Chapter 399 Invitation to the Five Kage Conference
A few days later, the leaders of the major ninja villages received letters from the Fourth Raikage.

The first person to receive the handwritten letter from the Fourth Raikage was the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki. After receiving the letter from the Fourth Raikage, Ōnoki just glanced at it and his face gradually became gloomy.

In the letter, the Fourth Raikage mentioned the incident in which the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was attacked by a masked man, and boldly guessed that the disappearance of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchuriki of the Iwagakure Village was also related to the masked man.

After reading the letter, Oonoki's expression became uncertain and he looked towards the location of the Hidden Cloud Village.

The Fourth Raikage guessed correctly. He had lost contact with the Four-Tails Jinchuriki and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki. He listed the two on the missing list and suspected that they had met with murder.

However, he still had a lucky mentality, thinking that the Four-Tails Jinchuriki and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki were hiding deliberately just because they couldn't stand what he had done.

The letter sent by the Fourth Raikage undoubtedly completely dispelled his remaining fantasies.

Even Killer Bee of the Hidden Cloud Village was attacked by the masked man. The weaker Khan and Lao Zi must have also encountered the masked man, and they didn't even have a chance to escape.

As for the Five Kage Conference proposed by the Fourth Raikage, Ōnoki is unable to make a decision for the time being.

He didn't know if this was a test from the Fourth Raikage. If he really agreed to attend the Five Kage Conference, he might confirm the news of Lao Zi and Khan's disappearance...

Just then, there was a knock on the door of the Tsuchikage's office, and a boy and a girl walked in noisily.

Looking at the boy and girl in front of him, Ohnoki couldn't help but hold his forehead and said helplessly: "Kurotsuchi, Deidara, are you guys fighting again?"

Kurotsuchi folded his hands in front of his chest and said, "Grandpa, Deidara always bullies me. He always stuffs explosive clay into my clay dolls to scare me in this way."

Hearing this, Ohnoki frowned: "Deidara, is what Kurotsuchi said true? Do you usually do nothing like this? Have you learned the Dust Release that I taught you?"

Didara said calmly: "It's just a mere Dust Release. I have already learned it a long time ago."

After saying that, Deidara mobilized his chakra, and a miniature cube immediately appeared in his palm. This cube was the prototype of Dust Release.

After seeing the Dust Release Cube, Ohnoki's expression eased a lot, but he didn't intend to let Deidara go just like that.

If I praise Deidara for this, this kid will definitely take advantage of it.

At this time, Deidara walked to the desk and opened the handwritten letter sent by the Fourth Raikage at any time. After taking a glance at it, he said in surprise:

"Old man, are the things in the letter true? Uncle Khan and Uncle Lao Zi were arrested?"

Ohnoki didn't intend to hide it from Deidara, so he nodded and said, "Khan and Lao Zi were both captured, but it's not clear whether it was the masked man who did it."

Deidara snorted, then said, "They are both too careless. If I had met the masked man, I would have definitely blown him to ashes."

Kurotsuchi, who was standing by, showed a disdainful look and said, "The masked man has the ability to become a virtual being. Your detonating clay will definitely not work on him!"

Deidara was choked for a moment, but still argued: "I don't believe that the hollowing is permanent. As long as my art does not stop, I will definitely be able to blow the masked man to death."

"It's just talk. Who doesn't know how to do it? My Lava Release can still defeat the masked man."

The quarrel between Deidara and Kurotsuchi made Ohnoki break out in cold sweat. He had no intention of winning against the mysterious masked man. It was unreasonable for these two kids to be so confident.

"You two! Stop arguing!"

Ohnoki shouted at the two men, "You don't really think you can defeat the masked man, do you? Your strength is still far from that of Lao Zi and Khan. If you meet the masked man, you will just die."

Deidara did not comment on Ōnoki's warning and said nonchalantly:

"Alright, alright, you've talked about the masked man's threats many times before. That's not what I care about. When will you let me go on a trip to the Hidden Rain Village?"

"Don't even think about it. The White Night in the Hidden Rain Village is too dangerous. What if you get caught in it?"

Deidara picked up the Fourth Raikage's handwritten letter again and said:

"You should take me to the Five Kage Tournament. I have never seen such a grand event before. You will need my fighting power in the rescue of Lao Zi and Khan."

Deidara's words caused Ōnoki to fall silent.

Before Deidara said this, Ohnoki still had some thoughts about not participating in the Five Kage Tournament, but if the other four major ninja villages all participated in the Five Kage Tournament and united because of the masked man's matter.

Then wouldn't the Iwagakure Village, the only village that did not participate in the Five Kage Tournament, become the target of public criticism?

If we can join forces today to deal with the masked man who threatens the five major ninja villages and the tailed beasts, we can join forces tomorrow to deal with the unsociable Iwagakure Village.

After making the decision in his heart to participate in the Five Kage Tournament, Ōnoki looked at Deidara and Kurotsuchi.

Kurotsuchi must accompany him to the Five Kage Tournament, and he has long been training Kurotsuchi to be the next Tsuchikage, but he is a little hesitant about whether to take Deidara with him.

If I bring Deidara with me, given Deidara's personality, it will definitely cause him a lot of trouble.

But if Deidara is not brought along, Deidara will also cause a lot of trouble. Choosing the lesser of two evils, it seems that he has no choice but to take Deidara with him on the road.

……

Compared to Ōnoki from the Iwagakure Village, Scorpion from the Sand Village didn't have much to think about after receiving the letter.

As a spy sent by Byakuya to infiltrate the Sand Village and the Fifth Hokage of the Sand Village, he will definitely participate in this Five Kage Conference. It's just a matter of arriving early or late.

After making the decision to participate in the Five Kage Tournament, Scorpion quickly convened a high-level meeting to announce the matter.

Too many of the high-ranking officials of the Sand Village are relatives of Scorpion, and the event of abolishing the unequal treaty for the Sand Village has earned Scorpion huge prestige.

This made the Sand Village almost a one-man show, and they agreed to this matter without any objection.

The only thing that troubles Sasori is whether to include Temari, Kankuro and Gaara's siblings in the selection of the Kage Guards for the Five Kage Tournament.

Although these three people are Luo Sha's children, they are loyal to him enough.

He is an eternal puppet and no longer has the ability to produce offspring, but the position of Kazekage will sooner or later be handed over to someone else. Temari, Kankuro and Gaara are the best candidates.

After thinking for a while, Scorpion of the Red Sand still hadn't made up his mind. He finally decided to wait for Bai Ye's order. Leader Bai Ye would definitely intervene in such a grand event as the Five Kage Conference.

……

Inside the Kirigakure building, the Kirigakure elders also received the letter from the Fourth Raikage. After reading the letter, they fell into a brief silence and then looked at the master on the main seat.

After the Fourth Mizukage broke free from the control of the masked man, the Hidden Mist Village never elected a new Mizukage.

Firstly, the Fourth Mizukage has not died yet, so it is inappropriate to choose a new Mizukage now. Secondly, the Hidden Mist Village is full of fear about the position of Mizukage because of the Third and Fourth Mizukage.

For the Kirigakure ninja, the position of Mizukage is no longer an honor, but a curse.

The Third and Fourth Mizukage were both vigorous and full of fighting spirit before becoming Mizukage, but after becoming Mizukage, they were controlled by mysterious ninjas and became puppets.

After weighing the pros and cons, the Jōnin of Kirigakure decided not to elect a Mizukage for the time being.

Firstly, it can avoid the curse of the Mizukage, and secondly, the status of both parties is almost the same. Even if someone is really controlled by the masked man, it can be discovered and stopped earlier.

Under the gaze of everyone, Master Yuan coughed and said:

"I didn't expect that the Eight-Tails of the Hidden Cloud Village was also attacked by the masked man. These descendants of Uchiha Madara are really ruthless. But this is also a good thing for us. At least the Fourth Raikage realized the horror of the masked man and convened the Five Kage Conference to discuss a solution to this matter."

"Who do you think would be a good candidate to attend the Five Kage Tournament?"

"Of course it's Master Yuanshi."

Everyone said in unison that although the Hidden Mist Village had established a council of elders, there were still ranks among the elders, and Yuanshi was undoubtedly the elder with the highest status and most experience.

The Master shook his head and said, "I am too old to attend the Five Kage Conference. I can only select people from among you. Is there anyone who would like to recommend himself?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Mei Terumi and Zabuza raised their hands.

Both sides want to become the leading ninja to participate in the Five Kage Tournament. After all, the ninja who can participate in the Five Kage Tournament is almost the next Mizukage.

When he saw that it was Mei Terumi and Zabuza, Master Yuan was a little hesitant.

He didn't know whether he should choose Mei Terumi or challenge Zabuza. Both of them were very strong and had considerable power within the village.

If the two sides were to come to blows, the Hidden Mist Village might fall into new civil strife.

After sighing softly, the Master said directly: "You two should go to the Five Kage Conference together. If there are any major events that will affect the future of the Hidden Mist Village, remember to discuss it carefully."

"If anyone performs well and can bring Vulpix back, I will give up the position of Great Elder."

Until the end, the Master did not choose a new Mizukage, but he threw out the big pie of the Grand Elder, allowing Mei Terumi and Zabuza to compete head-on.

After all, the Jinchūriki is the foundation of the ninja village, and whoever can bring back the Jinchūriki is a hero.

After hearing the master's promise, Zabuza and Mei Terumi looked at each other with fighting spirit in their eyes.

……

Inside the Hokage's office.

After Tsunade, who had just taken office, received the letter from the Fourth Raikage, she immediately called Jiraiya, Shisui and the advisory elders. The invitation to the Five Kage Conference was not a trivial matter and everyone had to discuss together to make a decision.

Soon, Konoha's top leaders gathered in the conference room.

After hearing that the Eight-Tails Killer Bee was attacked and that the Fourth Raikage had issued an invitation to the Five Kage Conference, Jiraiya and the duo of advisors were slightly stunned and frowned.

Shisui also frowned. He was not aware of this matter and had not received any news in advance.

After passing the letter from the Fourth Raikage around, Tsunade asked frankly, "This is the entire content of the letter. How do you think Konoha should respond to Kumogakure?"

Utane Koharu pondered for a while, then said: "The invitation to the Five Kage Tournament is probably a trap set by the Hidden Cloud Village. When Master Tobirama was still alive, we once participated in the Five Kage Tournament..."

At this point, Utane Koharu said no more; her meaning was already very clear.

Mitomon En spoke up:
"Koharu and I have different ideas. This time the Fourth Raikage is facing the Five Kage Conference held by the Ninja World. He should not dare to plot a conspiracy. But this time the topic is to deal with the masked man and rescue the Jinchūriki. I think we should think about it again before making a decision."

"The masked man is the murderer who killed four generations of couples. We must bring him to justice."

"But since we still have Jinchūriki, the masked man's attack on the Jinchūriki of other ninja villages is also a good thing for us. At least it can reduce the pressure from the four major ninja villages."

"And while they are busy dealing with the masked man, we can also quickly rest and recuperate."

After listening to Mito Kado En's opinion, Jiraiya couldn't help but frown. He knew that the village was very weak now, but was it really a good thing not to go to participate in the Five Kage Tournament and leave the task of dealing with the masked man to the other ninja villages?

The masked man is now attacking the Eight-Tails, but one day, he will attack Naruto again.

Thinking of this, Jiraiya couldn't help but say:
"Master Utane, Master Mitomon, our Konoha is the number one ninja village and the first village to convene the Five Kage Tournament. How can we give up participating in the Five Kage Tournament? As for asking the others to join forces to deal with the masked man, it is even more unreliable. What if they really join forces, won't the masked man deal with us directly?"

Hearing this, Utane Koharu and Mitokado En's faces changed, and then they said, "We are just telling you the pros and cons. It is up to you to decide whether or not to participate in the Five Kage Tournament."

Tsunade listened to the conversation between Jiraiya and the advisory duo, looked at Shisui who was standing beside her, and said, "Shisui, what's your suggestion?"

Shisui was stunned at first, then he said: "Of course we are going to participate in the Five Kage Tournament. How can Konoha be absent from such an important occasion? We must not only participate in the Five Kage Tournament, but also gain the initiative in the Five Kage Tournament."

"If we can become the leader of each major ninja village at the Five Kage Conference, Konoha will regain the glory of the first generation. Neither the Root nor the Uchiha can refuse such a scene."

Shisui's words made Tsunade, Jiraiya and others excited, as if they saw the Konoha of the past.

Yes, Shisui is right. Konoha will definitely participate in this Five Kage Tournament, but whether it can gain a dominant position is still unknown. Konoha is no longer the strongest ninja village.

After all the votes agree to participate in the Five Kage Tournament, you will become a candidate to participate in the Five Kage Tournament.

In addition to Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, who needs to go to a neutral country, a few people need to be selected as the Shadow Guards.

Jiraiya was definitely a member of the Shadow Guard, but he had no idea how to pick the others.

There aren't actually that many ninjas in the village who are qualified to participate in the Five Kage Tournament.

(End of this chapter)