While the Great Tomb of Nazarick entered full war preparations, Uzumaki Mito descended from the sky atop Kurama, then immediately ordered the Nine-Tails to patrol the Free City.
The earlier battle had shaken the city's stability. Although combat shinobi had swiftly restored order, nothing calmed the populace more effectively than the sight of Kurama stretched across the heavens like a blazing crimson mountain.
"You really went too far," Mito said as she walked to Uchiha Soren's side. "Wasn't the original plan to pay them a formal visit?"
Her movements were graceful, dignified—utterly regal. No one would believe that the same woman had just delivered a punch nearing Six Paths-level destructive force. She belonged in a palace hall, clad in resplendent robes, issuing commands with measured authority.
Soren let out a light laugh. "They misjudged the situation. When Demiurge attempted to self-destruct, my main body couldn't stop him in time. Killing him outright and capturing the remaining three was the only viable option."
He spread his hands casually. "Plans rarely survive contact with reality."
"With your strength?" Mito's voice was cool. "You truly couldn't stop him? I think you've gone too long without anyone opposing you. You're starting to believe in 'submit and prosper, resist and perish.'"
She recalled the colossal hand that had torn open space itself—sealing heaven and earth in a single motion. Even fully prepared, she doubted she could have fared better than Demiurge.
Absolute suppression.
And yet—
That overwhelming strength did not make it any easier to accept that her daughter-in-law now carried his child.
"I hope you don't end up isolated like Uchiha Madara," she said quietly.
Soren stepped forward, closing the distance. She instinctively retreated. He followed.
"Is that how you see me now, Mito-sama?"
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"You said I believe in crushing dissent." His voice lowered. "So tell me—what do you think I intend?"
Their breaths nearly mingled. A flicker of indignation—and something close to unease—flashed through her clear eyes.
If she struck him, would he counter under the pretext of self-defense and subdue her?
The implications were unthinkable.
The Senju name would be disgraced beyond redemption.
"Military Affairs still needs my attention," she said sharply, turning away. "I'm returning to Konoha."
Her figure vanished in a burst of speed, breaking the sound barrier.
Soren watched her departure, expression unreadable.
"The world may be vast," he murmured softly, "but it still lies within the domain of Amenominakanushi."
"Where could you possibly run?"
Years of careful effort would not be undone by one retreat. Some entanglements required time.
With a faint chuckle, he turned and flew toward the Free City.
Soon enough, reports reached him.
Every adventurer and combat shinobi near the Tomb had been turned into grotesque stakes, planted outside Nazarick's entrance. Magic preserved their final expressions—despair, agony, terror—frozen eternally.
The brutality sent a chill through Konoha's ranks, but it also forged unity.
With the Supreme Leader present, no one believed any force could halt the advance of the Ninja World.
A vast, dark magical barrier now enveloped the Great Tomb. Neither the naked eye nor the Heavenly Eye stationed on the moon could penetrate it.
Back in Konoha's Military Affairs Division, a massive projection screen filled the wall, split into multiple feeds. Three panels displayed the captured demon generals inside the Science Division—power sealed, bodies restrained, consciousness intact.
Even through the screen, their oppressive presence was palpable.
"These three," Uchiha Shifang began gravely, "are each comparable to the Eight-Tails in combat strength."
"As for their leader, Demiurge—you may consider him a slightly weakened Uchiha Madara."
A murmur rippled through the room.
"Demiurge has already been erased by the Supreme Leader," Shifang continued. "But do not grow complacent. Their stronghold contains numerous beings even stronger."
Faces turned solemn.
"In Shrine Maiden Momiji's prophecy, the enemy possesses a self-detonation spell capable of reaching Six Paths-level destructive power. It was through that method that the Supreme Leader perished in the prophecy."
A tense silence settled over the chamber.
"Fortunately," Shifang added, "that ability belongs solely to their leader. And due to its rarity, it can only be used once."
He gestured toward two images: one of Nazarick before the barrier, another of the blood-soaked stakes now lining its entrance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the enemy has declared their stance. We cannot sit idle."
The once-rotund Uchiha elder now radiated the fierceness of his youth. With Blaze Release, Lava Release, and the Sharingan as standard among high-ranking Uchiha, their baseline strength already stood at Strong Kage-tier.
"The Magic Continent currently hosts the Central Ninja Army, Southeast Ninja Army, and Northwest Ninja Army."
"Now, to eradicate Nazarick's forces, we shall establish a new formation—the Royal Court Ninja Army—personally commanded by the Supreme Leader and stationed at the Katze Plains."
The atmosphere ignited.
Everyone understood: in the prophecy, the enemy's final trump card had been mutual destruction. Now that knowledge was in their hands.
Would the Supreme Leader fall for the same trap twice?
Impossible.
Victory would belong to the Ninja World. To Konoha.
The Royal Court Ninja Army—directly under Uchiha Soren's authority—instantly became the most coveted assignment in the room. To join it meant elevated status, prestige beyond ordinary combat shinobi.
Power. Reputation.
Who could claim to be immune to their allure?
The organizational framework of the Royal Court Ninja Army began taking shape at astonishing speed.
And in the territory of the Northwest Ninja Army—
A new disturbance was already brewing.
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