Naruto: In Konoha Village, I awakened Wood Release at the start.

Province of Fire.

The Imperial Palace, Council Hall.

A month later.

Chiba convened another imperial conference.

On either side of the conference table sat dozens of the empire's core members.

The giant screen on the wall kept flashing.

Orochimaru's latest communication device projects the images of the governors of the four provinces into the air in real time.

The picture is incredibly clear.

Even the fine lines at the corners of Luo Sha's eyes were clearly visible.

"His Majesty."

"I will first report on the situation in the Province of Fire."

Nara Shikaku was the first to stand up.

He held a thick stack of documents in his hands, his face showing a serious expression.

next moment.

Nara Shikaku transmits a video file to the large screen.

on the screen.

A giant wild boar, its size comparable to a small hill, suddenly opened its blood-red maw.

A raging inferno erupted, instantly turning dozens of ancient trees in the vicinity to ashes.

"This is a common wild boar that originally lived in the northern forests."

"After the natural energy surged."

"These beasts have undergone terrifying mutations."

"They greedily devour the energy in the air, and their size and destructive power increase exponentially."

"The strongest one discovered so far has combat power approaching that of a Kage-level expert."

As Nara Shikaku finished speaking.

The entire council chamber was completely silent.

Ordinary wild beasts are comparable to Kage-level monsters?

A few years ago, this would have been an unthinkable fantasy.

"What are the solutions?"

Chiba leaned back in his wide chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"The secret service has been fully mobilized."

"After screening..."

"All the docile mutant beasts are kept together under guard."

"As for those frenzied, bloodthirsty, and untamable fellows, kill them on the spot, leaving no hidden dangers!"

Nara Shikaku immediately answered.

Upon hearing this...

Chiba nodded slightly.

He always trusted Nara Shikaku to get things done.

"in addition."

"Because of the feedback from natural energy."

"The vegetation in the Fire Province has also undergone some changes."

"Not only have crop yields increased several times, but even ordinary herbs have evolved into high-grade spiritual plants."

"Orochimaru's research department has already intervened."

"They confirmed that the flesh and blood of mutated beasts, combined with these spiritual plants, can greatly replenish the cellular potential of ninjas."

"This is fantastic news!"

soon.

Nara Shikaku continued, bringing good news to Chiba.

"Minister Shikaku is right!"

on the big screen.

Ohnoki stroked his gray beard and couldn't help but interject.

"His Majesty."

"The situation is roughly the same in the provinces of Tu."

"Our barren, rocky mountains have miraculously sprouted spirit ore from the cracks in the rocks!"

"When ordinary Iwa ninja use this ore to aid their training, the power of their Earth Release techniques doubles!"

"Those mutated pangolins and rock pythons were all suppressed by Huang Tu and his men."

"The Land of Earth is perfectly peaceful right now!"

"..."

Onoki straightened his back and spoke in a loud, clear voice.

Under the baptism of natural energy, his long-standing back pain was cured without medication.

Even the chakra within his body showed signs of a breakthrough.

"Good news is pouring in from the Wind Province as well!"

"Your Majesty, your divine power has truly transformed the world!"

"In the present-day Province of Wind, the desert has degraded and oases have sprung up everywhere."

"Those mutated giant cacti bear fruit comparable to army rations!"

"The raging desert giant scorpions were all captured alive by the Sand Ninja and incorporated into the puppet army."

Luo Sha squeezed into the frame.

His face, which had been perpetually cold and expressionless, was now beaming like a daisy.

His decision to surrender first was undoubtedly the wisest decision of his life.

"Everything is normal in the Province of Thunder."

"The mutated Thunder Beasts were too violent. Killer Bee captured several that wanted to become Summoning Beasts, but they were all scorched to death."

"I'll simply order them all slaughtered and butchered!"

"The militia of Thunder Province now eat Thunder Beast meat every day, and their physiques are ridiculously strong."

Left side of the screen.

Lei Ying Ai spoke in a muffled voice.

Although he has a fiery temper.

But when facing Chiba, he felt only deep awe.

At last.

All eyes turned to Mei Terumi.

The female governor of the Water Province looks radiant today.

The fairy-like face mask was faintly visible at the corner of her eye.

In his emerald green eyes, it seemed as if brimming with autumn water.

"His Majesty."

"The mutated sea monsters of the Water Province have all been driven to the deep-sea quarantine zone by the navy."

"When rare pearl oysters in the sea mutate, the pearls they produce can directly purify spiritual energy."

"All turmoil has subsided."

"The ninja world is now completely calm."

Terumi Mei parted her red lips slightly, her voice sweet and charming.

Her gaze toward Chiba was so intense it could draw out threads.

Chiba's gaze swept across the entire room.

All the provinces were under his control, as if they were his own limbs.

"very good."

Chiba sat up straight.

An invisible pressure from a superior instantly swept through the entire conference room.

Even the four provincial governors on the screen subconsciously held their breath.

"As natural energy returns."

"The overall strength of the ninja world is about to experience a leap forward."

"Those old-fashioned rules should be swept into the dustbin of history."

"From today onwards."

"Reassess the ranking system for all ninjas in the Empire!"

Chiba had just finished speaking.

Everyone present was stunned into silence.

The class system of the old era was an ironclad rule that lasted for decades.

But no one dared to refute it.

In the Empire, Chiba's words are the law of heaven.

Orochimaru.

Chiba turned his head away.

Orochimaru, who was sitting in the front row, immediately stood up.

A smile of excitement played on his pale face as he rapidly tapped away on the control panel.

The holographic screen in mid-air instantly switched to a detailed combat power rating chart.

"First, genin."

"Don't try to fool me with your Three Body Techniques now that you've just graduated from the Imperial Ninja Academy."

"You must be proficient in at least three C-rank ninjutsu."

"Only those who are proficient in basic taijutsu and weapon throwing deserve the title of genin."

A commotion erupted from the audience.

Nara Shikaku's heart pounded wildly.

Three C-rank ninjutsu?

There are no problems with the Fire Province.

Because Chiba reformed Konoha's ninja academy before the empire was established.

Almost all students graduating from the Fire Province can meet the requirements for a Genin!

But it's different in other provinces.

The empire had only been established for three years.

The lower-ranking ninjas from other provinces may not be able to perform three C-rank ninjutsu!

"Second, Chunin."

"Chakra levels must meet the standard; the bottom line is being able to fight continuously for three hours."

"And can skillfully unleash a B-rank ninjutsu, or perform a taijutsu technique of the same rank."

Matt Kai was thrilled.

His most proficient martial arts skills have finally been placed on an equal footing with ninjutsu by His Majesty!

"Third, Jonin."

"It requires not only extremely high tactical skills and practical experience."

"The amount of chakra must be sufficient to support the continuous execution of three A-rank ninjutsu or A-rank taijutsu in battle."

"Those who can't do it will all be demoted to Chunin and sent back for retraining!"

Once this rule was introduced...

Many people present raised their hands to wipe away sweat.

Three consecutive A-rank ninjutsu.

How many people's chakra would this drain?

But upon closer reflection, we now have abundant natural energy and a rich supply of supplements.

As long as you're willing to work hard, reaching this standard is by no means difficult.

Fourth, Shadow level.

"Master at least one S-rank ultimate ninjutsu!"

"Single-soldier combat capabilities sufficient to quickly destroy a medium-sized city!"

"..."

The four provincial governors on the screen all swallowed hard.

Destroy a city quickly.

These are hard combat capability indicators, and there is absolutely no room for falsification.

Fifth, Super Shadow level.

"At this level, there's no need for too many fancy ninjutsu."

"Only those capable of easily altering terrain and landforms, comparable to humanoid natural disasters, can be called Super Shadows!"

Speaking of it.

Chiba paused for a moment.

Because everyone below was staring intently at him.

They all knew it in their hearts.

Above the Shadow Realm, there is a legendary realm.

"As for the Six Paths level..."

"That is the realm of the gods, which transcends life and death and cause and effect."

"No standards are needed."

"Because I am the standard."

Chiba's words echoed in the council hall.

That's a bit arrogant.

But no one objected; they even nodded silently.

Because what Chiba said is true!

"Did you all understand?"

Chiba looked around and asked the crowd.

"clear!"

Everyone stood up in unison, their roars shaking the heavens.

The new hierarchy was outrageously harsh.

But in this era of unified resource allocation and open supply of merit points.

This is the perfect ladder for advancement!

Ordinary ninjas can succeed as long as they dare to fight and grind.

By exchanging merit points for advanced ninjutsu, you can eventually join the ranks of the strong.

Meeting adjourned.

"Issue the new rating standards."

"Within half a month, I need to see the latest detailed statistics on the number of strong individuals in each of the major provinces."

"..."