Boom!
A dull sound echoed across the hall. The floor beneath Kaito's feet cracked and collapsed into a shallow crater.
But the Fourth Raikage's powerful fist—renowned for its overwhelming force—was firmly caught in Kaito's palm.
Raikage's expression twisted in disbelief. He knew exactly how destructive his punches were. At full force, one strike could obliterate an Elite Jōnin. He had used that same technique countless times in battle alongside the Eight Tails, achieving overwhelming victories.
Yet the young man before him had stopped it effortlessly. Worse still, when Raikage's fist clashed with Kaito's palm, it felt as though he had punched an iron mountain. His arm went numb, trembling from the impact.
For the first time in years, the Raikage's gaze turned wary.
"It's my turn," Kaito's calm voice cut through the tense silence.
His other fist shot forward like a phantom, bypassing space itself, and drove directly into the Raikage's abdomen.
Boom!
The Raikage was blasted backward, skidding across the ground.
Despite his frustration, he returned quickly, though disheveled. Staring at Kaito, he demanded, "Who are you? Why have I never seen you before—ten years ago or now?"
Though rage boiled within him, reason finally took hold. Raikage had always pursued absolute strength, but he wasn't foolish enough to continue charging blindly.
Before he could speak again, the elderly Tsuchikage, Ōhnoki, interjected. "His name is Ayanami Kaito, though in the past he was known as Senju Kaito. The god of the ninja world who vanished more than ten years ago."
"What?!" Raikage's eyes widened in shock. "Senju Kaito… it's really you?!"
Kaito's gaze remained indifferent. "So? Do you still want to fight?"
The Raikage trembled with rage, clenching his teeth, but ultimately said nothing. Even his recklessness had limits—no one dared to throw their life away against a man once feared on the same level as Uchiha Madara.
"That settles it then," Kaito said flatly. "Tsunade will act as the leader of the Allied Shinobi Forces. Does anyone object?"
His eyes swept across the room, pausing on Raikage and Ōhnoki. Under the weight of his pressure, neither could do anything but bow their heads.
Thus, the Five Kage Summit ended with Kaito's silent dominance. Tsunade was declared the Supreme Commander of the Alliance, Raikage as the Chief Strategist, and Mifune representing the Land of Iron as mediator. The Fourth Great Ninja War was set in motion—if Akatsuki triumphed, the entire world would fall.
As the Kage began discussing logistics, Kaito stayed silent. His role was not in politics. His only concern was the battles yet to come—Madara, and perhaps even Kaguya Ōtsutsuki herself.
It was then that Kushina's brow furrowed deeply. Kaito immediately noticed.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" he asked.
"The toads from Mount Myōboku are calling me. It seems urgent," she replied.
"Summon them. If it involves Konoha, we can't waste time."
Kushina bit her finger and quickly performed the seals. A puff of smoke revealed the messenger toad, the very same one that Danzo had killed in another timeline.
The toad croaked anxiously, "Lady Kushina! Bad news! Master Jiraiya sent me—Konoha is under attack! The situation is dire, Lord Kaito must return immediately!"
"What?!" The Kage around the table froze in shock.
Although Konoha's strength had waned, it was still considered the mightiest village, not least because of Kaito himself. Who would dare to attack it now?
"Who attacked Konoha? Do you know their purpose?" Tsunade demanded.
"Yes!" the toad said hurriedly. "The Hokage of the past—revived by the Impure World Reincarnation! Jiraiya-sama believes the enemy's goal is Naruto!"
The words sent a shiver through the hall.
"That's impossible! Orochimaru is dead. Who else would dare use that jutsu?!" Tsunade's voice wavered with anger and dread.
Kaito narrowed his eyes. "It doesn't matter who revived them. Their goal is clear—the Nine Tails."
At those words, everyone's gaze instinctively shifted to Kushina. She stood firm but tense, her jaw tightening.
"I'll return immediately," Kaito continued.
Tsunade's eyes widened. "Wait! Let us come with you!"
"No. Stay here and protect Kushina. If Akatsuki strikes again, this summit will be the first target," Kaito replied.
Before anyone could argue further, he vanished in an instant.
The Raikage snapped out of his shock, shouting, "Damn! Bee is in danger!" He bolted from the hall with Darui and C.
Ōhnoki floated in silence for a moment, then muttered, "If Akatsuki has turned their sights on the tailed beasts, it's only a matter of time before more villages are targeted."
"True," Mei agreed. "But if their purpose is only the Jinchūriki, then we may still have time to prepare."
Ōhnoki finally nodded. "Then it must be decided—the Eight Tails and Nine Tails must be hidden at all costs."
…
Meanwhile, in Konoha.
The village that had only recently begun to recover from its scars now found itself engulfed in flames and rubble once more. This attack was unlike any other.
It wasn't just destruction of buildings—it was an assault on the very heart of the people. For the ones leading the attack were none other than the Hokage of the past, their stone faces carved eternally into Hokage Rock.
Jiraiya stood at the center of the battlefield, already cloaked in Sage Mode. He hadn't summoned Fukasaku and Shima, wary of revealing Naruto's location, but instead relied on the three giant toads.
Facing him stood four legendary figures.
"Hmph. Another Sage? Not bad!" Senju Hashirama laughed heartily, though his eyes remained sharp. "But incomplete."
Beside him, Tobirama's expression was grim. "I warned against this jutsu. And now, here I am, forced to attack my own village."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, looked at Jiraiya with sorrow in his eyes. "Jiraiya… you've grown old, but still, I'm proud."
And then there was Minato. The Yellow Flash gave a faint smile. "It's been a while, Jiraiya-sensei."
Four Hokage stood together, their forms flawed but unyielding—immortal warriors bound by Edo Tensei.
Jiraiya and the defenders of Konoha steeled themselves. Against such opponents, even survival would be a miracle.
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