Reborn as the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen

Back in the capital of the Iron Country, Hiruzen handed over the three captured Kumogakure ninjas to General Kamado.

"General Kamado, please keep a close watch on these terrorists who intended to disrupt the peace."

Kamado raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Isn't this the Raikage bodyguard? Did you manage to kill him?"

Hiruzen shook his head, "No, he's likely still alive. But I don't know where he is since Tsuchikage went to find him." He then led his people back to their quarters.

Kamado scoffed, watching the unconscious prisoners. "These Kumogakure shinobi are truly arrogant… yet look how things turned out." He turned to his men. "Take them away. The Hokage should get some rest. I just received the news—Kazekage and Mizukage will be arriving tomorrow."

As his samurai carried the prisoners off, a faint voice could be heard outside the door. "Mifune, these prisoners are now under your watch."

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the Third Raikage struggled to climb out of the thick mud. His "Lightning Armor" had been destroyed, his body was covered in scratches from broken branches, and small impact wounds littered his skin.

Ohnoki flew over, pulling him out of the mud and propping him against a tree.

"This kind of jutsu is built for war. My Kumogakure specializes in close combat, and it directly counters both us and your Iwagakure. This can't continue. Ohnoki, let's join forces," the Third Raikage said as he stood up.

"Your Jinchūriki lost consciousness earlier, and the Eight-Tails broke free," Ohnoki said, floating in the air with his arms crossed.

Ay's expression darkened. "What about Fukai? Why didn't he react when the Eight-Tails escaped?"

Ohnoki landed on a large branch, brushing dust off his robes before replying. "The Third Hokage summoned a meteorite to knock it back. After that, your Jinchūriki was sealed away."

He continued, "The two guards you brought were also taken by them, one by an Uchiha, the other by a rather large shinobi from Konoha."

"AHHHH!" The Third Raikage roared in fury, shattering the trees around him with a single punch.

"I'm returning to the village to mobilize my forces. Ohnoki, come with me. Let's attack Konoha together!" he declared.

Ohnoki shook his head. "No. If you want war, fight it yourself. I'm heading to the Five Kage Summit. My advice? Stand down. You'll end up bringing the disaster upon yourself."

He floated up until he was eye level with Ay.

"Today, I visited the battlefield where the Kinkaku and Ginkaku unit fought the Third Hokage. It was near the Fire Country's border with the Iron Country. The area was completely devastated—worse than here. There was a massive landslide, and the meteorite that landed was even larger than the one used against you. I counted at least 150 bodies."

Ohnoki's voice grew heavier. "The impact marks… the destruction… it's clear that Kinkaku and Ginkaku were taken out there. That fight happened within the last three days and you? You got off easily today. If the Hokage had been serious, Kumogakure would have already preparing to choose its Fourth Raikage."

Ay clenched his fists. "That was just a sneak attack! He wouldn't stand a chance in a real fight!"

Ohnoki scoffed. "First, he crushed Kinkaku and Ginkaku's entire unit. Then, he humiliated you today. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he could defeat me, too."

The Tsuchikage rose higher into the sky. "Before he left, the Hokage had a message for you:

'Consider the Five Kage Summit. Konoha values peace. Our First Hokage died for peace. The Second Hokage died in the Land of Lightning for peace. I, too, am willing to make sacrifices for peace—but don't mistake that for weakness.

Konoha does not seek conflict, but we will not be pushed around. If anyone threatens us, we will respond with overwhelming force. Unlike the previous generations, we this era generation of Kage grew up in the Hidden Village era.

The age of endless war is over. The Warring States era is behind us. Think on that.'

With that, Ohnoki flew away, disappearing into the distance.

Back in the Iron Country

The Third Raikage returned to the General's Mansion in secret. After changing into fresh clothes, he found General Kamado.

"Where is the Hokage? I need to speak with him," Ay demanded.

"The Hokage just left for the special conference hall with the Tsuchikage. The Mizukage and Kazekage will arrive tomorrow, and the Five Kage Summit is scheduled for the day after," Kamado informed him.

Without another word, Ay rushed toward the meeting room.

Inside, Sarutobi Hiruzen was inspecting the so-called "conference hall" for the upcoming summit.

It was… underwhelming. Just a simple, slightly larger pentagonal table. He and Ohnoki were discussing the table's poor quality when the doors were suddenly thrown open.

Six pairs of eyes turned toward the entrance—Hiruzen, Kagami, and Torifu, along with Ohnoki, Roshi, and Han.

The Third Raikage stepped inside, rubbing his head awkwardly. "Hokage, we need to talk."

Hiruzen remained seated. "Whatever it is, we can discuss it tomorrow when the Kazekage and Mizukage arrive. Wouldn't that be more appropriate?"

Ay's expression was serious. "This is a matter between Konoha and Kumogakure. I want to discuss it privately."

Hiruzen nodded. "Very well. Let's test this conference room, then."

He motioned to Ohnoki. "Tsuchikage, you should stay and listen as well." Then, turning to his guards, he ordered, "Kagami, Torifu, stand by the door. Make sure no one comes near."

Ohnoki did the same, instructing Roshi and Han to stand guard before taking a seat.

Once Ay sat down, Hiruzen spoke first. "Alright, Raikage. What do you want to discuss?"

"My men—Tutai, Troy, and my Jinchūriki, Fukai. Where are they?" Ay asked.

Hiruzen replied calmly, "Your guards are under the watch of the general."

Ay's tone became cautious. "I need them to be returned to me."

"You may request Tutai and Troy from the general," Hiruzen said flatly. "As for Fukai… that's another matter."

Ay frowned. "He's just a child. His attack wasn't intentional—he's newly made a Jinchūriki, and his emotions are unstable."

Hiruzen's gaze hardened. "A ninja is a ninja. He attempted to assassinate the Hokage. That is a serious crime."

"Then what will it take for you to release him?" Ay pressed.

Hiruzen leaned back slightly. "It's not a matter of 'releasing' him. Actions have consequences."

Ohnoki interjected with a chuckle. "Hokage, a Jinchūriki is vital to a village. The Five Kage Summit is approaching—why not be a little magnanimous? The boy is still young."

Hiruzen considered this for a moment before nodding. "Fair enough. Although I personally don't put much stock in the power of tailed beasts, I won't make this an ongoing issue. After the Five Kage Summit, for a price of 80 million, I will release him. His instability could jeopardize the talks."

Ay clenched his jaw. "Ugh, fine 80 million it is."

After a brief silence, he asked, "what about Kinkaku and Ginkaku? Will you return them?"

Hiruzen's eyes darkened. "Absolutely not. They were responsible for my sensei's death, and they attacked me. Do you think the Hokage's life that cheap? Those who attack the Hokage do not get to walk away unpunished."

Ai slammed his fist against the table, cracking it. "Then there will be no Five Kage Summit! I am speaking as the Third Raikage!"

Ohnoki quickly floated back to avoid the impact. "Raikage, calm down. Let's talk this through."

Hiruzen remained composed. "Raikage, let me ask you something..." Hiruzen's voice was calm but firm as he spoke.

"Konoha's Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama-sama, died in the Land of Lightning during the signing ceremony of an alliance, no less. Now Raikage, would your Kumogakure responsible for this?"

The Third Raikage slammed his fist on the table, his anger barely contained. "I told you already! They were traitors! Traitors! Traitors! My father the Second Raikage was killed too!"

Hiruzen remained composed. "The death of your Second Raikage is your village's own internal matter. Your own traitors attacked him. However, our Second Hokage… he was assassinated by your people while signing an alliance treaty in your own land.

Thus, don't try to twist this into something equal. The deaths of two Kage don't cancel each other out and let's be clear—Kinkaku and Ginkaku weren't labelled as traitors when they carried out that attack."

Ohnoki, watching the heated exchange, sighed before stepping in.

"Raikage, you may not fully understand, so let me break it down for you. The Hokage is saying that these are two separate events.

For Kumogakure, it was your own rebels who attacked and killed the Raikage. But for Konoha, their Hokage was ambushed by Kumogakure's own forces while on a diplomatic mission in the Land of Lightning. Can you see the difference?"

Hiruzen continued, his voice unwavering.

"On my way here, I was attacked by Kinkaku and Ginkaku's 200-man unit. Is it wrong for me to defend myself? Was it wrong to eliminate a group of rogue ninjas?

That's right, Kinkaku and Ginkaku are dead. I personally sent their bodies back to Konoha but don't misunderstand our intention because Konoha has no interest in Kumogakure's secrets.

What concerns me is that both of them were… unstable. Their mental states were highly irregular, almost as if they were being manipulated. That's why their bodies were sent back to the village in order to uncover the truth.

Tell me, Raikage who would sabotage their own leader and attack an allied Kage at the peace summit? Something about all of this doesn't sit right with me so I intend to get to the bottom of it." With that, Hiruzen turned his gaze to Ohnoki, shifting the weight of the conversation onto him.

Ohnoki frowned. "Hokage, are you implying that Iwagakure had something to do with this?"

Before Hiruzen could answer, the Third Raikage's patience snapped.

"So it was you, you damn dwarf!" he roared, throwing a punch at Ohnoki.

The impact sent the Tsuchikage crashing into the conference room wall, leaving a deep cracks in the stone.