…Following this, Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, sent out invitations for the Hokage succession ceremony and the Five Kage Summit to the Cloud, Sand, Mist, and Stone Hidden Villages. Furthermore, Kaoru also invited the samurai leader of the Land of Iron to attend this meeting.
In the Sand Hidden Village, Gaara, who had been saved by Kaoru in the past and resurrected by Chiyo, was reading the invitation.
"What is it? What did Konoha say?" Temari asked, standing in the room.
"Konoha is inviting me to the Hokage succession ceremony and, coincidentally, to hold a Five Kage Summit targeting the Akatsuki," Gaara said.
"Konoha is changing Hokage again? They're quite diligent," Temari exclaimed. "So, who is the new Hokage this time?"
"Uchiha Kaoru…" Gaara replied.
"I see… It's not surprising if it's him," Temari sighed, the image of Kaoru's powerful figure flashing in her mind.
"So, what are your plans, Gaara?" Kankuro asked from the side.
"Of course, we'll go. After all, we are allies with Konoha. And that new Hokage… he once saved my life," Gaara said with emotion.
...
"Hokage succession ceremony? I have absolutely no interest." In the Cloud Hidden Village's office, the Fourth Raikage tossed the invitation onto the desk, saying with displeasure.
"Yes, and not only that, perhaps Konoha Village is plotting something. Could there be a conspiracy involved…" Mabui, the Fourth Raikage's secretary, wearing a uniform, with white hair, and holding documents, also spoke with a worried expression.
"If it's a conspiracy, I doubt Konoha would dare. After all, they've invited ninjas from the other four great villages. No matter how arrogant Konoha is, they can't possibly make enemies of the other four great villages," the Fourth Raikage analyzed, shaking his head. Then his face turned gloomy. "This is troublesome. For Bee's sake, I suppose I'll have to make a trip to Konoha…"
On the other side, the Tsuchikage of the Stone Hidden Village and the Mizukage of the Mist Hidden Village also agreed to go to Konoha Village. In their opinion, it didn't matter where the Five Kage Summit was held. Furthermore, for an elder like the Tsuchikage, rather than traveling to the distant Land of Iron, Konoha Village was not far, making it a good choice. They also didn't fear Konoha plotting any conspiracies. After all, Konoha Village was only one of the Five Great Villages; they didn't believe Konoha would dare oppose the other four nations single-handedly.
...
Time passed quickly, and three days went by.
It wasn't until the day before Kaoru's inauguration ceremony that the Four Kage arrived.
As if by arrangement, the Wind, Earth, Water, and Lightning Kage arrived within a span of just two hours.
Under the welcome of Tsunade, the Fourth Hokage, and the clan leaders, the four Kage, along with their escorts, entered Konoha Village.
Glancing around the streets, Ōnoki, floating in mid-air, suddenly coughed lightly and said, "Princess Tsunade, it's just a successor's inauguration ceremony for a junior, yet you've summoned all of us. If it weren't for the Five Kage Summit, none of us would have been willing to come!"
"That's right…" Hearing Ōnoki's words, the Fourth Raikage, Ay, nodded vigorously and shouted, "I heard this new Hokage is your village's hero, but he's just a somewhat capable ANBU. I only saw his profile after hearing he was to become Hokage. Your choices for Hokage are getting weaker and weaker."
"I heard he's still a young man… Not to my taste," the Mizukage, Mei Terumī, also chimed in, her face filled with a resentful expression. "I really don't know why I agreed to attend this inauguration ceremony!"
"Heh…" Hearing the words of the three Kage, Tsunade merely chuckled, completely unfazed by their sarcastic remarks. A smile remained on her face as she said softly, "Contrary to what you might think, our Hokage is getting stronger and stronger…"
"Is that so?!" Hearing Tsunade's words, Ay curled his lips, his face filled with disdain. Clearly, he didn't believe Tsunade.
"You'll know tomorrow!" Tsunade's lips curved upwards, her expression turning displeased. She naturally wouldn't be happy to hear her village being mocked by others. She could only hope that Kaoru would appear tomorrow and put these Kage in their place.
...
"According to the news, Konoha has invited the other four Kage for a Five Kage Summit and is simultaneously holding a new Hokage inauguration ceremony…"
In a dark cave, Black Zetsu was meticulously reporting to Madara Uchiha.
"Five Kage Summit… This is indeed a good opportunity to declare war…" After a moment of analysis, Madara Uchiha said coldly, then looked at Zetsu.
"About this new Hokage inauguration ceremony you mentioned…"
"It's for the Sixth Hokage, who will be Uchiha Kaoru," White Zetsu replied.
"Hmph, it was him after all…" Madara Uchiha's dissatisfaction deepened upon hearing the name.
"But this brat has actually achieved something I never thought possible. A ninja of the Uchiha clan becoming the leader of Konoha one day. If the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who always harbored animosity towards the Uchiha clan, knew about this, I wonder what his expression would be…"
"Then… what are Lord Madara Uchiha's plans…" White Zetsu looked at Madara Uchiha, guessing his next move with a speculative gaze.
"Since the Five Kage Summit is so interesting, let Obito and Kabuto go play…" Madara Uchiha said calmly, with his arms crossed.
...
In Konoha Village, after the verbal sparring, apart from the exchange of words, Ōnoki and the others did not escalate further. However, both Tsunade and the surrounding clan leaders knew very well that the real show would be at tomorrow's inauguration ceremony!
Tomorrow, Kaoru would be inaugurated as the Sixth Hokage. As long as they had the opportunity, these Kage would definitely not hesitate to make things difficult for Kaoru!
Although Gaara, being young, might not, the other three were seasoned veterans. They might not just resort to verbal taunts; they might even resort to physical action. As for reasons, they would be easy to find. Testing the young successor would be the best excuse!
However… all of this was within Kaoru's plan.
...
One day later, in front of the Hokage Building.
Everything was ready. There were no elaborate decorations or excessive fanfare, only that all ninjas not on duty had gathered in front of the Hokage Building.
And centered around this building, on the periphery, countless civilians were watching.
On the roof of the Hokage Building, four seats had been temporarily added, just like during the third stage of the Chūnin Exams!
...
A moment later, Ay, Ōnoki, Mei Terumī, and Gaara appeared first, taking their respective seats.
Looking at the bustling and cheerful crowd below, Ay's eyes showed a hint of warmth. He said softly to Ōnoki beside him, "Konoha Village… is probably the most prosperous village among the Five Great Nations…"
"Yes, this is something this old man truly envies…" Hearing Ay's words, Ōnoki's eyes also revealed a shrewd glint. He said softly, "Konoha Village is unlike our Stone Hidden Village, with only desolate barren land and bare rocks. Konoha Village… occupies the best location in the world. With just this location, it's impossible for it not to prosper…"
"Without Hashirama Senju, without Madara Uchiha! Orochimaru fled, the Fourth Hokage died, the Uchiha clan was annihilated leaving only a few survivors, and Konoha's past geniuses were all consumed in their internal conflicts. I truly can't imagine how Konoha can still occupy this advantageous land as it did before!" A cold glint flashed in Ay's eyes, which became even more fervent.
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