A New Path

The newly established Gotei empire in the elemental nations had opened its gates today to hold a meeting between the Kage's. Through some light intimidation, Dragon had managed to get all the stubborn and arrogant village leaders to gather inside the borders of this branch office.

Dragon didn't have any plans to expand this area he had here. To hold a firm grasp on the world, he didn't need a big base. He needed loyal soldiers, and that he had plenty off.

In the building where his office was located, he had a secret room set up for meetings like this. It was underground and you used an elevator inside the building to get there.

Right now inside the Dragon's office, he had all the village Kage's in front of him. They had finally arrived and most of them were staring daggers at Dragon. They didn't want to start a fight so they held their open hostility on the down-low and only cursed him in silence.

Dragon was sitting and observing them in great detail. He made sure nothing escaped his sight, not even the rhythm of their own breathing. And behind him was Atlas. He was asked to serve as the guide and also guard dog for these Kage's.

"How was the journey over here, Mei?" Dragon asked the redhead. He skipped all formalities and just called her out using her first name.

"It was pleasant. But it sure took us by surprise that you have a talking animal. Is it like a tailed beast, because one glance will reveal he is not a summoned animal." Mei observed Atlas and his tail. To which Atlas growled at her and showed his teeth. And surprisingly he looked quite threatening so Mei stopped looking at him.

"No, Atlas here is not a tailed beast. And you are right, he is no summoning contract either. Think of him as a more evolved version of a regular tiger. I raised him myself."

The people in front of him all raised their eyebrows in curiosity. There were no Jutsu for making this kind of animal. At least not anything that these Kage's knew off.

"And Yugito, how are you doing? How is your village doing?" Dragon looked at the woman dressed in the Raikage outfit.

"It has been good, lord Dragon. Our people are adapting to the situation, but they are having quite a difficult time adjusting to the idea of me becoming the leader. But the people you sent to help rebuild the village sure sped up their acceptance of me." She gave him a smile.

Yugito was the only one among the Kage that used honorifics when speaking to Dragon. And her acceptance of him and understanding as to why he attacked them, made it so the people had a hard time accepting her as the Raikage.

"I see. So then you and I are equally hated by the cloud village." Dragon smiled at her and she nodded back with a strained smile.

"Enough of that! Mind telling us what we are doing here, boy." Onoki said while glaring at Dragon.

Dragon invitation to this meeting hadn't been very formal or respectful. So to say Onoki was annoyed was an understatement. But he also feared this unknown individual so he didn't go so far as to straight-up insult the man. Little did he know he did just that.

"First of all. What you perceive as reality is not always the truth, Onoki."

"What would you mean by that?"

"He means that he is older than you and that you should show some respect. And that is true, you should show some respect here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi jumped in and translated for Onoki. Mostly because he knew how old Dragon was. So understanding the message in Dragon's words came easier to him than any of the others.

"Well enough of that now. We will move to the meeting room. Hold on to your chairs."

Dragon had a red and blue button under his desk, that was out of sigh to the others in the room. He pressed the red one and the entire floor started to slide down in a tunnel leading downwards.

"wow, this is interesting," Mei said and watched as the surface disappeared from view and the floor entered a sort of tunnel made out of steel.

"Very convenient." The Kazekage said and inspected the floor.

The floor kept going until finally they arrived at their destination. Deep underground the floor they were sitting on arrived in his underground meeting room.

"That was quite something," Yugito said with genuine respect for the technologies used here.

"Please take a seat at the table and the meeting shall begin." A man came up from behind with his hands behind his back.

"Danzo?" Hiruzen stood up in a hurry and discerned his old friend he thought had died by now.

"Hello, Hiruzen old friend. Nice to see you again, now please take a seat with the others at the table." Danzo said and beckoned for the Hokage to take a seat at the table.

"I.." Hiruzen stood there stunned for a second or two. It took him a little while to get his mind in order and walk over to the table.

"So now that we have all gathered let us get this underway. First of all, welcome to my empire."

"Let the meeting begin!" Dragon said and sat down at the big round table with the Kage's at their own table.

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End