Emerging from the Root base, Anko glanced up at the moon above, then turned back to look at the entrance to the base. She felt a surreal sense of disbelief.
To think that an entire year had seemingly passed, when in reality, it had only been a single afternoon.
"No wonder there are such rumors floating around in Root and the Anbu," she muttered, clenching her fists.
Her strength hadn't changed, but the intense training she had undergone in the illusion was deeply etched in her mind. The experience, though illusory, felt as real as any lived moment.
"I'm not the same anymore..."
Anko smiled, but the next second, she frowned and staggered as a splitting headache overtook her.
Spending too much time in the illusion had severely drained her mental energy.
Forcing herself to push through the drowsiness clouding her mind, she leapt into the air and sped home.
Meanwhile, Shūichi was strolling leisurely with Asuka and others, chatting casually. People they passed couldn't help but look on in envy.
"Of course, it's Lord Shūichi—the savior of the ninja world!"
---
The next day, in Training Room 11 of the Root base, Kakashi and the others gathered once more.
Shūichi wasted no time, pulling everyone into an illusion.
Demonic Hell Training began!
Each member of the group was placed in an individual illusion, where a clone of Shūichi provided personalized guidance.
Time passed steadily.
In the blink of an eye, a month had gone by.
During this time, the Jonin Council of the Ninja Alliance was finally established, with Minato Namikaze unsurprisingly elected as the first chairman of the expanded Five Kage Council.
With the leadership framework solidified, the construction of the Ninja Alliance progressed rapidly.
The first step was centralizing economic support, pooling funds that had previously been allocated to the individual villages into a single budget under the Alliance's control. The Alliance would then distribute resources as needed.
Next came the integration of missions.
However, Minato avoided overly aggressive reforms, such as dissolving existing village teams and redistributing personnel. Instead, he introduced a system where teams from different villages worked together to foster cooperation.
As July approached, Konoha grew increasingly lively.
This year's Chūnin Exams would bring together ninja from every village across the world—a momentous occasion. Konoha had, in effect, become the heart of the ninja world.
---
In the Alliance's meeting room, however, a heated debate was underway.
The Fourth Raikage slammed his fists onto the table and bellowed, "Only harsh environments can forge truly exceptional ninja! The conditions in Kumogakure are undoubtedly the most suitable!"
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, immediately countered, "If we're talking about harsh environments, then the Land of Wind should be the prime choice, Raikage."
The Raikage snorted. "True, but the Land of Wind is too one-dimensional."
Hearing this, Mei Terumi couldn't help but secretly roll her eyes. Double standards! It was a term she had learned from Shūichi Hoshita.
Glancing at Minato, who was presiding over the meeting, Mei spoke up, "I believe conducting the exams on an island would also be highly suitable.
"An island offers a relatively isolated environment, diverse terrain, and is far from civilian populations, allowing the participants to showcase their abilities without restraint."
General Mifune nodded thoughtfully. "The Mizukage makes a valid point."
This year's exams would also include the newly integrated shinobi warriors, making it a groundbreaking event.
Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, added gravely, "This is the Alliance's first large-scale event. We should approach it with thorough consideration.
"Why not construct a massive arena, which could also serve as the future headquarters of the Alliance?"
"I believe the most suitable location would be the central region of the ninja world."
Hearing this, the Raikage and Kazekage frowned.
Mei's mind raced, and she quickly discerned Ōnoki's intentions.
No matter what, the Land of Earth was unlikely to become the site of the Alliance's headquarters. However, positioning the headquarters closer to Iwagakure—or at least away from Konoha and the Land of Fire—would count as a win for him.
Currently, the central region of the ninja world was the area surrounding the Land of Rain.
The weather in the Land of Rain is undoubtedly unsuitable, and the terrain of the Land of Grass—essentially under Konoha's sphere of influence—is equally inappropriate.
That leaves the Land of Birds.
Moreover, this is a location the Fourth Kazekage would not oppose.
As for the Fourth Raikage... Mei Terumi mused silently, If the choice is between the Land of Birds and Konoha, the Raikage would undoubtedly choose the Land of Birds.
Truly worthy of being the Third Tsuchikage!
Mei couldn't help but admire Ōnoki's strategic thinking.
She also suspected that the Fourth Hokage, for the sake of maintaining the current balance, would likely make concessions on this matter as well.
Sure enough, though they frowned, neither the Fourth Raikage nor the Fourth Kazekage spoke up, implicitly agreeing with Ōnoki's suggestion.
General Mifune considered the proposal for a moment and nodded in agreement. Ōnoki's suggestion was indeed reasonable.
Finally, everyone's attention turned to the young Minato Namikaze.
Minato's expression remained calm as he smiled and said, "The Chūnin Exams consist of three stages. Why not conduct the first stage—a written test—in Konoha, since the Alliance headquarters is currently based there?
"For the second stage, the Forest of Death is an excellent choice. However, the suggestion to use an uninhabited island, as proposed by the Fifth Mizukage, is also a good one.
"The third stage, including the final exhibition match for the daimyos, can follow the Third Tsuchikage's suggestion."
"As for the location of the Alliance's headquarters..."
The room fell silent as all eyes focused intently on Minato.
He smiled gently and continued, "The Ninja Alliance ushers in a new era. However, its existence is also tied to its mission to protect the Earth and the ninja world."
"So, who is our greatest enemy?"
"The Ōtsutsuki clan, who come from beyond this world!"
"As protectors, shouldn't we position ourselves at the forefront?"
Mei Terumi's eyes lit up, and she spoke eagerly, "Hokage-sama, are you suggesting... the Moon?"
Ōnoki raised an eyebrow. "The Moon?"
"That would indeed be an excellent choice," he conceded. "However, based on the intelligence we have, doesn't the Moon house descendants of Hamura Ōtsutsuki, who bear hostility toward the ninja world?"
Minato nodded. "That's correct.
"The Moon is undoubtedly the most suitable location. However, now is not the right time.
"Instead, Shūichi intends to follow the example of the Sage of Six Paths from the past."
The Fourth Raikage frowned. "What do you mean?
"Don't tell me he plans to create another Moon?"
Minato chuckled. "Not exactly. Using the power of the Rinnegan, we'll construct a floating fortress that will serve as a temporary headquarters for the Alliance."
"This headquarters will be linked to the ninja villages and nations via space-time teleportation arrays.
"It will also patrol the entire ninja world, capable of moving through the skies."
"In this way, every location becomes the heart of the ninja world."
Ōnoki and the others were stunned by this proposal.
This time, Minato's thinking was truly out of this world.
General Mifune marveled, "This is indeed an extraordinary and highly suitable idea."
"I believe it's the best proposal of the day."
Mei Terumi immediately added, "I support this plan."
Minato continued, "Everyone should remember that Shūichi once mentioned wanting to transform the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain, correct?"
"After this Chūnin Exam, with the daimyos of various nations gathered together, it will be the perfect time to bring this up."
The Fourth Raikage interjected, "If it's just about changing the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain, wouldn't this only require discussions with the daimyos of those two nations? The other daimyos won't necessarily want to see them prosper."
Minato smiled confidently, "That's because there's no benefit for them."
"For example, if we want to change the desert environment of the Land of Wind, planting trees with Shūichi and the First Hokage won't be enough."
"We need a continuous source of water, measures to stabilize the sand, and suitable vegetation like grass and trees."
"So, we would need to divert water from the water-rich Land of Rain and Land of Rivers."
"While the Land of Wind has harsh conditions, it isn't entirely devoid of resources, is it?"
"We could construct artificial canals, channel water into the Land of Wind, and simultaneously use the canals to transport its resources out, passing through the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers to other countries."
"Likewise, goods from other nations could be transported into the Land of Wind through the canals. Wouldn't that be far more efficient than before?"
"I think the merchants wouldn't be able to resist such opportunities, and the daimyos, enticed by increased tax revenues, wouldn't resist either."
Minato's smile gradually faded as he continued, "But if other nations' daimyos oppose this... we can replace them."
"If we are to confront the Ōtsutsuki clan, train a capable new generation, and protect the entire ninja world, we must unify all available resources. Don't you all agree?"
His words caused a visible shift in everyone's expressions.
This was practically a declaration that from now on, ninjas would take control of everything.
General Mifune commented, "The daimyos are unlikely to yield so easily, nor will their ministers and nobility."
"Are you suggesting a war between ninjas and ordinary people?"
"Or perhaps eliminating all those who oppose us?"
Minato replied calmly, "General Mifune, the strength of the Ninja Alliance is unmatched."
"No single daimyo, nor all their nations combined, could stand against us."
The Fourth Raikage added, "That's true. If we eliminate the leaders of opposition, there won't be a need for a large-scale war."
Mei Terumi followed up, "The ministers and nobles can support the daimyos or support us."
"We need them to govern the nations, and they need us for protection."
"Like the Ninja Alliance itself, a unified system where the Alliance handles military matters and the ministers and nobles handle economic development would focus all our strength."
The Fourth Kazekage nodded. "This plan will face universal opposition from the daimyos."
Minato reassured him, "Of course, it doesn't need to be done all at once."
"We can follow the model of the Ninja Alliance."
Ōnoki's gaze sharpened. "Hokage-sama, are you suggesting... that the Five Great Nations first consolidate control over the smaller nations?"
"Then unify the Five Great Nations into a single alliance and appoint a leader surpassing the daimyos?"
Minato nodded.
This approach could be considered relatively moderate.
The Fourth Kazekage agreed. "It's certainly a feasible plan."
After all, he had long disliked the daimyos meddling in ninja affairs.
Ōnoki, however, reflected on the implications. If someone were to rise above the daimyos while also earning the Ninja Alliance's approval, that person could only be Shūichi Hoshita.
What an ambitious plan...
Ōnoki sighed inwardly. When he annexed the Grass and Rain Villages, this must have already been in his mind.
A terrifying young man—not only does he surpass Hashirama Senju in power, but also in vision.
(End of Chapter)
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