Chapter 90: The Grumpy Old Man Appears
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Hidden Cloud Village
Outpost
Two ninjas from Hidden Cloud Village, wearing their village headbands, were chatting idly. Both of them had dark skin and were engaged in casual conversation, as standing guard was just a formality for them.
Looking at the entire ninja world, it was well known how powerful Hidden Cloud Village was. No one would dare to intrude.
However...
At this moment, both ninjas noticed several figures approaching along the official road in front of Hidden Cloud Village.
From their attire, they didn't appear to be mere clients but rather ninjas!
“Something’s up?”
One of the ninjas immediately picked up his binoculars and looked toward the entrance, spotting a figure.
“Leaf ninjas!”
“It’s ninjas from Leaf Village!”
The first ninja, seeing the figure at the front, recognized him as Senju Hashirama, based on the Leaf Village headband on his forehead.
Just one headband was enough to confirm their identity.
“That’s strange. Why do I see Mist Village ninjas too? Isn’t that one-eyed person Ao from Mist Village?”
The other ninja also grabbed his binoculars and focused on Ao from Mist Village. The Mist Village insignia was very distinctive, and since Mist Village was close to Hidden Cloud Village, they were often in a hostile state, making it very familiar.
“What’s going on?”
The first ninja also noticed Ao and was puzzled, “Since when did Leaf Village and Mist Village join forces?”
“This is serious. You stay here and keep watch. I’ll report this to the Raikage immediately!”
The other ninja quickly put away his binoculars, formed hand seals, and vanished in a flash.
“Wait!”
The remaining ninja glanced at his partner.
It was too late. The partner had already left.
“Ah!”
“You’re moving too fast!”
“It’s not just Leaf Village and Mist Village!”
The remaining ninja sighed. At the moment his partner left, he noticed a chubby man in red following behind, carrying an old man on his back.
That wasn’t the main issue.
The crucial point was that this man was wearing an Iwa Village headband.
“What on earth is going on?!”
The ninja was utterly confused. Now, he was the only one left at the outpost. Unable to stand guard alone and with no way to leave, he was in a difficult situation.
Hashirama waited briefly at the entrance of Hidden Cloud Village, and soon, everyone followed him.
First came the ninjas from Mist Village, then those from Iwa Village, followed by the Third Hokage and Tsunade. Surprisingly, Gaara, the young Kazekage, was at the back.
Once everyone had arrived, Hashirama turned to face them. His gaze swept over each person, and every one who met his eyes felt a shiver of fear.
"Everyone, once you arrive in Hidden Cloud Village, please make sure to rest well."
"The Five Kage Summit will take place tomorrow morning."
"I hope you are all in excellent spirits."
"After all..."
"This concerns the future of each of you and each of your villages!"
Having said this, Hashirama offered no further explanation and turned to walk into Hidden Cloud Village.
As the group watched Hashirama's retreating figure, a chill ran down their spines.
The journey to Hidden Cloud Village had only delayed the Five Kage Summit. However, the inevitable was still to come.
What was even more alarming was that Hashirama, having not even entered Hidden Cloud Village, had already set the date for the summit. This meant...
The First Hokage was going to meet the Raikage!
A wave of mixed emotions swept over them.
Except for the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, everyone else was relieved to be part of this Five Kage Summit.
"Let's go in!" Tsunade said eagerly, rubbing her hands together. She was already looking forward to playing cards, having spent the entire day traveling just for this moment.
Immediately, everyone’s expressions changed drastically.
No one had expected this!
They had overlooked one crucial detail!
With Tsunade, the little devil—
Oh, wait.
Tsunade was no little devil!
With Tsunade, the big devil around, there would be no chance for rest!
Everyone silently prayed for the summit to pass quickly, as this period was nothing short of a dual torment for both body and soul.
Zzzzzzz...
Suddenly, lightning flashed.
A figure appeared at the entrance, blocking the way of the arriving guests.
The person had dark skin, light yellow hair, a mustache, and a goatee. He wore a white cloak, revealing a strong, muscular chest, a golden belt, and matching golden gauntlets on his hands.
It was the Fourth Raikage.
"Who are you people?"
The Fourth Raikage, A, scanned the group with a look of recognition. Since the Third Great Ninja War, he had rarely left Hidden Cloud Village. The people before him were either very old or very young, not from his generation.
The group's gaze fell on the Raikage, and though no one spoke, they had already made some guesses about his identity.
"Well, what a coincidence!"
Hashirama's dark eyes locked onto the Fourth Raikage, a slight smirk playing on his lips, giving off a meaningful smile.
"Raikage-sama, we’ve traveled a long way to hold the Five Kage Summit. Surely you’ve received the invitation!"
As Hashirama spoke, he deliberately lowered his tone, making him sound like an ordinary chunin if one didn’t know his identity.
"And who are you?"
The Fourth Raikage had never seen Hashirama before. He frowned, sizing him up and finding the man’s presence odd.
The man’s body seemed somewhat abnormal.
Furthermore, his eyes were unusually dark—had he been staying up too late?
And his attire.
Wasn’t it hot?
That dark red battle armor was much heavier compared to Hidden Cloud Village’s style.
Most importantly...
This person mentioned the Five Kage Summit, and several people from different villages were standing behind him.
What’s the meaning of this?
Trying to scam us?
The Fourth Raikage initially struggled to understand what was happening, and since he couldn’t figure it out, he chose to dismiss it.
“Forget it. No matter who you are, this is Hidden Cloud Village. We don’t welcome you, and we don’t welcome any Five Kage Summit. I’ll say this once—leave now!”
The Fourth Raikage had no intention of listening further. If it weren’t for the potential involvement of multiple villages, he wouldn’t have bothered showing up; he would have had Darui handle the situation.
“So this is the Raikage?”
Hashirama looked at the muscular man before him with a hint of disdain. He had known that the Raikage was powerful but had a fiery temper and not the brightest mind.
To put it kindly, one could say his physical prowess was impressive.
To put it bluntly...
“Has your brain been turned into muscle?”
Hashirama felt the man lacked basic judgment. How could one be so oblivious to the situation? If it wasn’t for extreme arrogance about his own strength, then it was a clear sign of limited intelligence.
(End of Chapter)