Ever since Fourth Hokage Uchiha Chiya issued the earth-shaking summons for the "Five Kage Summit," the entire village had entered a state of outward calm while remaining on the highest level of internal alert.
The streets were still crowded, shops remained open, and children's laughter never ceased.
But beyond what ordinary villagers could perceive, invisible barrier formations were reinforced layer upon layer, while the ANBU's patrol frequency and coverage increased exponentially.
Every entrance and exit to the village was guarded by security checkpoints stricter than ever before.
The air was filled with restrained tension, like the absolute stillness before a storm.
Every Konoha ninja knew they were preparing to welcome an unprecedented gathering that would be recorded in the history of the ninja world.
Inside the Hokage's office, documents piled up like snowflakes before being swiftly reviewed and approved.
Seated at the center of command, Chiya scanned reports covering reinforcements at border outposts, strengthened barrier nodes, and the movements of diplomatic delegations from every village.
His orders were concise and precise, ensuring every part of Konoha's vast network remained in perfect condition.
Nara Shikaku coordinated the overall operation. His mind worked like a perfectly calibrated machine, organizing the mountain of responsibilities into flawless order.
Minato Namikaze constantly traveled between key defensive positions, personally inspecting and reinforcing them.
His Flying Thunder God kunai had been secretly placed at dozens of strategic locations throughout the village, ensuring that if anything happened, overwhelming force could be unleashed in an instant.
The ANBU under Sakumo Hatake moved like hounds hidden within the shadows.
Not only were they carrying out the highest level of internal surveillance and purification, but they had also extended their reach far beyond the village, closely monitoring every movement made by the delegations from the Four Great Nations. Even the slightest anomaly would be reported immediately.
Everything had been prepared while waiting for the arrival of the "guests."
The first to reach Konoha's outskirts were not the official Kage delegations, but advance negotiation teams from Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
They arrived quietly and swiftly with a clear objective—
To ransom back their captured Kage.
It was a negotiation destined to be unequal. Rather than a negotiation, it was closer to a one-sided notice.
Nara Shikaku and Minato Namikaze received them.
The meeting took place in a temporary conference room outside Konoha Prison, where the cold, solemn atmosphere only heightened the pressure.
From Iwagakure came Kitsuchi, while Kumogakure sent Dodai. Both were influential figures within their villages.
Their faces were dark, and the fury and humiliation they suppressed nearly overwhelmed their reason.
But when Nara Shikaku calmly pushed a list of required compensation across the table, both men's pupils shrank violently as they inhaled sharply.
The sheer quantity and value of the listed materials were enough to strip a nation to the bone.
It was even more than before.
How had the price doubled after Uchiha Chiya became Hokage?
The demands included, but were not limited to...
Enormous quantities of explosive tags, refined chakra metal, rare medicinal herbs, advanced ninja tool blueprints, temporary access rights to several strategic border locations, and an astronomical monetary payment.
Kitsuchi looked utterly miserable.
"This... this is impossible!"
"Is Konoha trying to empty Iwagakure's entire foundation?!"
Dodai's face was equally grim as he spoke hoarsely.
"The Fourth Hokage has gone too far... Kumogakure cannot accept these terms."
Minato's azure eyes remained perfectly calm.
"These conditions were personally drafted by Lord Hokage. There is no room for negotiation. You may refuse, but the Third Tsuchikage and Third Raikage will continue 'recovering' in Konoha."
He paused before looking at their instantly pale faces.
"Or... you may choose another option. For example... attempting to 'visit' them by force."
The threat in his words was so naked that it left them unable to breathe.
Visit them by force?
Right under the eyes of Uchiha Chiya, who had defeated two Kage alone and captured them alive?
That was no different from suicide.
Silence filled the conference room.
Kitsuchi and Dodai trembled slightly, their fists clenched so tightly that their knuckles cracked.
The overwhelming humiliation nearly drowned them.
Yet they could not stop imagining their elders remaining imprisoned and the even more terrifying retaliation their villages might suffer.
In the end, all their anger, unwillingness, and pride crumbled beneath the shadow of the absolute power called Uchiha Chiya, leaving behind only helplessness and despair.
It was as if all strength had been drained from Kitsuchi's body. He collapsed back into his chair and spoke in a dry, rasping voice.
"...Iwagakure accepts."
Dodai glanced at Kitsuchi, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
When he opened them again, all that remained was lifeless resignation.
"...Kumogakure accepts as well."
Nara Shikaku nodded expressionlessly and put away the list.
"Very good. Once the agreement is signed, the supplies delivered, and everything verified, you may take your Kage home."
He paused briefly.
"One reminder. Both Kage have remained emotionally stable during their stay in Konoha. We hope they will continue maintaining that same stability after returning."
The hidden meaning behind those words caused both men to sink even deeper into despair.
This was not merely a ransom.
It was a warning.
A warning that even after retrieving their Kage, they were not to entertain any dangerous thoughts.
Escorted under heavy guard, Kitsuchi and Dodai finally met the somewhat exhausted but unharmed Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, and the Third Raikage deep inside the prison.
No one spoke.
Only humiliation and crushing heaviness remained between them.
Without unnecessary conversation, the exchange was completed in suffocating silence.
Watching wagon after wagon of priceless resources enter Konoha's warehouses while their own Kage were exchanged like cargo, Kitsuchi and Dodai fled Konoha as quickly as they could, burdened by endless humiliation.
This unequal ransom became the first funeral bell ringing across the Four Great Nations.
It clearly declared one undeniable truth.
Before Konoha, they no longer possessed the right to negotiate as equals.
Only submission and payment remained.
As the date of the Five Kage Summit drew closer, the Kage of the Four Great Nations—or their official representatives—finally arrived in Konoha carrying unimaginably complicated emotions.
The Fourth Kazekage Rasa of Sunagakure, the Third Mizukage of Kirigakure, Acting Tsuchikage Kitsuchi—who temporarily assumed command while Ōnoki recovered—and Acting Raikage Ai, accompanied by carefully selected escort teams whose numbers were strictly limited.
From the moment they crossed the Land of Fire's border, they entered a carefully orchestrated psychological operation that surrounded them from every direction.
Konoha's border guards were not savage or intimidating. They were perfectly polite.
Yet their indifference, their scrutinizing eyes, their dense chakra, and their impeccably maintained equipment silently proclaimed Konoha's overwhelming strength.
The roads leading to Konoha had been cleared in advance.
At regular intervals, Konoha shinobi stood straight as spears on both sides of the road, their sharp gazes unwavering and their chakra steady.
Every single one of them possessed at least elite Chunin-level strength, while many Jonin stood among them.
Using elite forces merely as an honor guard was itself a display of terrifying wealth and power.
Even more alarming, the visiting Kage and their escorts could vaguely sense countless unseen eyes watching them from forests, mountains, and even the air itself.
It was the surveillance network jointly maintained by the ANBU, the Yamanaka Clan, and Konoha's Barrier Team.
It was everywhere.
Nothing escaped its notice.
Like an enormous heavenly net, it ensured that any suspicious movement could be met with devastating force at any moment.
After entering Konoha itself, the pressure only became greater.
The streets were prosperous, and the villagers lived peacefully.
Yet whether they were children playing nearby or shopkeepers behind their counters, none looked at the visiting Kage with fear or curiosity.
There was only calm confidence born from absolute strength, as though their arrival was the most ordinary thing imaginable.
Occasionally, young Konoha shinobi rushed past, displaying speed and chakra control that secretly shocked every Kage present.
Konoha's younger generation was frighteningly talented.
Their accommodations were arranged in the VIP residence near the Hokage Building.
The environment was elegant and luxurious.
Yet everyone understood that it was merely the finest prison imaginable.
Though everything appeared peaceful outside, security was tighter than ever.
That evening, a welcoming banquet was held inside the Hokage Building.
Uchiha Chiya did not attend.
Instead, Nara Shikaku and Minato Namikaze acted as hosts.
The banquet was lavish, with every imaginable delicacy on display.
Yet none of the Kage or their escorts had any appetite.
During the meal, Minato casually mentioned how a Konoha patrol had recently "encountered" and "persuaded away" a group of suspected Kumogakure reconnaissance ninja near the border.
He also mentioned how the ANBU had "cleaned up" several unidentified signal sources attempting to infiltrate Konoha's barrier system.
His tone remained gentle and even carried a smile, yet every sentence pierced directly into the most sensitive nerves of the visiting Kage.
It was as if he were saying:
Every move you make is already under Konoha's control.
After the banquet, the Kage returned to their residence feeling even heavier than before.
The overwhelming strength, order, and unimaginable level of control displayed by Konoha made them realize more clearly than ever before the true gap separating them from Konoha.
It was not merely the difference in top-tier fighters.
Their entire national strength and war potential had fallen hopelessly behind.
That invisible psychological pressure was even more suffocating than direct military force.
At last, the day of the official Five Kage Summit arrived.
The conference was held inside the largest meeting room deep within the Hokage Building.
The room had been rearranged around an enormous round table, symbolizing equality in form.
But everyone knew only one seat truly mattered.
When the four Kage entered with their escorts, Uchiha Chiya was already seated at the head of the table.
He still wore his black Hokage robes.
Black hair.
Black eyes.
An expression as calm as though he were attending nothing more than an ordinary meeting.
He deliberately released no aura.
Yet when his gaze swept across the room, everyone—including the four Kage—felt an invisible pressure crashing over them like an insurmountable mountain.
There were no greetings.
No meaningless pleasantries.
The meeting began immediately.
Without hesitation, Chiya placed a prepared scroll onto the table.
"This contains the basic framework for the postwar order, along with each party's obligations and rights. Read it. Tell me which clauses you cannot fulfill, then prepare alternative proposals and appropriate compensation. My time is limited."
His tone was calm, yet utterly indifferent.
He was not discussing terms.
He was issuing instructions.
The four Kage suppressed their humiliation as they passed the scroll around.
The farther they read, the uglier their expressions became.
The conditions were even harsher than their worst expectations.
War Reparations: The Four Great Nations must pay enormous war reparations to the Land of Fire in installments, using tax revenue and mineral resources as collateral.
Military Restrictions: The size of each hidden village's ninja forces would be strictly limited. Certain large-scale destructive ninjutsu and forbidden techniques were banned. Konoha reserved the right to conduct inspections at any time.
Border Redefinition: The Land of Fire's borders would expand outward, annexing strategic locations and resource points formerly belonging to the Four Great Nations.
Mission Priority: For the next five years, Konoha would receive priority rights for all S-rank and A-rank missions, while also taking a significantly larger commission.
Intelligence Sharing: The Four Great Nations must share all information regarding Tailed Beasts, ancient ruins, secret techniques, and other strategic intelligence with Konoha.
Alliance Obligations: Whenever Konoha faced an external threat—as defined solely by Konoha—the Four Great Nations would be required to provide unconditional military and logistical support.
...
These conditions practically turned the Four Great Nations into Konoha's vassals and resource suppliers.
Ai was the first to explode.
Lightning burst around his body as he slammed his fist onto the table and stood.
"Uchiha Chiya! Are you asking us to sign away our nations?!"
Rasa's expression was equally grim.
"The Land of Wind will never accept such humiliating terms!"
The Third Mizukage spoke coldly.
"Kirigakure refuses."
Kitsuchi gritted his teeth.
"Iwagakure refuses as well."
Faced with the united opposition of all four Kage, Chiya's expression never changed.
He merely raised his eyes slightly.
Cold starlight seemed to flash through his dark pupils.
"So... your choice is to refuse?"
His voice remained calm.
Yet the entire conference room instantly felt as though it had plunged below freezing.
An indescribable killing intent spread through the room like an endless tide.
It was not directed at any one person.
It engulfed everyone except Konoha's side.
The four Kage and their escorts immediately found breathing difficult, as though invisible hands had seized their throats.
Only then did they remember...
The true strength of Uchiha Chiya.
Silence filled the room once more.
"I wasn't asking for your opinions."
Chiya slowly rose to his feet and looked down upon them.
"I was informing you of the rules of the new era."
"If you refuse, there will be war. And I can promise you this."
"The next war will not end with prisoners or treaties."
"It will end in only one way."
His gaze swept across every horrified face before speaking each word with terrifying clarity.
"The names of your villages will be erased from the map of the ninja world."
"Now."
"Tell me your final decision."
Absolute silence.
The shadow of death weighed heavily upon everyone present.
The four Kage had gone deathly pale as sweat streamed down their foreheads.
None of them doubted that Uchiha Chiya would carry out his words.
The nightmare of the northern battlefield and Konoha's overwhelming military power haunted their minds.
Before the ultimate choice between pride and the survival of their villages, every trace of anger, unwillingness, and arrogance became meaningless.
After a long, suffocating silence, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa was the first to lower his head.
His dry, hoarse voice sounded as though every word drained his remaining strength.
He already knew Sunagakure had long since lost the ability to oppose Konoha.
"...Sunagakure accepts."
The Mizukage remained silent for a moment before exchanging a glance with Kitsuchi.
They both spoke.
"Kirigakure accepts."
"Iwagakure accepts."
Only Acting Raikage Ai remained.
Lightning crackled wildly around him before slowly fading away.
A beast-like growl escaped his throat as he slammed himself back into his chair with enough force to nearly shatter it.
"Kumogakure... ACCEPTS!!"
Every declaration of acceptance sounded like another piece of their souls breaking apart.
The old era had truly ended.
A new order centered entirely around Konoha had been born.
Chiya gave a slight nod.
The killing intent vanished as though it had never existed.
"Good. Shikaku will finalize the details with you. Sign it."
He sat back down, as though he had merely finished a trivial task.
Nara Shikaku stepped forward and began negotiating the finer details with the mentally exhausted Kage and their advisers.
But everyone already knew.
Once the overall framework had been decided, no amount of bargaining over details could change the outcome.
The document later became known as the Treaty of Peace Between Konoha and the Four Nations.
Rather than a peace treaty, it was the victor's declaration and the defeated nations' surrender.
It officially established Konoha's absolute supremacy throughout the ninja world and marked the beginning of a new era ruled by Uchiha Chiya's will.
After the Five Kage Summit concluded, Konoha did not remain immersed in victory for long.
Under Chiya's direction, the entire village began operating with even greater efficiency as deeper reforms reshaped every aspect of Konoha.
Massive construction projects appeared along the village's outskirts.
New research institutes, expanded Ninja Academies, advanced medical centers, and even stronger defensive fortifications rose rapidly from the ground.
The enormous reparations and resources flowing in from the Four Great Nations became like fresh blood, allowing Konoha to grow larger and stronger at a visible pace.
...
Night fell over the Uchiha Clan compound.
After finishing another exhausting day of official duties, Chiya returned home, where the warm atmosphere instantly washed away the coldness and bloodshed of the outside world.
The aroma of freshly prepared food drifted from the dining room.
Uchiha Mikoto, wearing an apron, placed the final bowl of soup onto the table with her usual graceful gentleness. Seeing Chiya return, she smiled softly.
"Welcome home, Brother Chiya."
Kushina Uzumaki was arranging the bowls and chopsticks, her long crimson hair bouncing energetically as she happily chatted about amusing things that had happened around the village. The moment she saw him, she rushed over.
"Brother Chiya! You're finally back! Come eat! Sister Mikoto made your favorite grilled fish today!"
Tsunade was already seated at the table, leisurely pouring herself another cup of sake.
She raised an eyebrow when she saw him.
"So the busy Lord Hokage finally decided to come home? I thought you'd be spending another night in Rōran."
Looking at the three women before him, the sharp lines of Chiya's face unconsciously softened.
He walked over naturally, rubbed Kushina's crimson hair, smiled gently at Mikoto, then accepted the cup Tsunade handed him.
"Yeah. I'm spending tonight with all of you."
The four of them ate together in a warm, peaceful atmosphere.
During dinner, Chiya occasionally mentioned details from the summit and the reforms that would follow, not to seek opinions, but simply to share them with his family.
His gaze occasionally drifted across Mikoto's gentle smile, Kushina's lively hair, and Tsunade's slightly flushed face as she drank.
An indescribable feeling of satisfaction and possessiveness quietly spread through his heart.
The supreme authority over the world and the power to conquer the ninja world would ultimately feel lonely if there were no one to share them with.
But they were different.
Mikoto's gentle warmth.
Kushina's fiery passion.
Tsunade's proud yet mature charm.
Each of them filled a different corner of his soul.
'Only then can tonight achieve an effect where one plus one is greater than two... No, maybe I should try one plus two instead.'
The thought flashed through his mind again as an almost imperceptible smile curved across his lips.
After dinner, Kushina insisted on stargazing, so the four of them went to the veranda overlooking the courtyard.
The night sky was crystal clear, filled with countless stars.
Leaning against Chiya, Kushina excitedly pointed toward the heavens as she talked nonstop.
Mikoto quietly sat on his other side, pouring tea for everyone.
Tsunade leaned against a pillar, gazing at the stars with distant eyes as though lost in thought.
With Kushina hugging his left arm and a cup of hot tea from Mikoto in his right hand, Chiya's eyes slowly swept across the two women beside him before settling on Tsunade.
At that moment, his resolve to protect everything before him became clearer than ever.
To preserve this hard-earned warmth and peace, he did not mind making the storms raging outside even fiercer until every hidden threat had been reduced to dust.
His heart was vast enough to embrace everything.
It had to be.
For this was both the source of his strength and one of the destinations he sought.
The cool night breeze rustled the leaves throughout the courtyard.
Under the star-filled sky, the lights of the estate glowed warmly, standing in sharp contrast to the still-bustling Konoha in the distance.
The boundary between home and the outside world had never been so clear.
Suddenly—
"Chiya!"
"Hm?"
"I've recently developed a new medical ninjutsu!"
Chiya paused before turning toward Tsunade.
She looked back at him, her eyes carrying a rare hint of tenderness.
"I don't want you to see me grow old someday, so I tried developing it. I didn't expect it to work this well."
Hm?
That technique...
The Strength of a Hundred Seal?