Namikaze Minato looked at the other Kage and noticed that each of their faces carried an unsurprised expression, which made him feel a bit awkward.
'So everyone already knows that the chakra converter is made by Kushina.'
He suddenly didn't know what to say anymore, so he could only turn around and give Obito a glance.
Obito immediately understood. As expected, no matter how kind-hearted his teacher Minato was by nature, when it came to key matters, he could still be quite sharp.
At least he wasn't as abstract as Hashirama Senju.
Otherwise, Konoha would've had to bring out Hashirama-level force just to bow down to the other Kage.
And if that happened,how ugly would that look?
Obito stepped forward and said, "Esteemed Kage, please don't speculate on baseless, groundless rumors."
"As far as I know, the Uzumaki clan isn't exclusive to Konoha. There are actually two members within Akatsuki as well."
After he said that, Obito looked at Rasa, "One of them, I believe Lord Kazekage is rather familiar with."
"As for the other… I heard that she was once known as the most dazzling princess of the Land of Whirlpools, someone who held the same status as Kushina-nee herself."
"If you don't believe it, since we're currently in Akatsuki's territory, we can always ask their people directly."
Rasa felt as though he'd been sitting quietly at the Five Kage Summit and suddenly got hit by a pot falling from the sky.
'For no reason at all, why did Obito have to look at me?'
Of course he knew about Nagato. Even now, Sunagakure was still using the energy provided by the chakra converter, planning to build a second Sunagakure inside that massive crater.
'But… would anyone believe that Konoha isn't involved in the Great Sand Hidden Village Conflict?'
If he remembered correctly, that purple-clad angel Rin from Konoha had also been there at the time, helping the Purple-Robed Dragon King rescue many civilians from Sunagakure.
But could he just bring that up in front of Namikaze Minato?
Of course not. Otherwise, Sunagakure wouldn't even know how it died afterward.
So he could only follow Obito's lead and say, "Akatsuki does indeed have a male member of the Uzumaki clan who calls himself Nagato. His… eyes are not ordinary. If I'm not mistaken, they may very well be the legendary Rinnegan."
"His strength is tremendous, he created a massive crater right next to our Sunagakure in a single attack. I'm sure everyone here has received intelligence about that."
The other three Kage were stunned. Indeed, they'd heard reports about Akatsuki blowing a huge crater beside Sunagakure, but they hadn't expected that person to be from the Uzumaki clan, and with the legendary Rinnegan at that.
Sweat began forming on Yagura's forehead. The person Rasa described perfectly matched one of the Akatsuki members he'd seen in Kirigakure.
To think, such a dangerous man had been nearby the very night the Third Mizukage was killed.
'And that man, Nagato, is also from the Uzumaki clan? Just what kind of trouble has Kirigakure gotten itself into?'
Thinking of this, Yagura, wanting to ease relations with the Fourth Hokage, took the initiative to say, "I can confirm this. Perhaps the chakra converter being made by Kushina was indeed a misunderstanding."
Of course, it wasn't a misunderstanding, Yagura had solid proof from Tobi's own mouth. But for now, he could only play along.
Onoki, who had been hit by back-to-back rebuttals, was completely thrown off. He had originally been almost ninety percent sure that the chakra converter was Konoha's doing.
That suspicion hadn't vanished, but with Rasa and Yagura refusing to cooperate, what could he do?
Onoki cast a deep look at Minato, but Minato only smiled back at him.
That chill in his heart deepened, 'This Minato really is as terrifying as the rumors say. So young, yet his mind is even more calculating than someone like me, who has lived so many years.'
He could only say, "In that case, I'll look into this matter with Akatsuki myself later. Now, as for another issue, why has Akatsuki sent envoys to neither the Land of Earth nor the Land of Lightning? Do they look down on us?"
Obito said, "We've already proven we have no connection with Akatsuki. Asking us about such things seems a bit unreasonable, doesn't it?"
"But still…", He glanced at Onoki, a faint, mysterious smile curling on his lips, "I can still take a guess."
"Judging from Akatsuki's previous methods, even if they were to send envoys, they would likely choose locals."
"And based on Akatsuki's recruitment standards, aside from their original members from the Land of Rain, they only accept highly capable individuals. At minimum, they must be elite jonin with a title of their own, or even at a near-legendary level."
"Lord Tsuchikage, would you be willing to let one of your own kage-level candidates get recruited by Akatsuki?"
Then Obito turned to the Third Raikage, "The same goes for you, Lord Raikage. Would you be willing?"
Onoki and the Third A both fell silent. Why would they ever let their own top-tier fighters become members of Akatsuki?
So, come to think of it, not having envoys sent might actually be a good thing.
Even so, the Third Raikage still snorted in defiance, "Hmph! The reason Akatsuki didn't send envoys to our Kumogakure is probably because they know they couldn't convince any of our warriors to betray the village. I'll say it right here, if they have the guts, let them try! Let's see if anyone in our village would ever side with Akatsuki!"
Obito began to feel a headache coming on. This was precisely why he hadn't sent anyone to the Land of Lightning. He didn't know those people well in his past life, couldn't target them precisely, and besides, they were united and hard to handle.
Onoki then followed up on the Third Raikage's words, "Heh, it seems Akatsuki can't sway anyone from our Iwagakure either. That truly puts this old man's heart at ease. Unlike certain villages, where the moment you recruit one person, another runs off."
Yagura's brow twitched. Among Akatsuki's members, the majority were from Kirigakure, and several were even child-aged recruits.
He shot back sarcastically, "Akatsuki didn't recruit from Iwagakure not because your people are unshakable, but because you lack anyone strong enough to meet their standards, isn't that right?"
"Otherwise, if Iwagakure truly had a steady flow of talent, Lord Tsuchikage, why would you, at your age, still be sitting in that seat? Don't tell me you're like the Third Hokage, just clinging to power? Heh!."
Onoki instantly looked embarrassed. He knew all too well the state of Iwagakure. Right now, his only wish was to find someone worthy to inherit his mantle. Though Kurotsuchi had the strength, her temperament was far too straightforward, not fitting for the role of Tsuchikage.
Minato coughed lightly, trying to steer things back, "Lord Mizukage, the Third Hokage devoted his whole life to Konoha. Those rumors about him clinging to power are just gossip."
Yagura immediately gave Minato a look that said, "I get it."
The Fourth Hokage was in power now, so naturally he didn't want anyone tarnishing his image as an ungrateful student.
'This Hokage truly is a man of propriety.'
So Yagura quickly corrected himself, "My apologies. I misspoke earlier."
Minato wasn't quite sure what that look from Yagura had meant, but he nodded anyway and let the matter drop.
Meanwhile, Obito was studying Onoki, his mind already moving.
He really hadn't found a suitable target in Kumogakure, but Iwagakure, that one had long been on his list.
It was just that the person he had his eye on was still young, probably still playing in the dirt right now, so he hadn't made a move yet.
But give it a few years. When Deidara grows up and still loves playing with clay… we'll see if Obito doesn't take action then.
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