Ch-57 I challenge you to Surprise me.

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At that precise moment, when every individual present was enthusiastically voicing their agreement, an unexpected occurrence unfolded within the confines of the meeting room—an unprecedented space rift materialized before their eyes.

Witnessing this extraordinary phenomenon, Hiruzen swiftly rose from his seat, while Sakumo and Orochimaru positioned themselves protectively in front of him.

Simultaneously, the guards representing various villages assumed their positions, steadfastly prepared to defend their respective Kages against any potential threats that might arise."This is indeed a grave situation," expressed Hiruzen, his tone laced with concern.

Puzzled by the gravity of the situation, Onoki inquired, "What do you mean, Hokage?"

With a measured voice, Hiruzen uttered a name that sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it, "Kagutsuchi Uzumaki."

The mere mention of Kagutsuchi's name elicited a chilling response from the assembled individuals, prompting a tangible sense of trepidation to pervade the atmosphere.

Each person stood ready, their nerves tightly wound, prepared to defend themselves at a moment's notice.

Finally, the enigmatic figure of Kagutsuchi emerged from the mystical breach in space, moving deliberately and purposefully towards the seat occupied by the general of the Iron Country.

As Kagutsuchi locked eyes with the general, an overwhelming wave of fear washed over him, compelling the general to yield his esteemed position to Kagutsuchi, an act born out of sheer intimidation.

After comfortably settling into his seat, Kagutsuchi cordially addressed the group, "It appears that you all have been engaged in an important discussion. Please take your seats, as there is truly nothing to be nervous about."

Upon hearing Kagutsuchi's words, each individual dutifully sat down. However, their cautious nature prevented them from blindly accepting Kagutsuchi's reassurances, causing them to remain vigilant and alert in his presence.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Kagutsuchi inquired, "Pray, tell me, what was the nature of your discussion? And what events led to the convening of this esteemed Five Kage Summit?"

Silence permeated the room as Kagutsuchi's question hung in the air. Yet, amidst the quietude, the Third Raikage found the courage to speak, "Might it be true that you harbor intentions of capturing all the tailed beasts?"

"Yes, indeed, I am meticulously devising a plan to apprehend every single tailed beast," Kagutsuchi confirmed with conviction. "Or, I should say, the wheels of this plan have already been set in motion."

Although a wave of confusion washed over the assembled individuals, compelling them to seek clarity on Kagutsuchi's cryptic statement, they collectively suppressed their curiosity. In that moment, Onoki mustered the courage to pose a query, "What prompts your need to secure the tailed beasts?"

"Ah, there exist two rather straightforward reasons," Kagutsuchi calmly elucidated. "Firstly, due to my inherent strength, I am more than capable of wresting the tailed beasts from your grasp. Secondly, I am driven by a desire for my Uzumaki clan to reign as the most formidable force, even in my absence or demise."

Thus, the room remained filled with a blend of intrigue, uncertainty, and a deepened understanding of Kagutsuchi's "To be completely honest, I came here after receiving accurate and reliable information that all of you were gathering with the purpose of attending an important meeting. Interestingly enough, right after my intense confrontation with Madara, I had a premonition that Madara would undoubtedly spread news about me. So, it didn't come as a surprise to me that you all received the news from him," said Kagutsuchi, his words resonating deeply within the minds of all those present.

"I couldn't care less about your actions or intentions, but the mere thought of you challenging me was not only unexpected but also somewhat unacceptable. It's akin to how an elephant would feel when faced with a challenge from an ant. The elephant would undoubtedly feel a profound sense of discomfort and dismay, wouldn't it?" continued Kagutsuchi, his tone filled with a mixture of arrogance and disdain.

Despite the humiliation each Kage felt upon being compared to an insignificant ant, none of them dared to display any form of dissatisfaction. They understood all too well that expressing their discontent could result in instantaneous death at the hands of Kagutsuchi, who possessed formidable power.

"Consequently, I have taken it upon myself to make a specific announcement today. I hereby declare war on all of you, and I offer you the liberty to choose any battlefield you desire. However, be forewarned that if any harm comes to my clan members, you shall undoubtedly face severe consequences. Furthermore, let it be known that on this battlefield, a strict rule shall be enforced: no major village is to engage in attacks against each other's villages until the battle reaches its conclusive end," declared Kagutsuchi, his fiery Reitsu radiating an intense heat that permeated the entire room. The sheer temperature alone had the potential to incinerate nearly everything within its vicinity.

With conviction, the Third Raikage stood up and voiced his agreement, stating, "I wholeheartedly support this rule."

Following the Raikage's endorsement, the remaining Kages also voiced their support for the rule set forth by Kagutsuchi, acknowledging its necessity in these trying times.

After much deliberation, it was decided that the battle would take place precisely one week later, allowing ample time for preparation and strategizing.

As the meeting drew to a close, Kagutsuchi rose from his seat, exclaiming, "I challenge you all to surprise me in the impending battle, for I eagerly await your futile attempts to outwit me."

With those final words, he tapped his crutch in the air, causing the atmosphere to ripple like water. Suddenly, a rift in the fabric of space materialized before him, and with a confident stride, Kagutsuchi stepped into the rift, disappearing from the Iron Country and leaving behind an air of anticipation and uncertainty.

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