The silence that followed Tadashi's question was thick, stretching across the chamber like a storm cloud about to burst. The assembled Kage sat poised at the edge of confrontation, their expressions ranging from impassive to openly hostile.
Hiruzen remained unshaken. His gaze was steady, unwavering, as he met Tadashi's expectant look. With a calm that seemed almost deliberate, he exhaled through his nose before finally responding.
"Konoha," he began, his voice even and measured, "refutes all claims that Kumogakure is lodging against it. These accusations are baseless, built on speculation rather than fact. And, as far as I am concerned—" his eyes flickered toward the Raikage, A, who sat rigid in his seat, his jaw clenched tight, "—this is not even a matter worthy of being brought up at a Kage Summit."
A scoff echoed from the opposite end of the table. Onoki, the aged Tsuchikage, lifted a bushy eyebrow in interest, though he remained silent.
Hiruzen continued, his voice gaining a sharper edge. "Furthermore, I highly doubt Kumogakure has any proof to support these claims. For all we know, your Jinchūriki might still be alive."
Across the polished stone table, the Raikage's knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. A vein throbbed at his temple, and his teeth ground audibly, the sheer force of his frustration barely restrained. The accusation—that Kumogakure had no proof, that their missing Jinchūriki might still be alive—was an insult.
A dismissal.
A deep growl rumbled in A's throat, and then—
"Crack!"
The chamber trembled as his massive fist slammed into the table, sending a sharp echo throughout the room. A few sheets of parchment fluttered in the wake of the impact, and the ink pots near his side rattled precariously.
"You—!" His voice was a guttural snarl, barely contained fury dripping from every syllable. "Why won't you take responsibility for Konoha's wrongdoing, Hiruzen?!"
The air crackled with tension, thick with the unspoken threat of war.
Hiruzen did not so much as blink. His hands remained folded before him, his expression utterly composed. If the Raikage had been hoping to unnerve him, he had failed spectacularly.
Instead, it was the others who reacted.
Satetsu simply narrowed his eyes, his expression still unreadable. Hiroshi, let out an amused chuckle, one hand propping up his chin as he observed the exchange with a lazy, half-lidded gaze. His smirk, subtle yet sharp, suggested he was enjoying the rising tensions.
Onoki let out an unimpressed grunt. The elderly leader of Iwagakure sat back in his chair, arms crossed, watching like a hawk analyzing the battlefield before it struck.
A, for all his outward fury, was not acting merely on emotion. His mind was moving, calculating the risks. He had no intention of going into war as the aggressor—not because of some moral high ground, but because of the political limitations it would impose. If the other Kages viewed Kumo as the instigator, then his financial and military backing might be restrained, which would be a problem.
The cause of the war? Irrelevant.
What mattered was that it happened, and that Kumo pushed Konoha into the tightest position possible before the first strike.
Hiruzen finally exhaled through his nose, the barest hint of exasperation in his demeanour, before speaking once more.
"That Kumogakure would even claim that Konoha is targeting your Jinchūriki is absurd," he said, his voice calm but cutting. "Let us not forget, it was Lord Hashirama himself who generously distributed the Tailed Beasts among the villages, including yours. And if we are speaking of fairness—if anything—Kumogakure should be grateful that it still possesses its two Tailed Beasts, considering that both Konoha and Suna only have one each."
The Kazekage's mask broke as his eyes flickered dangerously at the mention of Suna. A muscle in his jaw twitched.
The statement, though spoken as fact, carried a dangerous implication. The Kazekage shifted in his seat, his arms still crossed but now with a subtle stiffness in his posture.
Hiruzen's gaze flickered to him momentarily, as if daring him to object, before he continued. "And even if I sought to target a Jinchūriki, why would I choose one belonging to a Great Nation? Would it not make far more sense to go after the Seven-Tails instead?"
That statement did not just settle in the air—it hit.
The chamber stilled.
Satetsu's fingers twitched slightly beneath his robes, but his face tried its best to betray nothing. Hiroshi arched an eyebrow, his amusement deepening, while Onoki let out a knowing hum, watching the Kazekage from the corner of his eye.
The meaning behind Hiruzen's words was clear.
The Seven-Tails belonged to Takigakure, a minor village without the military or political power of the Five Great Nations. It was an easy target—an easier acquisition for any village looking to expand its power.
And it was no secret that Suna had been eyeing the Seven-Tails for quite some time.
Hiruzen had just exposed that knowledge to the room.
The Third Hokage was well aware of the secret dealings between Suna and Kumo, and if they were determined to drag Konoha into the dirt, then he had no qualms about dragging their hidden agenda into the light.
A small but noticeable silence stretched between them.
A, ever the opportunist, seized the moment. "Enough!" he barked, his voice slicing through the air like a blade. His furious gaze locked onto Hiruzen once more, his hands clenched into tight fists. "Konoha's actions are clear! You seek to weaken Kumogakure! You think we don't see through your schemes?!"
Satetsu quickly followed up. "And I will have you know, Hokage-dono," he said coolly, his voice measured but firm, "that Suna has not been targeting the Seven-Tails. These accusations are nothing but baseless slander." His sharp gaze flickered toward Tadashi, the mediator of the summit. "I suggest you keep the Hokage in check, Tadashi-sama. This Summit is meant to find resolutions, not to spread lies."
Tadashi sighed, rubbing his temple slightly, though his expression remained neutral. "Hiruzen-dono," he said carefully, "perhaps we should keep to the matter at hand."
Hiroshi, who had been silent for a moment, let out a light chuckle. "But is it really baseless?" he mused, his voice smooth, almost lazy. His fingers drummed against the table in idle amusement. "It's no secret that Suna has long regretted its trade during the First Kage Summit—giving up a Tailed Beast in exchange for more arable land. And now that land is gone, lost once again. It's not unbelievable that they might want to… correct that mistake."
Satetsu's expression darkened, his fingers curling into the fabric of his sleeve. "Mizukage-dono," he said coldly, "choose your words carefully."
Onoki gave a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Hmph. Whether it's believable or not, one thing's certain—Suna's actions have been growing bolder lately."
A exhaled sharply, frustrated by the growing tangents. He pounded his fist into his palm, his voice booming. "Enough!" His piercing gaze swung toward Hiruzen. "Kumogakure will not move on from this matter until Konoha and you, Hiruzen, take full responsibility for what has been done!"
Tadashi, who had remained the steady force in the conversation, turned once more to Hiruzen. His gaze was impassive, expectant. "Hiruzen-dono," he said, "Kumogakure has officially accused Konoha of this crime. Will Konoha take responsibility?"
The room hung in suspense.
Hiruzen, never one to falter under pressure, did not hesitate. His response was swift, firm, and absolute.
"Konoha vehemently refuses to take responsibility for Kumo's accusations without any proof."
The words landed with a finality that sent another wave of tension through the chamber.
And then, A smirked.
It was not an expression of amusement, nor of satisfaction. It was the kind of smirk a predator wore when the prey had just stepped into its trap.
A slow, knowing grin stretched across his face as he leaned back in his chair, arms crossing over his broad chest.
"Is that so?" he mused, his voice deceptively calm. "Then proof is what you'll get."
Behind him, his son—silent and disciplined as ever—stepped forward. From the folds of his armor, he retrieved a single scroll, sealed tightly with Kumogakure's insignia.
A took the scroll from his hands, placing it deliberately onto the table before him.
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