Chapter 343: Prelude to the Five Kage Summit.

Oonoki wasn't surprised that all the villages agreed to the Kage Summit. He knew that any competent leader would agree to such a proposal after such significant events.

"Kurotsuchi, please arrange this matter. Since it's our Iwagakure Village hosting the Kage Summit, it should rightfully be held in our village. We can't afford to lose face in front of the other ninja villages," Oonoki instructed his granddaughter, Kurotsuchi.

Despite the setbacks Iwagakure Village had faced, they still needed to maintain the dignity of being one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.

"Yes, Grandfather, I will make sure everything is perfectly organized," Kurotsuchi replied confidently. After all, constructing a prestigious venue was a simple task for Iwagakure Village.

"Send out the notice again, the Kage Summit will be held in ten days," Oonoki said, giving the village leaders time to prepare and travel.

"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama."

Upon receiving the message, all villages immediately set out for Iwagakure Village, except for Konohagakure, for whom travel was but a moment's task.

"Hokage-sama, you should have two guards to escort you for this trip," Nara Shikaku suggested to Namikaze Minato, trusting in Minato's strength but also acknowledging the need for protection.

"Let's have Kakashi and You accompany me," Minato decided after considering Shikaku's suggestion.

Kakashi would be the bodyguard, responsible for protection, while Shikaku's main task was to strategize, providing the brains. Together, they were an invincible team.

"Good, that's what I was thinking too," Nara Shikaku agreed, considering himself and Kakashi as the prime choices since Kakashi was the Fourth Hokage's disciple and best suited to protect the Hokage. As the Hokage's secret technique and strategist, Shikaku naturally had to accompany him.

Meanwhile, the other ninja villages also dispatched two accompanying personnel each.

At the Akatsuki organization's base, it was rare for all members to gather in person.

"Itachi, Kisame, you both have done exceptionally well, capturing the Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchuriki for us," Pain, with his usual cold demeanor, commended.

Truth be told, Pain hadn't expected such efficiency, which dispelled any doubts about Itachi being an undercover agent. An undercover wouldn't work so diligently for the organization.

Hearing Pain's praise, Itachi's expression remained unchanged, while Hoshigaki Kisame cracked a smile.

"We've only gathered four Tailed Beasts so far, not even half of what's needed."

"There's nothing we can do, boss. The Eight-Tails is hidden by the Raikage, and we can't lay a finger on the Seven-Tails and Nine-Tails within Konohagakure Village."

Hidan spread his hands in a helpless gesture, his face showing frustration. It wasn't that he didn't want to complete the mission for the organization; he simply couldn't.

"Hmph, that's just an excuse for your incompetence."

Nagato was growing impatient with the lack of progress in collecting the Tailed Beasts.

"Focus your efforts on the Eight-Tails now. I'll personally handle the Three-Tails and Six-Tails."

Of course, these orders were also Obito's directive. Obito harbored a great hatred for the Three-Tails, so he wanted to take it down personally. And as someone who had once controlled the Fourth Mizukage, he knew Kirigakure Village quite well.

"If all of us attack the Eight-Tails together, it would be a disaster for him."

Hidan glanced at the others and mused internally, offering a silent prayer for the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, who had hidden too well for his own good.

"Don't underestimate the Eight-Tails. It's said to be a perfect Jinchuriki, capable of controlling the Tailed Beast's power perfectly and even exerting more strength than the Eight-Tails itself."

After Zetsu's investigation, Pain spoke up.

"A formidable opponent? The real pleasure comes from battling such a person."

A wicked smile spread across Hidan's face, eager for a fight with the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

Hidan was obsessed with battle, provided his opponent wasn't a freak like Hatake Satoru.

After all, Hatake Satoru was the kind of freak that even Hidan found disturbing.

"Moreover, Iwagakure Village will soon hold a Five Kage Summit. That will be when all the ninja villages are at their most vulnerable. You could take advantage of that time to strike at the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki."

Pain suggested a suitable time for their action.

"A Five Kage Summit? I'm more interested in the kage of the various villages than hunting Jinchuriki. I'd love to see what the world would become if all the village shadows were dead."

Hearing Hidan's words, Kakuzu pondered deeply, seemingly intrigued by such a plan.

"Hunting the kage of the villages? That plan doesn't sound too bad."

Hoshigaki Kisame grinned and voiced his agreement.

"What do you think, Itachi?"

Kisame then turned the question to Uchiha Itachi.

"Not interested."

Itachi replied coolly with just three words.

"I'm not ready to die yet. Whoever wants to go on such a suicidal mission can go ahead, but I definitely won't."

That seemed to be Uchiha Itachi's true inner thoughts.

After all, the Five Kage were incredibly powerful, and even their guards were not to be underestimated. Although they were strong, a confrontation with the Five Kage would surely result in mutual destruction, and it wasn't impossible that their side could be completely annihilated.

Therefore, Uchiha Itachi would never agree to such a plan.

"Is that so? That's a pity," Hoshigaki Kisame said with a hint of regret.

"You should be thankful. If you really wanted to hunt the Kage, you wouldn't stand a chance of surviving. The Hokage has the power to take you down instantly," Uchiha Itachi remarked, glancing sideways at Kisame.

Hidan and Kakuzu couldn't be taken down instantly by Minato; after all, one has an immortal body, and the other has five hearts—Kakuzu would need at least five hits.

Pain just silently observed the discussion among the others, not uttering a word, seemingly pondering the feasibility of the matter.

(End of chapter)