Fleeing from Konoha

When the ninja of the Five Kage engage in battle, the aura alone is enough to make one feel suffocated and breathless.

At this tense moment, a voice rang out from behind Onoki, as sharp as a blade:

"Could you both please stop? Surely Tsuchikage and Raikage wouldn’t want to see a chaotic meeting place, right?"

Samurai Rikaku walked up to the owner of the voice and bowed respectfully.

"Admiral Mifune."

The person who stepped forward to mediate was none other than Admiral Mifune from the Land of Iron.

He is the leader of the samurai of the Land of Iron, an honorary expert in swordsmanship in the Ninja Realm.

The originally heavy and oppressive atmosphere was sliced in the middle by something sharp, restoring the surroundings to tranquility and warmth.

"Hmph, still as unsentimental as ever, Mifune."

Onoki snorted coldly.

Mifune replied, "Lord Tsuchikage, I’m simply fulfilling my duty as a samurai. I don’t want to see everyone clash in a place like this; this is not a battlefield for ninjas."

Towards the end, Mifune’s tone was exceptionally resolute.

"Moreover, since our guests have arrived, why not come out."

Mifune’s eyes, sharp as blades, scanned behind several snow-covered trees, his words clearly transmitted.

From behind the tree on the far right, the sound of snow crunching was heard as Yagura, accompanied by Ao and Hozuki Mangetsu, emerged.

From behind the middle tree, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with Konoha’s Ino-Shika-Cho, emerged.

From behind the tree on the far left, Chiyo, the former advisor elder of the Hidden Sand Village, emerged with two Hidden Sand Jonin, her gaze locking onto Hakushi with a poker face.

"Seems everyone is here now."

Onoki smiled, glancing back and forth between Hakushi and Chiyo, with a mysterious meaning.

Mifune ignored Onoki’s malicious laughter, instead nodding, saying calmly, "After traveling such a long way, I imagine you’re all quite tired. Please head to the prepared guest rooms to rest; dinner will be served shortly. The Summit will begin punctually at 8 PM."

It is currently 2 PM, with six hours remaining until the official start of the summit.

Onoki said nothing, chuckled, and was the first to float back into the castle, disappearing from view.

Hakushi also showed no interest in interacting with everyone, and with the guidance of the samurai, entered the castle almost simultaneously with the Fourth Raikage’s team, heading to the guest rooms to rest.

At the fork in the road, the Fourth Raikage took two steps forward, suddenly sensing something, turned around, and saw a figure even smaller than Onoki fumbling along behind them, clutching a spear—it’s Akago.

He was walking while nodding, clearly unfocused.

Bang!

He bumped into the Fourth Raikage’s thigh, staggering back two steps and falling to the ground.

He rubbed his aching backside, looked up to make eye contact with the Fourth Raikage, showing his confusion.

"Hey kid, you’re going the wrong way."

The Fourth Raikage pointed to the opposite path.

Akago finally realized, noticing Hakushi and Ayane were nowhere to be seen.

He quickly climbed up from the ground, bowing repeatedly to the Fourth Raikage to apologize.

"Sorry, sorry, I was a bit drowsy just now."

Then hurriedly ran towards the path indicated by the Fourth Raikage.

"That kid seems pretty out of it."

Darui watched Akago’s amusing trot, looking incredibly immature for his age.

The other Hidden Cloud Jonin said seriously, "Don’t be careless, Darui, there’s something odd about that kid’s aura. I can’t feel much chakra movement within him."

Darui nodded, not needing anyone else’s reminder to know he shouldn’t underestimate Akago.

The Fourth Raikage didn’t say anything, simply snorting coldly, continuing to step forward.

◎

PM.

The air outside the castle was even colder, the wind howling, the samurai wearing armor and carrying swords stood like wooden stakes amidst the icy wind and snow, enduring the bitter cold unwaveringly, ensuring tight security for the castle where the Five Kage Summit was to be held.

Inside the castle, it was a world entirely different from the cold outside.

In the conference room where the Five Kage Summit was to be held, the warmth from the fireplace shielded it, creating a cozy atmosphere, dispelling the harsh exterior chill.

The important leaders attending the meeting, along with their guards, filed in one after another, taking their designated seats.

This was a complete circular meeting table, where the Five Kage sat in sequence of ’Wind’, ’Earth’, ’Fire’, ’Lightning’, ’Water’, with Hakushi positioned just to the right of Yagura, and further to the right was Admiral Mifune’s seat from the Land of Iron.

Due to the slightly longer distance between each seat, behind each person, two to three guards could easily stand.

The Five Kage took off their hats, placing them in front of themselves; apart from Mifune as the host, the empty space before Hakushi seemed somewhat incongruous.

Yet he personally showed no expression, eyes closed, appearing deep in thought, unwavering by external factors.

Behind him, Ayane cheerfully surveyed the venue, giving an impression of warmth and approachability.

Akago struggled to keep his eyelids from drooping, yet bubbles in his nostrils embarrassingly expanded and contracted.

Acting Kazekage Chiyo wore a calm visage, glancing occasionally towards Hakushi, her thoughts concealed.

Behind her stood Hidden Sand’s Jonin Pakura, a renowned Scorch Style Kekkeigenkai ninja from the Hidden Sand Village.