The response from Kumogakure was like a bolt of lightning tearing through dark clouds, instantly illuminating the political chessboard of the entire Shinobi World.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the Fourth Raikage, known for his hot temper and hardline stance.

No one could understand why, after experiencing such a humiliating standoff, Raikage A would be the first to accept the invitation from that "Nation of Rogue Ninjas."

In their eyes, this was tantamount to a display of political weakness.

However, for Raikage A, who stood at the center of the storm, this was an incredibly difficult, yet unavoidable, decision.

In the Hokage's Office, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the sea before a storm.

A sat alone behind his large desk, with the invitation sent by Uchiha Kei spread out on it.

He had been staring at the words on it for a full hour.

The fear and helplessness of having the enemy at the gates that day were still deeply branded into his soul. The scene of the "Divine Punishment" where the Chakra Cannon erased the island, and the icy question, "Can you afford to fight this war of attrition?", still echoed in his ears.

He admitted it: he was afraid.

It wasn't a fear of death, but a deeper sense of awe for an unknown power.

Uchiha Kei, that terrifyingly young man, had used a bloodless war to completely shatter his pride as a "Kage" and subvert his understanding of "strength."

Therefore, when he received this invitation, his first reaction was anger and resistance.

Go to the Land of Whirlpools? Go to that place where he had lost all face? Attend a meeting led by the victor?

This was worse than killing him.

But when his eyes landed on the lines "Tailed Beast Hunting" and "Two-Tails Jinchūriki Yugito has been listed as a target," all the anger in his heart was instantly replaced by a chilling coldness.

In his mind, the image of another person involuntarily surfaced.

His brother, Killer Bee.

That guy who was always wearing sunglasses, speaking in terrible raps, and had a personality so eccentric it gave him a headache, yet was the family member he cherished most.

He was the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki of Kumogakure.

Although A was reckless, this did not mean he was stupid. He knew better than anyone the strategic significance of a Jinchūriki to a ninja village.

And he knew better than anyone what losing a Jinchūriki meant for a village.

He could disregard his own face, ignore the prestige of Hidden Cloud, and even endure humiliation.

But he could absolutely not tolerate any harm coming to Killer Bee.

The "Akatsuki" that Uchiha Kei mentioned in the letter had as its goal all the Jinchūriki in the world.

This intelligence was like a precise key, unlocking the deepest fear in A's heart.

If what Kei said was true, then Killer Bee could face the danger of being "hunted" at any time.

And how terrifying must the strength of an organization be if it could make even Uchiha Kei feel grave, to the point where he would take the initiative to invite the Five Great Nations to discuss it?

A closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and took a deep breath.

He tried to calm himself down and analyze the situation before him with reason.

Was there any need for Uchiha Kei to lie about such a thing?

No.

With the strength the Land of Whirlpools had shown, he had no need to deceive Five Kage with a lie. If he wanted to act against any village, he could simply start a war; there was no need to go through such trouble.

The only explanation was that the threat Kei spoke of was real.

Moreover, this threat was already so large that even he felt it was troublesome, and it required uniting the power of the entire Shinobi World to deal with.

This was a calculated move.

A naked, open calculated move.

Kei had seized the common weakness of all ninja villages that possessed Jinchūriki.

He used the bait of "protecting the Jinchūriki," which could not be refused, to pull everyone to his table.

Especially him, the Fourth Raikage.

Having just experienced a failure, Kumogakure needed more than ever to prove its strength and its voice in international affairs. If he refused to attend this important meeting concerning the safety of the Shinobi World, not only would Kumogakure appear weak and narrow-minded, but it would also be isolated by other ninja villages.

And once the Akatsuki really made a move on Killer Bee, an isolated Kumogakure would not receive any aid.

"Bastard..."

A squeezed two words through his teeth.

Once again, he felt that powerlessness of being played in the palm of Uchiha Kei's hand.

That man had not only calculated his actions and his anger, but even his sense of responsibility as an older brother was clearly accounted for.

He had paved a step for him to gracefully withdraw from the quagmire of war.

Now, he had dug a pit, making him willing to jump in.

And, he even made him feel that his jumping was absolutely correct.

"The first step to turning enemies into friends, huh..." A's mouth curled into a bitter self-mockery.

This wasn't turning enemies into friends; this was a complete absorption.

From now on, when dealing with the common enemy, the Akatsuki, he, and even the entire Kumogakure, would have to, to a greater or lesser extent, listen to that man's commands and arrangements.

Because he held the most core intelligence.

"Shi." A opened his eyes, his voice carrying a trace of fatigue.

"Here, Raikage-sama." His secretary, Shi, stepped out from the shadows.

"In my name, announce it to the entire Shinobi World." A's gaze became firm. "Kumogakure accepts the invitation of the Land of Whirlpools. I will personally go to the Land of Whirlpools to attend the Six Kage Summit."

"Also," he added, "raise the alert level to the highest. During my absence, you and Killer Bee will be jointly responsible for the village's defense. Closely monitor all suspicious individuals entering the Land of Lightning, especially those wearing black cloaks with red clouds."

Shi's body trembled slightly; he knew what a major decision Raikage-sama had made.

This decision meant that Kumogakure, a ninja village known for its toughness and domineering nature, had, in effect, lowered its proud head to that emerging island nation.

But perhaps, this was the only, and best, choice.

"Yes!"

Shi responded heavily and turned to leave.

Soon, the news that Raikage A would personally attend the Six Kage Summit spread throughout the Shinobi World.

Now, the pressure instantly shifted to the other four Kage.

Hidden Stone Village.

Ōnoki floated in the air, his brow furrowed.

"That hot-headed idiot A actually agreed first? It seems there was something in the letter Uchiha Kei sent him that he couldn't refuse. Hmph, fine, let him go and test the waters."

"Kurotsuchi, prepare yourself. You will accompany me as my representative."

Hidden Sand.

Rasa looked at the intelligence in his hand and exchanged glances with the elders, Chiyo and Ebizō.

"Even the Raikage is going; we have no reason to refuse." Chiyo spoke slowly. "This may be the best opportunity for our Hidden Sand to get out of its predicament and establish an official alliance with the Land of Whirlpools."

Rasa nodded: "Pass on the order. I will go personally. Tell Kankuro and Temari to get ready to accompany me. As for Gaara... let him stay in the village."

Kirigakure.

Mei Terumī had already made up her mind; the Raikage's stance only confirmed her judgment.

"Chojuro, prepare yourself and accompany me to that old place."

The most conflicted was Konoha.

In the Hokage's Office, smoke swirled.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado, the four top power-holders of Konoha, had been arguing about this for a whole day.

"We cannot go!" Danzo was firm. "This is Uchiha Kei's conspiracy! He wants to use this opportunity to humiliate Konoha and trample us underfoot!"

"But the other four Kage have already made their stance known. If we don't go, Konoha will be completely isolated!" Utatane Koharu was worried.

"That intelligence... regarding the Infinite Tsukuyomi and Uchiha Madara, do you think it's true or false?" Homura Mitokado raised the most critical question.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

He hoped more than anyone that it was false.

But reason told him that Uchiha Kei had no need to lie.

If Konoha missed the best opportunity to deal with this crisis because of refusing to attend the meeting, he would become the eternal sinner of Konoha.

Finally, as if he had aged ten years, he waved his hand powerlessly.

"We go."

"I... will go personally."

Thus, the Five Great Ninja Villages all entered the game.

An unprecedented Six Kage Summit, which was about to change the future direction of the Shinobi World, was a foregone conclusion.

All eyes were converged on that calm and mysterious island—the Land of Whirlpools.