The Savior: Uzumaki Naruto

Chapter 17: The Gokage Summit

The powdery wind blew aggressively in the Land of Iron. Despite the name, it was akin to the Land of Snow with the low temperatures.

"I hate this place." Naruto stated rhetorically. His whiskered cheeks were rosy, protesting the weather as much as he was.

Tsunade scoffed. "You think anyone doesn't?"

Danzo, who had said nothing the entire trip, decided to chip into the conversation. "The samurai. They have lived here for many years, and decline to involve themselves in our affairs for anything other than peacekeeping."

"The samurai live here? I forgot they existed." Naruto said bluntly. He didn't care to sensor himself around Danzo, he had no respect for the elder to begin with.

"We all do, Naruto. You're not alone in that." Tsunade agreed.

All three Konoha shinobi were extremely tired of the weather, almost ready to submit to a break. Just before Naruto was about to propose such an idea, however, the building they were set to arrive at came into view. From here, they engaged in a dead sprint, opting to shorten the time they had to spend in the unforgiving snow.

In just a few minutes they had arrived, greeted by several samurai. As they made their way in, they found that they were the third village to arrive. First was Kumogakure, and second was Sunagakure. The Konoha Shinobi had no intention to waste time, so they opted to head straight for the meeting room, rather than lounge in another room.

Upon finally finding the room (despite many offers at escorts or directions from passersby samurai), the Hokage and her entourage settled into the meeting room. Naruto, who was taking in his surroundings, noticed that Kumo had the same idea and opted to just to wait in the meeting room. Suna was here, but not present with the other two.

Each village sent a couple glares before settling, not completely letting down their guard, however. Eventually, Suna found the meeting room, as well as Iwagakure and Kirigakure. The air in the circular room was tense and uneasy, not a hint of trust to be found. Save for Gaara of course, trusting Naruto with every ounce of his being. It was a shame that Naruto didn't exactly reciprocate.

Saving Gaara was more of a mission for Naruto than anything else, which had the added bonus of taking care of Itachi. Saving the redhead was closer to the bonus to him personally, cold as it may seem. Gaara trusted Naruto not only for saving his life, but stopping him from committing such an atrocious act like destroying an entire village.

Aside from Gaara, no one in the room trusted anyone but the people they entered the building with, not even the samurai. As each village settled, the head of the Samurai called the meeting into action.

"I hereby call this Gokage Summit into action. My name is Mifune, and I will mediate this meeting. Who would like to begin?" the seasoned man spoke.

Ay, the Yondaime Raikage, was quick to speak up. "The Akatsuki have been let lose for far too long. They took the life of one of our beloved Jinchuriki and threaten to take the life of my brother Bee. All members ought to be captured and executed immediately, starting with the Mizukage."

The statement shocked the entire room. The first interaction and execution is already being threatened. "And why is that, Raikage?!" Tsunade exploded.

"Pardon me, Hokage, did someone not get briefed because they were too busy having a mere child do her job? Perhaps we should have a recap of current events next time." Ay insulted. Before things could get any messier, Mifune intervened.

"There have been rumors circulating that the Akatsuki originated from Kirigakure. Are you familiar with these rumors, Lady Hokage?" he asked politely.

Tsunade cleared her throat before speaking, her soul bubbling with fury. "These rumors did reach Konohagakure. I just wonder why the Mizukage must be put up for execution, despite these only being rumors?"