." Inoichi said.

Naruto nodded. "You guys should return to the village. I'll deal with the real Pain."

"Do you know Pain's location?" The Hyuuga asked.

"With Senjutsu, I retraced the chakra signals through one of the receivers." Naruto explained.

"I see." Inoichi said. "But why go alone?"

"Because it's between students of Jiraiya." Naruto said.

"But-"

"Inoichi." Shikaku interrupted. "Naruto is right. Now that the bodies are no longer functional, only kindred spirits can settle things face to face."

Naruto turned around. "There is one thing you could do for me. Kosuke, the messenger toad we left in the village, was slain. Whoever killed him didn't want me to return." He went on his way, ignoring the trio's shocked faces.

---

Naruto stopped before the tallest tree on the mountain, which was paper made. Now, that he was no longer focusing on a battle, he could dispel the last clone that was all the way to Mount Myoboku, gaining his last prepared reserve of Senjutsu chakra. He would still be careful. The papers making this tree are laced with chakra. Once he was inside, whoever controlled the papers would have the advantage.

He ripped through the paper in front of him and entered the tree.

Two people stood before him. One was a neutral-faced woman with blue hair with a flower ornament and the other was a sickly, skinny to the bones, red-haired, Rinnegan-eyed man attached to a machine and multiple rods through his back.

The woman stood between Naruto and Pain.

"Konan, step back." Pain said.

"Nagato?" Konan asked.

"It's alright." Nagato said.

Konan stepped aside.

"So this is what you look like, huh?" Naruto asked Nagato. "You've definitely seen better days."

"Do you hate me?" Nagato asked. "Your enemy is right before your eyes. You want revenge, don't you?"

"I grieve the dead in the village." Naruto said. "But we all do what we do for one reason or another. And killing you won't bring the others back to life."

"Then fulfill your role as a sacrifice for the peace I'll create!" Nagato said as the machine shot a rod toward Naruto, who didn't even try to stop it.

"Don't worry; I didn't aim for any vital spots." Nagato said. "You are too precious to kill right now."

Naruto flared Kyuubi's chakra through the rod, exposing Nagato to the heavy feeling it brings.

Nagato's body sagged.

"What's wrong, Nagato?" Konan asked.

"You...did this on purpose." Nagato panted.

"I said we would talk face to face." Naruto said as he pulled out the rod from himself.

"To resist Nagato's chakra at this short distance..." Konan thought, shocked.

Nagato himself was shocked about that as well.

"Tell me, you who were Jiraiya's student long before me, why have you strayed from his belief that, one day, people will come to understand one another?" Naruto asked. He would keep him talking while he thought of something to turn things to his favor while inside this trap.

"Love and forgiveness are things that are hard to earn." Nagato said. "With love comes hatred. With hatred comes pain. Only when people feel the same pain can they understand one another. Jiraiya-sensei's belief was nothing more than an old-fashioned idealism. Reality is far too different. Can you really believe Jiraiya-sensei's nonsense after seeing what reality is like?"

"I am Jiraiya's student." Naruto said. "The will of the master passes on to the student, like it will in the furthest of futures. What is so different about you?"

"Since you've asked, you shall hear the story of our pain." Nagato said. "There are two incidents that fuel my pain. The first is the death of my parents. It happened when the Amegakure was dragged into the Second Great Shinobi War. Konoha Shinobi mistook my parents as shinobi and killed them when they sacrificed themselves to save me. In my pain and anger, I awakened the Rinnegan and killed them. It is a pain I cannot let go, even now. I buried my parents and wandered around aimlessly, meeting a little dog I named Chibi. Just as I thought I would die of hunger, Konan, who is here before you, found me. She gave me a bit of food before taking me to Yahiko, the last body you defeated. Like me, they were orphans of war. But they were strong and fought for their survival. And I became their friend. Without anyone trying to help war orphans, we had to fend for ourselves. Such was the fate for the children without families. Even then, Yahiko never gave up. However, we one day stumbled upon a shinobi battle. The most well-known three-on-one battle of the Second Great Shinobi War."

"The future Densetsu no Sannin against Sanshouo no Hanzo." Naruto said.

Nagato nodded. "Chibi died in the collateral damage. That's when Yahiko's dream of becoming the god of this world became my dream. We decided to become stronger by asking the Sannin for training. But pursuing them was a challenge. We would have to walk through the battlefield as mere children. They also never left any tracks behind, like any respectable ninja. That didn't stop Yahiko, however. We figured that the bigger the magnitude of the battle, the more likely we were to find the Sannin. And destiny led us right to them. We had finally found Jiraiya-sensei. But, I couldn't bring myself to acknowledge a Konoha shinobi. I'm sure that you understand why."

Naruto nodded. How could he not?

"Then you understand my reluctance to trust Jiraiya-sensei when he accepted to train the three of us." Nagato said. "But he was different from the others. And a little while after the four of us started living together, an incident happened. A Shinobi that had been left behind tried to kill Yahiko, but I killed him with my Rinnegan. I hadn't even realized what I had done. For a reason unknown to me, I had a very unique power. After that incident, Jiraiya-sensei ignored his previous reluctance to teach us Ninjutsu. He said he did it so we could defend ourselves, but I knew it was also so I could properly control the Rinnegan. But I was afraid of my own power... Hatred was driving me crazy. I thought I had done something wrong, so I was tormented by feelings of guilt. But Sensei saved me from that hell. Before I noticed, I'd already acknowledged Sensei. 'When you're hurt, you learn to hate. When you hurt others, you're tormented by feelings of guilt. But, because of that pain, you're also able to treat others more kindly. Man matures because they know pain. And to mature is to start thinking for yourself and to make your own decisions. To know and reflect upon pain, and come up with your own answer.' Jiraiya-sensei seemed to be asking himself the same question. Sensei wasn't able to come up with an answer. Back then, I was able to come up with an answer right away. I wanted to protect Konan and Yahiko. Three years later, I felt that both my body and mind had grown stronger through training. But Sensei's words would still be engraved in my heart. Sensei said that he would entrust my Rinnegan with finding an answer. He entrusted me with finding an answer to peace, and then, Sensei left us. We started to act as an organization, with Yahiko as the leader, and in an instant, we became famous. People acknowledged our effort of creating a peace that didn't rely on armed forces."

"Is that what Akatsuki started as?" Naruto asked, despite already knowing that it was indeed Yahiko that founded Akatsuki before his death.

Nagato nodded. "But the world was engulfed by wars from the surrounding Three Great Countries: Iwa, Suna and Konoha. Hanzo then heard of our organization and approached us. He couldn't ignore us any longer. Hanzo offered a proposal of making us lead the peace negotiations with the Great Three. By using our power, we would get a peace agreement with the Great Three. We decided to go along with the idea."

"The proposal sounds too good to be true." Naruto grimaced.

Nagato nodded. "You are correct, for that was the beginning of a disaster. We were still kids, inexperienced in war tactics. By going along with the plan, Yahiko died! It was all a trap laid out by Hanzo. Because he suspected that we would try to steal the power over Amegakure from him. Later, at a place we were supposed to do the peace negotiations, we were surrounded by Hanzo's troops along with Konoha's Anbu. Hanzo worked together with a man named Danzo from Konoha in order to get rid of us."

Naruto sighed. "That stupid old man and his desire for the Hokage Seat..."

Nagato nodded. "When Yahiko died, I became the leader of the organization in his stead. Even though I had grown up, nothing had changed. It was the same as when my parents died. I was wrong. I noticed that the answer that I came up with was nothing but bullshit. I owed him my life, he was my dream. He was an irreplaceable friend to whom I would have gladly given my life to protect. Yahiko's death... That is the second source of my pain. After that, more of my friends died in battle. More and more people continued to die. You people of Hi no Kuni would stop at nothing to achieve peace. The small request fees people pay to Konoha become war funds. The people of Hi no Kuni knowingly support war, yet they hypocritically speak of peace. The barely existent peace of your great nations is made possible by the sacrifices of our lesser nations. To us, your peace means violence. Just by living, people are hurting each other without even realizing it. As long as mankind continues to exist, so will hatred. True peace can't exist in this cursed world. Jiraiya-sensei's words are nothing but fiction!"

Naruto simply stared at Nagato.

"I have told you my story." Nagato said. "What do you think of peace?"

"I understand what you're saying and I think the same as you." Naruto said.

"Is that so?" Nagato asked.

"But, Jiraiya also entrusted me with finding the answer to peace. As his apprentice, it is my duty to believe in what he believed in! That is my answer to peace!"

"So you'll believe in what Jiraiya-sensei believed in, huh? I see... That's your answer." Nagato was becoming upset. "Is that supposed to mean that we should just wait for you to somehow make this world a peaceful place!? Don't screw with me! How can you believe in what Jiraiya-sensei said at this time!? There's no such thing as true peace! As long as we exist in this accursed world, there won't be any such thing!"

"Then I will end the curse. If there is such a thing as 'peace', then I shall grasp it! I'll never give up on that goal!"

Nagato's eyes widened. "You... That is..."

"Nagato, what is it?" Konan asked.

Naruto pulled out The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja. "Everything I said was from Jiraiya's first novel. Jiraiya wanted to change the world with this book. At the last page, he wrote that a student gave him the inspiration to write this book. You are the one who inspired him, Nagato."

Nagato's eyes widened.

"The name of the main character is Naruto... I was named after this character, which makes it all the more precious. I cannot scar such a precious thing by giving up."

"How can you stand there and believe that you will never change?" Nagato demanded. "That you will never change, no matter the pain you face? Can you keep on believing in yourself? Can you guarantee that!? Can you really believe in yourself that much!?"

"I have already experienced pain." Naruto said. "And I'm carrying a huge pain within me as well. I have no idea how much more pain will keep on attacking me. But if I were to stop believing because of that..." Naruto trailed off before gesturing to the book. "If the main character were to change, then the story would be different from the one my master left behind. I am Naruto. As my master's legacy, I shall write the sequel based on how I live my life. That's who Naruto is!" If he really learned under Jiraiya, an adamant writer, then even this odd argument should make sense.

Nagato's eyes widened before he closed them. "If the main character changes, it'll become a different story... I am your senior apprentice. As students of the same master, we should be able to understand one another. I understand you now because you remind me of who I was before."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. That really worked?

"Nagato..." Konan muttered.

"I wasn't able to believe in Jiraiya." Nagato said before he shook his head. "No, I wasn't able to believe in myself. However, I have a feeling that you can walk a different path than I did, and face a different future." Nagato raised his arms from the machine and intertwined his fingers. "I think I shall try to believe in you, Naruto Uzumaki. Geddo: Rinne Tensei no Jutsu!"

"Nagato!" Konan called out in panic.

"It's alright, Konan." Nagato reassured. "I've made a new choice. A choice I had given up on."

"Tensei..." Naruto repeated. "Who are you reviving?"

"Everyone in Konoha whom I killed." Nagato answered, shocking Naruto.

After a moment, Nagato's hair turned white.

"There's still time to save those I killed in Konoha. It's the least I can do to atone. War brings death, wounds, and pain on both sides. There's nothing harder than accepting the death of a loved one. And so we convince ourselves that they cannot die. Especially your generation, who do not know war. You look for meaning in death. But there is only pain and hatred, which you do not understand, that consumes you. People die like trash. An everlasting hatred accompanied by a pain that cannot be healed. That is war, Naruto. That is what you must go up against. You and that book... It's almost as if someone had planned it all. Or could it be divine work?"

The paper tree was slowly disassembling itself.

"I've played my part." Nagato said. "Naruto, I truly believe you can..." He breathed his last breath before he could finish.

Konan enveloped Nagato's body with paper to transport him more easily.

This very well may be Naruto's last chance. Nagato's death prevented him from getting his soul, but he could gain the eyes. Who knows, maybe the Power of Dominance will help in that regard. With that in mind, he looked at Konan, who had her back turned to him, with the Mangekyo Sharingan and activated Kotoamatsukami.

"Konan-san. It's time." He called out.

Konan's shoulders slumped. "I am aware. It was the condition for Dracula-sama's help. I wish I could bring Yahiko's body, but I do not want to start a fight in Konoha after Nagato gave his life to bring them all back."

Naruto nodded and made a Kage Bunshin. "Wait here with him. I have to return to Konoha, so I'll send a Bunshin back here with Yahiko's body. I'll say it was the condition for everyone's revival."

Konan nodded.

"You better be grateful for that one, boss." Naruto thought as he headed back to the village.

When he returned to the village, he could see everyone was still recovering. Naruto found Yahiko's body and used a Kage Bunshin to bring it to Konan.

"What was that for, Naruto?" Naruto turned and saw Kakashi walking toward him.

"A little condition in exchange for Pain giving his life to revive everyone." Naruto answered.

"You convinced him of doing that?" Kakashi asked.

"Wasn't easy." Naruto said. it still surprised him that it turned out this way.

Then, everyone noticed his presence and rushed toward him with cheers.

Sakura walked through the crowd.

"Sakura?" Naruto said.

"You reckless idiot!" Sakura cried out as she tried to punch Naruto, only for the blond to dodge.

"Hey, calm down!" Naruto said before he was hugged by the pinkette.

"Thank you." She said.

Everyone around kept cheering.

---

Meanwhile

The Kage Bunshin entered the throne room and bowed to Dracula.

"Report. Why have you brought someone here?" Dracula demanded.

Bunshin Naruto smirked. "The 'original' may have used the Mangekyo Sharingan to give you an extra asset."

Dracula's eyes narrowed. "Explain..."

"As you know from one of our previous reports, the Mangekyo Sharingan we got from Itachi had a Genjutsu that gives false experiences to the target's mind without them noticing. This Genjutsu has been used on Konan to allow you to receive Pain's Rinnegan as a 'wholeheartedly agreed condition for helping Akatsuki as Souma Kurusu.'"

Dracula's eyes widened. "Pain is dead and I still get the Rinnegan?"

The clone nodded. "It will have to be transplanted, but maybe the Power of Dominance can help surpassing Pain in its uses."

Dracula chuckled. "Then let's go meet Konan." He said before he took his Souma disguise and they both returned to Konan.

---

Back in Konoha, a special meeting was in session. Those in the meeting were the Daimyo and five members of his council and five members of Konoha: The Elder Council, the Anbu captain and Shikaku Nara, who was the Jonin Squad Leader.

"When it comes to dealing with Akatsuki, we will continue to pursue them together with our allies." Homura reported.

"With the village in such a state, Hi no Kuni will also do whatever it can to help rebuild it." One of the Daimyo's advisers said. "First, we'll have to create a budget, before we try to ease the tension with the other countries."

"More importantly, there's something we need to do before that." Danzo interrupted. "We need a new Hokage."

Shikaku's eyes narrowed, knowing where Danzo was going with this. "Luckily, I have made the requested research, which may very well save this troublesome situation. Thank you, Naruto-kun."

"Wouldn't it be better to wait until Tsunade recovers?" The Daimyo asked.

"Unfortunately, Daimyo-sama, Tsunade-hime is in a coma from chakra exhaustion." Koharu said. "With the village in its current state, and who knows when Tsunade will wake up, waiting may not be the best course of action. Also, she is responsible for Konoha's destruction!"

"That is incorrect." Shikaku said. "I was told of a messenger toad that remained in Konoha in case of emergency, but was killed before it could give the message of Pain's attack. I asked Tsunade-sama's assistant about the toad and she said only three people opposed sending the toad to bring Naruto back, all three of them being you three elders. She did say Tsunade-sama managed to convince you and Homura to bring Naruto back to the village, leaving only Danzo as the one opposed to bringing Naruto back. Only Danzo could then kill the toad, whose clan is one of Konoha's longest and most honored allies. If the toad hadn't been killed, Naruto would have returned earlier and defeated Pain before the village was completely eradicated. If our people hadn't been revived by Naruto's actions of facing the real Pain, the village would be in an even worse state than it is now."

The Daimyo's advisers were muttering to each other.

Danzo resisted the urge to scowl. He hadn't expected the Toads to know about the dead messenger so quickly.

"This is a most troubling revelation, indeed." The Daimyo said before glancing at the War Hawk. "Do you have anything to say, Danzo?"

"Where is your proof, Shikaku Nara?" Danzo asked.

"Shall we have Naruto Uzumaki summon a toad that would show us a list of the living toads?" Shikaku asked rhetorically. "There should be a name missing somewhere in the list because of the sudden death."

Danzo simply sat back. He did not know whether Shikaku was bluffing or not, but he himself had a summon animal and knew never to doubt them. However, he knew that these accusations would prevent from becoming Hokage this time.

"No more objections?" The Daimyo, silently basking in Danzo's silent seething, asked. Danzo had never been above intimidating the Daimyo. "Then let us continue. For the position of Hokage, I would have liked Jiraiya to be the next one, but sadly he is no longer among us. Any suggestions?"

"I have one." Shikaku said. "In large part thanks to him, Konoha has an alliance with Nami no Kuni, which will definitely help with the reconstruction of the village, as well as alliances with Haru no Kuni and Cha no Kuni. He was an apprentice of the late Jiraiya-sama and defeated Pain by himself. I recommend Naruto Uzumaki. Even though he is young and inexperienced, he has the power and the calm mind to make Konoha look strong even in this time of weakness."

"I agree." The Anbu captain said. "In the few times I have seen him, Naruto Uzumaki had an aura and presence befitting of a born leader."

"Although he is young, with him as Hokage, the other countries will be cautious, if we spread his reputation of defeating Pain by himself." Homura said, to Koharu and Danzo's shock. "Not to mention that he already has the support of everyone in the village."

Even Shikaku was surprised, but welcomed the help.

"Oh, interesting!" The Daimyo said before he glanced at his advisers. "What do you think?"

"If we have the travelling merchants spread the news of the young man's rise as Hokage, this could make the other countries think twice before getting any ideas." One of the advisers said.

The other advisers nodded in agreement, convinced by all the previous statements.

"Then it is decided!" The Daimyo exclaimed. "Until Tsunade recovers from her comatose state, Naruto Uzumaki will be Rokudaime Hokage!"

Shikaku couldn't help but be amused. "Boy, is he in for a surprise!"

---

Shizune, Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi were in a tent, looking at the comatose Tsunade. She had used almost all of her chakra to heal the people of Konoha during Pain's attack and the time she would wake up was unknown. Even her usual Henge was gone.

"Naruto-kun." Naruto turned to Shizune. "Is it true, what Shikaku-san told me? That Kosuke was killed?"

Sakura's eyes widened as Naruto nodded. "His name disappeared from the Toad Summoning Contract. Any idea of who did this?"

Shizune nodded. "Like I told Shikaku-san, only three people were against summoning you here: the Elders. Tsunade managed to convince Homura-sama and Koharu-sama otherwise, so maybe Danzo killed Kosuke when we all left the office."

Naruto sighed. "That damned old man again. Pain told me that Danzo once had an alliance with Amegakure's Hanzo. Pain and his friends were ambushed by both of their forces before one of Pain's friend died, which instigated the Akatsuki we know today."

Everyone's eyes widened upon hearing him.

Suddenly, Shikaku entered the tent. "Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto turned to Shikaku. "Yes?" He said before he saw what Shikaku was holding. "What are you doing with the Hokage Hat and Haori?"

"I handing them to you, Rokudaime-sama." Shikaku said before giving the clothing to Naruto, shocking everyone.

"Run that by me again." Naruto requested.

"With Tsunade-sama in a coma, Danzo tried to elect himself as Rokudaime Hokage, but I used your power and reputation to have you as Hokage instead, at least until Tsunade-sama recovers."

"Hey, I'll take the position if it means not letting Danzo of all people get it." Naruto said as he put the hat on and replaced his Gama Sennin coat with the Hokage Haori. Now, he really was a whiskered Yondaime. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have the people's morale to boost."

Naruto walked around the camp, outside of the village's ruins, that everyone would live in until the village was rebuilt enough. People were shocked at seeing Naruto wearing Kage clothes, but they cheered and started working even harder.

During his walk, he received his Kage Bunshin's memories. The transplantation was an even greater success then any of them had planned. The Power of Dominance allowed full control over the eyes. But that's not the most surprising. Those eyes...were Madara Uchiha's. As such, Dracula had the powers of the Rinnegan and the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, including a few Jutsu related to the Gedo Mazo. Also, the Rinnegan's Ningendo gave Dracula a passive ability to see the memories of the souls he dominated. That was a lot of memories, so he would need a lot of time to adjust. Fortunately, he had Time Stop.

---

One day, a shinobi came to him, saying three Kumo Shinobi carrying a message from the Raikage requested an audience with the Hokage. They were currently by Tsunade's tent.

Naruto headed to the tent and saw two of the Kumo-nin.

One was a dark-skinned, red-haired young woman with amber eyes. She wore a long, short-sleeved dress with frilly edges, completely with the Kumogakure Flak Jacket. She had fishnet stockings, thigh-high boots and bandana-like Kumo headband. She also had a sword strapped to her back.

The other one was a dark-skinned, white-haired young man with a lollipop in his mouth. He wore an overlong shirt with a hood, with red bandage hand guards, Kumogakure shin guards and a black Kumo headband. Like his comrade, he had a sword strapped to his back.

Naruto walked past the shocked duo and entered the tent. There, he saw the third Kumo-nin talking with Shizune.

The third Kumo-nin was a fair-skinned young blonde with breasts well on their way to match Tsunade's in size. Her hair was in an asymmetrical bob style with bangs framing her stoic face and reaching her shoulders. She wore a low-cut outfit that displayed her sizable cleavage, with mesh armor underneath, a short skirt and red hand guards, high boots and a girdle-like Kumo Flak Jacket that only covered her waist.

Like the other two, she was surprised to see someone younger than herself as a Kage.

"I was told you had a message from Raikage-dono." Naruto said.

The blonde nodded and handed him the letter. "We need it read and replied as soon as possible."

Naruto opened the envelope and read the letter. It seems that Sasuke has joined Akatsuki and attacked the Raikage's brother. The Raikage, in the letter, said that he'd deal with Sasuke from now on. Obviously, the Raikage's brother was a Jinchuuriki. And considering Pain came after him, this brother Sasuke kidnapped may be the Hachibi Jinchuuriki.

"That idiot Uchiha..." Naruto growled.

"What is your answer?" The blonde asked.

"Hokage-sama!" A shinobi entered the tent in a hurry. "We received a message from Kumogakure! The Raikage has demanded a Five Kage Summit in the neutral country of Tetsu no Kuni!"

Naruto frowned. The name alone was enough information. The Five Kage would have a Summit concerning something that demands the attention of the Five Great Country. In this case, it was obviously Akatsuki.

"Tell Raikage-dono that there is nothing we can do to prevent someone from avenging family." He told the kunoichi.

The blonde nodded. "We shall return to Kumo and inform Raikage-sama of your answer." She said before leaving the tent.

"Hokage-sama. In the message, it is said that each party is allowed to bring two bodyguards along with them." The messenger reported.

Naruto nodded. "Bring me Kakashi Hatake and Neji Hyuuga."

"Yes sir!" The messenger said before leaving the tent.

"You decided quickly." Shizune commented, surprised.

"Kakashi is someone I can easily trust." Naruto said. "And with something as large as a Five Kage Summit, there is bound to have...unwanted guests. Neji's Byakugan is perfect for such moments."

"Won't that enrage the Raikage? You'll basically be waving a Hyuuga in his face." Shizune said.

"He will be too focused on wanting Sasuke and what's left of Akatsuki dead to care about a Hyuuga." Naruto waved off.

Later, Kakashi and Neji stood before Naruto, who explained the situation. Both were shocked but honored to have been chosen.

"Naruto!" Sakura called out as she entered the tent. "Tell me what I heard isn't true! You didn't really allow Sasuke-kun to be hunted down, right!?"

Neji, Shizune and Kakashi were shocked by Sakura's outburst.

"No matter what I would say, the Raikage would have hunted Sasuke down." Naruto said. "For now, you should simply help everyone in the camp. I am demanded elsewhere."

Sakura was confused. "What do you mean?"

"The Raikage has demanded a Five Kage Summit in Tetsu no Kuni, possibly to talk about Akatsuki." Naruto said before he turned to his two bodyguards. "Pack up, we leave shortly."

"Right!" Kakashi and Neji said before they left to make their preparations.

---

Meanwhile

"Naruto Uzumaki is preparing to leave for the Five Kage Summit, with Kakashi Hatake and Neji Hyuuga at his side." Torune, a Root Aburame, reported to Danzo within the Root Anbu base.

Danzo's unbandaged eye narrowed. To him, having a Jinchuuriki, the special weapon of a village during wars, as a Kage was a mistake.

Next to them, Fuu, an orange-haired Yamanaka, stiffened before he looked up to the ceiling. "Who's there!?"

"Impressive." A cloaked figure appeared from the shadows.

"Souma Kurusu." Danzo said as the rest of Root appeared in the room. "How did you find this place?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Souma chuckled. He actually found out about this base because of Orochimaru's soul. It had a lot of useful information.

Every member of Root readied their tipless tanto.

"Oh, how precious." Souma mocked as he landed on the floor and unsheathed Crissaegrim.

Fuu and Torune stayed by Danzo's side while the others charged.

It was useless. With superior swordsmanship and Crissaegrim, Souma was slaying his enemies left and right, gaining their souls.

Sensing danger, Souma turned to Danzo's direction and saw a weird doll dual-wielding sickles jumping toward him. Dodging its attack, he cut off its head.

Why had the rest of Root sto- Wait, that is Jutsu is-

"Yep." Souma thought as he felt his perspective change. He was on the ground, his view sideways, like a disembodied head. The memories hadn't registered fast enough and he hadn't recognized Fuu's trap until it was too late.

"You were caught in my trap." Fuu's voice was heard through Souma's body. "The moment you attacked the doll, victory was mine."

"Is that right? Unfortunately for you, you still lost." Souma thought through the doll.

"What do you-" Fuu stiffened before Souma's body turned to smoke, to everyone's shock.

They looked up to the ceiling when they heard laughter. Souma was there.

"Did you really I would sneak into the base of the most undercover group of shinobi in the Elemental Countries without a plan? You even used a Yamanaka against me, what a mistake. The Power of Dominance isn't an ability to activate like other Jutsu, it's an automatic power. The moment Fuu's soul entered my Kage bunshin's body, it was mine."

Souma jumped down to the floor. Using chakra, he unleashed Crissaegrim's wind blades on all Root members.

Only Danzo and Torune remained. Torune took his gloves off and Souma saw his skin turn purple.

"His Rinkaichuu." Souma thought, knowing Torune's skills thanks to Fuu.

Torune charged and threw a punch at Souma, who caught the fist. The Rinkaichuu started spread on Souma's hand.

However, Souma stabbed Crissaegrim through Torune's heart. He lifted Torune a few inches in the air before twisting the blade, making wind blades attack Torune all over his body.

Throwing Torune aside after getting his soul, Souma kept his gaze on Danzo, who had the restraints on his right arm. The very same arm Orochimaru transplanted. Hashirama's face on the shoulder and ten Sharingan eyes.

"You will pay for crippling the future of Konoha." Danzo claimed.

"Konoha's not the only one I'll cripple." Souma chuckled.

Danzo's eye narrowed before he made some handsigns. He charged and went for a punch.

A red aura appeared around Souma's left arm as he used Balore to meet Danzo's punch with a punch of his own. The bones of Danzo's arm broke at the impact. Immediately after, Souma used Beam Skeleton's beam and pierced right through Danzo's torso.

"How pathetic." Souma said before Danzo's body disappeared.

"It is useless. You cannot defeat me." Danzo claimed.

"Do you hope to tire me out with Izanagi? You will fail. I have absorbed the chakra of many shinobi, some of them being Jinchuuriki. My stamina and chakra reserves are far superior to yours. By the time you are exhausted by using Izanagi, I will still have not broken a sweat." Souma mocked.

"That remains to be seen." Danzo said before he made some handsigns and breathed out a large sphere of compressed wind chakra. Using Yugito's ability to turn spit into a flaming hairball, Souma spat it into the wind sphere, creating a giant fireball that charred Danzo, who disappeared once again.

Reappearing elsewhere, Danzo looked at his right arm. One eye had just closed.

"One minute." Souma thought. "And nine Sharingan eyes to go." He then chuckled. "Ten minutes? Does he expect to defeat me with so little time?"

Souma appeared before Danzo and lifted him by the neck. "Then again, will you even defeat me with Izanagi if you don't have the chakra to supply the Jutsu?" He said as he used Yoroi to absorb Danzo's chakra.

Danzo inhaled to use another Fuuton Jutsu, but Souma absorbed the Jutsu with the Rinnegan's Gakido.

A kunai dropped from Danzo's left sleeve and into his hand. Souma deflected the kunai with Crissaegrim before Danzo kicked him away.

Danzo cursed. He had lost a lot of chakra. He looked down at his right arm. One more eye had closed.

He didn't even have the time to look up that a spinning disc tore through his torso.

Souma then sidestepped a wind-coated shuriken. Turning around, He saw Danzo in the air with two wind-coated shuriken. Souma threw three Harpy feathers and hit Danzo.

Danzo looked down at his arm. Three eyes down. He then tensed and went limp upon hearing Mandragora's scream. His body disappeared again.

Danzo appeared before Souma with a wind-coated kunai. He tried to attack, but was deflected by Crissaegrim's wind blades. Souma then struck him with Skull Millione's poison claws.

"It's over." Souma said.

Danzo was confused before he realized Izanagi wasn't working. He fell down to his knees as the poison took effect.

"How...?" Danzo demanded.

"It's simple. Look at your arm."

Danzo looked down at his right arm. His eye widened.

All of the eyes were closed!

Suddenly, he felt pain all over his body, more so than the poison itself.

"You were in my Genjutsu since I grabbed your neck. It was to test a few things, really. One, to see if so many Sharingan eyes could see through the Genjutsu of a superior Sharingan." Danzo's eye widened. "The other thing I wanted to see was your perception. Izanagi creates a Genjutsu around the user to warp reality. However, you died and returned so many times that you lost track of time, using the eyes on your arm to remind yourself of the time lost. Your lack of time perception led to your downfall. And now, not only are you dying, you're also feeling every injury I have given you during the Genjutsu."

Danzo was shocked. That last part...

"You are the one who kidnapped the Kurama clan heiress and stole a Kekkei Genkai from the village." He accused.

Souma chuckled. "That's right. What are you going to do about it?"

Danzo grunted in pain as Hashirama's face on his shoulder started to bulge before rapidly turning into a tree.

"Oh? It seems that, in your weakened state, Hashirama's cells are going haywire."

Danzo quickly ripped himself from the tree. Now, he was exhausted and missing an arm.

"I...have no choice." Danzo panted as he undid the bandages around his head and right eye. There it was, Shisui's right eye and his Sharingan. "I may have lost many of my ressources, but you will serve me well." He activated Kotoamatsukami.

Souma bowed his head. "Yes, Danzo-sama."

Suddenly, a blade pierced through Souma's torso and he vanished in smoke. Danzo's eyes widened as another Souma was the culprit.

"And now, you've wasted Kotoamatsukami." Souma chuckled at Danzo's shock. "I am well aware of it. After all, I took Shisui's left eye from Itachi." A slight bluff. Yes, his Doppelganger had the eye, but, once again, he knew through Orochimaru.

Danzo growled as he groggily stepped forward. "For the Shinobi World...For Konoha...I will not let you LIVE!" He said as a sealing matrix appeared on his torso.

Souma's eyes widened. A Reverse Tetragram Sealing Jutsu! He activated Chronomage and jumped away from the area.

When time resumed, Danzo was shocked that Souma had disappeared. But it was too late. The Fuinjutsu had been activated. The ink spilled and the Reverse Tetragram appeared around him before it everything around him to a certain distance.

Once the surroundings had been sealed, Danzo's corpse started falling into the abyss, but was caught by Souma.

"There are still some of Hashirama's cells on you. The question is, will it be enough?" He wondered before he returned to Castlevania.

---

After making their preparations, Naruto, Neji and Kakashi left for Tetsu no Kuni.

"Hokage-sama." Naruto looked over his shoulder toward Kakashi. "I advise being careful around the Raikage and Tsuchikage. Your looks are eerily similar to Yondaime-sensei."

Naruto nodded. "Yes. Inheriting my father's looks may be a curse this time."

Neji and Kakashi's eyes widened.

"You knew?" Kakashi asked.

"How could I not?" Naruto asked back. "I've seen his face, and his hair, plenty of times. Any more advice?"

"Actually, yes." Kakashi said. "Not only are your father's looks a curse, but also your name. Kumo tried to kidnap your mother long ago."

Neji grimaced. It seems Kumo was always trying to kidnap girls from Konoha.

"Because she was the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki, right?" Naruto asked. Neji's eyes widened. Kakashi was also surprised, but nodded. "Knowing this may be to my advantage during the Summit. Who rescued Kaa-san?"

"Your father. It was what brought them together in fact." Kakashi eye-smiled.

Naruto chuckled. "Well, excuse me if I don't thank Kumo for bringing them together. Still, watching out for Iwa because of Tou-san and watching out for Kumo because of Kaa-san. No wonder nobody told me beforehand."

Kakashi eye-smiled. "You'll manage. You are Minato-sensei and Kushina-senpai's son, after all. You've even become Hokage younger than your father."

"Acting-Hokage." Naruto reminded. "While that's still ahead of him at my age, I have yet to be voted Hokage by the higher-ranked forces."

"That's almost guaranteed, Hokage-sama." Neji said. "You have gained the respect and admiration of the people over the years. I myself have seen plenty of people cheer for you when they saw you in the Hokage uniform."

Kakashi nodded in agreement. It filled him with pride to see the one who is both his student and his sensei's son become such a loved and valued figure.

---

Eventually, they arrived in a snowy area nearby Tetsu no Kuni. Tetsu no Kuni was located on three large mountains that looked like gaping wolf maws, earning the name Sanro.

"We have been expecting you." A samurai said as the trio entered Tetsu no Kuni. "Follow me."

The trio followed the armored samurai to the building where the Summit would take place.

They arrived in a large room that had six seats ready: one for each Kage and the last one for the general of Tetsu no Kuni's samurai forces, Mifune.

Gaara, Kankuro and Temari were shocked to see Naruto as the Hokage, but kept silent. This was no place for reunions.

The Raikage and the Tsuchikage narrowed their eyes at Naruto: The former because of Team Samui's report of the young Kage and the latter because of his looks. They were similar to both the Yondaime and a mission report given by Suzumebashi's team, over two years ago.

The Mizukage raised an eyebrow at another young Kage, but gave no other reaction.

Each Kage took their seats, which were in a half circle before Mifune's seat. The bodyguards stood on a higher balcony and let the Kage talk.

"Please remove your Kage hats and place them before you." Mifune requested. Mifune had long grey hair, which almost reached his waist, with bandages around his head. He had black eyes with distinct wrinkles underneath them, a grey goatee and moustache. He wore a simple purple kimono-like outfit and sandals.

The first to follow Mifune's request was the Mizukage. She was a tall, slender woman about in her thirties with purple lipstick. She had green eyes, and ankle-length, auburn hair styled into a herringbone pattern at the back, a top-knot tied with a blue band, and with four bangs at the front: two of them being short, with one covering her right eye, and two long enough to cross each other over her bust, slightly below her chin. She wore a long-sleeved, dark-blue dress that fell just below the knees. It seemed to be closed at the front with a zipper, and is kept open on the front-right side to the waist down. The dress only covers up to the upper part of her arms and the underside of her breasts. Underneath the dress, she wore mesh armor that covers slightly more of her upper body than her dress. She also wore a skirt of the same color as her dress, with mesh leggings that reached down to her knees. She had high-heeled sandals and shinguards. She was a definite Femme Fatale.

The Tsuchikage then followed suit. He was an old man even smaller than Gato. He had a large red nose, a triangular beard and a moustache that had angular corners, as well as thick eyebrows. He was almost bald, having hair on the back of his head in a chonmage haircut, which was tied in a top-knot by a yellow band. He wore a green and yellow coat with a red collar. Underneath, he wore the traditional Iwagakure outfit, which was a light-green version of Iwagakure's flak jacket and mesh armor.

The Raikage was a dark-skinned, blond-haired man with a hulking muscular build. His hair was combed back, and he had a small moustache and beard. His face had pronounced cheekbones and tear troughs, along with a prominent crease on his forehead. The Raikage wore his Kage Haori while remaining shirtless. He had golden bangle bracelets on his wrist. He also wore a large golden belt around his waist that had a boar's face engraved in the centre. Overall, he looked like a wrestler and a boxer.

Gaara's outfit was no different from before.

Behind each Kage, the Kanji of their Country was on a flag, with another behind Mifune with the Kanji for 'samurai'.

"The Five Kage have been assembled due to Raikage-dono's request." Mifune said. "I am Mifune, your moderator. The Five Kage Summit will now commence!"

"Then I shall start..." Gaara started, before he was interrupted by the Tsuchikage.

"Looks like there's been quite a change to the Five Kage recently." He said mockingly. "For two people to become Kage at such young age is impressive, Kazekage-dono, Hokage-dono. Kazekage-dono must have learned from his father, although it looks like he left out some lessons in manners."

"My apologies, Tsuchikage-dono." Naruto said. "But as the one who interrupted Kazekage-dono, you are in no position to talk about manners."

"Hokage-dono is correct, Tsuchikage-dono." The Mizukage said before she turned to Gaara. "Please continue, Kazekage-dono."

Gaara nodded in gratitude to his two fellow Kage and continued. "I am a former Jinchuuriki. Akatsuki captured my Bijuu and nearly killed me. That is why I consider Akatsuki to be an increasing threat. I requested aid from the Five Kage several times, but was repeatedly denied, with the exception of the previous Hokage and the direct assistance of the current one. In a time when various countries have had their Jinchuuriki stolen, the response of this group has been far too slow."

The Tsuchikage grunted. "For a hidden village of one of the Five Great Countries to reveal that their Jinchuuriki has been stolen is extremely humiliating. The natural thing to do is to resolve this internally. To ask other countries for help when this happens is unheard of."

"Decency, honor... What a useless old fashioned way of thinking." Gaara said.

"Indeed." Naruto agreed. "As time goes on, our ways change to adapt with time. That is why each subsequent generation brings something new to the table that is the Shinobi World."

"Old-fashioned or not, as Mizukage, I will admit that we have indeed fallen behind on the issue." Mizukage said. "However, just because we have been robbed of our Bijuu does not mean we must give in to fear so readily. It takes great skill and wisdom to control a Bijuu, not to mention time."

"The Jinchuuriki and Bijuu must grow together to adapt to one another." Tsuchikage said. "Even then, controlling them is difficult. It can't happen overnight. Isn't that right, Kazekage-dono, Hokage-dono?"

"Ah, of course you would know of my status as a Jinchuuriki, Tsuchikage-dono." Naruto chuckled as the attention was on him. "I once had a conflict with one of your teams, after all. I do remember one of them, a girl named Suzumebachi."

Behind the Earth banner, the Tsuchikage's granddaughter's eyes widened. This was the fearsome Konoha guy Suzumebachi and her team ran away from!?

Suddenly, Raikage slammed his fist on the table. "Enough with the small talk!"

Every bodyguard jumped down at the sign of aggression.

"We are here to talk." Mifune said. "Please resist resorting to such rude behavior."

"Kakashi, Neji." Naruto said, causing his bodyguards to stand down.

"You too, Kankuro, Temari." Gaara said.

"Ao, Chojuro, it's alright." Mizukage said.

Tsuchikage merely tilted his head.

The Raikage sat back down and crossed his arms.

Every bodyguard returned to the balcony.

"Konoha, Iwa, Suna, Kiri." The Raikage said. "Akatsuki is compromised of Nuke-nin from your villages. And that's not all." He turned to the Tsuchikage. "We have discovered there are some among you, including your previous Kage, that used the Akatsuki for their own benefit!"

"Used them?" Gaara asked.

"I don't trust any of you!" Raikage said. "I didn't come here to talk! I called you all here to question the depths of your loyalty!"

"What do you mean by using Akatsuki?" Gaara asked once more.

"So they haven't told their current Kazekage? Go ask your village elders! Your village used Akatsuki in the last war!"

"At the moment, our nations are experiencing some sense of stability." Tsuchikage said. "Instead of expanding their forces, they are disarming them. The threat of war diminishes as tensions ease between the countries. As a result, the hidden villages, the military forces of their countries, will be seen as costly and unnecessary. With that said, carelessly reducing the strength of the villages has its risks as well. What if war suddenly erupted? It'd be a real problem for them to rely on shinobi with no real battle experience. They would lose the war!"

"So one way to avoid that risk was to use a group of mercenaries..." Gaara said. "Like Akatsuki, right?"

"Training talented shinobi from your own village requires time and money." Tsuchikage said. "Akatsuki's members, who live for war, are professionals always ready to fight. They'll go to war for quite a low price. And above all, they'll deliver the best results possible."

"Get real, Tsuchkage!" Raikage said.

The Tsuchikage merely grunted

"Suna used Akatsuki in its destruction of Konoha." Raikage accused. "It was Orochimaru! I'm not sure if he had left Akatsuki yet or not, but because of him, your father, the Yondaime Kazekage, and Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage, are dead! However, there is the possibility this is all part of someone's grand scheme. Kirigakure is the most suspicious of the lot! You never use diplomacy! And there are rumors that Akatsuki was formed in your village!"

Mizukage looked distraught. "I will tell the truth, since we've come this far. There were rumors that my predecessor, the Yondaime Mizukage, was being controlled by someone. It's possible to think it was Akatsuki. That's why we tried to keep this information from spreading."

Raikage growled. "All of you are..."

"Hold your tongue, Raikage." Tsuchikage interrupted. "Because your village ignored the rules of disarmament and continued to amass military strength and Ninjutsu, others had to compensate by relying on Akatsuki."

"What did you say!?" Raikage demanded as he rose from his seat.

"That's enough." Naruto said, catching everyone's attention. "We are here to talk about how to deal with Akatsuki. If all we do is cast blame at one another, then this Summit is not getting anywhere."

"Indeed." Mifune said. "As the representative of the neutral countries, I would like to say something. The leader of Akatsuki utilized the suspicions the countries had for each other in times of peace to strengthen himself."

"What are you trying to say!?" Raikage demanded.

"Have some patience." Mifune said. "I'm saying we should turn calamity into fortune. It has been many years since the Five Kage assembled like this. Until Akatsuki is dealt with, what do you say to forming the world's first Allied Shinobi Forces of the Five Hidden Villages?"

"Allying our countries' military forces to fight Akatsuki?" Naruto asked. "I second the idea. With the threat Akatsuki represents, we must stand united."

Mifune nodded. "Then we should specify a chain of command. We must avoid confusion at all cost."

"Then who will be in charge of the Allied Forces?" Tsuchikage asked.

"Letting you all make the decision would only lead to more disputes." Mifune said. "Therefore, please respect the stance of the neutral countries, and let me decide. I will decide which one of you five is the most qualified. I believe Kazekage-dono should be the one to receive the title of Supreme Commander of the Allied Shinobi forces."

Everyone was shocked at the claim.

"Leaving the Kazekage in charge of the Allied Shinobi Forces!?" Raikage asked. "Why the Kazekage!? He's nothing more than a brat!"

"Then who would be better suited?" Mifune challenged.

"None of the Akatsuki came from my village!" Raikage said. "I won't leave this to someone who can't be trusted! Therefore, I should be-"

"I cannot consent to that." Mifune interrupted.

"What did you say!?"

Mifune pointed at the damage Raikage made to the table. "I understand that passion and power are necessary to lead good soldiers. However, if we allow someone in command who cannot refrain from running on emotions and strength alone, then those soldiers would end up in pieces, just like that table."

Raikage growled.

"That is simply a calm observation as a representative of the neutral countries. Tsuchikage-dono is showing his age, which may be an obvious sign that his skills may have diminished. He has also relied on Akatsuki far too much. Mizukage-dono's Kirigakure is said to be the place where Akatsuki was founded, so there's the concern of information being leaked. There's also the fear that it might be infiltrated by spies. That leaves only two candidates, but as the only active Jinchuuriki, Hokage-dono is more suitable as front-line offensive than supreme commander, leaving the Kazekage-dono as the only candidate."

Suddenly, a plant rose in the middle of the room. It opened and revealed White Zetsu, without his black half. "Hello!" He said with much enthusiasm.

The bodyguards immediately stood at their Kage's sides, ready for battle.

"What is this!?" Raikage demanded.

"A member of Akatsuki." Naruto said.

"Sasuke Uchiha has infiltrated the building!" Zetsu said. "Now, where could he be hiding?"

Everyone was shocked.

"Everyone, let's hurry and find Sasuke!" Zetsu said.

Raikage immediately grabbed Zetsu by the neck. "Where is Sasuke Uchiha!?" He demanded.

"Alright then, how about a hint?" Zetsu offered.

But the Raikage snapped his neck.

"If Sasuke is here, we'll find him." Naruto said. "Neji!"

"Byakugan!" Neji activated his Doujutsu.

"Cee!" Raikage called out to one of his bodyguard, who started using chakra-sensing.

"It was unnecessary to kill him, Raikage-dono." Mizukage said. "If he had just been captured and interrogated, we could have gotten information on Akatsuki."

"There is no one in Akatsuki that would talk." Gaara said. "They're a pretty hardcore bunch."

"Okisuke, Urakaku, send out an order to search for Sasuke Uchiha." Mifune ordered his two bodyguards. "Also, set the battle condition to level 2."

"Found him!" Neji said.

"Same here!" Cee said.

"Then let's go!" Raikage said as he punched through a wall.

"Sorry about the table and wall." Raikage's dark-skinned bodyguard apologized.

"That's not important right now, Darui. Let's just go!" Cee said before the duo followed the Raikage.

"Sasuke is a Nuke-nin of Konoha. As such, it is our responsibility to deal with him." Naruto said.

"Then we shall assist you." Gaara said. "Suna helped Konoha in the mission to bring Sasuke back. I am also still indebted to you to this day, Naruto. I never would have been befitting the title of Kazekage without your help." Those not aware of Gaara's defeat at Naruto's hand raised an eyebrow at the claim.

Naruto nodded and the Konoha-Suna group also left the room to search for Sasuke.

They eventually found the Raikage in the middle of a battle with Sasuke, who had a strange dark-purple ribcage protecting him. Sasuke had impressive control of the Amaterasu flames, so much that he could use it to reinforce the ribcage's defense. The Raikage, at the sacrifice of his left arm, managed to hit Sasuke, which knocked him on the ground.

Raikage was about to attack Sasuke with an axe-kick, but Sasuke used the black flames to protect himself.

Before the Raikage could be hit by the flames, Gaara used his sand to protect the Raikage, giving the large man the opportunity to jump away from the flames.

"Kamaitachi no Jutsu!" Temari used her wind to cut the burning armor of a samurai while Kankuro used his chakra strings to pull the armor pieces away from the samurai. Both of them had saved his life from Amaterasu.

"Samurai, please stay back." Gaara said. "This is a matter of the Shinobi World. There's no need for you to become sacrifices."

"Why did you interfere, Kazekage!?" Raikage demanded. "Depending on your answer, I might not let you get away with this!"

"Are you saying you want to die by being burned to death?" Naruto asked.

"NARUTO!" Sasuke roared.

"It's been a while, Sasuke." Naruto said. "Why are you here?"

"When I heard you became Hokage and were headed for this Summit, I saw it as the opportunity to settle the score." Sasuke growled.

Raikage used lightning chakra to amputate his burning left arm before Cee used Medical Ninjutsu to stop the bleeding.

Sasuke glared at Naruto with his Mangekyo Sharingan, blood dripping down his closed left eye.

"That's a mean look you've got there." Naruto commented.

Sasuke opened his left eye, which would have burned Naruto with Amaterasu if it hadn't been for Gaara's sand blocking it.

"It seems your Absolute Defense is as reliable as ever, Gaara." Sasuke smirked.

"Ranton: Reiza Sakasu!" Darui called out suddenly as he prepared to launch a Storm Jutsu.

"Akahigi: Kiki Sankaku!" Kankuro said as he prepared his newest puppet: Sasori's 'real body'.

"Ookamaitachi!" Temari said, bracing her fan.

"Rendan: Suna Shigure!" Gaara said, sand swriling around him.

Darui launched laser-like lightning chakra, the Sasori puppet shot dozens of Kunai, Temari swung her fan to unleash a large gust of wind and Gaara launched dozens of sand projectiles.

The combination of attacks caused a massive explosion around Sasuke. But when the smoke dissipated, they saw that the ribcage had turned into a skeletal upper body. It used its hand to protect Sasuke.

"Behold the true Absolute Defense." Sasuke boasted.

"Is this...the power of darkness?" Gaara wondered.

Sasuke smirked. "This is power only those who awakened the Mangekyo in both eyes can attain... The third power... Susano'o!"

Susano'o's left hand was about to swing a chakra-made blade, only for a dark-purple hand to catch Susano'o's wrist before it could swing.

Everyone, except Neji who had seen it before, was shocked to see Kitsune appear around Naruto in a similar fashion to Susano'o.

"Two can play that game." Naruto said.

Sasuke's eyes widened before lava fell on Susano'o, forcing Kitsune to let go of the wrist. The chakra-made upper body was unaffected by the Jutsu.

"Akatsuki toyed with the Yondaime Mizukage and trampled on our village..." The newly-arrived Mizukage said before she wiped the excess lava from her lips.

The others from the Summit also joined them.

"Stay out of my way!" Sasuke demanded as he glared at the woman. "This is between me and Naruto!"

Mizukage sighed. "It is a shame to have to kill such a handsome man. But at least I'll give you a kiss that will melt your heart."

Naruto sweatdropped as he couldn't help being reminded of Fuka. These women and their deadly kisses...

Mizukage spat out lava, which Susano'o blocked.

"Chojuro!" Mizukage called out.

"Hai!" The glass-wearing bodyguard said before he jumped toward Sasuke. "Hiramekarei, Kai!" The bandages on his sword undid themselves, revealing a large blade and a massive amount of chakra that took the shape of a hammer.

When the hammer tried to hit Sasuke, Susano'o blocked the hit, but it still recoiled at the impact.

Sasuke was panting. His entire body hurt like hell. His Susano'o turned back into the ribcage.

"I will finish this." Mizukage said as she made a handsign. "I use three elements: Fire, water and earth. With these, I have two Kekkei Genkai. Futton: Koumu no Jutsu!" She exhaled a mist toward Sasuke.

Sasuke almost waved it off, thinking Susano'o would protect him. But his eyes widened when the mist made the ribcage melt.

Sasuke tried to make his Susano'o stronger, but he fell to his knees and coughed blood.

"He's running himself ragged by using the Mangekyo in such a manner!" Kakashi said. "He will quickly lose his sight!"

"You really were pushed far while fighting everyone." Mizukage commented. "I'm sorry, but I have no intention of saving you. It always pains my heart to see a man crumble away like this, but I'll kill you now."

However, before she could finish off Sasuke, everyone that was at the summit was restrained by a copy of Zetsu that sprouted from their bodies, draining their chakra in order to grow.

It worked to Naruto's advantage, however. Using his restrained state, he absorbed nature energy. The moment he activated Sennin Modo, the Zetsu on him released his body and remained paralysed on the floor.

Seeing this, Naruto ripped the Zetsu copies off of everyone, through his Senjutsu-coated hands. In the middle of doing this, his Senjutsu sensory ability picked up four other chakra signatures. One was Tobi's, another was similar to his own, meaning an Uzumaki, a third one felt like water and the last one seemed to constantly absorb nature energy.

"Thank you for the assistance, Hokage-dono." Mifune thanked Naruto, who nodded in acknowledgement.

"A Hokage and a Sennin? How impressive for one so young." Mizukage commented after she used her Yoton Ninjutsu to melt the Zetsus.

The group all turned to Sasuke, who couldn't even stand on his feet.

"To think a brat like you killed Deidara..." Tsuchikage told Sasuke before he made some handsigns. "I have no grudge against you, but the Shinobi World wants you dead!" A cube of chakra appeared between his hands.

The cube was thrown at Sasuke before expanding, trapping Sasuke within.

"Jinton: Genkai Hakuri no Jutsu!" Tsuchikage called out.

The cube glowed a moment before it became completely empty and disappeared.

"His body has been dispersed into molecules." Tsuchikage said.

"Has it really?" Tobi's deep voice was heard, causing everyone to look his way. The masked Akatsuki member was holding an unconscious Sasuke over his shoulder. "I did not think the Jinchuuriki could use the Kyuubi's chakra in a Susano'o-like state. I'll have to take Sasuke back to the hideout after this, so he can transplant Itachi's eyes."

"Sasuke!" Karin called out from a higher balcony.

Tobi appeared behind Karin. "Heal him." He ordered before Sasuke and Karin disappeared in a vortex from his eye.

Tobi then turned his attention to everyone else in the room. "I am Madara Uchiha." He claimed. "I have something I want to explain to you. After that, there is something I want to ask you."

"What are you talking about!?" The Raikage demanded.

"I am talking about my goal: Tsuki no Mei." Madara said.

"I couldn't care less about Akatsuki's plans!" Raikage said. "I'll never agree to it!"

"Why do you want Sasuke at your side?" Gaara asked.

"A Sharingan capable of awakening Susano'o is rare." Madara answered. "I want to gather good eyes. I wanted him to improve his Doujutsu even more by putting him up against the Five Kage. I was the one who sent Sasuke here. I was hoping that he would weaken you all, but that's not happening yet."

"I'm really surprised that the Madara Uchiha is still alive, but would a man of your caliber choose such an indirect approach?" Tsuchikage asked. "With your strength, you could make any plan go the way you'd want it to."

"Even now, I am affected by the wounds given to me by Hashirama." Madara said. "Currently, I am but a shell of the shinobi I once was."

"So this is a plan to return you to your full power?" Cee asked.

"I suppose you can consider it that, but there's more to the plan. I plan to make everything become one with me. A complete being where all is unified!"

"Become one? All unified?" The Tsuchikage repeated. "What does that mean!?"

"The Uchiha have a tablet that has been passed down for generations. It still exists underneath Konoha. On it, a secret that has been written by the Rikudo Sennin ages ago. To be able to read it, you need the right power. By using the Sharingan, Mangekyo Sharingan and the Rinnegan, in that order, you can decipher it."

"Now your story is getting even more unbelievable." Tsuchikage said. "Like the Rikudo Sennin."

"This is the truth!" Madara said. "He existed, and left behind a stone tablet."

"What does your plan and the Rikudo Sennin have to do with each other!?" Raikage demanded.

"Well, do you know why he became a legend and is regarded as the Kami no Shinobi?" Madara asked. "This is where you can find the connection between him and my plan!"

"Madara Uchiha, you possess the Mangekyo Sharingan, and there was a member of Akatsuki with the Rinnegan. You know everything, don't you?" Mizukage asked.

"A long time ago, he saved the world from a certain monster. A piece of that monster is within Naruto and another one was once within Gaara."

"The Bijuu were once a single being?" Naruto asked.

Madara nodded. "The combination of the Bijuu, as well as the strongest chakra: the Juubi! Gaara's Shukaku, the Ichibi! Nibi no Bakeneko, Yugito Nii of Kumogakure's Bijuu! Yondaime Mizukage's Sanbi! Yoton no Roshi's Yonbi! Han of Iwagakure's Gobi! The Nuke-nin Utakata's Rokubi! Fuu of Takigakure's Nanabi! The Raikage's younger brother, Killer Bee's Hachibi! And Naruto Uzumaki's Kyuubi! All Bijuu are no more than beings created by dispersing the Juubi's chakra. By the hands of the Rikudo Sennin."

"So that's why you're collecting the Bijuu?" Kankuro asked.

"The Rikudo Sennin developed a certain Ninjutsu in order to protect the world from the Juubi. This Ninjutsu is still being passed down. The Jinchuuriki Fuinjutsu system."

"Are you saying the Rikudo Sennin was the Juubi Jinchuuriki?" Naruto asked.

"That is exactly what I am saying." Madara confirmed. "To immobilize the Juubi, he sealed it away within his own body. By the people who have been suffering due to the Bijuu, the Sennin was worshipped as a god. But when he dies, the seal would break, and the wicked chakra of the Juubi would be released once again. Fearing this, before his death, the Rikudo Sennin used the last of his powers to disperse the Juubi's chakra into nine pieces and spread them all over the world. Then he took the chakra-less body of the Juubi, sealed it and threw it up into the sky. There, it became the moon!"

"That's too tall of a tale." Darui said. "As if a human would be able to do anything like that!"

"When the Rikudo Sennin became the Juubi Jinchuuriki, he became more than just a human." Madara countered.

"I understand that you are collecting those nine Bijuu to obtain that inhuman power." Mifune said. "But what will you do once you have that power?"

"Resurrect the Juubi!" Madara said. "Then, I will become its Jinchuuriki! By using that power, I will strengthen my Doujutsu and invoke a certain Jutsu. A Genjutsu, using the moon to project my eyes: Mugen Tsukuyomi!"

Kakashi's eyes widened. He knew the ability of the normal Tsukuyomi. He dreaded the thought of a Genjutsu even more powerful.

"I will cast a Genjutsu on all humans in existence." Madara said. "I will control all humans with that Genjutsu and unite the world! A world with no reserve or dispute! Everything will become one with me! Everything will become one unity! That is Tsuki no Mei!"

"We'll never hand over the world to you!" The Raikage said.

"An illusionary peace is just a deception!" Gaara said. "It only holds meaning if it happens in the real world!"

"What will there be inside that!?" Mizukage demanded. "There will be no dreams or hope! Only running!"

"You say you will unite the world, but you really want to make the world your own!" Tsuchikage said.

Madara chuckled. "Then what have you Five Kage been able to do? You should be able to understand this the most. There is no such thing as hope! Hope is the same as giving up! That's why there's no other way than to make it a deception! Hand over the remaining Hachibi and Kyuubi and cooperate with my plan! If you don't, there will be war!"

"Hachibi?" Raikage asked. "What do you mean!? Bee was taken by y-"

"The capture of the Hachibi failed and he got away." Madara admitted. "Being a Jinchuuriki and the perfect shinobi. Only your younger brother is capable of that."

Darui sighed. "That's what I figured."

"That idiot!" Raikage roared comically. "So, he used this chance to get out of the village and have some fun!? I won't forgive him for this! He'll taste my Iron Claw!"

Gaara stood between Naruto and Madara. "I will not let you have him!"

"I feel the same!" Mizukage said.

"Like hell I'll hand over my brother!" Raikage said.

"I might not have much power, but I still have the power of the Bijuu I've gathered so far. You won't be able to win." Madara claimed.

"Not for long." Naruto thought.

"I will not throw away hope!" Gaara said.

"So be it." Madara sighed. "I hereby declare the Fourth Great Shinobi War! Next time, we will meet on the battlefield!" He then disappeared in his vortex.

"So, what do we do now?" Tsuchikage asked.

"We form an Allied Shinobi Force." Gaara said. "There is no other way for us to match the power of seven Bijuu."

"Are you still against the idea, Raikage-dono?" Mizukage asked.

"My brother is safe." Raikage said. "But we cannot let Akatsuki do what they want. We'll form this Allied Force and end this once and for all."

"Konoha will also be a part of this alliance." Naruto said, with Kakashi and Neji nodding in agreement.

"Raikage-sama, we should assemble a search for Killer Bee-sama right away." Cee advised. "If Akatsuki are still after the Hachibi and Kyuubi, they must still be hunting Bee down."

Raikage nodded. "Right. Send word to the village to assemble a search party to find Bee."

"We should also let Team Samui know about this." Darui said. "Omoi and Karui were feeling pretty down."

"If we have any hope of stopping Madara's Tsuki no Mei, we cannot let him obtain the Hachibi and Kyuubi! I apologize, Hokage-dono, but it is best to find the Hachibi and hide the two of you." The Mizukage said.

"If that is how I must do my part in the incoming war..." Naruto said reluctantly. In truth, this was perfect. If he and this 'Bee' were to be hidden in the same place, then it would make everything easier.

"Still, we do not know what kind of power Madara has obtained after amassing seven Bijuu already. He may even have a Jutsu that utilizes their power. Wouldn't it be favorable to our Allied Shinobi Force if we used the Hachibi and Kyuubi in battle?"

"We cannot do that." Gaara said. "Protecting these two is our goal in this war. It's no wonder Madara has decided to ignite a war with the seven Bijuu he has. It's most likely that both Madara and the remaining Akatsuki members, in their weakened state, cannot easily capture the Hachibi and Kyuubi. Even if he could, he probably felt the risk was too high. Which is why he may be using the war to lure them out. Overall, it would be detrimental to use the Hachibi and Kyuubi in battle."

"I believe so too." Mizukage said.

"I as well." Raikage said. "Knowing the risk it carries, we cannot simply present the Hachibi and Kyuubi right before Akatsuki's eyes. Besides, The Hachibi, my brother, is not one to follow any kind of strategy. I have no idea what he might end up doing. He may create even more chaos on the battlefield!"

Tsuchikage turned to Naruto. "What about you? Aren't you against the idea of hiding from the enemy?"

"I must admit, I am reluctant to accept that, being the only one in Konoha who could defeat Pain, the Rinnegan user." Naruto said. "But while the Hachibi and Kyuubi together could very well be able to trample over the other seven, there's no way of knowing if they don't have a way to ambush a Jinchuuriki for easy picking. There is also Souma Kurusu to consider."

The other four Kage frowned at the thought of the 'Bloodline Thief'.

"It's decided, then." Raikage said. "I shall relay information about my brother to your villages. Use that to assemble search parties. If you find him, contact me immediately. My brother will only listen to me."

"Um...There was a member of Akatsuki called Kisame Hoshigaki who is, like me, a member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist." Chojuro said.

"The shark with Samehada." Naruto said.

Chojuro nodded. "He has chakra on par with a Jinchuuriki. And like Hokage-sama said, he has Samehada, which is considered evil, even among the seven swordsmen. Such a combination can very well match the power of a Jinchuuriki."

"We are aware of that." Tsuchikage said. "There is a more urgent matter. Mifune-dono recommended Kazekage-dono for Supreme Commander."

"That is no longer the case." Mifune said. "Now that he knows his brother is fine, Raikage-dono has the calmness required of a Supreme Commander. With Hokage-dono's willingness to cooperate into hiding, only Raikage-dono can make his little brother do the same."

"We no longer have the luxury of disagreeing with each other." Mizukage said. "I shall believe in Raikage-dono."

"You have our trust, Raikage." Gaara said.

"Very well, then." Raikage acknowledged. "I will command the Allied Forces." He then turned to Tsuchikage. "Ryotenbin no Onoki, as the only one among us who fought Madara Uchiha before, we'll need all the information you have on him."

Onoki smirked. "I wonder if you've always had a liking for giving out orders."

"I don't care if you don't trust me." Raikage said. "But if we stand still, our Shinobi World as we know it will end. We have to put aside our personal differences for now and cooperate with each other!"

"Anything's better than losing this war." Onoki said. "After all, if our world ended, I wouldn't be able to argue with you. I'll help you out. The Shinobi Alliance is now formed! We should inform our respective Daimyo right away."

With that, the Summit ended and every party went back to their village. Kakashi sent one of his Ninken to send the reports of the Summit to Konoha, so that the Daimyo would be informed of the situation right away.

On the way back to the village, they learned that Killer Bee was found and that Kisame was killed.

---

When they made it back to the village, Naruto saw two things. One, the many houses built in the crater. The reconstructions were going amazingly well, which he was sure was because of Yamato's Mokuton. The other thing he saw was the scaffolding next to Tsunade's Hokage head.

Naruto blinked. Were they already sculpting his face on the Hokage Mountain?

An Anbu then came to him with surprising news: Tsunade recovered from her coma!

"Have messengers send word of Godaime-sama's recovery to the other villages of the Alliance. Spread the news to the villagers as well." Naruto ordered before he tipped the Hokage Hat. "I can't be Hokage anymore, now that she is back with us."

"Yes sir!" The Anbu said before he disappeared.

Naruto headed for the cabin and stood before the room, which was open. Tsunade was wolfing down large quantities of food, probably to get her chakra reserves back to her normal levels, with Shizune looking on nervously.

Naruto knocked on the door frame, getting the duo's attention.

"Yo." Naruto said.

"Hello there, Rokudaime-sama." Tsunade said jokingly.

"It was either me or Danzo." Naruto said. "Besides, it was only until you recovered."

"Better you than him." Tsunade said before she got back to eating. "I heard about the Summit and the Alliance. To think both the Tsuchikage and the Raikage would cooperate."

"No kidding." Naruto chuckled before he turned serious. "That only shows how desperate the situation is."

Tsunade nodded. "Madara Uchiha. Is he really alive?"

"He's wearing a mask, so I can't say for sure it's him." Naruto said. "But one cannot claim such a name without having enough skill to back it up."

"A Fourth Great War..." Tsunade muttered. "To think the Uchiha's fate would involve all shinobi. We're holding a conference when I'm done eating! We're preparing for war!"

I'm especially proud of this one, between changing Pain's fight a bit and the fight with Danzo. Anyways, next time: the last completed chapter. I think there will be two more chapters after that, or maybe just one, depending on the second one's length.