The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, advanced toward Konoha with two escorts.
"Kazekage-sama," Maki said with concern,
"are we really just walking into Konoha like this? Couldn't it be dangerous?"
After all, Sunagakure and Konoha were still enemies.
Walking straight into hostile territory felt like suicide.
"There's nothing to worry about," Rasa waved dismissively.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen isn't that foolish."
The reason Rasa came was simple—
the Third Hokage had offered terms he could not refuse.
Furthermore, Sunagakure's forces had already withdrawn to the Land of Rivers, giving Konoha enough face.
Under these circumstances, Rasa didn't believe the Third Hokage would dare move against him.
"We should still stay alert," Pakura warned calmly.
"I know," Maki nodded.
At that moment, footsteps approached.
Several members of the Sarutobi clan appeared ahead.
"You are the Fourth Kazekage?"
"I am," Rasa nodded, recognizing the Sarutobi clan crest on their clothes.
"The Hokage has ordered us to escort you."
"Lead the way."
Northwest Route
The Tsuchikage Ōnoki advanced with two guards.
"Tsuchikage-sama," one of them, Tsuchiai, said nervously,
"could this be a trap by Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
Konoha's Drake had wiped out Iwagakure's elite forces.
Now, suddenly, there was a peace summit?
As a newly appointed guard, Tsuchiai feared his first mission would be his last.
"Tsuchiai," Ōnoki said calmly,
"we're not here for the Hokage."
"…Then for Drake?" Tsuchiai blurted out.
The other guard chuckled.
"You're new. Just know this—Tsuchikage-sama is perfectly safe this time."
"That's right," Ōnoki smiled.
"We have another purpose."
He wasn't worried in the slightest.
Ōnoki had already formed an alliance with Drake,
and over ten thousand Iwa troops were currently looping behind Kumogakure's main force.
This visit was merely to finalize post-war profit distribution with Drake.
As for the Hokage's promises?
Ōnoki didn't believe a single word.
Sarutobi escorts soon appeared and led them onward.
Northeast Route
The Third Raikage approached Konoha.
"Father," A asked quietly,
"aren't you worried this is a trap?"
"Worried?" the Raikage laughed.
"You clearly don't understand Sarutobi Hiruzen."
"He trades利益 for peace.
He doesn't have the guts to ambush me."
Then he added confidently:
"He offered extremely generous terms.
Once this negotiation ends, Kumogakure profits massively."
A still looked uneasy.
"What if Drake interferes?"
"Interfere?" the Raikage scoffed.
"That kid isn't Hokage. How could he interfere?"
What A didn't know was that Kumogakure had another safety net—
their main forces were still stationed in the Land of Hot Water, not on the Fire Country border.
Soon, Sarutobi Konohamaru appeared to escort them.
Eastern Route
The Fourth Mizukage advanced through the forest with his guards.
"Mizukage-sama," Ao said worriedly,
"we just lost on the battlefield. Is it really wise to go to Konoha now?"
"I must go," the Mizukage replied firmly.
"Why?"
"Because all the other Kage are going."
Ao fell silent.
If every Kage attended except him,
Kirigakure would descend into chaos again.
Before long, all four Kage converged, walking together toward Konoha.
Ōnoki glanced at the Raikage and Kazekage, then at the Mizukage.
The Raikage snorted.
"Heh. Iwa and Kiri really are alike—
even their Kage are short."
"Short means smart," Ōnoki snapped back.
"Unlike you muscle-brains."
The Mizukage stayed silent.
Seeing this, Rasa shook his head.
"How did Kirigakure choose such a timid Kage?"
The Mizukage's eyes narrowed.
"Say that again?"
Tension flared.
Ao immediately fired back:
"You dare mock us? Your Third Kazekage disappeared—
have you found him yet?"
Rasa's face darkened instantly.
Pakura stepped forward.
"Allow me to deal with him."
"Come," Ao replied coldly.
The situation was about to explode—
"Perfect," the Raikage laughed, stepping aside.
"Fight it out before we enter."
Ōnoki even hopped onto a tree, watching eagerly.
Then—
BOOM!
The tree suddenly jumped up, branches flailing wildly.
Ōnoki slipped and was smashed off the branch.
The tree's roots scratched the ground—
—and it ran away.
"…What the hell?" Ōnoki froze.
"That tree just grew legs," the Raikage muttered.
"…Wood Release?" Rasa whispered.
"Is this why the Seven Swordsmen vanished?" the Mizukage wondered.
No one felt like fighting anymore.
Konohamaru led them onward.
"That tree—what was it?" the Raikage demanded.
"Drake's work," Konohamaru answered honestly.
The four Kage exchanged grim looks.
Hokage Tower — Conference Room
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled as the Kage arrived.
"Your presence proves your trust in me," he said warmly.
"Today, I will sign peace accords to end this war."
He distributed documents.
Rasa finished reading first—his eyes lit up.
The Raikage smirked and grabbed a pen.
The Mizukage felt like he'd won the lottery—
they lost the war, yet Konoha was compensating them?
Only Ōnoki remained silent.
He didn't sign.
"…Drake," Ōnoki muttered.
"If you don't show up soon, I'm getting screwed."
Nara Clan — Underground Chamber
Drake finally arrived.
"You're not in a hurry at all," Nara Shikaku snapped.
"What's there to rush?" Drake replied lazily.
"The Five Kage are already negotiating!"
"So?"
"If Hiruzen gives away massive利益,
he'll gain the Kage's support!" Shikaku said urgently.
Drake scoffed.
"Only the weak seek support."
"I'll just go listen."
"And if Hiruzen sells Konoha out?"
"His deals have nothing to do with me, the Fourth Hokage."
Everyone understood instantly.
Any treaty signed today would be invalid tomorrow.
Drake turned and walked out.
Minato and the clan heads followed.
Hokage Tower Entrance
Two Sarutobi guards blocked the door.
They were shaking.
"By order of the Hokage—"
"Get lost."
SLAP—BOOM.
Drake slapped one guard so hard his head vanished.
The other guard fled screaming.
Drake walked in.
Inside the Conference Room
Three Kage had signed.
Ōnoki still waited.
Then—
"WHAT?!" Hiruzen roared as news arrived.
"Drake broke in and killed a Sarutobi clansman?!"
After the shock, Hiruzen laughed.
"It's too late now."
The Kage frowned.
Only Ōnoki smiled.
"I knew this treaty wouldn't get signed."
Heavy footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Drake had arrived.
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