The Land of Iron.
As the only neutral nation in the Ninja World composed solely of samurai, it has always served as the official host country for joint conferences of the Five Great Nations.
After an unknown period since the last conference, a joint conference was once again held in the Land of Iron.
Only this time, Konoha was conspicuously absent.
"I'm sure you all know about what happened in the Land of Fire..."
Raikage Ai sat at the conference table looking haggard, his eyes sunken with dark circles. He had lost a significant amount of weight and completely lacked his usual vigor.
The other Kage at the table — Tsuchikage Onoki, Kazekage Pakura, and Mizukage Yagura, all remained silent.
The entire conference room fell into an eerie stillness.
The air seemed to solidify like water, oppressive and heavy.
"The Land of Fire's Daimyō is dead. The aristocratic forces suffered extensive purges. Those who were willing to surrender their assets and submit to management were spared, but those who refused met tragic ends."
"Currently, within the Land of Fire, the forces belonging to the Daimyō and the aristocracy have been almost completely uprooted. No, more precisely, it is no longer called the Land of Fire. According to the official statement released by Konoha..."
Ai's face grew grim as he uttered the difficult name in a hoarse voice.
"The Republic of Fire."
The moment the name Republic of Fire left his lips, it was like a cold wind blowing through a winter night, causing a sudden chill to run through everyone in the conference room.
This was the first nation in the history of the Ninja World without a Daimyō.
To be precise, it was a unified nation without a Daimyō, with military and political power fully combined.
Namikaze Mirai, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, had created an unprecedented historical event.
He had created a brand-new national political system.
The entire Ninja World was in an uproar because of his groundbreaking action.
Ai's expression was extremely ugly, as if he had swallowed a toad. Everywhere outside, people were talking about the Republic of Fire.
The Daimyō had always been the supreme ruler of a country, the true controller of its politics and economy.
Namikaze Mirai killing the Daimyō and establishing a new national system had dealt a huge blow to the status of Daimyō across the great nations.
It could be said that almost every Daimyō in the Ninja World harbored deep hatred for Namikaze Mirai. In the underground black market, the bounty on Mirai's head had already exceeded two billion ryō and was still rising.
However, it was unlikely anyone would ever claim that bounty.
Even the leader of Akatsuki couldn't deal with him. Trying to take his head would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
"Gentlemen, I propose that we form an alliance, combining the strength of our Four Great Nations to contend with the Republic of Fire!"
It was Mizukage Yagura, who had been silent until now, who spoke.
As soon as his words fell, Raikage Ai and Tsuchikage Onoki nodded in approval.
"I agree."
"I also agree."
Forming an alliance was indeed their only way out.
Konoha's strength had already been the greatest among the Five Great Nations, and after the Fifth Hokage Namikaze Mirai took office and implemented sweeping reforms, its power had reached a level no single nation could contend with.
An alliance was the best solution.
Among the Four Kage, only Kazekage Pakura did not immediately state her position.
"What? Kazekage, do you have some concerns?" Raikage Ai frowned.
"No, I also agree." Pakura replied with a smile.
Concerns? Of course she had concerns.
Sunagakure and the Daimyō had always had a discordant relationship, with frequent instances of the Daimyō withholding funds from the village.
This problem had not been resolved even after she took office.
To be honest, she had been dissatisfied with the Land of Wind's Daimyō for a long time. But because of the deeply ingrained hierarchy toward Daimyō and nobles within the Ninja World, she had no choice but to tolerate it.
Now, Konoha had ushered in a new era.
It made her restless heart burn with quiet fervor.
'If only...'
Of course, such thoughts must never be revealed.
Otherwise, the enraged Raikage Ai and Tsuchikage Onoki might risk everything to kill her on the spot.
"Very good. Then the Four Nations Alliance is officially established."
Upon hearing Pakura's statement, Mizukage Yagura revealed a satisfied smile.
The Four Nations Alliance.
An alliance of the Four Great Nations to contend with Konoha.
It was truly the most suitable course of action.
"Since it's a Four Nations Alliance, a military alliance alone isn't enough, is it?"
Onoki crossed his arms, resting his chin on them, and spoke steadily.
"A military alliance is only one aspect. From today onward, the economies and politics of the Four Great Nations must also strengthen their unity. The Four Great Nations will exchange goods, increase trade, and deepen economic ties."
"For example, the Land of Water is rich in seafood but lacks mineral resources, while the landlocked Land of Earth is the opposite. Once the two countries open trade routes, they can exchange goods and form close trade relations."
Onoki spoke fluently.
As the oldest among the Four Kage present, he had already conceived many directions for the alliance in a short time.
Military was only one aspect.
Economic and trade cooperation also had to be strengthened.
"Once the Four Great Nations' economic body is successfully established, we can impose economic sanctions on the Republic of Fire and curb its development."
After listening to Onoki's words, Raikage Ai, Yagura, and the others showed admiration.
"As expected of the Tsuchikage. This way, the Republic of Fire's situation will become difficult."
"Yes. Even if they've created a brand-new system, so what? As long as we unite and sanction the Land of Fire, we can still halt its development."
The meeting concluded amidst the Kage's praises.
But what no one noticed, was the faint, eerie reddish glow in Mizukage Yagura's eyes.
…
In the forest outside the conference room, Obito stood on a tree branch with a faint smile.
"Free trade? Four Nations economic body?"
As expected of the cunning Onoki.
His original intention had only been to manipulate Yagura into uniting the Four Great Nations against Konoha, thereby reducing his own pressure.
He hadn't expected Onoki to elevate the plan even further, forming an economic bloc and preparing sanctions.
With such actions, the newly established Republic of Fire would be surrounded by enemies, facing blockades both economically and politically.
Making progress would become extremely difficult.
Just as Obito was secretly satisfied, Zetsu emerged from a nearby tree trunk.
"Obito, Nagato suddenly wants to see you."
"Oh?"
Obito was slightly surprised.
Nagato had always been wary of him. This was the first time he had requested a direct meeting.
"It seems losing to Namikaze Mirai last time made him change his mind."
Obito sneered.
This might actually be a good thing.
It would allow him deeper control over Nagato.
…
In the dark underground space, the air was damp and musty.
Konan stood guard beside Nagato.
Nagato's condition was extremely poor.
The complete annihilation of the Six Paths of Pain, and the destruction of Yahiko's corpse, had dealt him an enormous blow.
His skin was shrivelled, ribs visible, black rods embedded in his spine, and his legs were severely atrophied.
"He's here." Konan said cautiously.
Suddenly, the space twisted and Obito appeared from it.
"Nagato, why suddenly see me? This isn't like you."
Beside him, Zetsu also slowly emerged from the ground, revealing his upper body, observing Nagato and Konan opposite them.
Konan's expression immediately became serious, and she slightly turned, seemingly wanting to shield Nagato behind her.
"No need to be nervous, Konan."
Nagato's calm voice came from behind her, making her slightly startled, and her defensive posture relaxed a little.
Nagato's voice was calm and strong.
Konan knew that Nagato did not want "Madara" to look down on him because of her actions.
"Madara, I think you should already know."
"I lost."
Namikaze Mirai's strength was greater than he had anticipated, and with his current weakened body, he could no longer contend with him.
Obito glanced at him indifferently.
He thought to himself.
'Of course I know. Not only do I know, but I was also there to witness your battle with Namikaze Mirai.'
"So, you came to see me this time to..."
Obito didn't finish, waiting for Nagato's reply.
He vaguely guessed Nagato's intention for seeking him out.
"I plan to have you transplant Hashirama cells into me."
'As expected.'
Hearing Nagato's voice, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Obito's mouth.
It was just as he had expected.
Nagato's body was too severely depleted. The Rinnegan, as the Sage's Eyes, even for someone with an Uzumaki constitution like him, could never be easily controlled.
That emaciated, almost skeletal body, with every rib clearly visible, was the best proof.
He had suggested transplanting Hashirama cells into Nagato a long time ago.
With the enhancement of Hashirama cells, Nagato's severely depleted body would be replenished, allowing him to better wield the power of the Rinnegan.
Unfortunately, Nagato had refused.
The reason was simple: he didn't trust him.
If he tampered during the transplantation process, with his understanding of Hashirama cells, Nagato might not be able to detect the problem.
Nagato would not allow such a hidden danger to exist in his body.
But now, due to the threat of Namikaze Mirai, he could no longer afford to be so cautious.
"As you wish. Once transplanted, your control over the Rinnegan will improve greatly."
Obito replied in a slightly seductive voice.
"I hope so."
Nagato remained silent.
He naturally knew the hidden dangers of transplanting Hashirama cells.
But now, he no longer had the luxury of caution.
He needed power, no matter the cost.
His Uzumaki body alone was insufficient to unleash the true power of these eyes; only by transplanting Hashirama cells could he develop the true might of the Sage's Eyes.
Obito glanced at his atrophied legs.
"You won't regret this decision."
"Perhaps… you might even be able to stand again."
*****
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✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
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✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
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