Chapter 203: I Suggest You Convene a Five Kage Summit!
The Land of Rain, Land of Taki, and Land of Grass.
These were the places Nara Shikaku deduced the Rinnegan's possessor might be hiding. After contemplating for a moment, everyone nodded. Though Nara Shikaku's words were speculation without concrete evidence, the reasoning sounded flawless—smooth without the slightest hitch.
Setting aside the possibility that the Rinnegan's possessor lived isolated from the world in uninhabited lands, these three small nations indeed proved most likely as hiding places.
Inuzuka Jaw stroked the beard he'd cultivated for quite some time on his chin, speaking up. "I agree with Shikaku's assessment. Amegakure has that ambitious fellow Hanzo the Salamander managing the Land of Rain watertight. The Rain ninja didn't participate in the Third Shinobi World War. We're virtually completely in the dark about Amegakure's current situation."
"Though those fellows from Kusagakure are fence-sitters, their ambitions truly aren't small. Playing both sides between us and the Rock ninja, they've expanded their strength considerably these past two years. Our control over Kusagakure has also declined to nearly nothing."
"Finally, Takigakure. Takigakure has maintained neutrality these past decades. Moreover, Takigakure is the only small ninja village possessing a Tailed Beast. So to avoid provoking more enemies, we've never deeply investigated Takigakure's circumstances. We know extremely little about Takigakure as well."
His words further reinforced the reliability of Nara Shikaku's speculation.
After listening, Minato said nothing, merely showing a contemplative expression on his face.
"So, Shikaku, which possibility is greatest?"
Akimichi Torikaze stared at Nara Shikaku, asking directly, "Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure—which is most likely hiding this Rinnegan's possessor?"
He had no patience for mental exertion.
Hundreds of years of history proved that Nara family members' brains simply worked more brilliantly than his Akimichi and Yamanaka clans. If there were no intelligent Nara people to rely on, naturally he'd have to think himself. But since Nara Shikaku—a top-tier intelligent person even within the Nara clan—was present, why needlessly kill his own brain cells thinking?
Just use this external "Nara-brand super brain" to output answers!
"Amegakure."
Nara Shikaku didn't mince words, answering decisively.
"Why?"
Akimichi Torikaze pressed.
Nara Shikaku didn't hesitate, immediately explaining, "Because the Rinnegan's possessor and Missing-nin Anonymous were planning something untoward within the Land of Rain's borders this time. Moreover, according to our judgment, they completely didn't anticipate encountering our surprise attack. So they most likely weren't deliberately choosing to operate in the Land of Rain to frame Amegakure. The high probability is they're more familiar with the Land of Rain's circumstances and judged operating there wouldn't encounter interference."
"Therefore, I judge the possibility of the Rinnegan's possessor hiding in Amegakure is greatest."
This question-and-answer exchange between them resembled a comedy routine.
However—
Nara Shikaku's brain truly proved useful, saving everyone considerable brain cells. Uchiha Fugaku, for instance, nodded repeatedly, clearly completely accepting Nara Shikaku's speculation.
Hiruko and Inuzuka Jaw similarly nodded slightly, expressing approval for this intelligent person.
"Sounds quite reasonable."
Akimichi Torikaze muttered, looking toward the silent Minato, asking, "Hokage-sama, what do you think?"
Minato didn't rush to answer. His gaze swept across everyone, his eyes landing on the somewhat distracted Hyuga Ritsu. "Hyuga Clan Head, what's your view?"
"...?"
Suddenly called upon, Hyuga Ritsu froze, then smiled. "I think Shikaku-senpai speaks very reasonably. Indeed, those two fellows didn't go to the Land of Rivers, didn't go to the Land of Grass, didn't go to more remote ocean locations—they specifically caused trouble in the Land of Rain. There must be reasons. Even if the Rinnegan's possessor isn't in the Land of Rain, isn't in Amegakure, we should still be able to find some traces."
"In fact, currently we only have these three suspects. Investigating all simultaneously might prove somewhat difficult, but checking them one by one—I believe we'll definitely find useful information."
Hyuga Ritsu also clearly expressed support for Nara Shikaku's speculation.
Hearing this, Minato first nodded, but his brow immediately furrowed slightly, his face showing difficulty. "But Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure aren't our vassals. We have absolutely no authority to conduct such in-depth investigations of these three villages."
Everyone immediately fell silent.
This point truly proved rather troublesome.
Under the leadership of Hanzo the Salamander, titled "Demigod," Amegakure had opposed Konoha during the Second Shinobi World War. Though they chose neutrality during the Third Shinobi World War, relations between the two villages still couldn't be called friendly. Unless their brains malfunctioned, the Rain ninja couldn't possibly agree to let Konoha ninja conduct major searches in their village.
Ultimately, no ninja village would agree to such things.
Even fence-sitting Kusagakure couldn't possibly consent to such matters.
Hiruko furrowed his brow, his face full of distress. "This point truly isn't easy to handle. Setting aside those fence-sitting Kusagakure fellows, the Rain ninja and Taki ninja are both hard nuts to crack. One misstep might trigger another great war!"
Everyone showed worried expressions.
Hyuga Ritsu continued his mental wandering, thinking about his own path forward.
However, Nara Shikaku, this intelligent person, truly lived up to his reputation. After thinking briefly, he spoke. "Hokage-sama, I do have a method to resolve this problem."
"What method? Shikaku, speak freely."
Minato looked at Nara Shikaku seriously.
"If only we Konoha unilaterally forcefully demand to search Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure, encountering resistance is virtually certain. But what if the ones making this demand aren't only us Konoha?"
A single word awakened the dreamer.
Hiruko immediately understood, blurting out, "You plan to unite with the Sand ninja to pressure them together?"
"Not only that."
"Not only?"
Hiruko froze.
Nara Shikaku didn't continue playing mysterious, stating directly, "The Cloud ninja, Mist ninja, and Rock ninja are all potential allies. After all, what we're facing now isn't just our Konoha's missing-nin but also this Rinnegan's possessor lurking deep in the ninja world's shadows. This isn't merely our Konoha's enemy but a common great enemy of us five great ninja villages."
His gaze burned as he stared at Minato. "Hokage-sama, the Cloud ninja have already signed a covenant with us to jointly oppose Missing-nin Anonymous. Moreover, given the Cloud ninja's greed, they absolutely won't pass up the opportunity to covet the Rinnegan. The Sand ninja and Mist ninja are weakened—they cannot refuse our reasonable requests. So we only need to find a way to persuade Iwagakure, and we can thoroughly investigate Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure in the name of the five great ninja villages jointly."
"Hokage-sama, I suggest you convene a Five Kage Summit!"
Five Kage Summit?
Everyone's eyes widened, shocked by Nara Shikaku's proposal.
Even Hyuga Ritsu proved no exception.
He also hadn't anticipated such an open and aboveboard excellent method—convene a Five Kage Summit, then search for the Rinnegan possessor's whereabouts in the name of the five great ninja villages jointly...
"Shikaku-senpai, this move truly proves brilliant!"
Hyuga Ritsu praised lavishly.
After brief contemplation, Hiruko, Akimichi Torikaze, and the others also relaxed their furrowed brows, similarly not sparing praise for Nara Shikaku.
However—
After thinking for a moment, Inuzuka Jaw raised an issue. "Doing this equals exposing the Rinnegan's existence to everyone's view. Deciding the Rinnegan's ownership will become very troublesome then. Very likely it will trigger a new round of war, and very likely we Konoha will once again face encirclement—a coordinated encirclement by the other four great ninja villages."
With these words, the smiles on everyone's faces immediately faded.
Because what Inuzuka Jaw spoke of was an extremely possible future.
Their own Konoha would absolutely not allow the Rinnegan to fall into any village's hands except their own. But the other four great ninja villages definitely held the same view. Even weakened Sand ninja and Mist ninja absolutely wouldn't pass up the possibility of claiming the Rinnegan for themselves.
After all—
That was the legendary first among the three great pupil techniques, the strongest pupil technique surpassing both Byakugan and Sharingan!
Everyone's gazes unconsciously looked toward Nara Shikaku. Their thinking had already developed dependency on this intelligent person, unconsciously expecting Nara Shikaku would provide a solution to the problem.
But before Nara Shikaku could speak, Minato spoke first. "I feel there's temporarily no need to worry about the Rinnegan's final distribution issue. The Rinnegan's possessor is no weakling. Missing-nin Anonymous proves equally troublesome to handle. The two colluding together makes things even more troublesome. Even if we unite the five great ninja villages' forces, we absolutely won't resolve this trouble so easily."
"Therefore, what we must primarily consider is how to resolve this Rinnegan's possessor and Missing-nin Anonymous. During this problem-resolution process, situations we can't anticipate will definitely occur. When we truly see the dawn of resolving this problem, we can consider the Rinnegan's ownership then—that won't be too late!"
Nara Shikaku swallowed his prepared explanation.
What he'd wanted to say had already been stated in advance by Hokage-sama.
Long-term vision was good, but being too far-sighted might produce counterproductive effects, causing too many concerns and thus inability to take action. This world's affairs constantly changed unpredictably. Often, one could only adapt to circumstances.
"True. I was thinking too far ahead."
After contemplating briefly, Inuzuka Jaw accepted Minato's view.
Minato's gaze again swept across everyone, soliciting opinions. "Everyone, what do you think of Shikaku's suggestion? Is now an appropriate time to convene a Five Kage Summit?"
"I think it's possible."
Akimichi Torikaze spoke first.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio wore the same pants to begin with. His support was only natural.
Hiruko frowned in thought, slowly speaking after a moment. "I can't think of a better method than Shikaku's approach."
Soon—
Inuzuka Jaw and Uchiha Fugaku also successively spoke expressing approval.
Hyuga Ritsu also said, "Hokage-sama, let's proceed this way! Convene the Five Kage Summit. Using the Rinnegan as bait, then using Missing-nin Anonymous and the Rinnegan's possessor coveting the nine great Tailed Beasts as a threat—unifying opinions to jointly oppose these two fellows shouldn't prove difficult."
"Then let's proceed this way."
Minato no longer hesitated, making the decision on the spot.
He looked toward Nara Shikaku, saying, "Shikaku, this matter is entrusted to you. First, create a framework."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Nara Shikaku agreed.
Minato picked up his teacup and drank some tea, then pressed the call button again. Yuhi Kurenai entered to refill everyone's tea.
They rested for roughly two to three minutes during this interval.
Then—
Minato brought up the second matter.
"There are two matters to discuss today. This second matter also connects to the first. During today's operation, we recaptured the One-Tail from Missing-nin Anonymous's hands. I'm currently troubled about how to handle the One-Tail!"
Hearing this, Hiruko immediately froze.
The conversation with Minato from not long ago resurfaced in his mind.
He faintly realized what Minato intended to do, but after thinking it over repeatedly, he still continued maintaining silence.
Akimichi Torikaze somewhat failed to understand Minato's intent, saying instinctively, "How to handle the One-Tail? This... just return it to the Sand ninja, right?"
Nara Shikaku immediately furrowed his brow.
Intuition told him Torikaze-senpai's answer didn't accord with Hokage-sama's intentions.
However—
He also couldn't quite grasp Hokage-sama's intent, couldn't understand why Hokage-sama specifically singled out this matter for discussion.
Minato sighed. "The problem now has two aspects. First, the ninja tool Crimson Gourd sealing the One-Tail is borrowed from Hyuga Clan Head. We can't give this ninja tool away to the Sand ninja for nothing. Second, the current Sand ninja lack the ability to protect the One-Tail. Very likely we'll hand the One-Tail to the Sand ninja on our front foot, and Missing-nin Anonymous will steal the One-Tail again on our back foot."
After listening, Akimichi Torikaze furrowed his brow, about to speak.
However, Nara Shikaku spoke first. "Hokage-sama, since the Sand ninja currently lack the ability to protect the One-Tail, why not temporarily keep it in our Konoha for now. Later, after eliminating Missing-nin Anonymous, or after the Sand ninja have the strength to protect the One-Tail from being seized by ill-intentioned parties, we can return the One-Tail to the Sand ninja."
His clever brain had already realized what Hokage-sama intended to do.
Clearly, he didn't want to return the One-Tail to the Sand ninja, which was why he'd specifically brought this matter up for discussion.
"But the Sand ninja envoys have already requested we return the One-Tail. Moreover, distributing Tailed Beasts to the various villages was a policy decision made by the First Hokage..."
Minato's face showed difficulty.
Nara Shikaku completely understood.
The Sand ninja's attitude actually didn't matter at all. The crux of the matter lay in the latter half-sentence Hokage-sama hadn't finished—the policy the First Hokage had established back then was what troubled the Fourth most.
Nara Shikaku momentarily also found himself in difficulty.
The First's prestige stood right there. Violating policies left by the First might invite considerable trouble. But the Fourth currently held power. He also didn't wish to defy the Fourth's will.
However—
Before he could properly weigh the pros and cons—
He heard Uchiha Fugaku speak in a clear voice. "Hokage-sama, circumstances change with time. The policies established by First Hokage-sama aren't immutable laws for all eternity. The past three Shinobi World Wars all demonstrated that distributing the nine great Tailed Beasts to the villages fundamentally cannot form effective checks and balances. I believe now is the time to make changes."
This Uchiha clan head expressed support for Minato with an extremely resolute attitude, even if doing so would defy policies left by the First Hokage.
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