"That's right! Tsunade-san took Ino and Kushina with her to the Land of Iron," Hinata whispered softly as she rested in Kaito's arms.
"Is that so? Then I'll go there," Kaito murmured, his eyes thoughtful.
He remembered how, in the original timeline, Sasuke and Obito caused chaos at the Five Kage Summit. But with Danzō already dead by his hands, the plot had shifted. He didn't know what other changes might follow.
Hinata's delicate fingers adjusted the collar of his cloak. "Then please be careful," she said quietly, her tone full of concern.
Kaito smiled, brushed a gentle kiss against her forehead, and disappeared in a flash of space-warping chakra.
In a sealed conference room within the Land of Iron, the Five Kage were already at odds.
The discussion of who should lead the newly proposed Allied Shinobi Forces had devolved into heated argument. Each Kage stood firm, none willing to yield.
Ōnoki, the aged Tsuchikage, was seen by many as too old to lead. Gaara, the young Kazekage, was considered inexperienced. The Mizukage, Terumi Mei, represented a land that had once been the breeding ground of Akatsuki's organization, and so her candidacy was met with skepticism.
That left only Tsunade and the Fourth Raikage as realistic choices.
"I support Tsunade," Terumi Mei said firmly.
"I support Raikage," Ōnoki countered.
Gaara folded his arms and shook his head. "I choose neutrality. I will not help either side." His reasoning was clear—having just inherited the role of Kazekage, he had neither the strength nor political standing to oppose anyone outright. Neutrality was the safest path for Sunagakure.
Ōnoki leaned forward on his cane. "Let's be realistic. None of the Akatsuki members have come from Kumogakure. That alone suggests Raikage has no involvement with them. Konoha, on the other hand, has been linked with both Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi. Is it truly wise to let them lead?"
His blunt words silenced the chamber. Even Terumi Mei frowned, for though her loyalty lay with Tsunade, Ōnoki's reasoning could not be dismissed.
As the debate wavered, space itself rippled above them.
A figure stepped through the distortion and descended into the hall.
It was Kaito.
In his mastery of space and lightning, traversing from Konoha to the Land of Iron was trivial. Hovering above them, his presence pressed down like an unseen weight. His eyes swept across the room as he spoke, voice calm yet absolute.
"Tsunade will be the leader of the Shinobi Alliance. This matter is settled."
The words were delivered without emotion, but the force behind them left no room for argument.
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed. His lips parted, but then snapped shut. His body stiffened as though recalling a memory he'd rather forget. How did they bring this monster here?
Gaara frowned, recognition flashing in his gaze. "That person… isn't he Naruto's teammate?"
Temari's eyes lit up, her thoughts unguarded. Handsome…
"Ino, Kushina!" Kaito greeted softly as his eyes found the two women.
"You're here," they both said in unison, relief flickering in their eyes.
Before the moment could settle, the Fourth Raikage stepped forward, fury radiating from him. His voice boomed through the chamber.
"Boy! You are Ayanami Kaito, Tsunade's disciple. But what right do you have to speak here? This is no place for a child to interfere!"
Before Kaito could respond, Terumi Mei's sharp voice cut through the air. "He has every right. Kaito is my husband. His words are mine!"
Gasps rippled through the chamber.
"What?!" The Raikage's composure faltered.
The revelation was too shocking to dismiss. Mizukage and Hokage's closest disciple—united by marriage. The Fourth Raikage, hardened by years of politics and war, found himself momentarily disoriented.
No wonder Terumi Mei had claimed earlier that she and Tsunade were family. It had sounded like a figure of speech, but now it was clear as truth.
"I thought you spoke in anger, Mizukage. But so it seems Hokage truly is family," Raikage muttered, his face darkening.
Still, his pride was unyielding. "Even so, he represents only you, Mizukage, and Hokage Tsunade. At best, that is a draw!"
Kaito's feet touched the ground as he slowly descended. His eyes locked onto the Raikage with cold indifference. "Aren't you going to ask Ōnoki if he still supports you?"
Raikage snapped his head toward the Tsuchikage.
Ōnoki exhaled heavily. "I'm sorry, Raikage. This time, my vote aligns with kazekage's—abstaining."
"You… Ōnoki!" Raikage's face twisted in fury. "Are you really afraid of this brat? You've fallen so far, old man!"
He turned back to Kaito, his rage igniting like thunder. "I will never agree to Tsunade as commander. Unless one of you can defeat me, this matter is not up for discussion!"
Ōnoki, Tsunade, Terumi Mei, and Kushina—all who knew of Kaito's true strength—looked upon Raikage with pity.
The Raikage's voice thundered again. "What are those looks? Do you think I will lose?" His expression grew darker, lightning beginning to spark around his frame.
Kaito's lips curved into a thin smile. "You want to fight? Then I'll oblige. It's been more than ten years. Let me see how far you've come, Raikage."
Raikage's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"You'll understand soon enough," Kaito replied, his voice fading as his body vanished from sight.
Raikage was unfazed. With a roar, his body erupted with lightning as he activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Sparks danced across his skin as raw speed and power surged through him.
Ōnoki shook his head. "Brains are a good thing. Pity Raikage doesn't use his."
Mifune sighed. "This conference room won't survive what's coming."
The words were scarcely out of his mouth when a deafening impact shook the hall. The Fourth Raikage's body was hurled backward like a cannonball, smashing through wall after wall until he vanished into the distance.
"Raikage-sama!" Darui and C shouted, sprinting after their leader.
All eyes turned back to Kaito.
Ōnoki was calm, already knowing what to expect, but Gaara and his siblings were left stunned. Temari and Kankurō stood frozen, mouths hanging open.
Naruto's classmate, a boy they had once fought against during the Chūnin Exams, had just launched the strongest of the Five Kage with a single punch.
"Raikage's strength ranks first among us… and yet…" Gaara muttered, eyes wide.
"One punch," Kankurō whispered. "Just one punch…"
A furious roar echoed from the distance. "Damn you, boy! The old man won't let this stand!"
A streak of lightning split the sky. In the blink of an eye, the Raikage reappeared in front of Kaito, his body wrapped in blazing chakra. His fist, like a hammer of thunder, swung down with enough force to split a mountain.
"Chōgyo!" he roared.
The violent strike crashed forward, aimed directly at Kaito's head.
"Too slow," Kaito said flatly, his tone laced with disdain.
His thin arm rose calmly, hand closing around the Raikage's fist.
The Raikage snarled, pouring every ounce of strength into his arm. Chakra exploded around him as he forced his power to the limit, determined to crush his opponent.
But Kaito's expression did not change. His grip was unyielding.