The next morning, Konoha was unusually busy.
Messengers moved in and out of the Hokage Tower.
ANBU operatives appeared and disappeared from rooftops like shadows.
Even ordinary villagers could sense that something important was happening.
Inside the Hokage's office, Tsunade placed the latest letter onto her desk.
Across from her sat Naruto, Jiraiya, Longmen, Konan, Kakashi, and Shizune.
Everyone present was someone she trusted.
Or at least trusted enough to include in this discussion.
"The Fourth Raikage has formally announced a Five Kage Summit."
Tsunade tapped the document.
"This time, the Land of Wind, Land of Earth, and Land of Water have all agreed to attend."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow.
"That's a surprise."
"It is."
Tsunade nodded.
"Apparently, Akatsuki activity has become impossible to ignore."
Longmen let out a quiet laugh.
"The irony is almost amusing."
Nobody disagreed.
The former leader of the Akatsuki was currently sitting inside the Hokage's office.
If the other Kage knew that fact, the summit would probably descend into chaos before it even began.
Naruto leaned back in his chair.
"So we're going?"
"Yes."
Tsunade's gaze settled on him.
"And before you ask, you're not attending."
Naruto immediately frowned.
"Why not?"
"Because you're Naruto."
The room fell silent.
Naruto blinked.
"...That's not a reason."
"It absolutely is."
Tsunade folded her arms.
"If you attend, there's a very real chance the summit turns into an argument, a duel, or a revolution before lunch."
Kakashi coughed into his fist.
Jiraiya looked away to hide his smile.
Even Konan seemed amused.
Naruto looked deeply offended.
"I am perfectly capable of behaving myself."
Nobody responded.
The silence was deafening.
Naruto's eye twitched.
"Come on."
Still silence.
Finally, Longmen spoke.
"I believe they're judging based on prior experience."
Naruto pointed accusingly.
"You're supposed to be on my side!"
Longmen shrugged.
"I am."
"Then help me."
"I'm helping by being honest."
The room erupted into laughter.
Even Tsunade's lips twitched upward.
After several moments, the Hokage regained her composure.
"The summit isn't the real issue."
Her expression became serious again.
"The masked man is."
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Everyone focused on her.
Tsunade continued.
"He's losing control over events."
"That's when people become dangerous."
Longmen nodded slowly.
Obito had spent years manipulating the world from behind the scenes.
Now his plans were unraveling one by one.
That made him unpredictable.
And unpredictable enemies were often the most dangerous.
Naruto rested his chin on one hand.
"Then maybe he'll make his move at the summit."
"It's possible," Kakashi agreed.
"A gathering of all five Kage would be a tempting target."
Jiraiya's expression darkened.
"Especially if he wants to provoke a war."
The room fell quiet again.
That possibility couldn't be ignored.
For years, the great nations had existed in an uneasy balance.
One carefully orchestrated incident could shatter that balance overnight.
Naruto suddenly smiled.
A very familiar smile.
The kind that usually made Tsunade nervous.
She immediately narrowed her eyes.
"What are you thinking?"
"Nothing."
"Naruto."
"Nothing at all."
"Naruto."
He coughed.
Then grinned.
"What if we turned the summit into a trap?"
The room froze.
Tsunade slowly closed her eyes.
Of course.
Of course that was his idea.
Naruto continued enthusiastically.
"Think about it."
"The masked guy knows the Five Kage will gather."
"He'll probably investigate."
"Maybe even show up personally."
His grin widened.
"And if he does..."
Longmen immediately understood.
"...we surround him."
Naruto snapped his fingers.
"Exactly!"
Kakashi considered it.
The idea wasn't entirely unreasonable.
Dangerous.
Extremely dangerous.
But not unreasonable.
The problem was that Obito's Kamui remained difficult to counter.
Even if they surrounded him, actually capturing him would be another matter.
Longmen seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"The issue is still his space-time ability."
Naruto nodded.
"Which is why we need more information."
Jiraiya leaned forward.
"And how exactly do you propose getting that?"
Naruto's smile became suspiciously confident.
"I've got an idea."
Everyone immediately became concerned.
Even Konan looked wary.
Tsunade rubbed her temples.
Every time Naruto said those words, her paperwork somehow tripled.
"Let's hear it."
Naruto stood up.
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
"If we can't catch him..."
He paused dramatically.
"Then we'll make him come to us."
The room fell silent.
Nobody knew exactly what he was planning.
But everyone had the same feeling.
Whatever Naruto's idea was, it was probably going to shake the entire shinobi world.
Again.
-----------------------------------------
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