Early morning, a thin mist shrouded the eastern border of the Land of Water.
Shun stood at the edge of the cliff, with Jūzō, Raiga, and Genji behind him.
The corpse of Fourth Mizukage Yagura was placed on a wooden frame, covered with a blue shroud symbolizing Kirigakure.
In the distance, over 1000 Kirigakure ninjas stationed at the border stood ready. They held their weapons, their expressions vigilant, but their eyes already revealed wavering because they had already learned of the fall of Kirigakure and the Capital of the Land of Water.
Shun slowly raised his hand, signaling the three behind him to stop.
His voice, amplified by Chakra, echoed like thunder across the entire scene. "Ninjas of Kirigakure! Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi has been executed, and your village has surrendered! Continued resistance will only lead to more needless bloodshed!"
The commander of the border forces, Ao, gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "Shun! Even if Mizukage-sama is dead, we will not surrender to Konoha!"
Jūzō frowned and whispered, "Lord, they haven't seen your power yet, and they still harbor some hope."
Shun merely raised his hand slowly, signaling them to retreat.
His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "One last chance, lay down your weapons and surrender to me, or die."
Ao burst into laughter. "Arrogant! Do you think a few words can scare away the elite of Kirigakure?"
He suddenly waved his hand, and the Kirigakure ninjas behind him simultaneously formed hand signs. Water Release Chakra condensed in the air, and hundreds of water arrows were ready to be unleashed.
Shun closed his eyes and sighed softly. "Foolish…"
The next second.
Boom…!!
The entire sky suddenly changed color, an orange pillar of light shot up into the sky, and terrifying Chakra fluctuations made the ground tremble violently.
The Kiri ninjas at the border stumbled back, looking up in horror.
A two-hundred-meter-tall orange Complete Body Susanoo rose from the ground. The giant, which blotted out the sky, stirred up a hurricane when its four wings spread, and its armor shimmered with a cold metallic luster under the sunlight. Its eyes burned with a crimson glow, like a God looking down on ants.
"What is this?"
Ao's face instantly turned pale, and the kunai in his hand clattered to the ground.
A Chunin's legs went soft, and he directly knelt on the ground. "Impossible. This is not Ninjutsu at all. This is the power of a God."
Shun stood in the crystal on Susanoo's forehead, his Mangekyo Sharingan coldly observing the Kirigakure forces below.
His voice, transmitted through Susanoo, was like the judgment of a God. "Now, do you understand? Your resistance is meaningless."
Ao's lips trembled, still trying to hold on, but when he saw Susanoo slowly raise the Chakra giant blade, over a hundred meters long, his last bit of courage instantly crumbled.
Seeing that the time was right, Jūzō, carrying Kubikiribōchō, slowly walked to the front of the formation.
He scanned his former comrades and said, "Brothers, this war is over. Yagura betrayed the Daimyo of the Land of Water, massacred the nobles, and even plunged Kirigakure into civil strife. Are we still going to fight to the death for such a leader?"
Raiga also stepped forward, Kiba flashing with electricity in his hand. "I have personally witnessed the tragic state of the Capital of the Land of Water, and I have also seen how Shun-sama treats surrendered ninjas. He gave us a choice, unlike Yagura, who ruled us with fear."
Genji sighed and raised the scepter symbolizing the authority of the Kirigakure Elder. "Kirigakure is already in name only. Lay down your weapons, at least that way you can survive."
The Kiri ninjas at the border looked at each other, and finally, the first person put down their kunai.
Then, the second, the third…
Soon, the entire border force all knelt on one knee and bowed their heads.
Shun looked at this scene, a slight smile on his lips. "Very good, from today onwards, the Land of Water will usher in a new order."
...
Shun stood on the rebuilt high platform of the Daimyo's mansion, overlooking the bustling capital.
Craftsmen were repairing buildings damaged in the coup, and the surrendered Kiri ninjas, under the supervision of Konoha ninjas, were cleaning the streets with Water Release.
His fingertips lightly tapped the newly made imperial seal, the cool sensation reminding him of the responsibility he now bore.
Shikaku hurried over, still with beads of sweat on his forehead. "Shun-sama, all messenger hawks have been dispatched. The various countries will receive the news as early as tonight."
...
Soon, the Daimyo of each country received the announcement from the Land of Water issued by Shun.
First: He executed the traitors of the Land of Water, Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi and Fuguki, and disbanded Kirigakure.
Second: He, as the Earl of Ryukyu Island in the Land of Water, assumed the position of the Daimyo of the Land of Water.
Third: Konoha will completely relocate to the Land of Water, becoming the guardian force of the new regime.
As soon as the news broke, the entire Ninja World was in an uproar.
...
The Land of Fire Daimyo was furious in the imperial court, slamming his hand on the table. "Shun! How dare he betray the Land of Fire?"
A trembling minister beside him reminded, "Your Highness, Shun was previously appointed as an Earl by the Daimyo of the Land of Water. Strictly speaking, he indeed has the qualification…"
The Daimyo slammed his scepter on the table, roaring, "Shut up! Konoha is our military pillar! If they leave, the Land of Fire's defensive power will be greatly weakened. Immediately issue an order to gather all Land of Fire ninjas and prepare to crusade against the traitor."
At the same time, the Daimyo of other countries seemed unusually calm. They communicated frequently in secret, discussing how to deal with the Land of Fire and the Land of Water.
The secret letter from the Land of Wind Daimyo: "How interesting. With Konoha gone, the Land of Fire will be nothing but an empty shell. Truly, the wheel of fortune turns."
The secret letter from the Land of Earth Daimyo: "Don't rush. Let them fight first and see. When the Land of Fire and the Land of Water are both severely wounded, it won't be too late for us to make our move."
The secret letter from the Land of Lightning Daimyo: "For now, it's best to remain inactive, but we can secretly give the Land of Fire some support to make their conflict more intense."