The Shinobi World was shaken to its core!
Konohagakure, by its own strength alone, had successfully withstood the combined might of the other four Great Shinobi Villages.
This conflict—the Fourth Great Ninja War—had been ignited by the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa of the Sand, and had rippled across the entire world. Yet, in less than half a month, it was declared over with lightning speed.
It ended with Konoha's total victory!
In this war, Konoha once again revealed the true depth of its foundations. No—it wasn't "once again." This was the first time they had unleashed such a staggering number of masters, alongside terrifying land tanks, naval warships, and aerial carriers.
Kirigakure had attempted to challenge Konoha at sea—the very domain where they were most specialized—only to be utterly annihilated within a single day.
Mei Terumī, the pride of the Mist, was killed in action. The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, went missing. Even Ao, wielder of the Byakugan, was instantly slain. Countless Mist shinobi found their final resting place in the bellies of the sea's fish.
Furthermore, the "Mysterious Masked Man" who claimed to be Uchiha Madara—the one who had orchestrated the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha years ago and caused the death of the Fourth Hokage—also perished in this very campaign.
Simultaneously, the name of Hayama Shirakumo, a member of the Hokage's Guard, resonated throughout the Shinobi World.
Wielding the sword techniques inherited from the legendary White Fang of the Leaf and carrying the current Hokage's personal blade, his power made the world tremble. Beneath the edge of the White Fang's blade, he fought the Mizukage, eliminated their sworn enemies, and stabilized the tides of war.
On the Suna front, Shizune Kato—the disciple of the Sannin, Tsunade—had already proven herself during the Chunin Exams that served as the war's fuse. As a lone woman, she had suppressed the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
During the subsequent battles against the Sand, her medical expertise dismantled the poison techniques of Lady Chiyo. Operating with decisive efficiency, she used herself as bait on the first day of her arrival at the front, forcing Chiyo to retreat and withdraw the Sand's forces to the borders of the Land of Wind. She proved herself to be a kunoichi in no way inferior to her master, Tsunade.
On the Iwa front, Konoha had initially been at a disadvantage. However, Tenzo, the Director of the Anbu, arrived in person. He manifested the Wood Style secret techniques that the "God of Shinobi," Hashirama Senju, had once used to suppress the world.
Single-handedly, he took on the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, the Third Tsuchikage, and the Tsuchikage's son. His final move, Wood Style: Deep Forest Bloom, swept across the entire battlefield. The Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Kisame Hoshigaki, and even Konoha's own Jiraiya of the Sannin fell under the indiscriminate weight of that attack.
Finally, on the Kumo front, the man who would be known as the strongest across all four battlefields appeared.
Might Guy.
Absolute power. Absolute speed. Absolute dominance.
Beneath his fists, even the Tailed Beasts bowed their heads. Those once-fabled "weapons of war," the ultimate trump cards and ferocious beasts, were like mere pets before him. Even the "Perfect Jinchuriki" of the Eight-Tails, whose reputation intimidated the entire world, could not escape the fate of having his soul extinguished.
With a single kick and a single punch, the life's journey of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was brought to a definitive end.
Hayama Shirakumo. Shizune Kato. Tenzo. Might Guy.
Four top-tier masters.
Because all four of them displayed mysterious black markings across their bodies during combat, observers began to refer to them as Konoha's Five Special-Grade Combat Assets.
Wait... five?
The number was set to five simply because "four" was considered unlucky. Consequently, Uchiha Itachi—who hadn't seemed to show much outward performance yet—was added to the list.
After all, he was one of only two members of the Hokage's Guard alongside Hayama Shirakumo; he surely had a few tricks up his sleeve. Moreover, due to his handsome appearance, he possessed a significant following of "fangirls."
As everyone celebrated the return of peace and the stabilization of the Shinobi World, the ultimate victor of the Fourth Great Ninja War—the man who became Hokage upon reaching adulthood and the most hardline leader in history—dropped a bombshell.
Kakashi Hatake.
As of today, the Shinobi World belongs entirely to Konoha.
Fire, Wind, Lightning, Water, Earth, Bird, Frost, Grass, Rain, Iron, Demons, Bears, Whirlpools, Rivers, Craftsmen, Snow, Rice Fields, Steam, Waves.
Every nation was now considered territory of Konoha. From this moment on, the Daimyos were abolished. From this moment on, the nobility was ended.
Konoha is the Shinobi World. The Hokage is its Leader.
A three-day deadline was issued: the Daimyos of the world were ordered to arrive in Konoha to surrender and submit. If they did not, the edge of Konoha's blade would visit them personally!
As the proclamation spread across the world, everyone's heart shuddered. They had assumed this war would end like those before it: the four Great Villages would surrender and pay reparations to settle the matter.
No one expected the Hokage's ambition to be so terrifying. He didn't just want to stand above the Hidden Villages; he wanted to rule the entire world.
More than that, he held no respect for the "unbroken line" of Daimyos and nobles. His ambition had expanded to the point of wanting to completely eradicate the social hierarchy that had remained unchanged since ancient times.
Some wanted to laugh, mocking the Hokage's "flights of fancy." But upon cooler reflection, their hearts went cold.
Currently, the four Great Villages were like beaten dogs, powerless to resist Konoha.
The Shadows had fallen. So, what could these so-called Daimyos and nobles use to resist this Hokage?
The entire world had lost. They had lost to Konoha; they had lost to the Hokage.
They trembled as they watched the situation unfold. Their hearts were filled with terror, unease, anticipation, and excitement.
Could it be that the thousand-year status quo of the Shinobi World... was about to change right now?
The First Day. The entire Shinobi World was eerily quiet. Konoha's proclamation hung like a heavy weight over the heads of every Daimyo and noble.
The Second Day. Everyone hoped for a "brave bird" to lead the resistance against Konoha. Some even clamored for a renewed war, ordering their recently defeated Hidden Villages to start the conflict again.
The Third Day. Hidden Sand, coerced by its domestic Daimyo and nobility, declared war on Konoha once more.
Hayama Shirakumo, having just recovered from his injuries, paid them a personal visit. With a single strike of his blade, the Sand bowed their heads.
Simultaneously, within the palace of the Land of Wind's Daimyo, tigers roared and crows cried. The entire palace was purged, wiped clean in a bath of blood.
At the same time, Mifune, the leader of the Land of Iron, declared that they were a nation of samurai. He claimed the disputes between ninja had nothing to do with them, and that the notion of "Konoha is the World" or "the Hokage is the Leader" was nothing more than a ridiculous joke.
That same day, a Wood Golem trampled the Land of Iron into the earth.
The Fourth Day. Every Daimyo—excluding those of Fire, Wind, and Iron—arrived in Konoha. They came to offer their seals of office to mark the birth of the new King of the Shinobi World.
In addition to the Daimyos, representatives from all the Hidden Villages accompanied them.
Genji, the Elder of the Mist; Darui, the Acting Raikage of the Cloud; Kurotsuchi, the Acting Tsuchikage of the Stone; the leaders of the Hidden Grass, Star, and Steam villages—every leader of the smaller villages arrived.
Even the twelve-year-old Priestess of the Land of Demons made the stumbling journey to Konoha.
The area surrounding the Konoha Plaza was a sea of people, packed so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through. Held back by shinobi maintaining order, the people of Konoha watched the scene at the far end with looks of pure excitement.
On the high platform, the young Hokage sat calmly in the center, draped in his flaming red-and-white robes. Standing solemnly to his left and right were Hayama Shirakumo and Itachi Uchiha—two of the acclaimed Five Special-Grade Combat Assets.
Might Guy and Shizune Kato stood in front, while a group of Konoha's young high-ranking officials stood surrounding them like statues, watching the silent crowd below.
Only the final Special-Grade Asset, Tenzo, was nowhere to be seen. However, it would have been stranger if he had appeared; as the Director of the Anbu, it was inappropriate for him to show his face in public.
"Someone, bring a chair for the Elder of the Mist and the Priestess," the Hokage spoke from the platform. "An elder and a child should not be treated the same as the others."
A shinobi immediately obeyed, bringing out chairs so that Elder Genji and Shion, the Priestess of the Land of Demons, could sit.
Genji was an old man who had survived since the Warring States Period, his face a map of deep wrinkles. Looking up at the young Hokage, he sighed inwardly.
The First Hokage had created the era of Hidden Villages. Now, the Fifth Hokage was ending it.
These few decades of change were but a flash in the pan compared to the thousand-year history of shinobi. Yet, the number of wars that had broken out in these decades was far more frequent and larger in scale than during the Warring States.
The so-called "Hidden Villages" were merely the eve of this global unification.
Genji had seen the kindness of Hashirama Senju that suppressed the world. He had seen the cold, absolute logic of Tobirama Senju. He had seen the diligent passion of Hiruzen Sarutobi. He had seen the dazzling, blinding speed of Minato Namikaze.
But the man before him was likely the last Hokage he would ever see in his life. Having experienced so much, even this total upheaval of the world only caused a slight ripple in the old man's heart.
And so, he sat down calmly. It was nothing more than a surrender; he had experienced such things many times before. It was just that this time, it wasn't just the Mist surrendering—it was the entire world.
Compared to the composed Genji, the twelve-year-old Shion sat down with similar ease, which drew the curious eyes of many. They were amazed that a twelve-year-old could possess such unshakeable poise as a national leader.
In truth, it was quite the opposite.
As the Priestess and nominal supreme leader of the Land of Demons, Shion had been about to go to bed when her retainer, Taruho, hurried her along. She had spent the entire night traveling to Konoha and was physically and mentally exhausted.
She was only twelve; she didn't understand the gravity of the situation. She figured she would just do whatever the old man next to her did. With that thought, Shion stole a glance at Genji.
"We thank His Highness the Hokage for the seats."
Now that the world had submitted to Konoha's might, one could no longer address the Hokage simply as "Lord" or "Sama." Instead, they used the more prestigious title of "His Highness."
"His Highness the Hokage's prestige shakes the world, and the Mist is wholeheartedly convinced. Now that the world belongs to Konoha, this old man has a gift to present to Your Highness."
Genji spoke calmly, piquing Kakashi's interest.
"This gift requires space to be displayed. I ask that everyone step back."
Genji looked toward the silent assembly of Daimyos, nobles, acting Kage, and leaders. Seeing this, Kakashi gave a wave of his hand. Below the stage, Shikaku Nara [Note: Source likely refers to Shikaku or Inoichi here; translating as a high-ranking official] stepped forward.
"Everyone, move back."
Following his command, the crowd immediately shifted to the sides.
"Little friend, stand behind me," Genji said to Shion.
Shion blinked and, having only just sat down, moved behind the old man.
Genji pulled a scroll from his sleeve and slowly unfurled it under the wary eyes of the Konoha shinobi. He tossed the scroll into the center of the plaza and barked a single command: "Release!"
Instantly, white smoke exploded, and a thick, nauseating scent of blood filled the entire area!
Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly. Every shinobi present felt their hearts tremble.
The villagers watching from afar were so terrified they shook; many couldn't help but collapse onto the ground. Behind Genji, Shion's face turned deathly pale as she stared at the sight, nearly gagging.
The reason was simple.
Before them sat a mountain of severed heads. Hundreds of heads were piled together like a macabre monument, and every single one of them wore a Kirigakure forehead protector.
"His Highness the Hokage's power awes the world. You wish to unify the realm and put an end to war. Such grand ambition must not be hindered," Genji said, his voice as calm as if he had merely slaughtered chickens. Everyone stared in disbelief at the bald, wrinkled old man.
Even Kakashi gave Genji a long, deep look.
Those so-called "traitors" Genji spoke of were almost certainly shinobi who were absolutely loyal to the Hidden Mist. For a village like the Mist, which had just suffered a crushing naval defeat, these few hundred shinobi were exceptionally precious.
He hadn't expected the old man to be capable of such ruthless methods. This was something even Kakashi had to respect.
"The Elder is a man of great insight. You have my gratitude," Kakashi said calmly.
If Genji were thirty years younger, Kakashi might have been tempted to take him as a subordinate. But now, the man could only be allowed to retire.
"For the peace of the world, this is only what this old man should do," Genji replied tonelessly.
"In that case..." Kakashi looked toward the other acting Kage and leaders.
Genji's action wasn't just a statement of his own attitude; it was a demonstration for everyone else. The Mist had already slaughtered everyone who opposed the surrender.
So... what about the rest of them?
"Within three days, the heads of the dissenters in my village will be presented before Your Highness!" Darui, the Acting Raikage, was the first to follow suit.
Fearing power rather than respecting virtue—that had always been the way of the Cloud. Having witnessed Konoha's absolute strength and the death of their final hope, the Perfect Jinchuriki Killer Bee, Darui didn't have a single thought of resistance. He made his promise immediately.
"Hm," Kakashi acknowledged neutrally.
Following Darui's lead, Kurotsuchi—who at sixteen was the youngest present besides Shion—made her vow with a pale face. The others followed, gritting their teeth as they gave their word.
"I... I... there are no shinobi in my home..." Shion stammered, fighting the urge to vomit. She hadn't realized this kind-looking old man was actually a monster!
"It is fine," Kakashi said. "Shizune, arrange for someone to take her down."
The Priestess of the Land of Demons was a unique existence. They carried the sealed body of the ancient demon Moryo within them and possessed the power to predict a person's death. Because of this, rumors claimed that those near a Priestess would meet with misfortune—but in reality, since they could only predict death and nothing else, the rumors were mostly hearsay.
Furthermore, Moryo was one of the many powers Kakashi intended to consolidate within the new world.
Aside from Moryo, the Dragon Vein of Roran, the Box of Ultimate Bliss in the Land of Grass, the Waterfall of Truth on the Cloud's Turtle Island, and even the Reaper Mask from the Uzumaki Shrine in the Land of Whirlpools—all of them were Kakashi's targets.
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