As Uchiha Hikari stepped into the conference hall, it was as if the entire space was suddenly covered by an invisible layer of brilliance.
Her radiant aura resembled the first ray of sunlight at dawn—pure, intense, and dazzling.
Everything around her seemed to dim under its glow.
Even the originally brilliant presence of Antilene was suppressed by more than half, her aura appearing noticeably subdued.
Fluder swallowed dryly.
His heart surged like a rising tide.
A lifelong pursuer of the highest realm of magic, he longed to advance further.
In his eyes, ninjutsu and magic must share a fundamental principle.
If he could uncover that essence and find the key to his own breakthrough—
His power would surely enter the Bright Moon level.
"Greetings, Lady Hikari!"
Those seated in the front rows stood first, followed by those behind them like a rising wave.
The entire hall echoed with respectful greetings.
Dressed in the uniform of the Combat Shinobi Army, Uchiha Hikari exuded heroic elegance.
She nodded slightly and took her seat beside the main position.
In that instant, it felt as if time itself had paused.
All eyes gathered on her.
Especially among the members of the Royal Court Shinobi Army who had fought against the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
Their gazes were filled with admiration and expectation.
The atmosphere in the room grew tense and excited.
Before everyone had even sat down again, the doors opened once more.
Uchiha Shihō and Uzumaki Mito entered the room.
"Greetings, Lord Shihō!"
"Greetings, Lady Mito!"
Amid another round of respectful voices, Uzumaki Minako, Uchiha Zhilli, Minamoto Kaori, and several others entered as well.
They were attending the meeting through Shadow Clones and transformation techniques.
Within the overlapping brilliance of Blazing Sun and Bright Moon-level presences, Fluder's eyes could barely keep up.
Even Antilene, who had maintained her calm expression until now, grew serious.
The women seated at the front radiated an invisible pressure.
The moment Antilene's eyes met theirs, she instinctively held her breath.
It felt like the tension of a small creature being watched by lions and tigers.
"That heterochromatic girl has quite strong life force."
Uzumaki Mito glanced briefly at Antilene before closing her eyes again.
The others soon withdrew their gazes as well.
In the silent anticipation that followed, even ten seconds felt endless.
Then—
Footsteps sounded outside the hall.
Clear and steady.
Fluder felt his entire body tense involuntarily.
The next moment—
In his vision, a towering beam of spiritual brilliance descended.
It eclipsed everything else.
Under everyone's gaze, a young man of incomparable beauty slowly walked toward the central seat.
He wore a dark black robe.
His posture stood straight like a spear or sword.
Even though his expression was calm, his deep black eyes resembled the brightest stars in the night sky.
When his gaze swept across the room—
Everyone felt as if the heavens themselves were watching them.
"Greetings, Supreme Leader!"
Voices of respect echoed once again.
Under the morning sunlight streaming through the windows, Uchiha Soren seemed wrapped in golden light.
At that moment—
To everyone present, he appeared almost like a descending god.
After Soren slowly took his seat, the entire conference hall fell completely silent.
Even breathing seemed restrained.
"Since everyone has arrived," Soren said calmly,
"The Shinobi World Conference will officially begin."
"The first topic is the reform of the Shinobi World."
It was a bombshell.
Even though the shinobi leaders had prepared themselves beforehand—men who faced blades without changing expression—
Their hearts still skipped a beat.
Soren briefly recalled the night he first seized power.
Every word he spoke back then had shaken the hearts of others.
Now—
He still found the feeling quite enjoyable.
"From today onward," he continued,
"The Shinobi Continent will be reorganized into six provinces."
They would be based around:
KonohaKirigakureIwagakureAmegakureSunagakureBlack Corner Domain
"All other ninja villages will be incorporated into the nearest province."
The moment these words were spoken—
Chiyo of Sunagakure was overjoyed.
Being listed among the six core regions meant something very significant.
But she quickly reminded herself:
"Don't get excited yet."
"This is only territorial division."
"It doesn't necessarily mean Sunagakure will control the province."
So she continued listening patiently.
"Konoha will become the Fire Province."
"Kirigakure will become the Water Province."
"Iwagakure will become the Earth Province."
"Sunagakure will become the Wind Province."
"Amegakure will become the Rain Province."
"The Black Corner Domain will become the Lightning Province."
"The highest administrative leader of each province will be a Governor."
"The deputy position will be Vice Governor."
"They will oversee all civil affairs within the province."
"However, shinobi military forces will remain under the unified command of the Military Affairs Department."
"Konoha will no longer belong to any province."
"It will become the sole central capital of the Shinobi World."
"The capital cities of the provinces will be renamed as follows:"
Kirigakure → Water CapitalIwagakure → Earth CapitalSunagakure → Wind CapitalAmegakure → Rain CapitalLightning Province → Lightning Capital, located at the former Daimyō Palace
"The position of Governor will be inherited by the current leaders of the major ninja villages."
"The Vice Governor will be recommended by the Governor but must be approved by the Konoha Secretariat."
As the announcement ended, the room filled with rapid calculations.
Hanzō of the Salamander felt a slight regret.
He had barely enjoyed the title of Rain Shadow before it was about to vanish into history.
As for opposing the reform?
That was a joke.
He still wanted to live longer.
Besides—
Would becoming the Governor of Rain Province really be worse than being the leader of a single village?
"Not necessarily."
Hanzō quickly calculated.
Previously, Amegakure's territory had only been slightly larger than Sunagakure's.
But now the village would expand into an entire province.
Nearby small villages would be incorporated under its jurisdiction.
Legally speaking, he would now command them directly.
No more bargaining with benefits just to get cooperation.
Only one question remained.
At that moment, Genji of Kirigakure spoke up.
"Supreme Leader."
"The creation of provinces poses no problem for the Water Capital."
"But I have one question."
"Will the Governors have authority to command the shinobi military forces?"
Hanzō held his breath.
Genji had voiced the exact concern in his heart.
Soren nodded slightly.
"That is an excellent question."
"And exactly what I was about to explain."
"In addition to the military forces directly controlled by the Military Affairs Department—that is, the stationed military districts—"
"Each province, city, and county will be allowed to establish their own security forces for maintaining public order."
"The exact size of these forces will be based on the current ninja village military numbers."
"But there is a limit."
"Each province may not exceed five thousand combat shinobi."
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