The Land of Fire, Konoha Village.
Yamanaka Inoichi and Uzuki Yugao, as Tsunade's guards, went to the Land of Iron for the Five Kage Summit. Uzuki Yugao also removed her mask.
From the Cloud Hidden Village, Darui and C accompanied as guards. From the Stone Hidden Village, Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi were present. The Tsuchikage was a short old man, Onoki.
From the Sand Hidden Village, it was the usual trio: the Kazekage Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.
From the Mist Hidden Village, there was the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi, who had been kissed by Li Xing, as well as Juro, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and Chojuro, who had been blinded by Li Xing.
After being injured by Li Xing, Ao waited for the Konoha ninja to retreat. Shizune and Sakura rescued Ao. Although he had lost his Byakugan, Ao was still a strong ninja and was therefore able to serve as the Mizukage's guard.
...
Meanwhile, Li Xing was still sleeping soundly at the hot spring inn, with women on either side, completely unconcerned about the Five Kage Summit.
However, just as Li Xing was fast asleep, Kabuto suddenly contacted him through his ring.
"Lord Li Xing, the Edo Tensei has made progress. Although we cannot use meteorites from outer space as sacrifices, there has been a major discovery."
Li Xing yawned and said, "What major discovery requires you to contact me? But it's good timing. I'm planning to start a war, and I'll need your Edo Tensei then. Go dig up some corpses in the meantime."
"Yes, Lord Li Xing. I have now learned the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave. I discovered that using natural energy for Edo Tensei, combined with meteorites from outer space, can make the reanimated stronger than they were in life. Furthermore, we can select the age of the deceased during their lifetime. This means we can reanimate any ninja at their peak."
Upon hearing Kabuto's words, Li Xing became somewhat interested and immediately asked, "If the deceased was twenty years old in life, can I reanimate him at fifty?"
"I regret to say, Lord Li Xing, that this is not yet possible," Kabuto replied regretfully. However, this was not a very important matter, and Li Xing was too lazy to dwell on it. He instructed Kabuto to find him after digging up enough corpses, then cut off the call.
"Karin, Yugito, wake up. We're preparing to depart for the Land of Iron." Li Xing quickly woke the two of them up. Traveling leisurely would be just right.
...
A few days later, the Land of Iron.
The Kage of the five great hidden villages had all arrived here. Because the Land of Iron had no ninja and was a neutral country established by samurai, it was chosen as the location for the Five Kage Summit.
Li Xing, accompanied by Karin and Yugito, also arrived at the Land of Iron. They were standing on a snowy plain, gazing from afar at the pavilion where the Five Kage were gathered.
"Yugito, do you want to fight the Raikage?"
If it were the Yugito of the past, she might have had some questions for the Raikage, but now it was no longer important. However, if it was Li Xing's idea, fighting was not out of the question.
"It doesn't matter. Didn't you receive orders to stop the Five Kage? I can handle the Raikage then."
"Alright, Yugito, you and I will infiltrate together. Karin, you'll copy from the outside to create a diversion. If any other ninja come to support or escape, stop them, except for the Tsuchikage. You probably can't handle his Dust Release."
Li Xing began to formulate a plan. However, to be safe, Li Xing placed protective barriers on both of them.
...
Inside, the Five Kage were seated in their respective positions. In the center sat Mifune, the leader of the Land of Iron.
"Please place your kage hats on the table. I am Mifune, the administrator of this place. The Five Kage Summit shall now commence."
The Five Kage then fell silent for a moment. Finally, Gaara couldn't help but speak, "I was once a jinchuriki and was captured by the Akatsuki, nearly losing my life. I deeply understand the danger of the Akatsuki organization and therefore united the Kage of the various villages, but except for the Hokage, everyone else ignored me."
"Now that the jinchuriki of each village have been captured, and you only now begin to take the Akatsuki organization seriously, isn't it already too late?"
Onoki, the Tsuchikage, said, "To have one's own jinchuriki captured is a profound humiliation. How could one possibly request assistance from other countries? Covert retrieval is the norm."
Gaara glanced at Onoki, his eyes filled with disgust. Face, dignity – what a pedantic old man.
Mei Terumi, the Mizukage, said, "I admit that I was negligent in my duties as Mizukage regarding this matter. However, even if the tailed beasts are captured, they will not immediately pose a threat. Controlling a tailed beast requires time and knowledge."
Onoki, the Tsuchikage, said, "The jinchuriki and the tailed beast need to grow together and adapt to each other, but controlling them is not a simple matter, is it? Right, Kazekage?"
From above, Yugito couldn't help but clench her fist upon hearing the Tsuchikage's words. Indeed, jinchuriki were merely tools for the village, never gaining the people's recognition. Li Xing hugged Yugito, comforting her, and decided to first hear the other Kage's thoughts.
Below, the Raikage had lost patience and smashed the table in front of him with a single punch, "Stop your incessant chatter!"
Immediately, their respective guards appeared before the Five Kage, facing each other with drawn weapons, until Mifune spoke, causing everyone to stand down.
A, the Raikage, said, "The Akatsuki is formed by rogue ninja from Konoha, Suna, Kiri, and Iwa. Therefore, I do not trust you. But I have called you here today to hold you accountable!"
Tsunade, the Hokage, said, "Wait, Raikage. The Akatsuki also includes the two-tailed jinchuriki from your village. Don't try to paint your Cloud Hidden Village in such a noble light. Furthermore, I am here today to ask you to retract the order for the execution of Uchiha Sasuke."
"There's another matter. The leader of the Akatsuki, Pain, could easily destroy Konoha. However, I recently learned that Pain was also being manipulated. The mastermind is that masked man, whose true identity is very likely Uchiha Madara!"
Tsunade's words immediately stunned everyone present. Uchiha Madara was a ninja as famous as the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju. How could he possibly be alive today?
Onoki, in particular, broke out in a cold sweat. He knew better than anyone present the terror of Uchiha Madara.
"Retract the order? Impossible! For my brother, I will pay any price, even if it means starting a war. Moreover, I have discovered that your previous Kage once collaborated with the Akatsuki. I will not be complicit with you!" The Raikage stood up abruptly, shouting at everyone present, utterly fearless.
Onoki, the Tsuchikage, said, "The Akatsuki is a mercenary group. With a large sum of money, one can achieve the best results. By utilizing such an organization, one can also avoid casualties among one's own ninja. This is the best weapon of war!"
"How ugly! I see no point in continuing this Five Kage Summit!" Li Xing descended from above, landing directly on Mifune's table.
"Li Xing!" Tsunade exclaimed in surprise, not expecting to encounter Li Xing here.
Mei Terumi also became suddenly angry upon seeing Li Xing, the person who had caused her to lose face in front of her subordinates.
Gaara had a different thought. This man had celebrated his birthday with him and even allowed him to see his mother.
Onoki merely chuckled, seeming not to take Li Xing seriously. The Raikage, seeing someone causing trouble, and from the Akatsuki at that, immediately threw a punch at Li Xing.
However, just as the Raikage made his move, Yugito suddenly appeared and blocked the Raikage's attack with a single strike.
"Long time no see, Lord Raikage. To go this far for your brother!"