(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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Onoki nodded in agreement, "I didn't expect the Kazekage to be so young, but the overall situation is unexpectedly favorable."
After the Old Man praised Gaara, Onoki turned to the Fourth Raikage:
"I am also heartbroken about the betrayal. Not only did you Cloud Shinobi suffer losses, but we in Iwagakure also lost two Jinchūrikis."
"Fourth Raikage, now everyone has a common enemy, so let's not dwell on the past grievances."
A frown creased Ay's brow.
Though they were of equal status, Onoki was subtly trying to undermine him. Naturally, he was disdainful of such underhanded tactics.
The Fourth Raikage pressed on, "Tsuchikage, don't think I'm unaware that you've used the Akatsuki to accomplish many of your ulterior motives."
"I have every reason to suspect that your connection with that organization hasn't been severed."
The other three Kage turned their gazes to Onoki in unison.
Gaara asked directly, "Tsuchikage, is what the Raikage said true?"
Onoki's face showed no trace of shame. "As the leader of a village, it's understandable to take advantage of circumstances to strive for the benefit of one's own people."
"Kazekage, you've just taken office. You still have much to learn."
Speaking of this, Onoki's attitude softened slightly. "But I can guarantee that I had no knowledge of the Akatsuki's capture of the Jinchūrikis."
Now that the Akatsuki were universally reviled, showing even a hint of kindness towards the organization could incur the hatred of the other hidden villages.
As a seasoned politician, Onoki would not make such a rudimentary mistake.
This succeeded in making those present less wary of him.
The Fourth Raikage ignored Onoki, turning his main focus of accountability towards Konoha.
"What about you, Hokage? Killer Bee was captured by Uchiha Sasuke of your village. I don't seem to have seen his name on Konoha's list of traitors."
Tsunade's face remained impassive, completely ignoring the Raikage's accusations.
"Uchiha Sasuke was kidnapped by Orochimaru three years ago. It's very likely that he did these things at Orochimaru's behest, and it has nothing to do with Konoha."
Boom!
With a single palm strike, the Raikage shattered the table into splinters.
Swish!
Instantly, the guards of each Kage appeared before them, and the atmosphere grew tense once more.
Colt gently unsheathed Kaminari but not completely, only revealing a section of the blade.
The strong current emanating from the sword made all the guards, except Temari and Kankuro, break out in a cold sweat.
They were all guardians of their respective Kage, but how could this one be so strong?
Mifune spoke up to discourage any further conflict, "Raikage-sama, please mind your emotions. You don't want to provoke further disputes at this time, do you?"
"I'm just saddened by my brother's death. Don't make a big deal out of it," the Fourth Raikage grumbled as he sat down, unable to vent his frustrations.
Tsunade sighed, "Raikage, I understand the grief in your heart over the Akatsuki's attack on the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki."
"Konoha was also attacked by the Akatsuki, and it was a full six members, including their leader."
Everyone was surprised, except for Sunagakure, which had received some information due to Temari's connections.
The others knew nothing about it.
Tsunade slowly recounted what had transpired, including the identities of several Akatsuki members and the Rinnegan possessed by Pain.
She also mentioned that a masked man had taken one of the Rinnegan eyes at the end.
Every Kage grew thoughtful.
This information concerned all of them.
The Rinnegan, the legendary eyes possessed by the Sage of Six Paths.
These folklore tales that were only spread in the ninja world had become reality.
"Hokage, Deidara is a rogue ninja belonging to Iwagakure. Can you leave him to me?" Onoki asked.
Tsunade shook her head, refusing, "He as well as anyone else, are Konoha's captives. If the Tsuchikage is interested, you can come to negotiate with us after we've dealt with the Akatsuki."
Both Onoki and Gaara showed disappointment.
Terumi Mei's face was also solemn. "Hokage, I want to ask, do you think that person has the Sharingan?"
This was information already revealed by Colt.
Tsunade nodded.
Terumi Mei was depressed as she mentioned that the Fourth Mizukage had been under control.
The Raikage was taken aback for a moment.
He hadn't expected that the always mysterious Kirigakure would also be affected by the Akatsuki.
And the so-called "Bloody Mist" era was also the handiwork of those behind the scenes.
This time, he actually felt a bit better in his heart.
The atmosphere in the conference room grew silent as everyone was shocked by the information before them, requiring time to digest it.
At this point, Mifune asked, "Everyone, what is the purpose of the Akatsuki in collecting the Tailed Beasts?"
Tsunade was about to reveal the information she had obtained from Konan when her face suddenly changed.
She bit her thumb to perform the [Summoning Technique].
Colt also opened his eyes, which he had kept closed until now.
"Katsuyu, what's wrong?"
Katsuyu, who appeared on the table, said hurriedly, "Tsunade-sama, Uchiha Sasuke has just invaded Konoha!"
"What did you say?!" Tsunade's voice rose an octave.
"Are there any casualties in the village?"
"No... but..." Katsuyu hesitated, "Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were both killed by Sasuke, and he escaped before Jiraiya and Naruto could arrive."
The faces of both Tsunade and Colt became animated at the same time.
They didn't know whether to laugh or to be angry.
These two elders were finally dead, which was a good thing no matter how you looked at it.
But Sasuke had invaded so openly and killed two high-level officials. It wouldn't be appropriate for them to show happy expressions, would it?
What neither of them noticed was that the Raikage's expression softened considerably when he saw their reactions.
At least this way, Sasuke's actions indeed had nothing to do with Konoha.
After hesitating for a moment, Tsunade angrily slammed the table in front of her.
"Damn Uchiha Sasuke! As soon as I go back, I'm going to brand him as a missing-nin!"
To maintain Konoha's dignity, she had to make the correct gesture in front of the other Kages.
As for the bond between Naruto and Sasuke, that was a matter between the two of them.
At that moment, Colt suddenly raised his head and looked towards the center of the conference room, where the space began to distort.
A figure wearing a black robe with red clouds and a spiral mask slowly emerged from the distortion, standing before everyone!