Qin Yi smiled and nodded in agreement.
The implication was clear— he had to rely on his own strength to claim what he wanted.
He had been granted the right to participate in the discussions, but if he didn't assert himself, he would remain nothing more than a spectator. If he chose to fight for it, he would be facing the four Kage.
The choice was his alone.
After a while, the conversation between both sides became more relaxed, and the atmosphere turned amicable.
By the time they left, an hour had already passed.
Back at his residence, Qin Yi's smile gradually faded.
"Your Majesty, does this mean Konoha will not intentionally favor us in this discussion?" Qin Lin asked in a low voice.
"I don't fully understand what this 'Bijū' (Tailed Beast)— you mentioned is," Yang Yi added, "but Konoha's stance is clearly ambiguous."
Fang Lin remained silent but nodded in agreement.
Qin Yi didn't respond— he understood the situation perfectly.
Senju Tobirama was a man of careful calculations, and the lines of interest were clearly drawn. At first, he had supported the Nation of Qin, intending to mold it into a blade wielded by Konoha. However, the blade had sharpened far more quickly than expected— so much so that wielding it was no longer so simple.
Now, despite their alliance, if the Tailed Beast were to fall into Qin's hands, their power would grow yet again. And when an ally becomes too powerful, the future becomes uncertain.
Furthermore, the final decision in this summit would not be Tobirama's to make— it rested with Konoha's Hokage.
For Senju Hashirama, Qin Yi's sudden emergence posed a dilemma. This was originally a meeting for the Five Kage, and the unexpected arrival of the Nation of Qin disrupted the established order.
"There's no need to say more. Prepare yourselves. Tomorrow, we have a battle to fight."
Qin Yi's gaze hardened, his eyes flickering with thought.
"How do I ensure they take notice of me from the very start?"
Only the people of the Nation of Qin truly understood their own strength. To the Five Great Nations, they were just another minor country, barely worth acknowledging.
If they wanted a seat at the table for the Tailed Beast distribution, the first step was clear— establish their presence.
"If I want to make an immediate impact, then I must demonstrate strength."
After a moment of contemplation, Qin Yi arrived at the simplest truth. Power determined everything. To fight for it meant proving himself.
The long-awaited Five Kage Summit finally arrived.
On this day, the leaders of the Five Hidden Villages appeared one after another. The summit was not held in the Land of Iron, as it had been in some histories, but within a massive, tower-like structure on neutral ground. Soldiers from the Land of Iron stood guard in tight formation, ensuring order.
At the heart of the chamber, the five Kage sat around a pentagonal table, their gazes shifting as tension settled in the air.
"It is truly remarkable to see the Five Great Nations gathered here for a Kage Summit."
"We appreciate your presence."
As in history, Senju Hashirama— overcome with emotion— slammed his head onto the table, tears streaming down his face.
Senju Tobirama sighed, already feeling a headache coming on, and attempted to counsel his brother.
The Raikage of the Land of Lightning, A, clasped his hands together and spoke in a deep voice. "Hokage, please lift your head. This is unbecoming of a leader."
"I came here to acknowledge the Hokage's Kage Agreement," The Tsuchikage of the Land of Earth said indifferently. "But that does not mean I will sign it unconditionally."
"If you keep groveling like this,"The Mizukage added with a hint of suspicion, "I'll start to think you have ulterior motives."
"The condition for signing the agreement is that the Hokage distributes the collected Bijū (Tailed Beasts) to each village. This is a transaction— do not let emotions cloud your judgment!"
The Kazekage's voice was firm.
Unbeknownst to them, the talks had already begun, with the five Kage speaking in turn. The scene mirrored the events of the original timeline, unchanged in any way.
But in the next moment, the five Kage froze, their gazes sharpening.
Somehow, in the vast conference hall, an unfamiliar figure had appeared without a sound.
"Who are you?"
The First Kazekage, Reto, demanded in a deep voice.
The intruder wore a deep purple shadow hat, his face concealed beneath a white cloth. His steps were measured, movements fluid, and in just a few strides, he was standing before them all.
"I heard Kazekage Sama say this is a transaction. In that case, shouldn't our Nation of Qin also be part of this agreement?"
As the white cloth fluttered, Qin Yi's face was revealed to the assembly.
Senju Tobirama's eyes narrowed slightly, while Hashirama looked visibly surprised. They had assumed Qin Yi would not make an appearance— yet here he was, making a dramatic entrance. Meanwhile, the other four Kage visibly darkened at his arrival.
"You insolent brat! This is a summit for the Kage of the Five Great Nations. What standing does your Nation of Qin have to qualify for this meeting?"
Reto's voice was low and oppressive.
The Kage Summit was reserved for the leaders of the world's most powerful military forces—five individuals who stood at the pinnacle of strength. How could an outsider simply intrude?
His words were blunt, meant to dismiss the young ruler outright.
"Ha!"
Suddenly, a powerful gust seemed to sweep through the chamber.
"Qualifications?"
Qin Yi chuckled, unbothered by the hostility in Reto's words. His smirk sharpened, and his eyes glinted dangerously.
"You'll find out soon enough."
He took a single step forward.
In that instant, the five Kage's pupils constricted. They had lost sight of him.
A dark gleam flashed, and before anyone could react, a kunai rested against Reto's throat.
"Would the death of the Kazekage— the man responsible for stabilizing the Wind Country— be proof enough of my Nation's qualifications?"
The blade quivered slightly, drawing a thin line of blood against Reto's neck.
The room fell into stunned silence.
None of them had anticipated such speed. In a mere moment, a dignified Kage had been subdued.
Reto's pupils contracted, but he remained composed, though inwardly shaken by the young man's display of strength. His hidden hands, positioned beneath the table, were about to form seals— but then, his expression shifted, and he froze in place.
"You can fight here if you wish," Qin Yi said coolly. "But I assure you, the outcome will not change."
Reto's breath hitched.
In the overturned teacup on the table, he caught the reflection of a pair of crimson eyes— piercing, hypnotic, inescapable.
Sharingan.
Qin Yi slightly lowered his head, the white cloth obscuring most of his features. But in the Kazekage's trembling reflection, the truth was undeniable.
The young ruler who had intruded upon the Kage Summit had not only subdued a Kage in an instant, but for two entire minutes, Reto had been unable to respond.
The realization sent a wave of unease through the chamber.
"Kazekage Sama," Qin Yi finally spoke, his lips curling into a faint, wicked smile. "I assume you won't act recklessly now?"
The four remaining Kage turned to Reto. Seeing his ashen face, they felt a chill run down their spines.
"The Nation of Qin is qualified. Please, take a seat."
After a moment of silence, Senju Tobirama spoke, his gaze lingering on Qin Yi with an unreadable expression.
"But before that— release the Kazekage. We do not allow violence here."
(End of Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 15 chapters on my Patreon and I've also activated (date-to-date) subscription model on my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395