Ninja World: I, Kisame Hoshigaki, am no longer human!

To Kurama's surprise, Kisame nodded, agreeing with some of its statements.

222. Nagato's Invitation to the Five Kage Summit

"Nothing is more important than living a long life, and that has always been one of my goals."

Kisame plopped down on the ground, crossed his legs, and stared at Kurama as if chatting with an old friend. “You’re right. No matter how powerful humans are, they only enjoy their glory for a few decades. Their lifespan is too short, and they are easily killed. Unlike you, even if you are killed, you can be reborn in the wild and have a near-eternal life because your essence is a ball of chakra, an energy body.”

"Oh? Human, it seems you've done quite a bit of research on the Tailed Beasts."

Kurama was surprised to hear Kisame's words, but then snorted and mocked, "But even if you know the secret of the Tailed Beasts, so what? You can never become the same as me."

"You overestimate yourself, Nine-Tails."

Kisame shook his head, calmly revealing the greatest secret about Kurama: "Hundreds of years ago, the Sage of Six Paths sealed the Ten-Tails' body on the moon and divided its chakra into nine parts, creating nine tailed beasts. You, this demon fox, are ultimately just a part of the Ten-Tails' chakra, am I right?"

"What, what did you say?!"

Upon hearing this, the Nine-Tailed Fox gripped the iron bars tightly with its claws, its fox-like eyes fixed on Kisame, utterly horrified.

Kisame is right.

The Sage of Six Paths created the nine tailed beasts and stored them within his body, making them the first Jinchūriki.

During his lifetime, he founded the Ninja Clan and traveled the world with a group of disciples to restore the desolate land caused by the Ten-Tails' attack.

During this process, whenever a suitable place is found for releasing the tailed beasts, the Sage of Six Paths will build a shrine there to monitor them.

The Nine-Tails still remembers that when it was a little fox, the Sage of Six Paths released it and the other eight tailed beasts one day, made them form a circle, called their names one by one, and said:

“My time is running out. Remember, even if you are scattered across the world, you will always be together. One day you will become one, carrying your own names and your former appearances. Unlike when you were inside me, at that time you will receive the right guidance and understand what true power is.”

At that time, apart from crying because of the death of the Sage of Six Paths, the Nine-Tails, being ignorant and naive, did not have a deep understanding of the words he left behind before his death.

Only now, after Kisame reminded him, did Kurama suddenly remember.

All the Nine-Tailed Fox knew was that it was created by the Sage of Six Paths, and it was always proud of this, believing itself to be unique and a great being that was superior to mortals.

But now it learns that it and the other eight tailed beasts were actually part of a creature called the "Ten-Tails," which was separated from its body by the Sage of Six Paths.

This terrifying fact overturned all of Nine-Tails' understanding of itself, which is why it lost its composure.

After a moment, it calmed down slightly and questioned Kisame sharply:

"How do you know all this? Do you think I would believe such a obviously fabricated lie?"

"Believe it or not, I'm just stating the truth." Kisame looked at Kurama with a half-smile and spread his hands.

Kurama was very reluctant to believe Kisame, but if what this man said was false, why could his words match the dying words of the Sage of Six Paths?

It should be noted that only the nine tailed beasts knew those last words.

"Tell me, what exactly is the Ten-Tails, and who are you?" With that thought, Kurama continued to press Kisame for answers.

"None of these things matter."

Kisame, however, didn't bother to answer Kurama's question. Instead, he stood up from the ground and said to Kurama with a burning gaze, "All you need to know is that I will become a creature as powerful as, or even surpass, the Ten-Tails. At that time, you will understand that it is not me who is insignificant, but you, this fox."

Kisame's ambition shocked Kurama once again, but Kurama didn't believe Kisame could do it, so it scoffed, "You?"

"What you see now is just a clone of me. My true body is currently sleeping somewhere in the ninja world. It has absorbed an immense amount of energy, and when it awakens after completing its final evolution, it will become the second Ten-Tails in the world."

Kisame exuded powerful confidence as he spoke, and a colossal phantom silently appeared behind him.

That is……

Nine-Tailed Fox's pupils shrank instantly. It saw a strange creature with the body of a whale, the fins of a shark, the wings of an eagle, and the tail of a dragon. Although the creature had no real power, it exuded a terrifying pressure, like the king of beasts roaring through the mountains and forests.

It seemed to have become an ordinary fox, destined to be preyed upon by a tiger and become its meal.

At that moment, all the fur on the Nine-Tailed Fox stood on end, and a chill permeated its entire body, rushing to the top of its head.

It had never been so afraid in its entire life.

Only then did Kurama realize that Kisame's words were not arrogant boasting, but rather what he was about to do.

What a scary man.

Just as Kurama trembled with fear, the phantom of the Kun behind Kisame vanished silently, as if it had never existed.

"Nine-Tails, get ready to witness a brand new era, an era that belongs to me, Kisame Hoshigaki. You should be grateful that there is a place I have reserved for you in that era."

After successfully intimidating the Nine-Tails, Kisame finally revealed his true purpose: "Your best destiny is to stay obediently inside Kimimaro and help him become the perfect Jinchūriki. At that time, he will also help you defeat Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and retrieve your other half of chakra. If you don't want to do that..."

At this point, Kisame paused, revealing a sinister smile, his two rows of sharp teeth gleaming coldly: "Then there is only one fate awaiting you, which is to be devoured by my true form and become nourishment for my evolution."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and strode away, leaving Nine-Tails looking terrified.

After Kisame left.

Nine-Tailed Fox slowly released its grip on the iron fence and plopped down on the ground with a thud, remaining stunned for a long time.

……

Several days later.

After settling the five tailed beasts in his hands, Kisame set his sights on the remaining four: the Four-Tails and Five-Tails of Iwagakure, and the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails of Kumogakure.

Therefore, he ordered his men to gather information on the Jinchuriki of the two major ninja villages, so that they could be mobilized at any time.

However, at this moment, an unexpected situation occurred, causing a huge upheaval in the ninja world, which had been peaceful for almost two years.

Water Shadow Office.

"Lord Mizukage, this is a letter from Amegakure, written by Amegakure Nagato himself." Yekura presented a letter to Kisame with both hands.

Oh?

Kisame raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Nagato to write to him at this time. What was Nagato's purpose?

He opened the letter and began to read it with great interest. As he did so, his expression quickly turned to surprise, and he muttered to himself, "Interesting, very interesting."

Snapped.

After reading the letter, Kisame tossed it onto the table. Seeing Yekura's curious yet hesitant expression, he smiled and said:

"Actually, it's nothing big. Nagato just invited me, the Mizukage, to attend the Five Kage Summit."

"The Five Kage Summit?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Cang paused for a moment, then remembered.

The Five Kage Summit is a deliberative mechanism among the highest levels of the five great ninja villages in the ninja world. Its purpose is to convene when major conflicts arise between the villages or when important decisions need to be made; it is typically accompanied by a series of open and covert struggles and intrigues.

Its origins can be traced back to the early days of the ninja village era, when the first Five Kage Summit was held under the call of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

At that meeting, Hashirama Senju distributed the nine tailed beasts he had captured according to the rewards paid by each village. Because of the existence of these powerful weapons, the major ninja villages became wary of each other, finally ceasing their war and ushering in a period of peace.

In the original timeline, the second Five Kage Summit was convened when the five great ninja villages jointly formed the Allied Shinobi Forces to prepare for the Fourth Shinobi World War, ultimately defeating the enemy and achieving peace.

It is clear that each Five Kage Summit was convened for the sake of peace, and ultimately had a profound impact on the ninja world.

"Please feel free to say whatever you want to say."

Seeing that Yekura seemed to be deep in thought, Kisame asked a question.

"I don't understand, what is Nagato's reason for convening the Five Kage Summit?"

Yecang frowned slightly and voiced his doubts, "The ninja world is not exactly peaceful right now, but there haven't been any major wars or conflicts either. It's not at all that we need to hold this meeting."

“You’re right. However, in this letter, Nagato identifies himself as the Child of Prophecy, claiming that he has found a way to end all conflict in the ninja world and achieve lasting peace. As for the specific details, he will personally announce them at the Five Kage Summit.”

Kisame tapped his fingers on the table as he spoke to Yekura, while simultaneously trying to guess what Nagato's method was.

In fact, when he fought Nagato last time, he had already told him that the true child of prophecy was Naruto Uzumaki. Now it seems that Nagato still refuses to believe this fact.

"Then... Lord Mizukage, what is your response? Are you going to participate?" Yekura asked.

"Hehe, don't rush."

Kisame smiled and explained, "The initiator of the Five Kage Summit must possess immense strength, profound experience, and extremely high prestige. Only by meeting these conditions can the Five Kage be summoned. Although Nagato's strength is not an issue, as the newly appointed Amegakure, he is still too young. Moreover... he requested that the Kage of each major ninja village go to the location of the Five Kage Summit, which is Amegakure."

Generally speaking, in order to ensure fairness and impartiality, the Five Kage Summit will not be held in any of the five major ninja villages, but rather in a neutral country.

By using Amegakure as the meeting place, Nagato was clearly telling the Kage of each village, "You're not here to have a meeting with me, you're here to listen to my meeting with you."

Who can accept such an arrogant and condescending attitude?

Just as Kisame predicted.

Besides him, Hokage Jiraiya, Tsuchikage Onoki, and Raikage A all received Nagato's letter around the same time.

But none of the actors wanted to go.

Kisame simply ignored it, not even replying to a single letter. Jiraiya, however, did reply to Nagato, expressing a polite refusal.

Meanwhile, the old-fashioned Onoki and the hot-tempered A each wrote back to Nagato, giving him a lecture and mocking him respectively.

A few more days passed.

"It seems that the Five Shadows Conference will not be able to take place this time."

After reporting the collected information to Kisame, Yekura sighed.

As Kisame's secretary, she advised against him attending such a meeting. Kirigakure was still under blockade by the major ninja villages, and Kisame himself was wanted by the various daimyo lords. If he attended the meeting, he would undoubtedly face resistance and retaliation from others.

"Like I said, don't rush to conclusions. The real show may only be beginning now."

Kisame smiled meaningfully, a look of anticipation on his face.

……

Rain-Hidden Village.

The gloomy, dark sky was filled with countless fine raindrops, forming a hazy rain curtain that shrouded the village year-round.

In the center of the village, atop the tallest tower, Nagato stood. He stood in the rain, gazing down at the entire Amegakure, his Rinnegan eyes serene and profound, lost in thought.

Just then, Xiao Nan walked over.

She hesitated for a moment, but finally told Nagato the truth: "All four Kage have declined your invitation. Nagato, aren't we being a little too hasty? Perhaps... we should wait a few more years."

"It was exactly what I expected."

Nagato turned around, seemingly unsurprised, and calmly said, "In that case, to show sufficient sincerity, I will visit them one by one."