Chapter 345: The Man in the Mask Appears.

"The key issue is that we don't know what Akatsuki's true purpose is."

The Five Kage Summit officially began, with all discussions revolving around Akatsuki.

"At this point, we in Konohagakure have obtained accurate intelligence," Namikaze Minato spoke up when he heard this question.

"Oh?"

The other four Kage turned their gaze to Minato, their expressions filled with curiosity.

"Akatsuki aims to collect all nine Tailed Beasts to create an even more powerful Tailed Beast, the Ten-Tails."

"The Ten-Tails? What's that?"

All four Kage were shocked, even the most experienced among them, Oonoki, had never heard anything about the Ten-Tails. After all, it's well known that there are only nine Tailed Beasts, from One-Tail to Nine-Tails.

"Hokage, are you sure about this?" Oonoki asked gravely.

"Yes, the information is accurate and reliable."

"If it's just one Tailed Beast, it doesn't seem so frightening," the Raikage added.

While the power of the Tailed Beasts is undeniably strong, they are not invincible against these Kage.

"No, the power of the Ten-Tails is beyond any of our imaginations because it is the fusion of the current One-Tail to Nine-Tails, which were originally split by the Rikudou Sennin from the Ten-Tails."

Upon hearing this, everyone from the other ninja villages, except those from Konohagakure, widened their eyes in disbelief.

"That's not a very funny joke, Hokage," Terumi Mei said, her heart racing. If what the Hokage said was true, it was terrifying indeed.

"Do you think I would joke about such a matter?" Minato asked seriously.

"If that's really the case, it would be a huge disaster for the entire ninja world," Kazekage Gaara spoke up.

"Moreover, I believe the Ten-Tails does exist. When the One-Tail was extracted from me, I vaguely saw a terrifying figure, and the One-Tail was drawn into that figure. If what the Hokage says is true, then that figure must be the Ten-Tails," Gaara continued.

"That's truly terrifying. Now that Akatsuki has nearly gathered half of the Tailed Beasts, Mizukage, Raikage, you must protect your village's Jinchuriki," Oonoki addressed Terumi Mei and A, not overly concerned about Konohagakure's situation.

"Don't worry, Tsuchikage, you needn't trouble yourself over this," Raikage replied nonchalantly, confident in Kumogakure Village's security and Killer Bee's strength. However, Raikage couldn't foresee that his brother, Killer Bee, would face an attack by four members of the Akatsuki organization, including one of the strongest Genjutsu masters, Uchiha Itachi.

"We've successfully retrieved Kirigakure Village's Jinchuriki and have taken strict measures to protect them," Terumi Mei said. Yet, she didn't anticipate that the one to strike at their village's Jinchuriki would be Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki organization's Six Paths of Pain.

"That's good to hear," Oonoki sighed in relief. As long as the Jinchuriki were in their possession, they held a certain degree of influence.

"You no longer have a chance."

Suddenly, a voice echoed in everyone's ears, causing the Kage and their guards to become alert.

"Who's there? Stop hiding and show yourself," Raikage demanded, his fiery voice echoing around.

The only one with some scouting ability, Ao with his Byakugan, activated it, but aside from their group's chakra, there was no sign of anyone else's.

Just then, in the midst of the Kage, space began to twist in an Uzumaki-like distortion, and a man wearing an orange-striped mask and the Akatsuki organization's black robe with red clouds appeared in front of everyone.

At the sight of this man, both Namikaze Minato and Hatake Kakashi felt a surge of emotion.

"Obito," Kakashi whispered, but he knew that under these circumstances, he couldn't reveal Obito's identity.

"Are you with the Akatsuki organization? You've got guts, barging into the Five Kage Summit. Let's start our revenge with you," Raikage declared, erupting into his Lightning Release armor and charging at the masked man with a punch.

"Did it work?"

Oonoki, Terumi Mei, and Gaara all wondered simultaneously, as there were few in the ninja world who could defend against Raikage's speed.

Only Minato's expression was grave. Having fought the masked man before, he knew Raikage's move would have no effect, and they were right behind the masked man, meaning Raikage's attack would pass right through and hit them.

With this in mind, Minato grabbed Shikaku and Kakashi and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave the area, knowing that with Raikage's speed, a regular Body Flicker Jutsu wouldn't be enough to dodge the attack.

As Minato had predicted, Raikage's body passed right through the masked man.

"What?"

The Raikage was inwardly shocked, and the other Kage felt similarly unsettled.

"As expected of the Raikage, you almost hurt me there," the masked man said with a hint of mockery.

"Damn it."

The Raikage cursed under his breath but didn't act impulsively as before.

"What is your purpose here?" Oonoki asked.

"I just wanted to inform you that we have successfully captured the Six-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchuriki."

"What did you say?"

The Raikage, who had just calmed down, erupted in anger upon hearing this. His relationship with Killer Bee was like that of real brothers, and now that his brother had been captured, his fate unknown, how could he not be furious?

However, no matter how the Raikage attacked, it was futile; his punches and kicks passed right through the opponent's body.

"He's right there, why can't I hit him?"

Ao, with his Byakugan active, was observing the situation but was just as confused.

"It's useless, Raikage. His body only materializes for a moment when he attacks, and that's the only time we can hit him," Minato said, stopping the Raikage's ineffective actions. 

(End of Chapter)