Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 461 The Five Shadows Conference

The Land of Iron, a country that has maintained neutrality since ancient times, readily agreed to be the venue for the conference.

Three Shadows Conference.

The Raikage, Mizukage, and Hokage, the leaders of the three great ninja villages, secretly met in the Land of Iron.

At this moment, in an ancient castle on the border of the Land of Iron, the Three Shadows meeting is being held in secret.

At the long conference table, the Hokage sat at one end, the Raikage at the other, and the Mizukage at the third.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat on the left, wearing a white Hokage robe, his face covered in age spots, exuding an imposing presence.

The Fourth Raikage, A, sat on the right, shirtless, revealing his sharply defined muscles. His complexion was not good, perhaps because he had recently been beaten by Onoki. He clearly disliked this slow and deliberate style of negotiation.

The Fifth Mizukage, Terumi, sat in the center. Today, she wore a dark blue, fitted robe, her long hair loosely draped over her shoulders, her red lips slightly upturned, still exuding that languid aura.

Admiral Mifune of the Land of Iron sat at the head of the conference table as a witness. He did not speak, but simply rested one hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the three Kage.

The silence lasted a long time before the Raikage finally spoke.

"The Third Hokage." His voice, like muffled thunder, echoed throughout the conference hall. "Shisei Aburame is a rogue ninja of your Konoha. You have to clean up this mess."

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the teacup in front of him, blew on it gently, and took a slow, deliberate sip.

"Shisei Aburame is no longer a member of Konoha." He put down his teacup. "He left Konoha a long time ago and joined Takigakure. What he does is none of my business, nor is it any of Konoha's business."

Mei Terumi laughed sarcastically, "It's not quite right to say he joined. It shouldn't be said that he controls the Land of Waterfall. Yes, it should be said that he secretly controls many countries."

"None of your business?" Raikage sneered. "That man's ancestors were from the Aburame clan. His blood relatives are still in your village, aren't they? You dare say you have absolutely no connection to him?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression remained unchanged, but the atmosphere around him instantly froze.

"It is true that the Aburame clan is a member clan of Konoha. However, they are just an ordinary ninja clan and have long since severed ties with Aburame Shisei. If the Fourth Raikage does not believe it, he can go to Konoha to verify it himself."

Lei Ying snorted coldly and did not continue speaking.

Mei Terumi rested her elbows on the table, propped her chin up, and watched the exchange between the two with great interest.

"Gentlemen, instead of arguing here, let's get down to business." Although no one paid attention to her earlier, she was actually a fifth-generation ninja, so even if it was just to give these two seniors face, "The general of the Land of Iron is still watching, don't let him laugh at us."

Rayleigh glanced at her, his anger slightly subsiding: "What are you thinking?"

Mei Terumi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and slowly said, "My idea is simple: we can't catch Shisei Aburame. The fact that he's been able to operate in Takigakure for so many years means he has someone backing him. Let's find out who's behind him first, and then we'll consider what to do."

"The person behind it all?" Raikage frowned. "You mean he's not the mastermind?"

"The Land of Waterfalls was once a tiny country with very few Jonin. What could they possibly have to support someone like Shisei Aburame? There must be someone else behind him."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly. "What the Fifth Mizukage means is..."

"What I mean is, let's not rush into anything." Mei Terumi's gaze swept across the two faces. "Any action before we understand their situation is blind. Besides—"

"I heard that Aburame Shisei has a child named Yukimaru by his side, and that child is the Water Fairy Palace Master. And Umibozu has just transformed into the most divine insect."

The Raikage's expression changed; he'd heard of the Sage Insects before. Not only had he heard of them, he'd even fought against them. "But aren't Sage Insects all children raised by Tailed Beasts?"

But that's a legendary, top-tier spirit insect capable of manipulating natural energy. If it truly completes its transformation...

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his eyes, trying not to let anyone see the emotions in them, though he actually wanted to laugh a little.

He knew, he knew everything.

Black Zetsu's intelligence network was more powerful than anyone else's. Aburame Shisei's every move was under his surveillance. But this information wouldn't be revealed here.

Watching the two of them making wild guesses, he suddenly felt a sense of superiority over them. Indeed, people of their level were only fit to be used by others.

Admiral Mifune suddenly spoke up, "So, the three Kage mean to hold back for now and continue gathering intelligence?"

The Raikage opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately kept it closed.

Mei Terumi: "At least, I don't recommend taking any rash actions before we figure out the details of the most powerful insect."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze to Mifune, "What's your opinion on this matter?"

Admiral Mifune shook his head. "Our Land of Iron maintains neutrality; we do not participate in any conflicts in the ninja world."

By not participating in the conflict but providing the venue, their so-called neutrality is actually biased towards them, and of course, it's also leaving themselves a way out.

He was prepared to be a fence-sitter, yet he didn't want his country to perish.

Another guy who wants everything, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly looked at him with disdain.

He slowly began, "I believe the most crucial thing now is to pool our strength. Gentlemen, it's time to bring out something useful. Those wandering ninjas who fled to the small village are living a very difficult life. If we unite them, we will have a force to be reckoned with. Let's offer some ninjutsu as encouragement."

Upon hearing this, the other three thought that Hiruzen Sarutobi had gone mad.

Listen to what you're saying. Bring out the inheritance. The reason we're able to stand here is because of the ninjutsu inheritance, isn't it?

If others learn it... Seeing the group hesitating, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face showed even more disdain.

With this kind of status and caliber, how could I possibly sit at the same table with him? Is this what they call the Three Shadows Meeting?

But so be it. At least by starting a war, they can hold out for a while and make ample preparations for actually carrying out their plan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had already decided that the other two major ninja villages would form the second line of defense, while the first line of defense would naturally consist of the cannon fodder ninjas he had recruited.

Mifune, being shrewd and calculating, immediately saw through Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions, but he did not point it out on the spot.

The other two, who were able to become Kage, were naturally not stupid. They both understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's meaning, but there was one difference: they were both reluctant to give up ninjutsu.

Seeing that the two of them did nothing, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately said, "Alright, since you two are not motivated, then we, the property management, will take care of it."

"Wait a minute, we didn't say we disagreed," the two figures of the water mine said in unison.