Konoha Village – Hokage's Office
Arakawa Zenkichi stood at the window, gazing at the bustling village below, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Thanks to Zenkichi's influence, the daimyos from all nations had willingly relinquished their positions. Now, there was only one unified nation in the shinobi world, ruled over by Zenkichi. Both civilians and shinobi lived under his governance.
This monumental achievement had pushed his Aizen template to 42% synchronization, and he was even close to unlocking Kyoka Suigetsu.
After consolidating power, Zenkichi restructured the disbanded samurai, turning them into a new police and military force.
Konoha, once a militarized village, had now transformed into a bustling commercial city. While a few shinobi remained stationed here, the majority had been deployed across the world. Becoming a ninja was no longer shrouded in mystery—it was open knowledge.
"Zenkichi,"
Tsunade entered through the door, staring at him with a perplexed look.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Zenkichi asked, his warm smile still in place.
"Are you okay?" Tsunade frowned. Something about him felt... off.
"You feel like the king of the ninja world now," she muttered. "You've changed—completely. You used to be a little shameless and cold, but you were sharp and ambitious."
Zenkichi chuckled. "And now?"
"You seem fake," she said bluntly. "This gentle demeanor doesn't suit you."
"That's just your assumption," he replied, still smiling. "A lot of people find this side of me quite charming."
"I'm the ruler of the ninja world now. A little kindness doesn't hurt."
Tsunade scoffed. "Hypocrite."
Zenkichi shrugged, unbothered. "Say whatever you want, Tsunade. After all, we know each other better than anyone."
Tsunade's face turned red. She shot him a glare. "I must have lost my mind."
"Be honest with me—how many women have you charmed? Something's off about Uzumaki Kushina lately."
Zenkichi sighed. "Don't blame me. They come to me willingly. That's the downside of being too attractive—it's exhausting."
Tsunade crossed her arms. "Exhausting? You sound proud."
Zenkichi stepped forward and took her hand. "Alright, alright. No need to rant."
"At least in Konoha, you're the only woman who's ever succeeded."
Meanwhile, Terumi Mei was in the Land of Water, helping its shinobi adapt to their roles as military police. She was a strong woman, driven by the desire to prove herself. After Zenkichi gave her the opportunity, she immediately traveled there to take charge.
Pakura had gone to the Land of Wind, using her own experience to reform what remained of Sunagakure. Though Sunagakure had sent its main force against Zenkichi, many remained behind. With her influence, she exposed the village's dark past and convinced the remaining shinobi to surrender.
Pakura was once a hero of Sunagakure and still held significant prestige there.
"Zenkichi!"
Just as Zenkichi and Tsunade were relaxing, preparing to contribute to the revival of the Senju Clan, Uzumaki Kushina burst into the office.
Zenkichi and Tsunade quickly stood up, putting on a dignified front, though Kushina clearly wasn't impressed.
"What is it?" Zenkichi asked, putting on a gentle smile.
"Nagato's been discharged from the hospital," Kushina said seriously. "I plan to return to the Land of Whirlpools with him. We're the only two left from the Uzumaki clan. I want to rebuild it."
"You and Nagato?" Zenkichi frowned. "That doesn't sound right."
Why Nagato? What happened to Minato? Why him, of all people?
Kushina's face reddened. "What are you imagining?! It's not like that!"
Zenkichi nodded slowly. "Good. That's a relief."
Still, he reminded himself that clinging to outdated notions of morality didn't suit the new world.
"The Land of Whirlpools has been in ruins for years," Kushina said. "But I still think it's worth rebuilding. That's why I need your approval."
Zenkichi replied calmly, "Why return there? The environment isn't the best. You could consider the Land of Grass. I believe there's another Uzumaki there—a woman. Maybe she and Nagato would be a better match."
Kushina blinked in surprise. "Really? That's great news!"
Zenkichi sighed. At the start of this new era, there were so many tasks to handle. Fortunately, he didn't need to train anymore—otherwise, he'd be overwhelmed.
A short while later, Yahiko and Konan arrived to speak with him.
Yahiko came to say goodbye and informed Zenkichi that he planned to return to the Land of Rain.
He'd remained in Konoha only because Nagato hadn't fully recovered. But now that Nagato had adapted to the ordinary eyes Zenkichi had transplanted into him, Yahiko was ready to leave.
"The work in Amegakure isn't really suited for Konan," Yahiko added. "Could you arrange something safe for her?"
Zenkichi thought for a moment. "Hmm... I still need a secretary. Let her stay here."
Yahiko nodded. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
The ninja world, newly unified under Zenkichi, was still in chaos. Rogue shinobi weren't tolerated, and disturbances continued to arise.
But Zenkichi knew—he would bring order to it all.
His life, at the moment, was stable.
No... not stable.
Boring. Predictable. Dull.
"What about Black Zetsu? Orochimaru?"
"Where's the plan to make the world feel pain?"
"We were supposed to dance together…"
Zenkichi found himself missing those two troublemakers.
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