On both sides of the long conference table, the heads of Konoha's major clans and the representatives of the jōnin squads sat upright, their gazes fixed on the man seated at the head with barely concealed fanaticism.
There was no need for idle chatter.
The post-war settlement had ended—now came the distribution of rewards and the restructuring of power.
Tobirama casually tossed a document onto the center of the table.
"Due to the incompetent performance of multiple departments during the collapse of the frontline," he said calmly, "I have decided to completely reorganize Konoha's upper leadership."
Everyone's hearts tightened, their breathing unconsciously held.
The great reshuffle had arrived.
"Orochimaru."
"Here."
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes gleamed with excitement, his tongue unconsciously flicking across his lips.
"The former Research Division is hereby dissolved and restructured into the Ninjutsu Development and Scientific Research Department. You will serve as its Minister," Tobirama said flatly. "Within three years, I want you to fully master the Second Hokage's forbidden technique archives. In addition, research into Hashirama Cells is authorized to resume. Funding will not be an issue."
He continued without pause.
"At the same time, you are to consolidate all scientific personnel within the Land of Fire to develop scientific ninja tools and next-generation weapons."
Tobirama had thrown out precisely what Orochimaru desired most.
"Thank you, Lord Tobirama!" Orochimaru's voice trembled—not from fear, but from exhilaration. Compared to this, the position of Hokage itself was meaningless.
For a true research fanatic, unrestricted experimentation and absolute autonomy were the ultimate reward.
"Tsunade."
"Present."
Seated to Tobirama's left, Tsunade's expression was complicated, yet her eyes were filled with unmistakable pride.
"The Medical Division is upgraded to the Medical Department. You will serve as its Minister," Tobirama said. "You are fully responsible for establishing a comprehensive battlefield medical system. If anyone dares cut your funding, report their name directly to me—I will personally behead them."
"Uchiha Setsuna."
"My lord!"
The gloomy-faced elder rose abruptly. Though he appeared composed, his heart was pounding with excitement. After so many years, the Uchiha Clan was finally reaching this moment.
"You will serve as Minister of Personnel and Operations," Tobirama said coldly. "You are responsible for all mission assignments and performance evaluations within the village. I want efficiency. Do not push any dead weight onto me. If I discover even one, I will cripple you."
"Yes!" Setsuna replied, flushed with excitement. "I am willing to go through fire and water for the Clan Head!"
Personnel authority—this was real power.
Next, Tobirama's gaze shifted to the Hyūga Clan Head.
The Hyūga leader stiffened instantly, his palms damp with sweat.
"The Hyūga Clan performed adequately in this war," Tobirama said indifferently. "Since the Uchiha are already overseeing multiple departments, the position of Minister of the Konoha Military Police Force will be transferred to the Hyūga."
The Hyūga Clan Head froze.
The Military Police Force?
That had always been the Uchiha Clan's exclusive domain!
To hand it over now…
This department controlled village security and law enforcement—it was a core pillar of power.
"Th-thank you, Lord Tobirama!" the Hyūga Clan Head exclaimed, nearly kneeling on the spot. "The Hyūga Clan will serve with absolute loyalty, even at the cost of our lives!"
This was not merely authority—it was trust.
"Nara Shikaku, Minister of Strategic Planning."
"Yamanaka Inoichi, Minister of Intelligence Analysis."
"Akimichi Clan…"
One name after another was announced, pushing the atmosphere in the conference room to a fever pitch.
Whether from prestigious clans or civilian ninja representatives, everyone received a share far exceeding their expectations. Even the smaller clans that had long been suppressed were granted resources simply because they had chosen the right side during the war.
Finally, Tobirama stood.
"The Anbu will be expanded," he declared. "They will no longer be restricted to clan members. As long as one has sufficient strength, civilian ninja may also be selected. As long as merit is earned, S-rank techniques, forbidden jutsu, wealth, and status—everything is attainable."
Whoosh!
The civilian representatives erupted in cheers.
Class barriers were being torn down.
This was the benefit of following true strength.
"Long live Lord Tobirama!"
"We will follow Lord Tobirama to the death!"
The cheers nearly blew the roof off the Hokage Building.
They didn't care who sat on the Hokage's throne. They only knew that following Uchiha Tobirama meant food, dignity, and victory.
…
Half an hour later, the meeting dispersed.
Only Tsunade remained.
"Is everything settled?" she asked, worry flickering in her eyes. "You're really going to the Land of Wind alone? Even though Sunagakure was defeated, their foundation is still intact. No one knows what hidden trump cards they might have."
"Trump cards?"
Tobirama smiled disdainfully, straightening the collar of his Hokage robe.
"That rabble?" he scoffed. "Even if they once had something worth calling a trump card, even if I gave them time to use it, what could they possibly do to me?"
"But—"
"No buts."
Tobirama walked to the window, gazing at the celebrating village below, his eyes turning cold and deep.
"The three great nations surrounded us. The Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth have surrendered. Only the Land of Wind is still playing dead. If I don't beat them until they're broken and kneeling, the ninja world will think I'm easy to negotiate with."
He turned back and pinched Tsunade's cheek lightly.
"Guard the village. I'll be back soon—and I'll bring you some specialties from Sunagakure."
Before Tsunade could respond—
Flash!
Golden light flared.
The Flying Thunder God Technique activated, and Tobirama vanished.
Tsunade touched her cheek, stared at the empty room, and sighed helplessly before her gaze hardened.
"This idiot… really is hopeless."
The ninja world trembled.
As news of Konoha's overwhelming victory spread, the entire world was thrown into chaos.
The Third Raikage and the Third Kazekage—defeated and captured, their fates unknown.
Ōnoki—suppressed effortlessly by genjutsu.
The allied forces of three nations—crushed by a single man.
Amegakure—erased from the map.
Hanzō the Salamander—dead.
Any one of these events would have shaken the world. All of them together… and all accomplished by Uchiha Tobirama alone.
Panic spread like wildfire.
Almost simultaneously, every neutral nation, underground exchange, and rogue ninja organization received the same death order:
If you encounter Uchiha Tobirama of Konoha, abandoning the mission is not considered failure. Immediate retreat is authorized.
Do not provoke Konoha ninja under any circumstances. Violators will be exterminated.
The ninja world before: Konoha was a fat sheep.
The ninja world now: Konoha was a forbidden zone.
Land of Water, Kirigakure.
The Third Mizukage stared at the intelligence scroll for a long time before speaking hoarsely.
"As long as that monster lives… even if the Mist has to beg for food, we will never set foot in the Land of Fire."
Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Sandstorms raged beneath a suffocating sky.
Inside the round-table council chamber, panic filled the air.
"Fight?" an elder roared, slamming the table. "With what?! Our alliance of tens of thousands and three Kage couldn't stop him! The Kazekage is still captured! What do we fight him with—puppets?! Or you?!"
"But if we surrender, the reparations will bankrupt us!" another elder shouted. "Sunagakure is already poor!"
"I don't believe he's invincible!" a hawkish elder snarled. "This is the desert—our home turf! If we trap him in quicksand—"
"Idiot," another elder interrupted coldly. "Someone who can erase Dust Release with a casual gesture—do you really think quicksand will stop him? Do you want to drag the entire village to its grave?"
Arguments erupted throughout the chamber.
Outside, Sunagakure was already in chaos.
Civilians hoarded supplies. Ninja packed belongings, preparing to flee.
The phrase "Uchiha Tobirama is coming" was more terrifying than any S-rank bounty.
Then—
Hum!
A soul-crushing wave of chakra descended upon Sunagakure without warning.
The entire village felt it.
The chamber fell silent.
Every elder looked up, pupils shrinking.
"He's here…"
Above Sunagakure, a thousand meters in the air.
Tobirama hovered in the void, his Hokage robe whipping violently in the wind. He looked down at the village below like an ant nest, his gaze utterly indifferent.
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
Ding!
Congratulations, Host, for achieving the achievement: Ruling the World with One Hand!
You have effectively controlled Konoha and caused the ninja world to tremble in fear. Prestige has surpassed the critical threshold.
Distributing rewards…
Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: Six-Tomoe Rinnegan!
A vast, indescribable surge of ocular power flooded his eyes.
Tobirama closed them briefly. When he opened them again, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was gone.
In its place were concentric violet ripples, adorned with six pitch-black tomoe slowly rotating, radiating an eerie, supreme light.
The Six-Tomoe Rinnegan.
An eye even the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, Uchiha Madara, had never possessed.
Tobirama clenched his fists, feeling power capable of reshaping the world surge through his body.
Kage-level?
Super Kage-level?
Before him now, they were nothing more than slightly sturdier dust.
Had this… become the power of a god?
A faint, arrogant smile curved at his lips.
He looked down at the terrified Sand ninja below.
"Perfect," he murmured.
"Let's test these eyes on you."