After the Raikage finished speaking, two groups of shinobi from Kumogakure—one with extremely dark skin, the other with extremely fair complexions—immediately burst into applause.
"Lord Raikage is so wise! This way, Kumogakure will thrive!"
"Our gyms and businesses could expand across the entire ninja world!"
"I was planning to buy a bunch of things from Konoha and haul them back. Now I can just buy them right in the village! Hell yeah!"
The grand vision painted by the Five Kage sent waves of excitement through the audience.
But—
In the VIP box reserved for the daimyos, panic had already taken root.
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning's eyes widened, his obese body trembling with fury. He shoved aside the two attendants at his side and hurled a fruit platter off the table.
"What the hell is he trying to pull!?"
"Is this rebellion?! Making such a major decision without consulting me?!"
"When did I ever give him permission to do any of this!?"
The Daimyo of the Wind Country nearby snapped his long pipe in half, face stormy with rage.
"Does Rasa think he's been getting too much funding lately?! Acting behind my back like this?"
"When did I say the village could sell black oil and minerals to outsiders!?"
"He's got some nerve!"
Compared to them, the Daimyo of the Land of Earth was relatively calm. Though displeased with Ōnoki's unilateral decisions, he understood the practical benefits.
"This arrangement lets the villagers of Iwagakure and the entire Land of Earth live better lives," the old man muttered as he sipped his tea. "No need to be so angry. You'll still get your coin—just raise the taxes if you must."
The hunched, white-haired elder's words sounded relaxed but carried weight.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Ashiya, simply popped two grapes into his mouth. "I already knew this was coming," he said lazily. "Tsunade and Uchiha Hikaru briefed me. Doesn't matter either way."
What's wrong with being a figurehead? At least it meant not worrying about assassination attempts—and even earning public admiration.
More importantly, Ashiya genuinely hoped for a peaceful and prosperous future. He had two Uchiha bodyguards watching over him and was quite content with his current life. He even entertained the idea of abdicating, returning to frontline work to directly help his people.
If only Tsunade and Uchiha Hikaru would allow it...
Meanwhile, the Daimyo of the Land of Water lay slumped like a dead fish. He wanted to roar in protest like the others, to slash funding and make threats.
But he didn't dare.
Because the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, absolutely would slit his throat.
Two years ago, he'd tried to suppress Konoha's imports. That very night, he received multiple death threats. For days, he couldn't even use the toilet in peace.
His guards just looked the other way.
That incident had been the first time he ever broke his legs trying to flee—pants still around his ankles.
Since then, he'd been politically sidelined by Kirigakure. But honestly? He didn't mind. He was tired. He'd enjoy what remained of his wealth while rubber-stamping whatever came across his desk.
In the main coliseum, the crowd finally quieted down.
At the center of the stage, a lone figure stepped forward—Uchiha Hikaru, wearing a unique forehead protector bearing the character "忍" (Shinobi) instead of a village symbol. Tsunade and the other Kage stepped back, forming a half-circle behind him.
All eyes focused on him.
"Wait... that forehead protector... it's not from Konoha?"
"Why does it just say 'Shinobi'?"
"Are you blind? That's Uchiha Hikaru! The strongest shinobi in the world!"
In the stands, a diehard fan from the Uchiha Clan jumped up and started chanting:
[Uchiha Hikaru!]
[Shinobi among Shinobi!]
[Uchiha among Uchiha!]
[Master of all ninja! King! God! Demon Lord! Immortal Overlord!]
Even the nearby spectators flinched at the absurd praise.
Dude... that's next-level fanboying. Even if it's true, dial it back...
Hikaru, hearing the over-the-top chanting, coughed awkwardly and took the microphone from Tsunade.
"Everyone, I stand before you today with a dream. A dream passed down from the First Hokage and the Uchiha ancestors. My name is Uchiha Hikaru—and I want to share this dream with the entire ninja world."
His voice wasn't loud or passionate—more like a conversation between old friends. Yet it captivated the entire audience.
"We live in a ninja world plagued by suffering. Natural disasters. Endless wars. In some lands, drought starves families. In others, floods take lives. High mountain villages lose newborns due to thin air. Rocky wastelands offer no fertile ground. Still, people endure."
"But right beneath our feet lies the most abundant land. Yet because others lack, they turn to war... and people die."
"I dream that one day, shinobi from every village can gather peacefully. Sharing their local foods, special wines... just enjoying life."
"I dream of elders supported by their children."
"I dream of wives no longer sobbing at graves."
"I dream of husbands who can go to battle without fearing for their families' safety."
"I dream of children who won't have to ask, 'Where are my parents?' Because they'll grow up with them—in peace, with food, and joy."
Tsunade's eyes welled up. Raikage looked down, silent. Ōnoki sighed. Mei Terumi gazed forward, yearning. Rasa silently clenched his fists in guilt.
Across the coliseum, not a soul made a sound. Everyone reflected on their own pain.
But Hikaru wasn't finished.
"Our ancestors didn't know ninjutsu. They had conflict—but no large-scale war. To live better, they created ninjutsu—to make fire, bring water, till land, cook food, smelt ore."
"At some point... ninjutsu became a weapon."
"Now people live in fear—afraid they'll die to jutsu."
"But ninjutsu was created to help people live—not kill!"
His calm tone turned fierce. Hikaru clenched his fists, anger blazing in his eyes.
"Everyone who dies by ninjutsu shames the very ancestors who created it. We are the ones defiling their legacy!"
He looked around the stadium, then lifted his right hand high.
"That's why today—I announce to the entire ninja world: the Ninja Association is officially established!"
"No matter your village or nation, you can join. Together, we will build a peaceful world where shinobi can live with pride and people with dignity."
"And to those who stand in our way—we will use ninjutsu to destroy you. Your sins will be heavy, and your downfall deserved."
One by one, the Kage stepped forward and raised their right hands beside him.
"In the name of the Hokage, I, Tsunade, declare Konoha's allegiance to the Ninja Association."
"In the name of the Mizukage, I, Mei Terumi, declare Kirigakure's allegiance to the Ninja Association."
"In the name of the Kazekage, I, Rasa, declare Sunagakure's allegiance to the Ninja Association."
"In the name of the Raikage, I, A, declare Kumogakure's allegiance to the Ninja Association."
"In the name of the Tsuchikage, I, Ōnoki, declare Iwagakure's allegiance to the Ninja Association."
The crowd erupted. Villagers, shinobi, and nobles stood up as one, raised their fists, and roared in support.
Uchiha Hikaru smiled faintly.
He had finally taken the first step.
At that moment, thousands of colorful paper cranes rained from the sky. Everyone looked up in wonder as the cranes gathered midair—then took human shape.
Descending slowly was a woman with long, lavender-blue hair in a flowing white dress: Konan.
She had shed her former disguise, standing with elegance beside Hikaru.
"From this day forward, the Ninja Association will operate on a consensus system. Uchiha Hikaru will serve as the first President."
"The Five Kage will serve as the core members of the Representative Council."
"I, Konan, will serve as Supreme Secretary General, supporting the President and the Council in decision-making."
…
…
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