Looking at the map, the Land of Iron lies directly north of the Land of Fire and is a coastal nation.
More precisely, it is situated between the Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Rice Fields. It shares only a narrow border with the Land of Fire and has no direct borders with any of the other Four Great Nations.
This geographical position has largely prevented it from becoming a direct battlefield during the various Shinobi World Wars.
Despite being a small nation, the Land of Iron has done an excellent job preserving its traditional culture.
Unlike other countries, it has no shinobi forces. Instead, it is protected entirely by samurai from the old era.
Although they are known as samurai, they also utilize chakra. The difference lies mainly in their methods and traditions, allowing them to remain completely separate from the shinobi system.
Its unique national structure, distinct culture, and favorable geographical location are the three primary reasons the Land of Iron has been able to remain neutral throughout the Shinobi World Wars.
Of course, "remaining neutral" does not mean isolating itself from the rest of the world.
To avoid being left behind and to preserve its status as a neutral nation, the Land of Iron willingly hosts the Five Kage Summit while providing security for all participants.
By maintaining balanced relationships with each of the Five Great Nations, it has successfully preserved its neutrality for generations.
Naturally, many smaller nations envied the Land of Iron's privileged position.
Why could it remain neutral while maintaining friendly relations with every great nation?
Back then, Hanzō, driven by jealousy, also dreamed of following the same path.
Unfortunately, Amegakure's location was simply too unfavorable. Positioned between major powers, it was destined to become a battlefield, and none of the great nations had any interest in recognizing its neutrality.
Sometimes, geography alone determines a nation's fate.
...
Leaving Hanzō, who had long since passed away, aside, half a month after the Fourth Raikage proposed convening the Five Kage Summit, Hayashi finally departed from Konoha alongside Minato and Nawaki, heading toward the Land of Iron.
This was Hayashi's first visit there.
The previous Five Kage Summit had been attended by the Third Hokage, accompanied by Orochimaru and Sakumo as his guards.
Even during his many missions over the years, Hayashi had never been assigned to the Land of Iron, meaning he had no Flying Thunder God Formula already placed there.
The same was true for Minato.
Without the Flying Thunder God Technique, the three could only make the journey on foot.
Even so, their speed was extraordinary.
After only three days of travel, they arrived before a massive fortress protected by imposing defensive walls.
In the shinobi world, there was no such thing as absolute defense. Even Konoha had suffered invasions, so no fortress could truly be considered impregnable.
Even so, the enormous walls, their foundations buried deep beneath frozen ground while their upper sections stood against endless snow and icy winds, inspired an undeniable sense of security.
It was only August, yet the climate of the Land of Iron resembled that of the Land of Snow, remaining cold throughout most of the year.
As the Fourth Hokage, Hayashi walked toward the fortress gate first.
Soon, heavily armored samurai, whose appearance and bearing differed greatly from those of shinobi, entered their view.
After confirming the Hokage's identity, the massive iron gates slowly opened.
As the hosts of the summit, the samurai maintained exceptionally tight security. Guards stood every few meters throughout the fortress, remaining vigilant against any possible attack.
Whether all of them combined could stop even a single Kage was another matter entirely.
Escorted by a samurai, Hayashi and his companions crossed the spacious outer grounds before arriving at a secluded chamber where the summit would be held.
By the time they entered, the Fourth Raikage, the Third Tsuchikage, the Fourth Kazekage, and the Fifth Mizukage had already arrived.
Every pair of eyes immediately turned toward the Fourth Hokage, who had arrived last.
Hayashi smiled casually, showing not the slightest concern about being late.
He walked calmly to his seat and placed the Hokage hat, the symbol of his position, onto the conference table before him.
To some, however, that calm, practiced smile looked like nothing less than Konoha's arrogance.
Arrogance?
What did it matter?
Hayashi calmly swept his gaze across the room, sizing up the shinobi who stood on equal footing with him.
The Fourth Raikage, A, was noticeably taller and darker than he had been several years ago. The neatly trimmed mustache beneath his nose made him appear far more mature.
The last time the two had met was during the Chunin Exams held after the Second Shinobi World War.
Back then, they had chatted happily together and had even relaxed in a hot spring that evening.
Now, however, A's eyes were filled with unconcealed hatred.
It was only natural.
Hayashi had killed the Third Raikage and later launched an assault on Kumogakure.
But so what?
After two Shinobi World Wars and over a decade of bloodshed, who among them did not carry deep grudges?
Mutual understanding?
Peace?
How laughable.
Even if Hayashi were willing to understand the Fourth Raikage, would A ever be willing to understand him?
The hatred of a son whose father had been killed, coupled with an attack on his village, could never simply disappear.
Compared to him, the Third Tsuchikage handled himself much better.
Ōnoki was even older than the Third Hokage and had served as Kage longer than anyone else present.
Years of experience had taught him perfect emotional restraint.
Hatred alone was no longer enough to reveal itself on his face.
Still, Hayashi couldn't help but find Ōnoki's frail appearance amusing.
Who exactly was he trying to fool by looking as though he might collapse at any moment?
Wasn't this simply pretending to be weak while hiding his true strength?
Hayashi knew exactly what kind of monster the old man really was.
Even in old age, Ōnoki had been capable of resisting Madara Uchiha's Tengai Shinsei and countering Deep Forest Emergence with his own power.
Now, he was only in his fifties.
Among everyone present, his true combat ability ranked second only to Hayashi's.
Anyone foolish enough to underestimate him because of his age would inevitably pay a heavy price.
As for the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa...
The dark markings around his eyes made him look as though he hadn't slept in days.
He remained silent with his arms folded, his expression gloomy.
Sunagakure had fallen into decline, and Hayashi had become the nightmare that haunted his entire career.
As a result, Rasa did everything possible to make himself less noticeable, hoping the other Kage would simply ignore him.
The Fifth Mizukage, meanwhile, kept glancing around the room, whether out of nervousness or simple restlessness.
The newly appointed Fifth Mizukage was Hōzuki Senjin.
As the wielder of Hiramekarei and the only surviving member of the current Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he had risen to the position during a period when Kirigakure was suffering from a severe shortage of capable leaders.
Supported by the Hōzuki Clan, Senjin had successfully become the Fifth Mizukage.
Life truly was unpredictable.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who in another circumstance might have perished together, had instead died one after another for various reasons.
Only Hōzuki Senjin had survived and ultimately become Mizukage.
If Biwa Jūzō were still alive to witness it, he would probably regret ever abandoning Kirigakure to become a rogue ninja.
Had he remained loyal to the village, the title of Fifth Mizukage might very well have belonged to him.