Chapter 101

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Just a while ago, they were all competing in the Chunin Exams, and now, while Naruto was still a genin, Gaara had become the Kazekage. Even someone as thick-skinned as Naruto found this surreal, momentarily suspecting he might be under some genjutsu.

Gaara put down his Kazekage hat and, with a gentle demeanor, said, "Naruto, you need to work hard too."

"Work hard?" Naruto counted on his fingers, thinking seriously, "Genin, Chunin, Jonin, Hokage. I still have three more stages to go!"

Naruto scratched his head in frustration. He hadn't even passed the Chunin Exams this time.

If he wanted another chance, he'd have to wait for the next Chunin Exams in two years.

With that thought, Naruto ran up to Gaara, pushing Maki aside, and enviously asked, "Gaara, tell me how you became Kazekage? Do you have any tips?"

Chiyo, watching Naruto chat away with Gaara, wondered why Tsunade had brought the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki here.

In Sunagakure, Gaara had become Kazekage because there were no other suitable candidates. But Konoha was different.

For instance, Hatake would be a suitable candidate.

"Interesting. One Jinchuriki has already become a Kage. Will there be another in the future?" Onoki mused, watching Gaara and Naruto.

Living long enough, one witnesses many things once thought impossible.

For instance, Jinchuriki were traditionally treated as weapons by the major villages.

A Jinchuriki becoming a Kage?

In the past, this was unthinkable.

Regarding the Fourth Mizukage also being a Jinchuriki, he wasn't one when he became Mizukage. It was only after Rin's death, to better control the tailed beasts, that the Three-Tails was implanted in him.

Times were changing. Now, even the long-dead could be resurrected.

The world was becoming increasingly difficult for Onoki to understand.

The small talk didn't last long.

Once the Five Kage were seated, the summit's host, Mifune, stepped onto the stage, speaking solemnly and briefly:

"It is an honor for the Land of Iron to host this Five Kage Summit. As the host, I declare the Five Kage Summit officially begun."

Clap clap clap.

Naruto, excited, started clapping.

However, when he saw everyone else looking at him without joining in, he stopped, puzzled, and muttered internally, "Doesn't the Hokage always get applause before a speech?"

After this small incident, the summit quickly moved to the main agenda.

Without the delay typical of nobles and officials, the initiator, Fourth Raikage A, raised his severed arm and said bluntly:

"This was caused by Hagoromo Gensou. Based on our intel, when he fought my team, Gensou wasn't at his peak. Now, he's likely even stronger. Such a legendary ninja roaming free will undoubtedly disrupt the current balance of the ninja world!"

"So, what are you suggesting, Raikage?" Mei asked, looking at A.

A replied sternly, "Form a joint force of the five villages, like in the time of the First Hokage, to eliminate Gensou, who doesn't belong to this era or the five great villages."

"Form a joint force? Just to deal with one person? Raikage, your proposal is too exaggerated," said Chiyo, the elder from Sunagakure.

Although Gaara was the Kazekage, his lack of experience in governance meant that Chiyo still made the key decisions.

Given Sunagakure's current weak state and economic pressures, they preferred to develop quietly rather than mobilize forces.

Onoki also chimed in, "As far as I know, Gensou hasn't declared war or sought to conquer the five great nations. The world is still at peace. Mobilizing large resources to deal with one person seems unwise."

A joint force wasn't a simple task. It required manpower, resources, finances, and would disrupt various missions, causing significant strain on the villages.

Although aware of Gensou's prowess, Onoki, as the leader of Iwagakure, didn't favor Raikage's drastic approach, which couldn't be compensated for through war spoils as in the past.

Similarly, Mei agreed. While Kirigakure was willing to deal with Gensou, the extensive resources required for a full-scale mobilization were too great a burden.

A remained firm, "Against an opponent like Gensou, we must go all out, with no room for error. While he hasn't done anything yet, a figure of his caliber is unpredictable. If he were to establish a new village, we would all suffer."

Although the ninja world seemed vast, the "cake" had long been divided. A new village, especially one led by Gensou, would severely impact the five great villages' missions and economy, an outcome they couldn't accept.

Ninja wars fundamentally were about redistributing this "cake."

Though A's words were speculative, everyone, except the thick-skinned Naruto, pondered deeply.

"I recall that Gensou's recent appearance was related to Uchiha Sasuke's defection from Konoha," Mei said, looking at Tsunade, who had been silent.

Tsunade glanced at Naruto, who clenched his fists upon hearing "Sasuke," and nodded, "Yes, Uchiha Sasuke defected and followed Gensou."

"That makes sense." Onoki, the oldest present, smiled, "The Hagoromo and Uchiha clans were allies and maintained good relations. Feeling uncomfortable in Konoha, Sasuke going to Gensou is natural."

Though the summit was about Gensou, Onoki didn't forget Konoha's threat. Stirring things up was just a casual move for him.

Additionally, Onoki had an unspoken idea.

Perhaps they could contact Gensou, much like they hired the Akatsuki.

Gensou, to some extent, could be a formidable ally.

As for the conflict from the Valley of the End, that was a long time ago, and those involved had long passed.

Moreover, among people like them, what issues couldn't be resolved through discussion?

(End of Chapter)