After recruiting Orochimaru, Jokichi allowed him to operate freely.
Orochimaru still had many underground bases scattered across the Shinobi World, hoarding years' worth of precious experimental data.
As for worrying about his betrayal...
That was completely unnecessary.
Both Orochimaru and Itachi were people who placed their ideals above everything else.
As long as Jokichi could help them achieve their ideals, betrayal was impossible.
Of course, the prerequisite was having sufficient strength.
Only equals in power could have an equal exchange.
And Jokichi's strength utterly eclipsed both of them.
...
Watching Orochimaru depart, Jokichi turned to a mirror and examined his changed appearance.
His physique and facial features hadn't changed at all. The only differences were the bright red vertical eye on his forehead and his pupils, which had turned blue. At the center of his eyes, a black hole-like pattern radiated a dreamy, soft light.
"This looks a bit too demonic."
Jokichi frowned. Controlling the ocular power in his forehead, he forced the eye into a dormant, hidden state.
Instantly, the bright red vertical eye closed shut and faded away, leaving his forehead smooth and normal once more.
Without the red eye, his inherently gentle and handsome face, complemented by those dream-like blue eyes, took on an almost ethereal quality.
"That's much better."
Jokichi nodded in satisfaction at his reflection before heading off to test the abilities of the Rinne Sharingan and his fully evolved Tenseigan.
...
While Jokichi was testing his new abilities, the Kage of the Five Great Shinobi Villages departed for the Land of Iron, each accompanied by a small escort.
Kumogakure.
In the partially rebuilt village, the Raikage, along with Darui and C, bid farewell to the shinobi of the village.
Facing the cheering subordinates, the Raikage made a solemn promise, "I swear on the name of all past Raikage, I will lead this village through this calamity!"
The Raikage's promise was met with a tidal wave of cheers.
Kirigakure.
A mature woman with waist-length hair, dressed in blue—Terumi Mei—solemnly received the Mizukage's hat from the Elder, Genji.
Behind her stood two men.
One was a shirtless man with bandages wrapped around his face, carrying a ridiculously oversized cleaver on his back. The other was a beautiful, effeminate young man dressed in dark blue clothes.
Ao, who wore an eyepatch over one eye, glared warily at the two people behind Mei and spoke sternly. "Zabuza, Haku. Your crime of attempting to assassinate the Mizukage was originally unforgivable. However, considering the circumstances and Lady Mizukage's magnanimity, you were granted a chance to return to the village."
"Do not dare betray Lady Mizukage's kindness. You must protect her with your lives on this journey."
In response, Zabuza cracked a wide, arrogant grin. "Haven't seen you in a while, and you've already turned into a nagging old woman."
"This is caution! Caution!" Ao glared back at Zabuza with displeasure.
Zabuza shot him a contemptuous glance and turned away, ignoring him entirely.
Haku smiled warmly at the bickering pair and offered Ao a deep bow. "Please rest assured, Mr. Ao. We will definitely protect Lady Mizukage on the journey."
"With Haku here, I am relieved."
"Haku, let's go."
"Coming."
Sunagakure.
Gaara, carrying his sand gourd on his back, stood on a high vantage point overlooking the village before turning to leave.
Kankuro and Temari, a beat too slow, hurried to catch up with him.
On the road, Kankuro said, "Gaara, make sure you put on a good showing at the Five Kage Summit this time. Once we're back, you can officially inherit the position of the Fifth Kazekage."
"More or less," Gaara replied coolly.
Temari, however, wore a perplexed expression the entire time.
Noticing this, Kankuro asked, "What's wrong? You've looked confused this whole time."
"It's nothing."
Temari shook her head. "I just don't understand why Baki fought off all the opposition in the Elder Council to nominate Gaara as the proxy for the Fifth Kazekage."
"Don't overthink it."
"Although Baki is pretty sketchy, everything he does is for the sake of the village."
Amidst the swirling yellow sands, the three of them pressed forward at a steady pace.
Iwagakure.
At the gates of the rocky village, a large crowd of villagers gathered to send off the Tsuchikage.
Because the Third Tsuchikage was advanced in age and his bodyguard, Akatsuchi, was massive, the old man simply hitched a ride on Akatsuchi's back.
Kurotsuchi was simultaneously teasing the Tsuchikage for refusing to retire at his age while discussing the upcoming Five Kage Summit.
However, when it came to the Raikage's mention of Kaguya and the Eye of the Moon, they had absolutely no concrete information.
If it weren't for the fact that Kumogakure had been destroyed over this, the Tsuchikage wouldn't have even bothered attending the summit.
Even so, Onoki complained incessantly throughout the entire journey.
Konohagakure.
Led by the Third Hokage, the council of elders and a massive crowd of shinobi and villagers gathered at the gates to see them off.
"Tsunade, you must not embarrass the village's prestige and dignity at the Five Kage Summit," Koharu advised sternly.
Tsunade glared at the three old folks who were preparing to nag her further. Her eye twitched violently as she roared with overpowering presence, "I am the Hokage now! I don't need you nagging me about these things!"
After shouting, her demeanor softened, and she said amicably, "Anyway, just wait for my good news."
"Since you've put it that way, we have nothing more to say. Have a safe journey," Homura said earnestly.
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage, puffing on his pipe, looked past Tsunade at the two people behind her.
"Kakashi, Sasuke. With you two acting as the Fifth's bodyguards, I'm not worried about her safety. Just remember one thing—do not let her drink on the road."
"Old man!" Tsunade glared at him furiously.
Kakashi, having shed his Anbu uniform, glanced back and forth between the two of them, scratching his head and laughing awkwardly.
It's best not to say anything at a time like this.
Sasuke's mouth twitched violently.
Uchiha Fugaku walked up to Sasuke, looking at him with an emotionless face.
"Sasuke, during this journey as the Fifth's bodyguard, you must strictly perform your duties and protect her well. Do not bring shame to the Uchiha name."
"Rest assured, Father!"
"Good."
Fugaku nodded and said no more.
"There's no need for you to worry so much," Tsunade stated confidently. "I've already contacted Jiraiya. He'll meet up with me in the Land of Iron."
Hiruzen quietly took another puff of his pipe and sighed. "If you two are together, I'm even more worried. Drinking, gambling..."
"Old man! When did you turn into a nagging fogey like those two?!"
Koharu and Homura caught strays and stood there utterly speechless.
...
Two days passed in a flash.
The Five Kage gathered in the Land of Iron on the agreed-upon date for the summit.
The host of the summit was Mifune, the General of the Land of Iron, a samurai possessing strength on par with a Kage.
The Five Kage took their seats around the conference table, while their respective escorts stood behind the curtains to listen.
Sitting at the head of the table in the host's seat, Mifune noticed the five of them remaining silent. He took the initiative, "Since everyone has arrived, please speak freely on whatever matters you wish to discuss."
"Since I was the one who convened this Five Kage Summit, I will speak plainly." The Raikage slammed a hand on the table and stood up.
"Hold on!"
Onoki interrupted the Raikage, turning his gaze toward Gaara. "Even though this is the Five Kage Summit, surely the Kazekage of Sunagakure isn't this wet-behind-the-ears brat, is it?"