"Old man, don't tell me you've forgotten how Madara Uchiha once swept across the entire ninja world?"
"The leader of that organization is Madara Uchiha himself."
"As far as I know, even if your Iwagakure wasn't robbed of its Tailed Beasts or Jinchūriki, you were still harassed by them a few years back, weren't you?"
Why did Kazuyama come to Iwa to act as a negotiator? Naturally because he'd messed with Iwa himself back then—and he'd done it using Madara Uchiha's name.
With all those old, embarrassing memories sitting there, he wasn't the least bit afraid that Ōnoki wouldn't fall for it.
Ōnoki's brows furrowed deeply as he recalled the disasters that had struck the Land of Earth in the past.
Among them was a catastrophe that looked just like Susanoo.
Uchiha Madara…
He silently repeated the name, a tremor shooting down to his very soul. It wasn't that Ōnoki was cowardly—Madara Uchiha was simply too terrifying.
Those Mangekyō Sharingan eyes were something he could never forget.
"Now that Madara Uchiha has returned, he absolutely won't spare the Five Great Nations."
"Even if your Iwagakure lacks a Tailed Beast and isn't targeted for now, once the moment arrives, Iwa will still end up as prey on the chopping block."
"So, Lord Tsuchikage, aren't you going to think about the foundation your village has built for all these years???"
Kazuyama casually conjured a crystal lounge chair and lay down on it.
He looked completely relaxed, yet the faint chakra leaking from him was frightening.
Meanwhile, Ōnoki's thoughts grew heavier.
He knew Madara's temperament too well. Back then, Madara could've easily stormed Iwa and forced both him and his teacher to yield.
Damn it—why was someone like that still alive?!
He, Ōnoki, was supposed to be the longest-lived one!
Kazuyama simply watched Ōnoki cycle through an entire theater of expressions in front of him.
Anger, seriousness, fleeting amusement—very entertaining.
"Lord Tsuchikage, did you recall something interesting?"
"Care to share with me?"
Only when Kazuyama teased him did Ōnoki finally rein in his expressions and let out a cold snort.
"Hmph!"
"Brat, I'll attend the Five Kage Summit."
"Since that man is the opponent, Iwagakure truly cannot remain uninvolved."
See? Done.
Ōnoki might be old and cunning, but he too had a nightmare that haunted him: Madara Uchiha.
No—truthfully, aside from Konoha, which village hadn't suffered under Madara's terror back then?
Marching together as an alliance? Impossible.
Joining forces to face a mutual enemy? Absolutely possible.
"As expected of the Tsuchikage. You understand the situation perfectly."
"This is the Five Kage Summit proposal drafted by my Hokage. Sign it so I can report back."
"As for the date of the Summit, you'll be notified later, Lord Tsuchikage."
Seeing that Ōnoki already agreed, Kazuyama pulled out a scroll and placed it on the table, preparing to leave.
But as he reached the doorway, he stopped.
"By the way, Lord Tsuchikage, we've traveled a long way. We'd like to rest in Iwagakure for a few days. Is that alright?"
As Kazuyama smiled at him, Ōnoki felt an odd sense of familiarity wash over him.
"You may. I'll have Kitsuchi arrange it. But I hope none of you cause trouble."
"It would be unfortunate if things turn unpleasant."
Cause trouble? Impossible—Kazuyama wasn't that kind of unreasonable person.
Not causing trouble? Even more impossible. After coming to Iwa openly like this, he absolutely had to have some fun.
Kazuyama laughed loudly, accepted Ōnoki's words, and left the Tsuchikage's office.
Ōnoki remained alone, sinking into deep thought.
...
Inside Iwagakure.
"So those are Konoha's guests?"
"They don't look like much."
"Akatsuchi, should we go?"
A young girl stood on a rooftop, eyeing Hayate and Yūgao as they explored Iwa, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes.
Beside her was a tall man who frowned at her suggestion.
"Forget it. They're guests from afar."
"Hey, Akatsuchi! Don't refuse me! I'm going!"
Akatsuchi revealed a helpless expression. If she wasn't going to let him refuse, why even ask?
"Let's go, Akatsuchi! We're going to spar with them!"
"I want to see the strength of Konoha's ninja!"
Kurotsuchi leapt off the rooftop. Akatsuchi sighed, followed after her, and called out, "Kurotsuchi, slow down! Wait for me!"
Before long, the pair—one tall, one short—blocked Hayate and Yūgao's path.
This immediately caught the two Konoha ninja's attention.
"Excuse me, why are you stopping us?"
Though the two in front of them were a girl and a man who looked a bit simpleminded, Hayate didn't underestimate them.
This was Iwagakure. Anyone daring to block their path here was either a fool or someone with authority—and people without status wouldn't dare act like this.
"You're ninja from Konoha, right?"
"I'm Kurotsuchi, a Chūnin of Iwa. Let's spar!"
"I'll show you the strength of Iwagakure!"
Kurotsuchi placed her hands on her hips, confidence radiating off her despite her young age.
Beside her, Akatsuchi scratched his head and offered an apologetic smile.
"Chūnin? At your age?"
Hearing she was already a chūnin, Hayate was genuinely surprised.
He'd only just served as an examiner for the Chūnin Exams. This girl looked even younger than Naruto and the others.
Already a Chūnin?
"What? Look down on me?"
"In that case—take this!"
"Lava Release! Lime Solidification Technique!"
Kurotsuchi was bold and straightforward. If she felt like fighting, she fought. Seeing Hayate doubt her, she immediately unleashed her signature technique.
Hayate wasn't startled by the sudden attack. As a jōnin, his vigilance was more than enough. What caught his attention was the technique itself.
Lava Release? A Kekkei Genkai?
Kurotsuchi spat globs of lime that shot toward Hayate one after another.
Hayate smiled faintly, grabbed Yūgao's hand, and they swiftly retreated.
Each clump of lime hit the ground with a heavy thud, kicking up clouds of dust.
"Hmph, not bad—you dodged fast!"
"But it's not over!"
"Water Release! Water Horn Technique!"