The ninja world wasn't exactly big, but it wasn't small either.
Yet to Kazuyama, it felt tiny. He'd traveled through every nation years ago, scattering his Flying Thunder God markers across the entire land.
Back then, traveling thousands of miles with Flying Thunder God Technique depended on Chōmei's chakra support. But now? With a perfected Sage Body, his chakra reserves were no weaker than a Tailed Beast's. Under Transparent Sage Mode, his absorption of natural energy was incredibly fast.
With a few rapid activations of Flying Thunder God, Kazuyama took the other two and jumped across space repeatedly, arriving directly in the Land of Earth.
"Welcome to the Land of Earth."
Kazuyama grinned as he looked at the towering mountains in the distance.
That grin wasn't for anything else—he was remembering how he once came here pretending to be Madara Uchiha and scared Ōnoki half to death, and even sold seafood all over the country afterward. Tsk tsk, those were glorious days.
"We're already in the Land of Earth?"
"Flying Thunder God… terrifying."
Yūgao Uzuki had seen Kazuyama use Flying Thunder God before—she even suffered under its power. As the former ANBU head instructor, she had trained under him. Seeing him now brought back memories of the fear that giant python had burned into her back then.
Knowing exactly how strong this technique was, and realizing they had been in Konoha one moment and in the Land of Earth the next, the sheer feeling of crossing multiple great nations in a blink was terrifying.
"Terrifying? You'll get used to it."
"If Minato were here, he might even be faster."
As far as speed went, Minato Namikaze definitely surpassed him. Kazuyama knew that better than anyone. The title of the fastest ninja in the world wasn't a joke.
But when it came to other areas... that was another story.
Landing again in the Land of Earth, Kazuyama rarely did something as formal as fastening his Konoha forehead protector onto his arm.
This time he was on official business—he needed to show his identity.
"Huh? That's rare. You're actually wearing your forehead protector, bro?"
"I remember you telling me not to tie it to my head every day."
Kazuyama Hayate studied his older brother curiously. That wasn't the lesson he remembered growing up with.
Kazuyama's mouth twitched. The next moment, he spat right onto Hayate's face.
"Get lost! You only wear this thing on important occasions. Why would you wear it all the time?"
"To look cool? Stand out? You don't compare to Yūgao in that department. Anyone who's been in ANBU knows this thing is a burden in most situations!"
"Only an idiot like you would strap a huge piece of metal to his head!"
Hayate froze, stunned, and instinctively touched the forehead protector he always wore.
He thought: Isn't this just to make sure it stays on properly? If I just tie it normally, what if it falls off?
He never expected to be scolded over this today.
"Hmph! Yūgao, explain to him the benefits of not wearing a forehead protector."
"Completely hopeless!"
Kazuyama shoved the problem onto Yūgao and walked on ahead.
Behind him, Yūgao began explaining to Hayate. Many ANBU rules were completely different from regular ninja rules—their missions had different requirements, so the regulations naturally weren't the same.
Before long, they entered a town built against the mountain.
"Alright, we'll rest here for today."
"Huh? We're stopping already? Aren't we in a hurry to meet the Tsuchikage?"
Now understanding why ANBU didn't wear forehead protectors, Hayate stared in confusion. Shouldn't they be rushing?
How could they stop so soon after arriving?
Kazuyama felt a headache coming on. How could someone as smart as him have such a clueless little brother?
Had he accidentally drained all of Hayate's energy somehow? Leaving him like… this? No words.
"Hayate, we used Brother Kazuyama's Flying Thunder God to come straight here. Time-wise, we're already ahead."
"Besides, since we're meeting the Tsuchikage, it's better to settle down first."
"Even though it's peaceful now, you know full well what Konoha's relationship with Iwa is like."
Yūgao immediately stepped in.
Kazuyama felt very satisfied—ANBU-trained people always had their minds in the right place.
Meanwhile, his gaze toward Hayate grew more and more disapproving.
This brother… might as well not have one!
"I see. Alright then. Yūgao, you really think fast, hehe."
"I brought a lot of money this time. Come on, I'll treat you to something delicious!"
Kazuyama: … I give up! This little brother is beyond saving!
Yūgao only smiled faintly. Clearly, she was already used to Hayate's behavior—or rather, she loved him precisely because of it.
The sickly sweet atmosphere made Kazuyama walk faster. If he'd known it would be like this, he should've brought Pakura!
He was done!
...
Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
"Tsuchikage-sama, according to our intel, Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure have formed a three-way alliance."
"Konoha has also sent us a signal. It seems they want to initiate a Five Kage Summit."
Kitsuchi stared at the report with surprise.
After so many years, he was finally seeing a Five Kage Summit. For the ninja world, that was nearly impossible.
Ōnoki sat with a grave expression. His small body rose into the air, drifting toward the window.
"Five Kage Summit…"
"Alliances…"
As he spoke, a figure surfaced in his mind—a man wrapped entirely in bandages, the former Tsuchikage, his own teacher.
His teacher had once lectured him specifically about alliances.
"Ōnoki, all alliances are fragile. They may seem strong at the beginning and middle stages, but once an alliance ends, that's when the division of interests begins."
"That moment is the most dangerous."
Recalling those words, Ōnoki's mind began working rapidly.
Iwagakure had already lost the Four-Tails and Five-Tails.
The Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Rōshi, had left long ago due to ideological differences.
As for the Five-Tails, their investigation confirmed that the Jinchūriki, Han, had died, which was why the Five-Tails regained its freedom.
This Five Kage Summit was being initiated by Konoha because of the threat Akatsukigakure posed to the entire ninja world.
"Hmph! If they want an alliance, they'll have to prove their sincerity."
Ōnoki's eyes gleamed sharply. He already had several plans forming in his mind.