The atmosphere in the grand hall had shifted the moment Tadashi uttered his final words, calling for the summit to begin. The air was thick with tension, a near-tangible pressure that settled over the assembled leaders like an unspoken challenge. Even though the room was built to contain the most powerful figures of the shinobi world, the sheer weight of their presence made the walls feel smaller, as if the space itself was struggling to contain the collision of egos, power, and decades of grudges.
I stood silently beside Hiruzen, my posture straight, my expression unreadable. The tension in the air didn't bother me; in fact, I found it almost amusing. The real battles in this world weren't always fought on the field. No, sometimes the most dangerous conflicts were waged here—in meetings like this—where words were weapons, and alliances could determine the fate of nations.
Tadashi, the designated mediator, adjusted his posture and cleared his throat, the sound breaking the heavy silence like a stone dropping into still water. His voice, though calm, carried an authority that demanded attention.
"As we begin, I believe it is only appropriate to address the reason why we have gathered here today," Tadashi began, his gaze sweeping over the gathered Kage. "Sunagakure was the one to call for this summit. Kazekage-dono, would you care to explain why?"
All eyes turned to Satetsu, the Third Kazekage.
His face was stoic, revealing nothing of the thoughts swirling behind them. And yet, the moment he spoke, it became evident that his words were anything but sincere.
"Iwagakure," he began, letting the name hang in the air for a moment, "has been conducting unprovoked raids along the borders of the Land of Wind."
A beat of silence.
And then, a wave of disbelief—though none of the Kage, or the shinobi present, allowed it to show outright.
'Bullshit!' I thought.
Satetsu continued, his tone carefully controlled, his gaze unwavering. "These raids have led to the deaths of Suna shinobi and innocent civilians of the Land of Wind alike. My patience with such transgressions is wearing thin, and I refuse to let these acts of aggression continue unanswered. That is why I called this summit—to formally demand an explanation from the Tsuchikage himself."
His words settled like a challenge thrown onto the table, daring the room to react.
The tension in the chamber deepened, but not because anyone actually believed Satetsu's claim. No, everyone here knew exactly what this was—an excuse.
A smokescreen.
A convenient justification for the real reason this summit had been called. Border skirmishes had existed since before the very concept of shinobi villages had taken root. To act as if this was an unprecedented grievance was laughable.
Hiruzen remained impassive, though I could sense his thoughts as he observed the Kazekage with quiet amusement.
"Is that really how you're going to start this, Kazekage?"
Across the table, Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage, let out an audible scoff. The diminutive old man hovered just above his seat, his arms crossed, his perpetual scowl deepening into something almost resembling mirth.
"Unprovoked raids?" Onoki repeated with a dry chuckle, his gravelly voice laced with disbelief. "I see. So that's the story you're going with today."
His sharp gaze locked onto Satetsu, scrutinizing him as if trying to decide whether the Kazekage truly believed his own words or if this was merely an opening move in a greater game.
"And tell me, Kazekage-dono," Onoki continued, his tone turning almost mocking, "do you expect me to sit here and let you paint Iwagakure as the aggressor? How convenient that you forgot to mention your shinobi attacking our outposts along the border. I suppose Sunagakure's hands are clean?"
Satetsu's expression remained unreadable, but the air around him grew heavier. A subtle but undeniable pressure, the faintest trace of his chakra leaking into the space between them.
"You speak as if this is some mutual conflict," Satetsu replied smoothly, not rising to the provocation. "But you and I both know that Iwa's incursions have been far more aggressive as of late. If this continues—"
"—If this continues, then what?" Onoki interrupted, his patience thinning. "You'll do what? Declare war? Don't make me laugh, Satetsu."
A crackle of tension ran through the room.
Tadashi visibly stiffened, raising a hand in an attempt to rein in the growing hostility.
"Please, Kazekage-dono, Tsuchikage-dono," he said evenly, his voice cutting through the rising chakra signatures. "This summit was called for discussion, not to fan the flames of conflict. There is no benefit in turning this into a shouting match."
Neither Satetsu nor Onoki looked particularly convinced, but for the moment, they held their silence, though their gazes remained locked in an unspoken battle of wills.
Tadashi allowed himself a brief exhale, clearly relieved that the situation hadn't spiralled further.
But that relief was premature.
"Since we are discussing border conflicts," the Mizukage, Hiroshi, suddenly interjected, his voice smooth but carrying an unmistakable sharpness. "I believe it is only fair to bring up Kumogakure's recent activities along our own borders."
And just like that, the storm shifted focus.
A, the Third Raikage, turned his head toward Hiroshi, his sharp gaze narrowing. "Kumogakure's activities?" he repeated, his voice carrying a dangerous undertone. "Mizukage-dono, I hope you're not suggesting that Kumo has been the aggressor in that situation."
Hiroshi smiled—a thin, knowing smile that lacked any true warmth. "Oh, I wouldn't dare," he said smoothly. "But our reports indicate that Kumogakure has been amassing forces along the eastern sea border, pushing into contested territory. It seems... unwise."
A let out a sharp exhale, shaking his head. "Unwise?" he repeated, his voice rising. "Kiri attacked our border first! And need I remind you that we are a landlocked nation? You can hardly claim that we are the ones pressing into your waters when we have no reason to push into the sea in the first place!"
The Mizukage's smirk didn't waver. "And yet, our forces have encountered your shinobi in regions that should not concern Kumogakure at all. A curiosity, wouldn't you agree?"
A's chakra flared slightly, a tangible pressure spreading across the hall. "If your shinobi were where they should be, there wouldn't be any conflict."
"Perhaps if your forces weren't so eager to expand beyond their borders, this wouldn't be an issue," Hiroshi countered.
The back-and-forth escalated quickly.
Tadashi fought the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose, clearly regretting every life decision that had led him to this moment. His attempts to steer the conversation back to reason were all but ignored as the Raikage and Mizukage continued to exchange veiled threats.
Hiruzen, sitting beside me, watched the scene unfold with calm amusement. He hadn't spoken a word throughout all of this, but I could practically hear his thoughts.
'When are you going to come at me, A?'
The answer, it seemed, was not yet.
When Tadashi finally managed to calm the room once more, Hiruzen sighed lightly, finally stepping forward. His aged but commanding presence was enough to draw all eyes to him.
"Enough," he said simply.
The word, though not loud, carried weight.
The murmuring died down as the other Kage turned their attention to him.
"Border skirmishes," Hiruzen continued, his voice steady. "Do you all truly intend to waste this summit arguing over something that has been happening since before our villages were even formed?"
His eyes swept the room, challenging them.
"Every shinobi in our respective villages already knows why we are here today. There is no need for pretences. This summit was called because of Kumogakure's ultimatum toward Konoha."
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