Ninja World, Uchiha Empire.
This year brought earth-shaking changes.
The map of the former Five Great Nations had become history. In its place now floated a vast celestial realm, suspended tens of thousands of meters above the ground.
Countless chakra warships—cold, metallic, and terrifying—cut through the clouds like a steel torrent.
Amado was undeniably a genius.
With the fusion of Divine Tree technology and Grell Mine resources, the Empire was no longer confined to a single planet. The moon had become its backyard, and the Uchiha clan's fan-shaped insignia had already been planted on several nearby worlds.
The Ninja World had officially entered the age of interstellar civilization.
At the summit of the divine palace, upon the supreme throne—
Uchiha Tobirama reclined lazily, idly playing with a compressed, high-density sphere of chakra in his hand.
At his side, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya—dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit—knelt obediently, peeling grapes and feeding them to him one by one.
Life this year had been almost absurdly comfortable.
The Empire was flourishing. The harem of beauties known throughout the Ninja World—Tsunade, Mei Terumī, Samui, Konan, and others—had all gathered beneath the banner of the Empire.
"Being invincible is truly lonely," Tobirama said softly as he swallowed another grape.
Kaguya's delicate body trembled slightly. Lowering her head, she whispered, "Master… this universe can no longer contain your power."
"Then it's time to move," Tobirama replied.
He stood up.
His divine robe stirred without wind, and a terrifying pressure—capable of shaking the laws of the world—swept across the entire capital in an instant.
"Summon all high-ranking officials immediately!"
…
Three minutes later.
Empire Council Hall.
Thousands of elite figures knelt on one knee, eyes blazing with fanatic devotion.
At the very front stood Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
Behind them were the Prime Minister, Nara Shikaku; the Minister of Science and Technology, Orochimaru; and the commanders of the Empire's various legions.
The atmosphere was solemn to the extreme.
Tobirama sat high upon the throne, gazing down upon all living beings.
Then his cold voice echoed throughout the hall.
"The development of the Ninja World has reached a bottleneck. Today, I have decided to embark on a cross-world journey—to a New World."
The moment his words fell, the entire hall erupted.
Madara abruptly raised his head, Rinnegan blazing with battle lust.
"Hah! So it finally begins! This past year nearly rusted my bones! Tobirama—no, Your Majesty! The vanguard commander position must be mine!"
Hashirama scratched his head and laughed. "As long as it's for Your Majesty, I'll fight anywhere."
The ninja coalition below trembled with excitement.
Under the indoctrination of the Uchiha Empire, expanding outward and conquering all worlds had become their ultimate glory.
"I'd die for Your Majesty!!"
The roar shook the heavens.
Tobirama raised his hand, and the hall fell silent instantly.
"I will go ahead and scout the path."
He turned slightly. "Amado. Is the interdimensional portal stable?"
Orochimaru licked his lips and chuckled hoarsely. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. After countless experiments, the coordinates have been completely locked."
"Good."
Tobirama nodded.
"Once I establish a foothold in the New World and confirm its value, I will activate long-distance teleportation."
"At that time, the Empire's full army will advance."
"I want that world's rules, its resources—"
"And its women."
Dominant. Absolute.
That was Uchiha Tobirama's way.
At that moment, Nara Shikaku stepped forward, brows tightly furrowed.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say."
"Speak."
"Your Majesty is the foundation of the Empire. Venturing alone into an unfamiliar world carries risk."
Shikaku spoke carefully. Even knowing Tobirama's overwhelming power, as Prime Minister he had to consider the worst-case scenario.
"The rules of that world are unknown. What if there is suppression targeting chakra?"
"I advise at least bringing Lord Madara or Lord Hashirama—or even a personal guard."
Many rational officials nodded in agreement.
If Tobirama fell, the Empire would collapse.
Tobirama looked at Shikaku—and suddenly laughed.
His laughter carried absolute confidence, tinged with contempt.
"Danger?"
"Shikaku, you've followed me for so long, yet you still don't understand."
He slowly descended from the throne, each step striking the hearts of everyone present.
"No matter the world, I am the danger."
"No one has ever threatened me."
"Even if gods exist there, I will drag them down and trample them beneath my feet."
"As for retreat—"
"My existence itself is the coordinate. If I wish to return, I can connect to all realms instantly."
Those words erased all doubt.
Yes.
Before a being who could conceptually erase even the Sage of Six Paths, speaking of danger was blasphemy.
"This subordinate deserves death for questioning Your Majesty's power!" Shikaku immediately knelt, cold sweat pouring down his face.
"Withdraw and prepare for war," Tobirama said, waving his hand.
He turned toward the rear of the hall.
There, thousands of stunning women stood in radiant color.
Tsunade crossed her arms, her fiery temper unchanged. "Hey, Tobirama. Come back quickly. Don't get so caught up outside that you forget home."
Mei Terumī smiled alluringly. "Your Majesty, if there are any interesting sisters over there, remember to bring them back for us to see."
Hinata, Hanabi, and the others watched silently, filled with reluctance—but they knew they could not stop him.
Tobirama stepped forward, reached out, and lightly pinched Tsunade's cheek.
"Relax," he said calmly.
"I'll be back soon."
"Wait for my signal."
"Then I'll take you all to the New World."
With that, he turned away.
Ahead stood the enormous teleportation gate at the center of the hall, glowing with an eerie blue light.
Buzz!
Space twisted violently. A chaotic spatial current tried to tear everything apart—
Yet the instant Tobirama approached, it became as docile as a lamb.
"New World," Tobirama murmured.
"Don't disappoint me."
He stepped forward.
His figure vanished into the portal of light.
…
New World. Unknown coordinates.
The first thing Tobirama felt was the salty, damp sea breeze.
Before him stretched an endless expanse of blue ocean, waves rolling under the blazing sun. Several unfamiliar seabirds circled above, crying sharply.
Tobirama hovered in midair, stepping forward as though walking on solid ground.
"All water?"
He frowned slightly.
There was no chakra in the air—only another violent form of natural energy.
Gravity was marginally stronger than in the Ninja World, but to him, it was negligible.
"System. Location coordinates."
[Ding! Cross-world linkage successful.]
[Current world: Pirate World.]
[Analyzing world rules… Analysis complete.]
[Language packs synchronized.]
"Pirates?"
A faint smile curved Tobirama's lips.
Since he was here, he would first understand the situation.
"Perception. Fully activate."
He closed his eyes.
Vast, boundless mental energy surged outward in every direction.
Ten kilometers… one hundred… one thousand… ten thousand…
A level of perception far beyond even the most advanced Observation Haki.
Every living being within thousands of kilometers appeared clearly in his mind—schools of fish beneath the sea, distant island inhabitants, even the flow of the wind.
Suddenly—
Tobirama's eyes snapped open, fixing on the southeast.
"Hm?"
"So many dense life signatures."
In that direction, tens of thousands of powerful presences were gathered together, colliding chaotically.
Explosions. Shouts. Violent fluctuations of Devil Fruit powers.
Even from hundreds of kilometers away, the scent of blood carried through the air.
"Two forces at war?"
"Interesting."
A trace of excitement flashed in Tobirama's eyes.
A battle right upon arrival?
Good.
If conquest was inevitable, it was best to start where things were most lively.
Asking for directions was inefficient.
Capturing the strongest and searching their souls would be faster.
"It's that way."
Boom!
The air beneath his feet detonated, forming a white sonic cloud.
Tobirama transformed into a streak of silver light, tearing through the sky—carrying an invincible aura—as he charged straight toward the heart of war.