The Raikage roared, "What's the meaning of this!!"

  Danzō replied, "The leader of the Akatsuki... is very likely Uchiha Madara."

  "What!?" The Fe excimed in unison.

  ōnoki muttered with disbelief, "That guy... didn't he die a long time ago?"

  Danzō said, "The details are unclear, but the intelligence is accurate."

  ōnoki frowned, "I 't believe it... Madara is still alive..."

  At this moment, Mifuhe leader of the ral Land of Iron, spoke up, "As a ral party, I would like to say something. The leader of the Akatsuki is well-versed in exploiting the development of the times. He has used the mistrust among nations to expand his influence during this period of retive peace."

  "However, every crisis es with an opportunity. The fact that the Five Kage have gathered here today is a blessing."

  "I propose f a united ninja army to ter the threat of the Akatsuki."

  ōnoki responded, "A united ninja army... That's not something that be decided so easily. The Five Great Shinobi Vilges are evenly matched in power. Who would lead su army?"

  Mifune said, "Currently, the only remaining Jinchūriki is the ails of Konoha. How we guide him is of utmost importance."

  "..." The Kage fell silent.

  Mifune tinued, "In that case, why not let the Hokage and the united ninja army?"

  His words sent shockwaves through the room.

  After all, outside of Konoha, no one was yet aware of Naruto's defe.

  "What did you say!?" The Raikage reacted the most violently.

  Danzō, unfazed, said, "If there are no objes, then I humbly accept this responsibility..."

  The Raikage shouted, "Why should it be the Hokage! He represents the darkness of the shinobi world!! How we entrust such a person with this responsibility!!"

  Mifune g the Raikage and asked, "Then, Lord Raikage, who do you believe should take the lead?"

  The Raikage roared, "No one from our vilge has joihe Akatsuki. Those who are untrustworthy ot bear such a heavy burden. I am the most suitable didate!"

  Mifune replied calmly, "That would be difficult to vihers..."

  The Raikage growled, "What did you say?"

  Mifune poi the shattered table in front of the Raikage and reasoned, "Is this the kind of method and power you would use to lead the ninja? Do you think it's appropriate? If decisions are made impulsively and power is prioritized above all, the united army will end up like this table—shattered into pieces."

  Crack! Crack! Crack!

  The Raikage ched his teeth in frustration, knowing he had been outmaneuvered.

  Mifuhdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Of course, this is just an objective evaluation from an outsider."

  "Lord Kazekage is too young to and respect. Moreover, as the Kazekage, he already has enough responsibilities on his shoulders."

  "Lord Tsuchikage, oher hand, is advanced in age, g vitality. Furthermore, his ination to use the Akatsuki makes him difficult to trust."

  "As for Lady Mizukage, the Akatsuki inated from Kirigakure. The issue of intelligence leaks is ing, not to mentioter of spies."

  "Although we still don't uand why the Akatsuki is colleg Tailed Beasts, we ot allow the ails to fall into their hands under any circumstances."

  "And sihe ails belongs to Konoha, we believe that having the Hokage lead is the safest option..."

  Mifune's argument was well-reasoned, leaving the Raikage aware that his hopes of being the ander were dashed. He bellowed, "I came here to showcase the strength of Kumogakure! As for this united ninja army, it has nothing to do with me!"

  Ao, one of the Mizukage's guards, who had a sharp mind, noticed something suspicious. "There's something off... This situatioo be verified. Chōjūrō, prepare for bat."

  "Huh?" The young and inexperienced Chōjūrō was momentarily fused but still gripped his sword, Hiramekarei, tightly.

  Zzz! Ao formed a hand seal with two fingers, and the veins around his right eye, covered by a bck-sealed eyepatch, became visible.

  —Byakugan!

  Through the Byakugan, Ao could clearly see the chakra flow around Danzō's right eye.

  He was shocked internally, "How this be... The chakra color around his right eye and its surrounding pathways... There's no mistaking it. It's Uchiha Shisui's chakra! That formidable enemy I once faced... I could never fet that chakra!"

  Swish!

  Ao nded behierumī and addressed Danzō, "Lord Hokage, could you let us see your bandaged right eye?"

  "!?!" The Fe were stunned.

  Danzō remained silent.

  ōnoki asked, "What's going on?"

  Ao accused Danzō, "That right eye... It must have been transpnted from Uchiha Shisui. Shisui's dōjutsu allows him to enter someone's mind and manipute their thoughts without them even realizing it. It is the most powerful genjutsu!"

  The Raikage caught on, "Hokage, don't tell me you've been maniputing Mifune..."

  Mifune was startled, "What!?"

  Ao expined, "This right eye of mine was a trophy from a battle with the Hyūga . So I won't criticize others for using such means. However, the genjutsu on Lord Mifune has already been dispelled... Furthermore."

  Ao suddenly turned his gaze behind Mifune. "You two, reveal your true forms!"

  "Hmm!?" Everyourheir attention to Chūkei and Rikyaku standing there.

  The tall samurai Rikyaku, who was actually Orochimaru in disguise, thought to himself, "Heh... So I've been discovered. After all, who would have expected this? Naruto-kun, one of the Mizukage's guards possesses the Byakugan."

  "..." The one-eyed samurai Chūkei, disguised as Naruto, remained expressionless.

  This was a distant memory. Naruto had only heard about this meeting from others and couldn't possibly know every detail.

  But the objective had been achieved—the depletion of Danzō's Kotoamatsukami.

  Poof! The Transformation Jutsu was dispelled.

  Naruto, wearing a mask, and Orochimaru revealed themselves to everyone!

  g!!

  Without hesitation, Mifune drew his sword and struck.

  Naruto uhed the bde at his waist, blog Mifune's swift attack.

  Naruto smirked, "As expected of the samurai leader. Such impressive swordsmanship."

  Mifune demanded, "Where are Chūkei and Rikyaku?"

  "Who knows," Naruto replied nontly.

  He pushed Mifune's bde aside with his left hand and reached for his ninja pouch with his right.

  "Hmm!?" Mifune's eyes narrowed as he retreated, sword at the ready.

  Naruto pulled out a ninja smoke bomb from his poud smashed it on the ground.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Amidst the smoke, the sound of fists a g echoed.

  Then, with a loud crash, the wall shattered... Danzō clutched his shoulder and fled, followed closely by Fū and Torune.

  Naruto and Orochimaru were about to give chase when Ao blocked their path.

  "Even if you're wearing a mask, your chakra ot be hidden. You're the ails Jinchūriki from Konoha, aren't you?"

  "And you... You're Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. A dangerous figure rumored to have died, yet here you are, alive and with the Jinchūriki."

  "Heh heh..." Orochimaru chuckled seductively.

  Naruto thought to himself, "Ao of Kirigakure... Although I haven't ied with him much, I see now that he's a sharp ninja. I uand why he was recruited by the 'Kara' anization after surviving the Fourth Shinobi World War."

  At this moment, the Raikage roared, "ails Jinchūriki! So you're Uzumaki Naruto! Tell me, do you know where Uchiha Sasuke is?"

  Naruto replied, "I do."

  The Raikage demanded, "Where is he?"

  Naruto smirked, "I'm not telling you..."