1 year later...

The great desert winds of Suna howled outside the fortress, but inside, the tension was a storm of its own. The five Kage sat around the grand table, their guards standing behind them, ever watchful. The meeting was supposed to be a pivotal moment in shaping the future of the world, but the atmosphere was taut with suspicion.

Tsunade, Gaara, Darui, Kurotsuchi, and Fuu were seated, the weight of their titles bearing down on the conversation.

Gaara, ever calm and composed, spoke first. "The proposal on the table is simple. Disarmament. We must stop the production and distribution of rifles and, more importantly, Mei Terumi's anti-jinchuriki ammunition. These weapons were created for a war that is now behind us. It is time we look forward."

Fuu, seated beside Gaara, nodded in agreement. Her voice was steady. "It is the only logical path. If we keep these weapons, the cycle of violence will continue. I believe this is a necessary step to ensure lasting peace."

Darui, the newly appointed Raikage, crossed his arms and frowned. "With all due respect, Kazekage, Mizukage, I disagree. My country needs these rifles. Without them, we are defenseless. You can't expect us to just throw away our means of protection."

Gaara's calm demeanor remained unchanged. "It's not about defense, Raikage. It's about peace."

Kurotsuchi, the Tsuchikage, muttered under her breath but loud enough for everyone to hear, "Peace? That's a word you and Fuu throw around too lightly. Does she even know what that means anymore?"

Fuu raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "And what do you mean by that, Kurotsuchi?"

Darui, feeling more emboldened, leaned forward. "You two are only pushing for disarmament because it suits you. You think it's going to make things easier for you and your friends."

Gaara's eyes narrowed slightly, and his voice dropped a degree in temperature. "Clarify, Raikage."

Kurotsuchi shot a glance at Darui before she spoke up, her disdain clear. "We all know what this is really about. The Akatsuki. It's no secret you and Fuu are in league with them. You want us to disarm so you can maintain control. We won't be bullied."

Tsunade, sitting across from them, exhaled slowly. "Kurotsuchi, watch your tone. This is an official meeting."

But Kurotsuchi pressed on, eyes blazing. "It's the truth, Tsunade! Gaara and Fuu are pushing for this disarmament because they know those rifles and that ammunition are the only things that level the playing field between us and the Akatsuki. And it's not just the Akatsuki – it's the fact that they're jinchuriki, too. This bill serves their interests, not the world's."

Darui, leaning back in his seat, shook his head. "I won't allow an organization like the Akatsuki to push us around. I won't sign the deal."

Fuu let out a tired sigh, shaking her head slowly. "You're speaking nonsense, Darui. We're living in an era of peace. I suggested disarmament to ensure that peace continues, not for the Akatsuki's benefit. It was me who worked out the diplomatic solution between Konoha, Kiri, and Costa Verdaña after the chaos Mei and Minato caused a year ago. If I were aligned with the Akatsuki, why would I be working to maintain stability?"

Gaara's tone turned sharp. "Enough of this baseless talk. You are insulting me and the Mizukage by alleging we are associated with the Akatsuki. This disarmament is for the greater good."

Tsunade leaned forward and took the scroll in front of her. Without hesitation, she signed her name to it. "I agree with this proposal. It's a necessary step for the future of our nations. This isn't about allegiance or secret organizations. It's about survival."

Kurotsuchi snapped, slamming her fist on the table. "You're just signing because you're in bed with them! You've sold out, Tsunade. Don't you see what's happening? We need to look out for our own countries."

Tsunade didn't flinch. Her voice was firm. "I've already decided what's best for my country. And that's this deal."

Darui, still bristling, looked to Fuu. "And what about your warships, Mizukage? Are you going to disarm them, too?"

Fuu's expression remained calm. "No. Kiri and Suna rely on our navy to protect our trade routes."

Gaara added, "It's not about offensive power, Raikage. It's about protecting what is ours. Rifles are a relic of war. We don't need them anymore."

Darui scoffed. "And you expect me to give up Kumo's defenses when you won't even disarm your fleets?"

Gaara fixed him with a stern gaze. "It's like you don't understand the bigger picture."

Kurotsuchi, tired of the debate, crossed her arms. "Oh, I understand just fine. And I'm telling you, Iwa isn't agreeing with the Mizukage's plan."

Before the argument could escalate further, a male voice echoed through the room. "Who told you it was the Mizukage's idea?"

The tension in the room thickened as three shadows materialized from the edges of the chamber, slipping into the dim light.

Darui's breath caught, and he murmured under his breath, "Akatsuki…"

He watched as Yagura Karatachi and Yugito Nii emerged, calmly observing the meeting.

One of the figures stepped forward into the light—a tall, imposing man with unmistakable blonde hair. Naruto Uzumaki, now 21 years old, walked toward the table, his eyes calm and unreadable. Behind him, the two remaining shadows stayed still, silhouetted by the moonlight streaming through the windows.

Kurotsuchi's gaze darted to Ryu, the Five-Tails jinchuriki standing behind her, but he made no move to intervene.

Naruto approached the table, picking up the scroll with the proposed disarmament bill and sliding it along the table until it was in front of Darui.

Darui's facade of calmness cracked as Naruto's presence overwhelmed the room. He could feel the fear creeping up his spine, though he tried to hide it.

Naruto leaned forward, his voice steady. "The Akatsuki fights for peace. That's our only goal. Nothing more."

Kurotsuchi's eyes widened in panic, her voice unsteady. "Gaara! What is this?"

Gaara didn't even look at her. His eyes stayed locked on the table as he replied, his voice cold. "I don't know who he is."

Fuu, leaning back in her chair, added coolly, "I've never seen him before. But I have to admit, he does make a good point about the bill."

Kurotsuchi's frustration grew, feeling the blatant deception unfolding around her. She sighed, seeing no way out.

Naruto turned his attention to Darui, pointing to the line on the bill that required the Raikage's signature. "Raikage-sama...sign the damn paper."

Darui glanced at Tsunade, who seemed unnervingly calm, even with Naruto and the Akatsuki in the room. Realizing how outnumbered he was, Darui finally gave in, his hand shaking as he signed the document. "I didn't realize the Akatsuki supported the bill…"

Naruto smiled warmly as he watched Darui sign. "Good. The Akatsuki only wants peace between the five nations. That's why we're here."

Kurotsuchi followed reluctantly, knowing there was no other option. She signed the paper, feeling utterly powerless.

Naruto stood, satisfied, and glanced around the room. "I'm glad everything worked out."

Kurotsuchi could only frown in silent frustration. The truth was painfully clear—Akatsuki now wielded more power than any one of the nations. And no matter how much she hated it, they were shaping the future of the continent.

The meeting room felt suffocating, each of the Kage aware that this was only the beginning of a new, uncertain era. Peace was now a reality, and the Akatsuki dictated its terms.

THE END

Thanks for your support to anyone who finished this! If you enjoyed this story, I'm glad I was able to write something you like.

Feel free to leave a review if you have something to say. Peace out.