"Finally, it's done!"
Aoki looked at the transformed, puppet-like Hanzo before him and spoke with satisfaction. Although this was his first time crafting a Six Paths Puppet, his craftsmanship was remarkably refined. Paired with a pair of Rinnegan, Hanzo's presence was even more formidable than before.
That nightmare that once made the Three Legendary Sannin wary had ultimately returned. Back then, Hanzo had only sparred with the three of them, never engaging in a true life-or-death battle, simply because he was unwilling to provoke a full-scale war with Konoha. This point was clear to the Sannin, and Hanzo himself was well aware of it.
After completing the crafting of the Animal Path, Aoki walked out of the room, with Hanzo by his side instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Upon learning that Aoki had used the power of the Rinnegan to craft Hanzo into a puppet and bring him back into the world, everyone was filled with curiosity. Orochimaru, standing nearby, grew increasingly interested in the abilities of the Rinnegan but did not ask a single question.
The situation in the Land of Rain was now settled. Apart from leaving a garrison force behind, there was no need for the others to remain.
Following Aoki's orders, the main army set off to return to Konoha, while the newly crafted Hanzo Animal Path Puppet was left behind in Amegakure. Aoki intended to use this puppet to firmly control the Land of Rain.
Also returning were Minato's army from the Land of Grass and the White Fang's troops withdrawing from the Land of Whirlpools. Each force left only a small garrison behind, choosing to return to the village in full.
The three groups soon arrived at Konoha. Meanwhile, the members of the Uzumaki Clan, as arranged by Aoki, relocated to the ancestral lands of the Senju Clan. With the Senju Clan now dwindling in numbers, Tsunade agreed that the vacant ancestral lands should be put to good use. Moreover, given the distant kinship between the Uzumaki and Senju clans, it was perfectly fitting for them to reside on this land.
What surprised Aoki the most, however, was Minato's actions. During his mission to the Land of Grass, he had actually brought back a wife from the Uzumaki Clan. Aoki couldn't help but marvel at the force of the worldline's correction. His own appearance had inadvertently altered the course of events, leading Minato to marry a woman from the Uzumaki Clan. Aoki offered his blessings to the couple.
With the war concluded, Konoha, under Aoki's leadership, entered a period of rapid development. All clans worked together in unity for progress, with the changes in the Uchiha Clan being particularly notable. They gradually won the affection and trust of Konoha's populace. When dispatched on missions, they became a reassuring presence in people's hearts.
Under Aoki's guidance, Shisui and Itachi also grew increasingly outstanding. Jiraiya shifted his focus from gathering writing material to teaching Yahiko and the others. Of course, even while instructing his disciples, his creative research never ceased. He would also regularly bring Nagato to consult with Aoki on methods to develop the Rinnegan.
As for Orochimaru, now that he had ample experimental subjects at his disposal, there was no longer any need for him to target Konoha's own clansmen. Aoki also entrusted him with the task of locating and bringing back some of the Uchiha clansmen who had been sent away. Orochimaru, already deeply interested in the Sharingan, immediately plunged into intensive research. The art of immortality and scientific breakthroughs had always been his lifelong pursuits.
While Konoha prospered day by day, the daimyo of the three great nations—Earth, Wind, and Water—gathered together, their hearts filled with unease and fury.
"What exactly are these ninja trying to do?"
"The Hokage of Konoha has gone too far!"
"They dare to directly attack the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass!"
The resentment of all present stemmed from Konoha's recent actions. Even the daimyo of the already fallen Lands of Rain and Grass knelt before the three great daimyo, their voices trembling as they leveled accusations.
"This Konoha has no regard for rules at all!"
"In a few more years, won't they dare to move against the great nations themselves?"
Initially, the daimyo had no intention of intervening. Ninja were, after all, meant to serve them. Yet the words of the daimyo from Rain and Grass struck a chord with their own hidden anxieties. If Konoha dared to act against small nations now, there was no guarantee they wouldn't threaten the great nations in the future.
"They're just mere ninja!" one daimyo scoffed.
"The Land of Fire must give an explanation for this war!"
"Konoha's Hokage must be replaced!"
The three daimyo reached an agreement in an instant and immediately set off for the daimyo palace of the Land of Fire, the wealthiest nation in the Ninja World.
Faced with this sudden visit, the daimyo of the Land of Fire was filled with confusion. Unless it was for major events like joint tribunals or military exercises, the daimyo rarely gathered together. The fact that all three had come at once truly piqued his curiosity.
But soon, they stated their purpose, laying out the incidents in the Lands of Rain and Grass in full detail. As he listened to their detailed accusations, the Land of Fire daimyo's expression instantly darkened, and he roared in anger.
"How outrageous! Konoha replaced the Fourth Hokage without even informing me!"
Hearing this, the eyes of the other two daimyo lit up instantly, and they spoke in unison.
"They don't take us seriously at all!"
"This Hokage has no regard for order whatsoever!"
"Konoha must hand over the perpetrators and replace the Hokage!"
Who knew where they found such confidence—perhaps it was what people called the fearlessness of the ignorant.
The Land of Fire daimyo actually agreed with their demands. He immediately summoned the Twelve Guardian Ninja and ordered them to proceed to Konoha at once to bring the Fourth Hokage to the daimyo palace for questioning. The Twelve Guardian Ninja accepted the order and immediately left the daimyo palace, heading toward Konoha.
Watching the plan progress step by step, the three daimyo exchanged knowing smiles.
Soon, the Twelve Guardian Ninja arrived at the gates of Konoha, ready to carry out the summons.