Chapter 23: Five Villagers

In the dimly lit meeting room of the Hokage Tower, Shikaku sat before four large screens, each displaying the face of a different Kage. The soft hum of the communication equipment filled the otherwise quiet space.

Mei leaned forward in her screen, her visible eye showing concern. "Is it enough to send just 10 Jonin and the Kage from each village? This seems like a rather small force against such a threat."

Shikaku nodded solemnly. "We've considered gathering all jonin and chunin to witness the battle. It would help foster a sense of camaraderie among the villages. However..." He paused, his scarred face serious. "In the actual fight, they would only be a burden."

"A burden?" A's voice boomed through his screen. "How so?"

"It's because of Naruto," Shikaku explained. "He'll try to protect everyone on the battlefield - it's just who he is. Having too many shinobi there would hinder him more than help. Ten jonin from each village is the optimal number we can manage without compromising his ability to fight at full power."

Gaara spoke up from his screen, his expression thoughtful. "That makes sense. And what of Naruto and Sasuke's progress? Have they succeeded with the Rinnegan?"

"Yes," Shikaku confirmed, a slight smile crossing his face. "We just received word that both of them have successfully awakened their Rinnegan. Naruto has already demonstrated its power in a spar against the First Hokage."

Onoki's aged face hardened on the screen. "You used forbidden jutsu? Now, when we're trying to create peace between our nations? This is concerning."

Shikaku nodded his head, understanding the Tsuchikage's point. "It was necessary," he explained carefully. "Sixteen years ago, the Fourth Hokage sealed half of the Nine-Tails in the Shinigami's belly. We needed to retrieve that power to restore the Nine-Tails to its complete form."

He paused, making sure to emphasize the next point. "However, we didn't use human sacrifices. Orochimaru created special bodies with minimal life signs - they had no consciousness. These were essentially empty vessels, nothing more."

"Still," Onoki pressed, though his expression had softened slightly, "using such jutsu..."

"I understand your concern," Shikaku continued. "But given what we're facing, we needed Naruto at full power. The complete Nine-Tails, combined with his Rinnegan, gives us our best chance against Kaguya."

The other Kage exchanged glances through their screens, considering this explanation. The use of forbidden jutsu was always a sensitive topic, but the circumstances were indeed extraordinary.

Gaara leaned forward on his screen, his expression showing genuine curiosity. "So, what was the result of the duel between Naruto and the First Hokage?"

Shikaku's lips curved into a slight smile. "It wasn't even close. Naruto completely overwhelmed Lord First. Even the Thousand-Armed Kanon was destroyed by a single attack from Naruto's enhanced Tailed Beast Bomb."

"Impossible!" Onoki exclaimed, his aged face showing shock. "The First Hokage's wood style was legendary! To think someone could overpower it so easily..."

"It's the combination of powers," Shikaku explained. "The complete Nine-Tails, the Rinnegan, Six Paths Sage Mode, and the Flying Thunder God technique - Naruto has surpassed even the God of Shinobi."

A's face showed a mix of disbelief and respect. "And you witnessed this battle yourself?"

"No," Shikaku replied, "but we received detailed reports from Lady Tsunade, Lord Jiraiya, and even Lord Second, who were all present. They all confirmed that Naruto's victory was decisive and clear."

Mei's visible eye widened. "To think that cheerful boy has grown so powerful... Perhaps ten jonin from each village is enough."

"Indeed," Gaara nodded, a small smile on his face. "Naruto has always had a way of exceeding expectations."

Shikaku turned to address Mei. "And don't worry too much, Mizukage. We also have the other seven Jinchuriki with us. Their combined power, along with Naruto's, will be formidable."

"When will the Akatsuki discover that Naruto's body is a fake?" A asked, his deep voice carrying concern.

"In two days," Shikaku replied confidently. "But by then, Naruto will teleport us all there, and it will be too late for them. The Jinchuriki, ten jonin from each village, and the Kage are specifically tasked with ensuring no Akatsuki member escapes - especially the masked man and Black Zetsu."

He paused, then continued, "We've also prepared teams to secure the location where they've hidden the 100,000 White Zetsu. They'll maintain the seals containing them until we resolve the current situation. Those White Zetsu could prove valuable either as a military force or in medical research."

"Using the enemy's resources against them," Onoki mused, stroking his beard. "Clever."

"Yes," Shikaku nodded. "The White Zetsu's unique properties could revolutionize medical ninjutsu if properly studied. But first, we need to focus on the immediate threat."

Gaara's eyes narrowed slightly. "And you're certain the seals will hold the White Zetsu army?"

"The seals were designed by both Naruto and Sasuke, incorporating their Rinnegan powers," Shikaku assured. "They won't break unless we want them to."

Mei leaned forward, her auburn hair shifting slightly. "And what about Madara? If he's truly been revived, we'll need a specific strategy to deal with him."

Shikaku continued, "With the Four, Hokage reanimated and fighting alongside us - particularly the First Hokage who once defeated Madara - plus the combined strength of all five current Kage, Madara will be overwhelmed. Even with his Rinnegan, he can't possibly handle all of us simultaneously."

A crossed his arms, a hint of a smile on his face. "The First Hokage alone was his equal. Now we have Hashirama, plus the Second, Third, and Fourth Hokage, not to mention our own combined strength."

"And let's not forget," Gaara added quietly, "that this time, we're properly prepared. We know his abilities and have countermeasures ready. This isn't like our last encounter with him."

"Precisely," Shikaku agreed. "The Fourth Hokage's Flying Raijin technique will be particularly effective in coordinating our attacks. Combined with the Second Hokage's expertise in the same jutsu, we can attack from multiple angles simultaneously. Madara won't be able to defend against all of us."

Onoki stroked his beard thoughtfully. "With this level of preparation and firepower, even the legendary Madara Uchiha doesn't stand a chance. Times have changed since his era."

Shikaku looked around the room. "Is there anything else we need to discuss?"

A shifted in his seat, his brow furrowed. "What about the Land of Iron? Why isn't anyone from their nation present at this meeting?"

Shikaku nodded, having anticipated this question. "I spoke with Mifune before this meeting. He and ten samurai will be joining our forces soon. We made a specific request for them to bring as much iron as they could spare to distribute among the five villages. They needed some time to prepare such a large quantity of materials."

"That's good thinking," Mei commented. "Their high-quality iron will be invaluable for our weapons and defenses."

"Indeed," Shikaku continued. "Mifune understood the gravity of the situation. The Land of Iron may typically maintain neutrality, but they recognize that this threat affects everyone. They're willing to contribute both their resources and their fighting strength to our cause."

"The samurai's expertise will be a valuable addition to our forces," Gaara added quietly. "Their fighting style is different from shinobi, which could give us an additional tactical advantage."

Shikaku nodded solemnly. "Yes, and there's another aspect we need to consider. We're planning to help strengthen the samurai forces moving forward. The traditional balance of power has been significantly disrupted, especially with the emergence of shinobi like Naruto."

"What do you mean?" Mei asked, leaning forward with interest.

"Think about it," Shikaku explained, crossing his fingers in his characteristic thinking pose. "The samurai have maintained their traditional fighting styles and power levels for generations, but the shinobi world has seen exponential growth in power. When we have individuals like Naruto who can change landscapes with a single jutsu, it creates an imbalance that could be dangerous in the long term."

A grunted in agreement. "The samurai have always been a neutral, stabilizing force. Having them fall too far behind in terms of combat capability could be problematic for future peace."

"Exactly," Shikaku confirmed. "We're considering sharing certain ninja techniques and technologies that could help them evolve their fighting style while maintaining their core principles. This isn't just about the current war - it's about maintaining a stable power structure for the future."

"A stronger Land of Iron means a stronger mediating force between the ninja villages," Gaara observed quietly. "That could help prevent future conflicts."

Mei leaned forward, her long auburn hair falling over her shoulder. "I believe we need to establish permanent teams with representatives from each village. Having too many Kage meetings isn't practical for our political structure. From the Hidden Mist, I nominate Ao as our representative, with Chōjūrō as his support."

Shikaku nodded thoughtfully. "That's a sensible suggestion. Regular Kage meetings can be problematic - they leave our villages vulnerable and can create political tensions. Having trusted representatives handle routine matters would be more efficient."

"Ao's experience with the Byakugan and his analytical skills, combined with Chōjūrō's swordsmanship, make them a well-balanced team," Mei added. "They can handle both diplomatic and combat situations if needed."

"Each village should choose representatives they trust completely," A stated firmly. "These people will need to make decisions on behalf of their villages when time is of the essence."

"Let's hear the nominations from other villages then," Mei suggested, looking around at her fellow leaders. "Who will represent your villages in this joint task force?"

Shikaku spoke up first, "From Konoha, I nominate myself and my son, Shikamaru. I've been gradually passing more responsibilities to him, and his strategic mind will be valuable for this initiative."

Gaara nodded, "Sunagakure will be represented by Baki and Kankurō. Baki's experience as a council member and former sensei, combined with Kankurō's puppet mastery and tactical abilities, make them ideal choices."

A crossed his arms, "For Kumogakure, I'm appointing Darui and C. Darui's level-headed nature and C's sensor abilities will serve this group well."

Ōnoki shifted in his seat, "From Iwagakure, I choose Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi. My granddaughter has been preparing for leadership, and Akatsuchi's loyalty and strength will complement her well."

Mei smiled, "So we have our core team now. Each pair brings unique strengths: intelligence gathering, combat capability, diplomatic experience, and future leadership potential. This could work better than we anticipated."

"We should establish regular meeting points and communication protocols," Shikaku suggested. "Perhaps rotating between villages to maintain neutrality?"

Gaara shook his head slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I must disagree with this structure. We're overlooking important potential allies. The samurai of the Land of Iron and the summoning animals should be considered integral parts of our alliance, not mere auxiliaries."

"The summoning animals?" Ōnoki raised an eyebrow. "What are you suggesting, Lord Kazekage?"

"Think about it," Gaara continued, his voice calm but firm. "The great summoning clans - the toads of Mount Myōboku, the snakes of Ryūchi Cave, the slugs of Shikkotsu Forest, and others - possess wisdom that spans centuries. They're natural forces that have maintained balance long before our villages were established."

Mei leaned forward, intrigued. "You make a valid point. The Great Toad Sage's prophetic abilities alone would be invaluable for long-term planning."

"Exactly," Gaara nodded. "And the samurai, as we discussed earlier, represent a crucial neutral party. If we're truly building a lasting alliance, we need to include these powers in our council structure."

Shikaku stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So you're suggesting we expand the representative system to include both samurai and summoning clan delegates?"

"Yes," Gaara replied. "Having natural forces like the summoning clans involved could help prevent future conflicts. They have no stake in our political disputes but have always worked to maintain world balance. Their perspective would be invaluable."

A crossed his arms, considering. "The logistics would be more complicated, but the benefits could outweigh the challenges. We'd need to establish proper protocols for communicating with the summoning realms..."

"And ensure the samurai have an equal voice in decisions," Shikaku added. "Perhaps we should invite Mifune to our next meeting to discuss this expanded alliance structure?"

The other Kage nodded in agreement, seeing the wisdom in Gaara's suggestion. This would be a more inclusive and potentially more stable alliance than they had initially planned.

Mei's expression shifted, a look of newfound respect crossing her features. "Lord Kazekage... I must admit, I sometimes forget you're not just the young boy who took office a few years ago. Your insight shows remarkable depth."

A nodded firmly, his stern face softening slightly. "Indeed. Your proposal demonstrates the kind of long-term strategic thinking we need. The inclusion of natural forces like the summoning clans could provide the stability our alliance requires."

"The boy has grown into a fine Kage," Ōnoki admitted, stroking his beard. "When you first took office, I had my doubts, but you've proven yourself time and again. This suggestion further cements my opinion."

Shikaku observed the shift in the room's dynamics. The other Kage were no longer looking at Gaara as the youngest among them, but as an equal whose wisdom they valued. "Lord Kazekage, would you be willing to take the lead on establishing initial contact with the major summoning clans? Your diplomatic approach could be particularly effective."

Gaara inclined his head slightly. "I would be honored. However, we should also consider approaching them through their current contractors. Naruto with the toads, Sasuke with the snakes, and Lady Tsunade with the slugs. Their existing relationships could facilitate smoother negotiations."

"A practical approach," A commented. "And what of the other summoning clans? The hawks, the monkeys, the salamanders?"

"We should extend invitations to all major clans," Gaara responded. "Each brings unique perspectives and abilities that could benefit our alliance. The more diverse our council, the more comprehensive our understanding of potential threats and solutions."

Shikaku leaned forward, his scarred face thoughtful. "Lord Kazekage's idea has merit, but we need to consider the practical aspects. There are dozens of summoning clans - from the major ones like the toads and snakes to smaller but significant groups like the dogs and birds. Having all of them present would make meetings unwieldy."

He interlaced his fingers in his characteristic thinking pose. "I propose we reach out to as many summoning clans as possible, but ask them to form their own council. They could then select three to five representatives to attend our alliance meetings."

"That's more manageable," Mei agreed. "The summoning clans could discuss matters among themselves first and present unified positions through their chosen representatives."

"Exactly," Shikaku nodded. "For instance, the Great Toad Sage, being one of the oldest and wisest among them, could lead their internal council. They could then choose representatives based on different aspects - perhaps one for combat matters, one for intelligence gathering, and one for diplomatic relations."

A crossed his arms. "This structure would be more efficient. It gives the summoning clans a voice while keeping our meetings focused and productive."

"And it allows them to maintain their own autonomy," Gaara added, seeing the wisdom in Shikaku's suggestion. "They would have their own internal governance while still being part of our larger alliance."

Ōnoki nodded approvingly. "A clever compromise. It respects their independence while ensuring effective cooperation. As expected of Konoha's chief strategist."

Ōnoki's eyes suddenly widened as if remembering something important. "Ah! Speaking of which, Lord Kazekage... what about Deidara? You mentioned having him contained at the Summit. With everything that happened, I nearly forgot about my former student."

Gaara's expression remained calm, though a slight smile touched his lips. "Yes, he's still securely contained in my sand prison. I had Kankurō transport him to Suna temporarily while we dealt with more pressing matters. He's been... vocal about his situation."

"Vocal?" Mei asked, raising an eyebrow with curiosity.

"He keeps shouting about how his art is being suffocated by my sand," Gaara explained, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "And demanding that someone appreciate his artistic vision."

Ōnoki couldn't help but let out a short laugh. "That sounds like him alright. Always going on about his explosions being art. When can I expect him to be transferred to Iwagakure?"

"I can have him transported within the next few days," Gaara replied. "Though I should warn you - he's developed some interesting theories about art during his containment. Something about my sand being an inferior medium compared to his clay..."

"Some things never change," Ōnoki sighed, though there was a fondness in his voice. "That boy always was more concerned with his artistic expression than following orders. Still..." his expression grew more serious, "what's his current state of mind? Can he be rehabilitated?"

"From my observations," Gaara responded thoughtfully, "his time with the Akatsuki seems to have been more about seeking recognition for his art than any true loyalty to their cause. With proper guidance, he could potentially return to being a valuable shinobi of the Stone."

Mei leaned forward in her screen, her visible eye showing interest. "Speaking of former Akatsuki members, Shikaku, you mentioned Kisame would be returning to the Mist. Has there been any progress with that?"

Shikaku nodded, his scarred face thoughtful. "Yes, he should be on his way with Suigetsu now. They're discussing plans to recreate the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist."

He paused, considering his next words carefully. "However, I should warn you - Kisame may not stay permanently in the Mist. It's where he lost his way, after all. But having him train potential swordsmen could be beneficial. Who knows? Maybe he'll find something worth staying for."

"And what of the other Akatsuki members?" Mei pressed.

"Well," Shikaku began, interlacing his fingers, "Black Zetsu, the masked man, and Hidan are marked for elimination - they're too dangerous to be allowed to live. As for Pain and Konan, we're planning to send Naruto to talk to them. He has a way of changing people's minds - they could become valuable allies."

"What about Kakuzu?" A interjected gruffly.

"He's... debatable," Shikaku admitted. "His financial expertise could be valuable to the alliance, but his moral compass is severely compromised. We'll need to discuss his fate further."

"And Itachi Uchiha?" Ōnoki asked, his aged face showing curiosity.

"Once we've dealt with the Akatsuki situation," Shikaku replied firmly, "we plan to announce his true status as a hero of the Leaf. His sacrifice and loyalty deserve recognition."

The other Kage nodded in understanding, each contemplating the complex web of allegiances and redemptions that lay before them.

Gaara leaned forward slightly, his calm voice carrying through the screen. "There's another matter we should discuss - Kaguya's potential status if she chooses to cooperate with us."

The other Kage shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the Rabbit Goddess.

"Cooperate?" A's voice boomed skeptically. "Can we really trust someone of her power level?"

Gaara remained composed. "According to Naruto, she wasn't always an enemy of humanity. Her initial desire was to protect our world from other Ōtsutsuki. It was the power of the chakra fruit that corrupted her."

Shikaku nodded thoughtfully. "If we can reach her maternal instincts and show her that humanity has grown beyond what she remembers, there's a chance she might choose to protect Earth rather than destroy it."

"And if she does cooperate?" Mei asked, her visible eye showing both curiosity and concern.

Gaara's expression grew more serious. "That's precisely where our challenges lie. While Naruto and Sasuke, along with our combined forces, could theoretically contain her, constantly maintaining that level of readiness is unsustainable. We can't keep all our strongest shinobi focused on one potential threat indefinitely."

He paused, his pale green eyes reflecting deep concern. "But there's an even more complex issue we need to address. How do we present her to the public? She is, after all, the origin of all chakra. There's a real risk that people will begin to worship her as a goddess."

Mei nodded in understanding. "And if that happens, we could lose our influence over her."

"Exactly," Gaara continued. "If the public elevates her to divine status, our agreements or limitations could become meaningless. We'd be creating the very problem we're trying to prevent - an unchecked power that stands above human authority."

A slammed his fist on his desk. "Then what do you suggest? We can't exactly hide her existence!"

Onoki leaned forward in his chair, a knowing smirk on his aged face. "You youngsters are overthinking this. Let me offer you some simpler solutions from my years of experience."

He held up his gnarled fingers, counting off each point. "First, we arrange a marriage for her. Nothing humanizes a deity quite like domestic life. The public won't view her as an untouchable goddess if she's someone's wife."

"Second," he continued, "we present her abilities as a powerful bloodline limit. Our people are already familiar with extraordinary clans like the Uchiha and Senju. They'll view her as exceptional, yes, but not divine."

The old Tsuchikage's eyes narrowed. "If those don't work, we could always reveal the complete truth about her history - both good and bad. Let people see she's not infallible."

"And if all else fails," he added, stroking his beard, "we could develop a powerful sealing technique to link her life force with a trusted shinobi - perhaps one of us Kage, or Naruto, or another suitable candidate. Though," he admitted, "creating such a seal would take considerable time."

Mei raised an eyebrow. "Those are... surprisingly practical solutions, Lord Tsuchikage."

"That's why I've survived this long in this position," Onoki chuckled. "Sometimes the old ways are the best ways."

Gaara interlaced his fingers, bringing up another crucial point. "There's still the matter of her residence to consider. We need to decide where Kaguya will actually live."

He stood up, walking closer to the screen. "We have three options. First, she could reside in one of our five villages. However, this could create tension and jealousy between nations, as whichever village hosts her would be perceived as having more influence over her."

"The second option would be to have her live outside our villages, perhaps in a neutral territory. But this poses its own risks - she could feel isolated, and we'd have less ability to monitor her activities."

"The third option," Gaara continued, his voice measured, "would be to have her rotate between our villages periodically. This would ensure equal influence and oversight, but it might make it harder for her to establish any sense of belonging or stability."

A crossed his arms. "And we all know how dangerous an unstable Kaguya could be."

"Not to mention," Mei added, "constant movement might make it harder to implement Lord Tsuchikage's suggestions about integration and marriage."

The room fell silent as they contemplated the complications of each option, realizing that even seemingly simple decisions carried significant political and practical implications.

A stood up energetically, his voice carrying his usual intensity. "I have a better proposal. Instead of just monitoring her, why don't we assign shinobi from each village to genuinely befriend her? Not as surveillance, but as actual companions."

He punched his palm for emphasis. "Think about it - she's been alone and isolated for centuries. She doesn't need more isolation or suspicion, but genuine connections."

"And," he continued, "we can station Naruto or Sasuke nearby - not as jailers, but as emergency safeguards. They're the only ones who could buy us time if something went wrong."

A's expression softened slightly. "I like Gaara's rotation idea, but let's take it further. Instead of just moving her between villages, we could use it as an opportunity to help her understand and connect with our world. Let her experience our different cultures, meet our people, and see how humanity has evolved."

Mei's visible eye widened with admiration. "Lord Raikage, I must say... I never expected such a compassionate solution from you. Usually, you're more... direct in your approaches."

A stood proudly, his muscular frame commanding attention even through the screen. "Sometimes the strongest approach isn't about using force. We've all learned that from Naruto, haven't we?"

Onoki stroked his beard, nodding approvingly. "The boy's influence reaches even the mighty Raikage. But I agree - this is an excellent proposal. Building bonds rather than barriers... it's certainly more in line with the peace we've been working toward."

"Indeed," Gaara added softly. "And having representatives from each village form genuine friendships with her would help prevent any village from having too much influence. It's diplomatically sound while also being genuinely helpful."

Shikaku leaned forward, his strategic mind already working through the details. "We could select shinobi who share her interests or have complementary personalities. Perhaps even some who have experienced isolation themselves and overcome it."

"And rotating her between villages would give her a chance to experience different cultures, different perspectives," Mei contributed. "She might find aspects of each village that appeal to her."

A nodded firmly. "Exactly. We're not just containing a threat - we're welcoming a powerful potential ally into our world. If we do this right, she could become one of our strongest protectors against other Ōtsutsuki threats."

The other Kage exchanged impressed looks. A's proposal had managed to address both their security concerns and their humanitarian instincts, while also potentially solving their political dilemma.

Shikaku cleared his throat, his expression growing serious. "Well, since we've come this far in our discussions, there's something else I need to share."

The other Kage leaned forward, their interest piqued.

"We're not just limiting injecting the first cell to human enhancement," Shikaku continued, interlacing his fingers. "We're looking to strengthen everything - plants, animals, even the very soil of our world. The goal is to make Earth itself more resilient against outside threats."

Onoki's eyes narrowed. "That's... ambitious. And dangerous."

"Indeed," Shikaku nodded. "Our research suggests we could significantly boost our world's defensive capabilities. However..." He paused, his face showing concern. "There's a significant downside. This level of cellular modification across the planet might attract the Otsutsuki's attention earlier than in the original timeline."

"How much earlier?" Mei asked, her visible eye showing worry.

"We can't be certain," Shikaku admitted. "But the enhanced chakra signature of an entire strengthened planet would be hard to hide. We're essentially making Earth more noticeable to them."

A slammed his fist on his desk. "Then why risk it? Why not stick to the original timeline?"

"Because," Shikaku explained patiently, "if we succeed, we'll be far better prepared when they do arrive. Instead of facing them with just our shinobi forces, we'd have an entire planet enhanced with the First's cells. Every tree, every animal, every grain of sand could potentially be used in our defense."

The room fell silent as the Kage contemplated this revelation.

"Also," Shikaku explained patiently, "we don't know their true numbers, and we need more shinobi of Naruto's caliber. With this project, we can at least ensure our planet's survival during the inevitable confrontation with the Otsutsuki."

He paused, his expression grave. "Think about it - the battle between Kaguya and her sons alone left devastating scars on our world. Entire landscapes were altered, and that was just three Otsutsuki. If we face a larger force or even more powerful members of their clan..." He let the implication hang in the air.

"The planet itself might not survive," Gaara finished quietly, understanding dawning on his face.

"Exactly," Shikaku nodded. "By infusing the First's cells throughout our world, we're not just creating stronger warriors - we're building a more resilient planet. The trees, the soil, and even the air itself would be more durable. When these battles come - and they will come - we'll at least have a world left to protect."

Mei leaned forward, her visible eye showing concern. "And you believe this is worth the risk of attracting them earlier?"

"We have to be realistic," Shikaku responded firmly. "Right now, our world is like a glass house. One serious battle between Otsutsuki-level opponents could shatter it completely. We need to transform it into a fortress before they arrive in force."

Onoki stroked his beard thoughtfully. "So we're not just preparing our warriors - we're preparing our entire world for war."

"Precisely," Shikaku confirmed. "Because if we don't, we might win the battle but lose our world in the process."

A's expression shifted from anger to understanding. "So we're fortifying everything - not just our military strength."

"Yes," Shikaku continued, his scarred face serious. "Our scientists estimate that a single battle between four or five Otsutsuki-level combatants could potentially crack our planet's crust. The environmental damage would be catastrophic."

He stood up, pacing slightly before the screens. "We've analyzed the craters and geographical changes from previous Otsutsuki battles. The damage patterns suggest that even Kaguya and her sons held back significantly during their fight. If we face enemies fighting at full power..."

"The planet could be torn apart," Gaara concluded solemnly.

"Exactly," Shikaku nodded. "By integrating the First's cells throughout our ecosystem, we're creating a sort of planetary armor. The enhanced regenerative properties would help our world recover from the devastating impacts of these battles."

Mei's visible eye narrowed thoughtfully. "How far along is this research?"

Shikaku's expression grew more serious. "The human enhancement trials have been successful with minimal side effects. However, the plant and animal modifications have proven... unpredictable." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "We conducted a controlled experiment with a lion and a rabbit, using the same concentration of the First's cells. The results were concerning - the enhanced rabbit killed the lion and devoured it."

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly troubled. "This demonstrates how careful we need to be. Even minor alterations to the natural order could have devastating consequences. We can't simply enhance everything indiscriminately - it could completely destabilize our ecosystem."

"That's... disturbing," Mei commented, her visible eye-widening. "A rabbit defeating a lion?"

"Yes," Shikaku nodded grimly. "The First's cells seem to interact differently with various species. What might be a modest enhancement in one creature could create a monster in another. We're still trying to understand the variables involved."

Onoki leaned forward in his chair. "So we need different concentrations for different species?"

"That's what our research suggests," Shikaku confirmed. "But it's more complex than just adjusting dosages. We need to consider the entire food chain, predator-prey relationships, and the balance of entire ecosystems. One miscalculation could trigger a catastrophic chain reaction."

A crossed his arms. "How long until you can perfect this process?"

"That's the problem," Shikaku admitted. "We're not sure. Each new test reveals more complications. We might need months, even years, to fully understand the implications of large-scale environmental enhancement."

Gaara leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "Perhaps we should start with more controlled environments. Small, isolated ecosystems where we can monitor the changes more carefully."

"We've already begun that approach," Shikaku nodded. "We've set up several test zones in different biomes - forests, deserts, wetlands. Each area is carefully sealed off to prevent any enhanced organisms from escaping."

Mei's brow furrowed. "And what have you observed in these test zones?"

"The results vary dramatically," Shikaku explained, interlacing his fingers. "In some cases, the enhanced flora and fauna achieve a new balance. But in others..." He shook his head. "We've seen plants growing so aggressively they choke out everything else, insects developing unprecedented abilities, and complete disruption of local food chains."

"Give us a specific example," A demanded.

"Well," Shikaku began, "in one forest test zone, we enhanced a small patch of mushrooms with a minimal dose of the First's cells. Within days, they had developed a complex network underground, similar to the Wood Style's root system. They began absorbing chakra from surrounding plants and even started affecting the behavior of nearby animals."

Onoki's eyes widened. "Affecting their behavior? How?"

"The mushrooms released spores that could influence the neural pathways of animals that inhaled them. Nothing malicious - the animals just became more protective of the mushroom colony. But it showed us how even small changes could have far-reaching consequences we couldn't predict."

The room fell silent as the Kage contemplated the implications of these findings.

Shikaku nodded, his expression brightening slightly. "That's why we've developed an alternative approach for the immediate future. We're designing a network of seals that can absorb natural energy and redistribute it to plant life in a controlled manner."

He stood up, becoming more animated as he explained. "These seals would act as regulators, gathering excess natural energy from the environment and feeding it to plants in measured amounts. It's much safer than direct cellular modification because we can adjust or deactivate the seals if we observe any negative effects."

"How would these seals work exactly?" Mei inquired, leaning forward with interest.

"Think of them as a chakra irrigation system," Shikaku explained, gesturing with his hands. "The seals would be placed in strategic locations, drawing in natural energy like a network of roots. We can then control how much energy each area receives, promoting gradual strengthening of the ecosystem without the risks of sudden, dramatic changes."

A crossed his arms. "And if something goes wrong?"

"That's the beauty of this system," Shikaku replied. "Unlike cellular modification, which is permanent and self-replicating, these seals can be adjusted or completely shut down if needed. It gives us the control we need while we continue researching safer methods of direct enhancement."

Gaara nodded approvingly. "A prudent intermediate step. We strengthen our world while minimizing the risks."

Shikaku nodded gravely. "Yes, you're correct. While this seal network approach is safer, it would take thousands of years to achieve the level of strengthening we might need for future conflicts. However," he raised a finger, "there is one significant advantage - the enhanced healing properties it provides to the ecosystem."

He pulled out a scroll, unrolling it to reveal diagrams of the seal network. "The natural energy circulation doesn't just strengthen the plants and soil - it creates a sort of healing matrix. When damage occurs to any part of the ecosystem, the surrounding seals automatically redirect more energy to that area, accelerating recovery."

"We've seen test areas recover from significant damage in days rather than months," he continued. "Forest fires, floods, even deliberate destruction - the enhanced healing capacity is remarkable."

Onoki stroked his beard thoughtfully. "So while we may not achieve the raw power we'd get from cellular modification, we're creating a more resilient world?"

"Exactly," Shikaku confirmed. "Think of it as building a strong foundation. Yes, it's slower, but it's giving us something sustainable and self-repairing. And while we work on this, we can continue our research into safer methods of direct enhancement."

"And what about combining both approaches in small, controlled areas?" Mei suggested.

"That's our next phase of testing," Shikaku replied. "Using the seal network to stabilize and control areas where we're experimenting with cellular modification. The healing properties might help mitigate some of the more aggressive side effects we've seen."

A leaned forward, his muscular frame tense with interest. "Speaking of breakthroughs, what's the status of human enhancement with the First's cells? And Konoha promised to share bloodline limits across the villages - how do you plan to implement that?"

Shikaku nodded, his expression serious. "The human trials have been more successful than our environmental tests. We've developed a stable method using a combination of the First's cells and specialized seals to prevent rejection. The success rate is now at 85%."

"As for the bloodline limits," he continued, pulling out another scroll, "we're taking a three-phase approach. First, we're creating a genetic database of all major bloodline traits. Second, we're developing a method to safely transfer these traits using modified First cells as carriers. Finally, we'll establish training programs in each village to help new bloodline users master their abilities."

"And the risks?" Mei inquired, her visible eye showing concern.

"They're manageable," Shikaku assured. "The modified First cells act as stabilizers, preventing the kind of violent reactions we've seen in past experiments. Plus, we're starting with simpler bloodline traits before moving to more complex ones like the Sharingan or Byakugan."

A crossed his arms. "Timeline?"

"We can begin the first phase of human enhancement within two months," Shikaku replied. "The bloodline distribution will take longer - probably six months before we can start the first transfers. We want to be certain of the safety protocols."

"And who gets enhanced first?" Onoki asked, leaning forward.

"We propose starting with a small group from each village - perhaps twenty shinobi each. This will let us monitor the results closely and adjust the process if needed."

The other Kage nodded, seeing the wisdom in this cautious approach.

Shikaku straightened in his chair, surveying the faces on the screens before him. "I believe we've covered all critical matters for now. Let's reconvene after we've dealt with Kaguya. By then, we should have more concrete data on both the enhancement programs and the seal network."

A nodded firmly. "Agreed. We need to focus on the immediate threat first."

"One final thing," Gaara interjected softly. "Let's remember what Naruto taught us - sometimes the greatest battles are won through understanding, not force. When we face Kaguya, we should be prepared for both outcomes."

Mei smiled slightly. "The young Kazekage speaks wisdom. We'll prepare for battle, but hope for peace."

"Well said," Onoki agreed, stroking his beard. "This old man has seen enough war to know that the best victories often come without throwing a single punch."

"Then we're adjourned," Shikaku concluded. "I'll send detailed reports of our progress to each village, and we'll meet again once the Kaguya situation is resolved."

The screens flickered off one by one, leaving Shikaku alone in the dimly lit room, contemplating the challenges that lay ahead.