Reborn as the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen

After parting ways with Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen and his two companions slowed their pace. They needed time to recover their strength and chakra, but they were also waiting for the other Kage to arrive.

The Land of Iron was situated between the Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Lightning, with a small portion bordering the Land of Fire. Because of this, Konoha had the shortest journey to the meeting point, followed by Iwagakure and Kumogakure. The Land of Wind and the Land of Water were farther away.

There were two main routes from Sunagakure to the Land of Iron. The first went through the Land of Birds, the Land of Rain, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Demons, passing between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth. The second route required crossing the Land of Fire from the southwest and traveling across most of its territory to reach the Land of Iron. Given the circumstances, Second Kazekage Shamon would likely take the first route, which would take more time.

For Kirigakure, there were also two possible paths. One involved sailing to the Land of Rivers, which bordered the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire, then crossing the Land of Moon and the Land of Sound before reaching the Land of Iron. The other route required sailing to the northeastern coast of the Land of Fire and traveling across its territory to the Land of Iron.

Despite its small size, the Land of Iron's capital was only two days away.

When Hiruzen entered the city wearing his Hokage robes, he immediately drew attention.

"Look at that outfit, isn't he one of the Kage attending the summit?"

"That's the Hokage! Look at the kanji for 'fire' on his hat. The Raikage was dressed similarly when he arrived a few days ago."

"Why are they holding the summit here? Ninjas are dangerous..."

"There's nothing to fear. Ninjas are just people like us. The Land of Iron is a neutral country, positioned between the great nations. That's why the first Five Kage Summit was held here over a decade ago."

"I heard both summits were initiated by the Hokage?"

"Yes, the First Hokage of the Land of Fire called the first summit to end the war. Now, the Third Hokage has called this one for the same reason."

Hearing the conversation, Hiruzen could tell it was a Fire Country merchant speaking. He ignored the gossip and continued walking toward the General's Mansion.

At the gate, the current General of the Land of Iron emerged, accompanied by a young man in his teens. Hiruzen instinctively activated his sensory abilities to assess them.

General Kamado — Status

Body: 17/17

Spirit: 10/10

Elementary: 8/8

Skills:

Advanced Taijutsu

Advanced Combat Proficiency

Ninjutsu Mastery:

Advanced Weapon Proficiency Intermediate Chakra Control

Danger: Medium

Mifune — Status

Body: 7/7

Spirit: 6/6

Element: 5/5

Skills:

Advanced Taijutsu

Intermediate Combat Proficiency

Ninjutsu Mastery:

Intermediate Weapon Mastery

Intermediate Chakra Control

Threat Level: Low

Their abilities were purely physical swordsmanship-focused. The general was at an elite jōnin level, while the young swordsman was comparable to a chūnin.

Kamado approached with a serious expression, then smiled slightly. "Hokage, Raikage and Tsuchikage have already arrived. Kazekage and Mizukage are still on their way. We've prepared accommodations for you. Please follow me."

As they walked, a loud voice called out from ahead. "Sarutobi! You called for this summit, yet you're the last one to arrive?"

"Raikage, look at me," Hiruzen replied, gesturing at his battle-worn clothing. "Take a guess why I'm late."

"Ay laughed. "The Hokage was attacked? What could possibly make you look like that?" His gaze sharpened as he examined the damage to Hiruzen's robes.

"I'm sure you already know who was behind it." Hiruzen smiled and discreetly activated his sensory abilities again, assessing his new company.

Ay — Status

Body: 41/41

Spirit: 11/11

Element: 23/23

Skills:

Primary physical mastery

Advanced combat mastery

Ninjutsu Mastery:

Primary energy body mastery

Primary lightning mastery

Advanced energy mastery....

Danger : high

Tutai — Status

Body: 13/13

Spirit: 10/10

Element: 12/12

Skills:

Advanced Taijutsu

Advanced Combat Proficiency

Ninjutsu Mastery:

Advanced Chakra Mastery

Advanced Lightning Release

Danger: Low

Troy — Status

Body: 19/19

Spirit: 15/15

Element: 21/21

Skills:

Advanced Taijutsu

Advanced Combat Proficiency

Mastery :

Advanced Chakra Mastery

Advanced Lightning Release

Special Ability: Magnet Release

Danger: Medium

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. The Raikage's combat ability was undoubtedly Kage-level, even without additional skills. As for Troy, despite having Magnet Release, his danger rating was only medium somewhat underwhelming.

"Kinkaku and Ginkaku?" Ay asked. "They're nothing to do with Kumogakure anymore since they're traitors. Have you captured them? If so, hand them over to us for punishment."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "You expect me to hand over the ones who attacked me?"

"They possess secrets of Kumogakure that must not be exposed," Ay said firmly.

"Didn't you just call them traitors? Why are you so eager to retrieve them?" Hiruzen smirked. "Perhaps were they never traitors to begin with? Is this Kumogakure's doing?"

"The Kinkaku Force may be outlaws, but many of their lower-ranking members were misled. I still believe in their loyalty to Kumogakure," Ay insisted.

Before Hiruzen could reply, a young man rushed forward. "Uncle isn't a traitor! He was deceived!"

Fukai — Status

Body: 11/11

Spirit: 6/6

Element: 16/16 (8000)

Skills:

Intermediate Taijutsu

Intermediate Combat Proficiency

Mastery:

Intermediate Lightning Release Intermediate Chakra Mastery

Danger: Medium

'A Jinchūriki?' Hiruzen realized.

"There was a man named Nayes among the attackers," Hiruzen said evenly. "I don't know if he survived. Hundreds of them were wiped out by my jutsu. Kinkaku and Ginkaku were gravely injured but managed to escape."

Fukai's eyes turned red. Dark red chakra flared around him, forming a massive arm that lashed out toward Hiruzen.

"I'll kill you!"

Hiruzen dodged with the Body Flicker Technique.

"Third Raikage, is this how Kumogakure handles things?" Hiruzen asked coldly as Fukai charged again.

Kagami activated his Sharingan, stepping between Fukai and Hiruzen, while Torifu stood guard behind them.

"Fukai, stop!" Ay shouted, but Fukai's chakra surged dangerously.

Hiruzen raised a hand to Kagami, "Not here. We take this outside the city."

With that, he vanished. Kagami and Tofu followed, and Fukai pursued. Ay cursed and followed as well, with Tutai and Troy on his heels.

Meanwhile, from the city gate, a short figure in a Tsuchikage hat floated into view.

Onoki scowled "What's going on here?"

Kamado looked helpless,"Just now, the Hokage arrived. I led the Third Hokage here and met the Raikage."

Onoki smirked. "So Kumogakure's Jinchūriki went wild, huh? The Hokage sure is unlucky after being attacked by Kumogakure's traitors on the way, then he got attacked again by their Jinchūriki upon arrival. Maybe Ay planned this all along."

Kamado frowned. "The Hokage showed restraint that he led the battle outside to avoid harming civilians."

Mifune nodded. "Kamado sensei we should make sure this doesn't spiral into a war."

Onoki clicked his tounge, "Tsk, let's go and watch".