In Parallel World 2, in the 18th year of Konoha, under the leadership of Parallel World 2's Tobirama, Konoha successfully defeated Iwagakure and Kumogakure. He also saved the entire Uzumaki clan and, under the pretext of war, destroyed the main forces of Sunagakure and Kirigakure.
With the help of a large number of Byakugan donated by Lux, Parallel World 2's Tobirama successfully combined and transplanted the Tenseigan, gaining Six Paths-level power. He then engaged in a fierce battle against Parallel World 2's Madara, who possessed a pair of double Rinnegan, in Kirigakure.
Though he ultimately lost, he managed to destroy all of Kirigakure and reached a peace agreement with Parallel World 2's Madara.
Up to now, in all of Parallel World 2, practically no one could challenge Tobirama and Konoha's dominance, except for Sunagakure, which remained openly independent, and a few small nations and villages previously allied with Konoha.
Despite initial difficulties, it must be acknowledged that Parallel World 2's Tobirama, in terms of both strength and influence, was far more powerful than Parallel World 1's Tobirama.
This highly advantageous situation even made the aging Tobirama seem youthful again, brimming with vigor and strength.
However, without the protection of his older brother, Hashirama, Tobirama still harbored many doubts when facing Madara.
Fortunately, recently, Madara had moved much of his research equipment and resources to the moon. Using the facilities and test subjects left by the Otsutsuki clan on the moon, he was quietly working on a plan to revive Izuna.
At this point, he had no more worldly desires. He only wanted to revive Izuna, make up for his debts to his younger brother and the entire Uchiha clan. After that, whether reviving Hashirama or going to the Pure Land to join Hashirama, it would fulfill his wishes.
Thanks to this, Tobirama didn't need to worry too much about obstacles from Madara for the time being and could fully focus on the main goal of unifying the ninja world.
However, before achieving full unification, Tobirama had one more issue to resolve.
The issue arose after he learned that his younger self in Parallel World 1 had been toyed with and humiliated. He was determined to eliminate that enemy first.
To that end, he had devised a plan.
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In Sunagakure, the Land of Wind, the situation wasn't too great lately either.
Previously, the Second Kazekage, Shamon, led a large portion of Sunagakure's main forces to assist Konoha, but in reality, he intended to seize opportunities at the right moment.
As a result, they were nearly annihilated by Madara's manually created Tenpenchii.
Though a small portion escaped, Sunagakure suffered immense losses. Additionally, the succession struggle for the new Kazekage caused further instability in the village.
Although Chiyo, with the support left by Shamon and help from Danzo, managed to suppress the rebellion and ascend as the Third Kazekage, she still couldn't make up for the previous heavy losses.
Moreover, Konoha's influence had grown increasingly terrifying lately. Even the large faction led by Kirigakure had quickly collapsed and scattered after Kirigakure's destruction.
As a result, though no consensus had been reached, in the eyes of a few astute ninja, practically no force in the entire ninja world could oppose Konoha.
As long as Senju Tobirama was willing, even a grand achievement like unifying the entire world wasn't impossible.
Based on this realization, panic was inevitable.
Especially in Sunagakure, a nation with a harsh environment and a principle of might makes right, many villagers and low-level Sunagakure ninja began secretly fleeing the village.
No one liked waiting until the last moment on a ship destined to sink.
Moreover, Sunagakure's large ship was clearly dilapidated and full of holes, almost certainly doomed to collapse.
In fact, if Konoha officially declared war on Sunagakure now, even without sending troops to attack, it was estimated that Sunagakure would already be half-dead from fear, with more than half its ninja and villagers choosing to flee without resistance.
At that point, Sunagakure would collapse on its own.
Seeing this worsening downward trend, the Third Kazekage, Chiyo, grew increasingly anxious and angry.
However, despite exhausting all of Sunagakure's wisdom, Chiyo couldn't find a fundamental solution.
She could only try to slow the decline with measures like tightening village entry and exit controls, increasing mission rewards, improving ninja welfare, and expanding ninja academy enrollment.
But these were merely temporary solutions addressing symptoms.
They still couldn't stop the growing pessimism spreading within Sunagakure.
Because of this, Chiyo hadn't been able to sleep soundly for a long time.
Even with the 'daily traditional massages' from Danzo, the effect was weakening.
As for young Danzo himself, now a senior official in Sunagakure, he was equally impatient.
What else could he do? Recently, he had sent several secret letters to his teacher, Tobirama.
He kept urging his teacher to take action soon!
With him as a high-level spy, they only needed to cooperate from within and without, and they could seize all of Sunagakure with almost no bloodshed!
At that point, he would be the greatest hero in Sunagakure's annexation. With this achievement, he could surely compete with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Remember, his teacher Tobirama had patted his shoulder, encouraged him, and placed great hopes in him!
How could he disappoint those expectations?
Though he'd end up slightly hurting Chiyo and Ebizo, he would definitely try to save their lives.
After all, joining Konoha wasn't a bad thing.
How many ninja desperately wanted that!
However, the secret letters Danzo sent recently weren't approved by his teacher Tobirama.
He only told Danzo to remain a spy and be a bit more patient…
Be patient again?
Nonsense!
He was already a senior official in Sunagakure. If he kept enduring, wouldn't he become a village elder, Kazekage advisor, and eventually sit on the Kazekage's throne?
What he always aimed for was the Hokage position!
If he really became Kazekage, what was the point?
Hiruzen would laugh at him to death, wouldn't he?
Finally, when Danzo could barely hold back, Konoha and his teacher Tobirama sent the latest mission instructions and information.
*BANG!*
The door to the Sunagakure Ninja Academy principal's office was swiftly opened. Ebizo, the Kazekage's advisor, looking shocked and hurried, entered the room.
"Danzo!"
"Call me Principal, address me by my title during work hours!"
Danzo slowly closed the document book in his hand, already knowing Ebizo's purpose.
"There's a big problem!"
"What big problem?"
"My sister… Kazekage-sama is looking for you! Come on, I'll explain on the way!" Ebizo hurriedly pulled Danzo toward the Kazekage Building.
Danzo: "Don't pull me, I know the way. Besides, to get to the Kazekage's office, we can go this way; I know a closer shortcut!"
Ebizo: ???
A few minutes later, the two arrived at the Kazekage's office.
On the way, Ebizo had briefly explained the information to Danzo.
At this moment in the Kazekage's office, besides Chiyo, there were three others.
Two Sunagakure elders and one Kazekage advisor. They were all veterans from the era of the First Kazekage.
Though their strength didn't reach Kage level, they were top elite Jonin, and their seniority and authority weren't to be underestimated, almost equivalent to Konoha's Hokage advisors.
However, compared to the formidable 'Darkness of Konoha,' the leader of Root, they were still inferior.
After all, in Sunagakure, the Kazekage held the primary power.
The fact that several of Sunagakure's top officials gathered here indicated this was undoubtedly a high-level secret cabinet meeting, a critical discussion that could determine the village's future.
Chiyo looked around, her gaze finally settling on Danzo. The worry in her brow eased slightly, and she said:
"Everyone's here, let's begin!"
"Wait! Kazekage-sama. Ebizo can attend this meeting, but why is Shimura Danzo here? Has Kazekage-sama forgotten his origins…"
A Sunagakure elder frowned, questioning, clearly trying to suppress Danzo, but also for the sake of Sunagakure's security.
However, before he finished, Chiyo interrupted loudly.
"Silence! Danzo is the Ninja Academy Principal I personally appointed. His contributions to the entire village are evident. At a time like this, I don't want to hear baseless accusations again. Anyone who insists on disrupting the village's internal unity, I won't hesitate to act!"
With her growing mastery of power and handling of government affairs day by day, Chiyo's aura and leadership spirit grew stronger.
This immediately quelled the elder's doubts, silencing him and stopping further objections.
After all, no one had forgotten how this young Third Kazekage had previously used ruthless, bloody methods to crush and slaughter opposing factions, securing her position as Kazekage.
"Let's get to the point. Danzo, are you aware of the issue?"
Chiyo pushed a letter and newspaper on the table in front of her.
It detailed the information Ebizo had just conveyed to Danzo.
Namely: Three days ago, Konoha's Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, officially sent an invitation letter to all nations and ninja villages, inviting everyone to attend the "World's Best Ninja Championship" to be held in Konoha in fifteen days.
"World's Best Ninja Championship?"
"It sounds similar to the 'Joint Chunin Exam,' but expanded beyond just Chunin, allowing Jonin and everyone to participate, with a final winner."
"What's the point of Konoha holding such an event? After all, who could defeat that man… the Second Hokage? This ninja championship was likely his idea, right? The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, is just a puppet!"
Danzo questioned passionately, immediately raising many doubts.
Clearly, everyone knew the mastermind behind this event was definitely Tobirama himself.
They just didn't know his purpose.
Chiyo explained, "The invitation letter states that the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, will not participate in the ninja championship himself; he will only serve as a judge and host."
"As for the purpose of holding this event? We have several speculations."
"It might be to showcase Konoha's military strength, to intimidate the entire world."
"It could also be to lure elite ninja from various villages there, to then eliminate them."
"Or perhaps to find talented ninja from across the ninja world, to recruit them to Konoha…"
In short, there were too many possibilities.
Lacking information, they couldn't determine the truth.
"Principal Shimura, you've interacted the most with the Second Hokage and know him best. What do you think is his real intention for holding this Ninja Championship?"
Another Kazekage advisor asked Danzo. This was also the main reason he agreed with Chiyo to include Danzo in the meeting—he wanted to hear the unique perspective of the Second Hokage's former student.
Hearing this, several people turned their gazes to Danzo, awaiting his constructive input.
Danzo thought for a moment, then gave his answer:
"Based on my understanding of the Second Hokage, he probably wants it all!"
"What?"
"He deliberately held this ninja championship targeting the entire world, likely with multiple purposes. It could showcase Konoha's military strength, find new talented ninja, and also identify threatening targets from villages unwilling to submit, to then eliminate them all!"
"What? He dares to kill opponents in front of all the ninja in the world?"
"He absolutely could! Right now, looking at the entire world, who else can stop Konoha and the Second Hokage? At the very least, if someone shows a threat in the championship, even if they don't act on the spot, Konoha might send someone after the event, pretending to be bandits on the way back to their villages, to intercept and kill the target!"
Danzo appropriately intimidated them.
Of course, this wasn't entirely intimidation.
If he were in charge of the ninja championship, he'd definitely do it. Eliminating all threats once and for all while strengthening his own village—wouldn't that be perfect?
Compared to his teacher Tobirama, he'd likely do the same!
"Damn! That inherently evil Senju Tobirama!"
"This ninja championship is too cruel!"
"He wants to destroy everyone at once!"
"Then, if we go to this ninja championship, aren't we sure to die?"
"No way, we can't attend this damn ninja championship; we can't hand our lives to Konoha!"
After hearing Danzo's speculation, everyone in the room was furious. They all cursed Tobirama for being shameless and despicable, agreeing not to attend the World's Best Ninja Championship.
Even the usually wise and cautious Ebizo expressed his disapproval.
But at that moment, Chiyo made a firm decision:
"We must attend!"
"What? Why, Kazekage-sama, think again!"
"Sigh… Because we don't have the right to refuse. The back of the invitation letter states that any nation or village refusing to participate in the ninja championship will be considered to have declared war on Konoha. After the championship ends, Konoha will immediately launch an attack against them!"
Chiyo sighed helplessly. Being Kazekage was so hard for her.
"What?"
"It's written on the back?"
"That bastard Tobirama, he did it on purpose!"
"He's deliberately picking a fight to start a war with other nations, isn't he?"
"Damn, so cunning!"
"Then what should we do? Should we refuse to participate? Won't that give Konoha a reason to attack us?"
"Damn it! Why can he be like this? Why is he so arrogant? Forcing everyone to participate? This is outrageous!"
Several people were furious, unable to restrain themselves from cursing, wanting to tear Tobirama, who orchestrated this, to pieces.
"Enough, stop barking here. We should discuss how to handle this crisis, not curse. Konoha is so powerful now; if you're capable, go eliminate Senju Tobirama!!!"
Danzo's shout stopped the arguing.
He had no goodwill toward these Sunagakure senior officials. He only needed to flatter Chiyo; the others didn't matter.
Moreover, though his words were harsh, they were facts.
If those present could really eliminate Tobirama, why bother arguing? They could've already unified the ninja world.
"Danzo is right. In front of Konoha, even if we know it's deliberate, we have no right to refuse."
"Once we give them a reason, the entire village will face destruction."
Ebizo analyzed calmly.
"It seems we can only attend this ninja championship!"
Chiyo nodded and made the decision. As Kazekage, she had to decide.
Faced with such a vast power disparity, she had no choice.