Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Kirigakure was undoubtedly the most tragic.
Ever since Uchiha Madara secretly took control of the Third Mizukage, the village had been ruled through sheer terror.
That's how the name "The Bloody Mist" spread across the entire shinobi world.
Even though Kirigakure hadn't yet sunk to the depths it would reach under Obito's prolonged torment in the original timeline, the ninja there had already internalized a brutal, survival-of-the-fittest mindset.
That blood-soaked, ruthless atmosphere had taken deep root—completely different from the culture of other villages.
Sure, there were still a few rational voices remaining.
But their numbers were so small that they made little difference.
Trying to win them over with diplomacy would be harder than unifying all five great nations through brute force.
And Yamanaka Shinno wasn't some reincarnated Buddha, here to bring universal salvation to the shinobi world.
Since he couldn't pacify them, he would simply turn them into a whetstone—forging the unity of three villages through fire and blood.
Of course, he'd spare those individuals from the original story whom he personally found a bit of a shame to lose.
If necessary, he might even intervene.
As for the rest?
Well… he could only say: let fate run its course.
Jiraiya, having roamed the shinobi world for years, understood the temperament of each village far better than most.
It only took him a moment of thought to grasp why Shinno was being so ruthless with Kirigakure.
In the end, if they couldn't be friends or allies, showing mercy to your enemies would only bring endless trouble later on.
"So, what now?"
Jiraiya gave Shinno a sidelong glance, subtly reminding him that Danzo was still present.
Officially, Danzo was the supreme commander once he arrived at the front lines—meant to take over command of all Konoha shinobi.
Even though Shinno's overwhelming strength had essentially made him the de facto leader, some matters were best discussed behind closed doors.
No need to let outsiders watch them squabble.
"No need to look at me like that," Danzo—actually White Zetsu in disguise—snorted lightly. "If it benefits Konoha, why would I oppose it?"
He reached into his robe and casually tossed over the official appointment letter signed by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Well then, thank you very much, Lord Danzo."
Shinno gave him a wide, fake grin and spoke with mock politeness.
Inwardly, he was already debating whether to have Danzo die of a terminal illness or heroically fall in battle.
As for the fact he'd already secretly set Danzo up for a downfall...
That could stay buried in history.
A coup wasn't exactly a noble tradition. No need to corrupt the next generation of shinobi once the villages were unified.
He tucked the scroll into his robe.
After assigning Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze, and Mikura Haba the task of calming the Konoha front lines and organizing the follow-up troops, Shinno stepped out of the base camp.
Across from him, the Iwagakure commander Kitsuchi—who had been standing at the front of his forces—handed Ōnoki over to a trusted aide and walked forward.
Meanwhile, from the Sunagakure side, their frontline commander Fukui saw what Kitsuchi was doing and reluctantly stepped up as well.
"From the Warring States era to the modern shinobi system, we've been fighting each other nonstop. The scale only keeps growing. I want to change that—and I hope Iwagakure and Sunagakure will stand with me to reshape this world."
Shinno's opening was grand and noble, practically a mission statement.
But neither Kitsuchi nor Fukui was swayed by a few lofty words.
Change the shinobi world?
Hashirama Senju once dreamed the same dream.
And look how that turned out.
"If you have a proposal or conditions, just say it. I'll pass them on to the Kazekage."
Fukui's brows tightened. His tone was firm, but he was already shirking responsibility.
There was no way he could agree to any of Konoha's terms on the spot—even if he feared the overwhelming power of Wood Release.
That level of responsibility wasn't something a mere frontline commander could bear.
"I want Iwa, Suna, and Konoha to hold peace talks. A real negotiation to figure out how to merge our three villages into one unified whole."
Shinno glanced up at Kitsuchi's towering frame—.
"You can't possibly—"
Vmmm—!
The very air trembled, and cracks spread across the earth.
Shinno's black-as-ink Sage Chakra surged out and locked directly onto Fukui, forcing him to swallow his next words whole.
"If you're going to be a mouthpiece, then act like one. Can't make decisions? Then keep your mouth shut."
Fukui's pupils shook. Cold sweat poured down his cheeks.
Under that crushing, suffocating pressure, he collapsed to the ground, trembling violently.
The sense of impending annihilation gripped his mind so tightly he could barely think.
...
"The unification of our villages isn't just about merging battle forces. There are different institutions, different responsibilities, and even the nations backing each village. It won't be easy."
Kitsuchi crossed his arms, his nails digging into his palms as he tried to stay grounded beneath Shinno's terrifying aura.
For the sake of Iwagakure—and for his father—he couldn't afford to bend now.
"If you'd been born in Konoha, or I'd been born in Iwagakure, we'd probably be great friends. Maybe we still can be."
...
Shinno looked at Kitsuchi, who stood tall and unmoving like a boulder, and couldn't help but smile in admiration.
He glanced at Fukui, who was slowly regaining clarity in his eyes, and continued.
"Everything else can be discussed later. Let me lay out my vision clearly, so there's no misunderstanding."
"First, when the villages merge, both civilian and military personnel will be reassigned based on their strengths and skills. Each village's Kage will form a council—the internal cabinet—to decide the village's development and major decisions together."
"Beneath them, we'll have departments like standard combat forces, police, finance, logistics, construction, R&D, intelligence, civilian affairs, and more. Roles will be assigned by capability."
"Let me be clear—I'm not here to make Suna or Iwa prisoners or slaves. What I want is a more stable, peaceful shinobi world."
"As for the countries backing the villages—that's something we'll deal with after the merger."
Shinno tilted his chin slightly, inviting questions from Kitsuchi.
"I agree to the merger, but it'll take time to unify public opinion within the village. When do we start formal talks?"
Kitsuchi gave a slight nod. He didn't ask about political power or control.
Administrative work wasn't his strong suit.
But it was clear to him that Shinno wasn't here to posture as a conqueror.
There was no arrogance, no demands for exploitation or domination.
Of course, Fukui might not feel the same way.
"You'll need at least two or three days to return. Let's schedule the negotiations for ten days from now. Same location."
"Understood. Farewell."
"Hope next time you show up, you'll be wearing the Tsuchikage hat."
"...I will."
Kitsuchi turned and walked back toward the Iwagakure camp.
He knew what kind of pressure he'd face when he returned home.
But just as his father said: with power like this standing before them, they had no other choice.
And truth be told...
The future Shinno envisioned might not be as bad as they feared.
A village that united all shinobi...
Could it really bring lasting peace?
"Go tell Chiyo and the others to think it over. If they decide not to come in ten days, give me a heads-up and I'll go talk to her personally."
Shinno turned to Fukui.
"Yes, sir."
Fukui forced himself to his feet, bowed stiffly, and stumbled away.
Anyone who hadn't experienced Shinno's power firsthand would never understand how helpless it felt to face such an overwhelming force.
Chiyo, Ebizō, and the others always thought highly of themselves.
But he wasn't about to be buried with those old fossils!
Damn it...
He was heading straight to the Temple of Wind to become a monk!
Didn't the current abbot used to be Monk Bunpuku's junior?
He'd get that guy to take him in as a disciple and become a high priest himself!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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