A Different Path

The Five Kage Summit

Sasuke's POV

"It seems the Hokage has finally made her appearance." The Raikage narrowed his eyes in a sarcastic manner.
"Welcome, Lady Tsunade." The Mizukage ignored him and smiled politely at the blonde woman, who bowed slightly at the four Kage seated at the small round table before their eyes. Gaara blinked in acknowledgement while the Tsuchikage nodded his head.
Sasuke and Shikamaru bowed as well.
"Kakashi of the Sharingan. No doubt about you being charged with the protection of Lady Hokage." The Kazekage's voice remained monotone. Kakashi only blinked, not knowing what to reply. The lords' faces seemed to have lightened up upon seeing who had tagged along. Sasuke wasn't really surprised.
"Naruto, what a pleasant surprise." Ai said with a trace of genuine delight.
"Lords Kage." Naruto nodded at the four, his features softening.
"We haven't been informed about your arrival." Ai continued.

"It's for safety measures. You out of all people ought to know how many enemies I have." Naruto's eyes grew warm as they swept their gazes over him. "Lord Mifune." His focus moved onto the old man walking towards the table and to his rightful place.
"Nice to see you again, fox. You have not been to any kenjutsu training lately. I wondered when you would show up again." Mifune's eye corners creased while he smiled kindly at the Jinchuriki.
"I've been busy, but I'll drop by when I get the chance."
Has he been working for the other Kage all this time? How come none of them has ever informed the Leaf about their own rogue ninja? Or maybe.. Sasuke's coal-black eyes turned towards Tsunade who had taken a seat at the table. Maybe she just didn't anything about it. He clenched his fists at the thought, equally frustrated and grateful for the warmth inside the room.

Gaara gave him a gentle look that the blond gave back. Sasuke saw the Mizukage eyeing Naruto as if she wanted to eat him, which almost sent shudder down the raven's spine.
Ew. Hormonal middle aged women are creepier than those fangirls.
But the blond seemed to be used to it since he remained unfazed. The Tsuchikage, on the other hand simply nodded.
Suddenly, the door creaked open to reveal the Kage's eight personal aids.
"Yo, Naruto." Omoi smiled before they bumped fists.
"I see you've replaced Cee this time." Naruto clicked his tongue teasingly, to which the Cloud shinobi rolled his eyes, a smile still visible on his tanned face. Ao, Kankuro, Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi nodded at him while Temari took a few steps to ruffle his hair, earning a playful glare from the young Uzumaki. Chojuro gave him a shy smile as the Raikage's right hand, Darui, patted his back in a brotherly manner which had the Uchiha questioning Naruto's relations to the other Kage. It was all just too comfortable and familiar to them for Sasuke to feel at ease. It almost made him jealous.
"I'll be outside keeping watch. Besides, you don't really need me here for anything else than that." The blond nodded his head one more time before Tsunade waved her hand dismissively.
"I'll join you." Darui said while stifling a yawn. The Jinchuriki blinked in acknowledgement as the two made their way outside of the room.

"Now, back to the matter at hand." Mifune entwined his fingers before he placed them under his chin to support it. "The main reason why you are all here is because of the new threat we know as Toneri Otsutsuki, who is being aided by none other than Orochimaru, the Leaf's Sannin." Sasuke couldn't help but flinch at the mention of the vile snake. "You have all been informed of the situation's current status as well as Toneri's known level of strength." The samurai closed his eyes for a second.
"Then now it's up to us as the five Kage to take measures against this." Gaara spoke slowly, his eyes scanning the room as if he was inspecting their reactions.
"We only have one month and a half left to prevent mass destruction from happening. And the best way to counter it is to form an alliance." Tsunade didn't seem to be surprised by their response. Gaara and Mei nodded slowly while Onoki closed his eyes, furrowing his eyebrows. An alliance? She's actually expecting the proud Kage to accept something like that?

Mifune said nothing but Ai jumped up to his feet as he slammed his hands on the table, alerting all of the shinobi in the room. His face was contorted with anger and his eyes were digging holes into Lady Tsunade's unfazed face. Sasuke was actually afraid that the Raikage might break the truce and grab her by the neck but nevertheless, he was ready to protect her.
"An alliance?! Who do you think we are, Hokage?! Do you think we're not able to protect our own villages?" He fumed.
"I did not mean to offend or to insinuate something like that, Raikage. I personally know Orochimaru and I'm sure that this is worse than ever before. Besides, if you will not take my word then trust Naruto's." She spoke lowly, probably trying to contain her anger. More like trust his fear.

"What do you mean by that?" Mei raised an eyebrow. Tsunade looked over to Gaara, who closed his eyes and nodded.
"She's trying to say that Naruto knows the true extent of Toneri's power, and he's afraid. He's afraid that many innocent people will get hurt because Toneri's seeks to defeat him and take his power." The redhead laid back against the chair.
"So this whole thing is just some personal problem these two have? But what if they realize that their power is equal and they end up causing a huge explosion that will kill us all and then we realize that we've been fighting in vain? And what if-!"
"Omoi, shut up!" Temari cuffed the back of his head.
"But really, what if-!"
"Not the time, you guys." Kurotsuchi slapped her forehead with exasperation.
"As I was saying, you all know what Naruto is capable of. And if he's afraid of this new threat then we should all be." Gaara opened his eyes, signaling that he had finished.

"Hmm.." The Raikage sat down slowly. He furrowed his eyebrows as a sign that surprisingly, he was actually considering what the other Kage had said. So they really trust Naruto, don't they. Hn. At this point I'm not even surprised anymore.
But before Ai could open his mouth to speak, something unimaginable happened. In just mere seconds, a white shadow formed in front of Mifune, revealing Orochimaru who was holding a snake's head aimed at the samurai's head. Except there was a katana stopping its poison-dripping fangs from reaching Mifune's skin. All of the shinobi in the room except the Kage were alarmed and ready to fight, including Shikamaru who was clicking his tongue with frustration.
"You're just as fast as ever, Naruto." He purred sickeningly, sending a wave of disgust over Sasuke. And yet, Naruto didn't even flinch. He swinged the sharp blade with a twist of his wrist and sliced the snake's head off, leaving Orochimaru to jump backwards and next to the glass windows showing the frosty scenery of the mountains. He turned his head to the right only to feel another blade pressed against his Adam's apple. Darui's stare was very powerful but it didn't seem to affect the Sannin who slowly pushed the katana away, his arms folding in front of himself as a sign of peace.

"I am only here to talk, Cloud ninja. If I had wanted to kill you you would most probably be dead. Except for him who would be chained up at my feet." Orochimaru smirked with delight as he pointed at the Jinchuriki. Sasuke felt a strong desire to push his Chidori through the other's chest but the blond's dead eyes kept him still. Darui glanced at Naruto to see him nod and put his katana into its sheath, resulting in him doing the same.
"What is it that you desire to say to us?" Mifune rasped, his back turned to the long haired man.
"Just a little warning." Orochimaru smirked again, almost turning into a sneer. "Despite my failed attempts from before, this time I am sure to make the Hidden Leaf suffer. And in the process, everyone else will do the same. I have an army this time." Sasuke's eyes widened. Although the five Kage were focused on the table before their eyes, they were listening. And the sweatdrops visible on their foreheads were proof of it. Temari was gritting her teeth so hard you could hear them scrunch.

"Don't tell me you.." Naruto's voice trailed off as his eyes widened as well.
"Yes, I have. It was Toneri's idea, really. And with their power, so will begin the Fourth Great Ninja War." Orochimaru closed his animal-like eyes.
"War?!" The Raikage didn't have enough time to say anything else.
"That is all. Prepare yourselves because I am not looking for an easy fight." He sneered before disappearing into a black shadow that soon dissipated.
Everyone remained frozen in place.
"What army was he talking about?" Mei tried to stop her voice from trembling.
"And army of Zetsu. Something Kaguya left behind to guarantee her return back in the Six Paths Sage's time. Believe me, it's very bad." Naruto shook his head, palming his forehead. His other hand was clenched and quivered slightly.

Before anyone could enquire further, the Raikage spoke up.
"I agree with this. Let's just do this damn thing before an apocalypse comes and I will regret not choosing to do so."

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Heya! A long chapter, meh? I hope you enjoyed it!
Next time on Naruto Shippuden:
'It's Never Enough'
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~Bella~
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