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Qin Yi smiled slightly; the kunai remained in place, but with a soft "bang," his figure dissolved into a puff of white mist.
This sudden development startled everyone present.
"Just a Shadow Clone?" Senju Hashirama murmured, his expression shifting as he reassessed Qin Yi's strength.
As the mist cleared, four figures strode forward, led by Qin Yi himself. He now wore the QinKage hat, exuding an aura of composure and authority.
Upon reaching the pentagonal table, he cast a glance at the five Kage and then smiled.
"Hokage-sama, could you make room for me?"
The table was already fully occupied, and Qin Yi's unexpected entrance— subduing the Kazekage with ease, only to reveal himself as a mere Shadow Clone— had left the gathered leaders wary. Now, his request made the Kage exchange glances, especially Kazekage Reto, whose face had turned ashen with humiliation.
"Kid, there's no seat for you here!" Reto snapped.
Qin Yi's expression darkened. "Kazekage Dono, choose your words carefully. If you continue to provoke me, I won't hesitate to let your blood honor the fallen warriors of my nation."
Kazekage Reto stiffened. "Who… exactly are you?"
Qin Yi only smirked in response.
Senju Hashirama scratched his head awkwardly. "Well then, let's just add a seat. The Nation of Qin is a friend of Konoha, and I'd prefer we avoid unnecessary conflict. After all, this meeting is about securing peace for the world."
The other Kage exchanged glances but did not object. The fact that Qin Yi's Shadow Clone had subdued the Kazekage so easily meant his true strength was beyond estimation.
The pentagonal table was reshaped into a hexagon, and Qin Yi took his seat with a faint smile. Behind him, the Three Generals silently stepped back, standing in the shadows like sentinels.
Despite the apparent civility, tension remained thick in the air. The four Kage remained wary, while Kazekage Reto's gaze burned with barely restrained fury. Qin Yi had claimed his seat at the cost of the Kazekage's dignity—this grudge would not be easily resolved.
"It's an honor to sit here and meet with the five of you." Qin Yi placed his QinKage hat on the table and smiled faintly. "Now that we're all present, let's begin."
"Agreed." Senju Tobirama nodded, his sharp gaze flickering toward Qin Yi before addressing the room.
With that, the five Kage moved into serious discussion. Kazekage Reto, still nursing his wounded pride, was the first to speak.
"Our Wind Country already possesses a Bijū (Tailed Beast), so I propose an exchange. We will trade this Bijū for corresponding land from Konoha, as well as thirty percent of the funds allocated for Bijū purchases."
Qin Yi's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes glinting with mockery. "Kazekage, you must be joking."
"That's absurd! You're asking for far too much!" One of the Kage snapped.
In an instant, the room erupted into heated debate. The five great nations had yet to fully grasp the value of the Bijū, but they were already locked in a fierce struggle over them.
What followed was an intense, near-argumentative negotiation. The five Kage bickered like market vendors haggling over a handful of coins, none willing to back down.
Occasionally, voices rose in frustration, hands slammed against the table, and tensions flared to the brink of confrontation.
Throughout it all, Qin Yi remained silent, listening with a faint, unreadable smile.
Finally, when the Kage had exhausted their arguments, Mizukage turned toward him.
"QinKage-dono, are you just going to sit there quietly? Or do you have something insightful to contribute?"
Qin Yi calmly took a sip of tea, his gaze dropping momentarily to the table. Noticing the cracks that had formed from the Kage's repeated outbursts, he frowned slightly before setting his cup down.
Then, he spoke.
"I have no objections to your arguments," Qin Yi said calmly. "I only ask that Konoha grant us the Seven-Tails. Of course, we will offer proper compensation in return."
Seven-Tails? He only wants a single Bijū (Tailed Beast)?
The power balance among the villages dictated the distribution— stronger villages took more Bijū, while weaker ones received stronger ones to compensate.
"Seven-Tails? That's acceptable." Tobirama glanced at Hashirama, who nodded.
"Konoha only needs the Nine-Tails," Hashirama added.
"I, the Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village, claim the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails."
"The Water Nation requires the Three-Tails, Isobu, and the Six-Tails, Saiken."
"Then my Earth Nation will take the Four-Tails and Five-Tails."
After rounds of heated disputes, the nine Bijū were finally allocated. In truth, most of the contention had revolved around the Seven-Tails.
"Since the Wind Country does not wish to retain its Bijū, we will provide financial compensation for their relinquishment." Tobirama's voice was firm as he declared the final decision.
Kazekage Reto scoffed, clearly displeased. He never saw much value in the Bijū. The Wind Country, dominated by desert, lacked fertile land and natural resources. To him, material wealth was far more practical than a volatile beast requiring careful control.
"Then, this Kage Summit is officially concluded." Hashirama smiled, his voice warm.
"I hope all of you will uphold the terms of this agreement."
With formal smiles, Qin Yi and the other Kage signed the treaty.
He had achieved his goal. Though he had undoubtedly made enemies among the Kage, it was a price worth paying.
With a Bijū in his hands, the Nation of Qin's power would expand rapidly. Chakra was no longer a limitation— he was now a walking war machine.
Conquering the entire world might still be a distant goal, but for now, strengthening his nation's military force was more than enough.
As for the so-called peace treaty… Hashirama was still too naïve. Hatred between people would not vanish with a mere agreement.
Only through unification, through the passage of time, could true peace even become a possibility.
After the summit ended, Qin Yi and his Three Generals exited the tower.
"Qin!"
A voice called out behind him. He turned to see Hashirama and Tobirama approaching.
"Hashirama Sama, Tobirama sama," Qin Yi greeted them respectfully. "I appreciate your support today."
"There's no need for thanks," Tobirama said, studying him intently. "But I must say, your growth in strength is terrifying."
Qin Yi met his gaze and immediately recognized the emotions behind it— regret, pity, and a hint of something deeper.
"Qin, be careful on your journey back," Hashirama said, his expression unusually serious.
He hesitated for a moment before adding, "If you ever need assistance, don't hesitate to ask."
Qin Yi looked at the First Hokage, quietly marveling at his generosity.
Hashirama understood the dangers Qin Yi now faced. His actions at the Kage Summit— humiliating the Kazekage, forcing his way into the discussions— had made him a marked man.
No Kage would take such a blow to their dignity lightly. Retribution was inevitable.
And yet, despite this, Hashirama was still willing to help him.
"There's no need, Hokage-sama," Qin Yi said with a faint smile. "We can handle whatever comes our way."
With that, he turned and left with his Three Generals.
Hashirama and Tobirama watched his retreating figure, exchanging a glance before sighing.
They both knew— Qin Yi had just stepped into dangerous waters.
(End of Chapter)