The Five Kage Summit was officially over.
All matters related to the Allied Shinobi Forces had been discussed, several division commanders finalized, and preparations for training had begun.
In Konoha, the Hokage's seat was still occupied by Tsunade for now. Kakashi Hatake, the Sixth Hokage-in-waiting, was currently tasked with leading the training divisions. Once the divisions matured and were capable of operating without constant oversight, the position would officially be handed over to him.
The other Kage had taken similar measures. In Kumogakure, Darui had been confirmed as commander of his division. In Kirigakure, Chōjūrō would take charge, while in Iwagakure, Kurotsuchi had been appointed.
As for the Kazekage, Gaara looked toward his brother Kankurō.
Kankurō had only smiled and said, "I can be the division commander, but you should stay as Kazekage. My dream was never to be Kazekage — it's to create the most powerful puppets ever made!"
He even mentioned one of his ambitions: to build a massive, towering puppet — a dream he still intended to make real someday.
Gaara could only sigh. He had originally thought about stepping down as Kazekage to join Naruto in assisting him directly.
After the meeting concluded, the five Kage stepped out of the conference hall together, their respective guards immediately moving to handle the logistics for the Allied Shinobi Forces. After all, these divisions would be the main strength in the war to come.
Outside, Jiraiya looked around and muttered, "I wonder where that knucklehead Naruto's run off to. The war is already over — he doesn't need to keep running around like he's on the front lines."
Tsunade smirked. "He has his own business to take care of now. He's not the same boy he used to be. After all, he's the reborn Seventh Hokage — naturally, he has his own plans."
Jiraiya smiled faintly, his eyes drifting toward the Hokage Rock. That boy's face will be carved up there one day.
Raikage A turned to Tsunade. "Tsunade, take us to where the Impure World Reincarnated bodies are being held. I want to take my old man home."
Onoki floated forward and added, "Yes, Princess Tsunade. I'd like to take Master Mū back as well."
Gaara and Mei Terumī both voiced the same request. Each had ancestors currently sealed away.
Tsunade nodded. "Alright. No problem."
The group made their way toward the holding site for the Impure World Reincarnated bodies.
Intelligence Division — Interior
"Tsunade-sama!"
"Lady Hokage!"
Shikamaru Nara and Shizune greeted her respectfully as she entered. Tsunade gave a small nod before looking at Shizune.
"Where's Orochimaru?"
Shizune gestured deeper inside. "In the innermost lab. Shikamaru and Morino Ibiki are with him."
Tsunade nodded. "Alright. Let's go."
With that, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the four Kage followed her inside.
As they reached the lab door and slid it open, Ibiki's voice rang out, full of uncharacteristic excitement. "Lord Orochimaru, you're incredible!"
Orochimaru chuckled, his voice serpentine. "Ibiki, you haven't seen anything truly impressive yet."
Tsunade stepped in. "Orochimaru, what are you up to this time?"
Turning to face her, Orochimaru set down the equipment in his hands. "Oh… Tsunade."
"Lady Hokage," both Ibiki and Shikamaru greeted respectfully.
Jiraiya moved over to Orochimaru, picking up a piece of equipment and frowning. "What are you doing now?"
Orochimaru smirked. "Do you even understand the meaning of science, Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya didn't bother arguing — he knew Orochimaru's experimental genius was unmatched.
The other Kage stepped inside.
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed in amusement. "All five Kage… here together. How interesting. I assume you have business with me."
Tsunade didn't waste words. "That's right. I'm here to ask you to release the other villages' resurrected ancestors."
Orochimaru tilted his head. "Oh? And why's that?"
Gaara stepped forward. "I want to take my father back to Sunagakure."
Raikage A followed. "Same here."
Onoki and Mei nodded in agreement.
Orochimaru's smile widened. "Now this is getting interesting."
Tsunade added, "Naruto has already approved it."
"Very well," Orochimaru said, turning toward the holding area. "Follow me."
At the Impure World Reincarnation holding site, Orochimaru ordered the Sealing Team to move out the preserved bodies of the previous Kage: the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, the Third Raikage, the Second Tsuchikage Mū, and the Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hōzuki.
The Sealing Team carefully released the binding seals.
Orochimaru formed a quick series of hand signs. "Release."
With a hiss of escaping chakra, the Kage stirred, their eyes opening one after another.
Gengetsu sat up first, rubbing his neck. "Tch… what the hell? Why am I awake again? I was sealed!"
Looking up, his eyes landed on Gaara. "Kazekage? Without eyebrows? What's going on here?"
Nearby, Raikage A stepped forward until he stood directly before the towering figure of the Third Raikage.
"Dad!"
The Third Raikage's eyes widened. "A… Ai?!"
Though the man was a mountain of strength, his voice softened and trembled. "It's me, Dad."
Recognition and pride filled the older man's eyes. "Hahaha! My son!" The two embraced firmly.
The Second Tsuchikage's body shimmered before merging back into one — having been split into two clones during the war.
Onoki floated forward, smiling faintly. "Master Mū, we meet again."
Mū grunted. "You stubborn old fool. Still alive, I see."
Onoki chuckled. "It's a joy to live long enough to witness the new era of the shinobi world."
Mū's eyes sharpened. "And the war? Madara? That masked man?"
Onoki said firmly, "The Fourth Shinobi World War is over. The Allied Shinobi Forces won."
Mū immediately started, "Then we should prepare our forces and—"
Onoki cut him off. "No, Master Mū. This time… we're not doing that."
Gengetsu wandered over, snorting. "Same old Mū — still scheming after all these years."
The Third Raikage crossed his arms. "Exactly. The shinobi world is more united now than it's ever been, and you'd still tell your students to sow chaos?"
Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, looked to Gaara. "Why have you brought us out?"
Gaara smiled faintly. "Father, don't you want to see the village again?"
The other resurrected Kage went silent. The truth was… they had all been brought back to fight, but never to return home.
A clasped hand drew their attention — Raikage A holding his father's. "I brought you back so you could see the village, meet Killer B, and meet Darui."
The Third Raikage's eyes lit up. "B! That boy — how is he now? And Darui?"
A explained their progress and the changes in the village.
Gengetsu's grin widened. "When I go back, I'm going to make sure the younger generation knows my story. Last time I was sealed, none of them even knew who I was."
Mei chuckled. "We'll make sure they hear it from you."
Gengetsu gave her a sly grin. "I didn't expect the Mizukage of this generation to be such a beautiful woman."
Mei's smile turned dazzling at the compliment from her predecessor.
Rasa's expression darkened. "I'll return… but first, I have an old score to settle."
He stepped up to Orochimaru. "Time to settle what happened between us."
Gaara moved quickly between them. "Father — it's over. The villages are allied now. And… you're still under Orochimaru's control."
Rasa paused, then scoffed. Orochimaru only smiled thinly, unconcerned.
One by one, the Kage departed — each returning home with the ancestors they had come to reclaim.
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