Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

"We all have to move!"

Hokage Building.

"Isn't the Daimyo usually not very involved in village affairs?" Kakashi rested his chin on his hands, staring at a gold-embossed scroll on the table, his brows furrowed. "Why is he being so forceful this time? He even wants to hold a new Hokage election?"

Although Konoha Village is nominally under the jurisdiction of the Land of Fire, it has always maintained a high degree of autonomy in practice.

The selection of the Hokage has always been decided jointly by the village's Jonin Council and the advisory group. The Daimyo usually just goes through the motions and stamps his seal to show his approval.

This is the first time since the founding of Konoha that such a strongly worded demand for a "new election" has been made, even with a hint of threat.

"It's because of Uchiha Sasuke, isn't it?" Shikaku shook his head.

Kakashi sighed, leaned back in his chair, and looked somewhat lost.

"Sasuke's words at the Five Kage Summit, and everything he's done along the way..."

For these ninjas, it might just be an unrealistic dream.

But for those powerful figures sitting in high positions and enjoying hereditary power, this was a real "declaration of war" that could cost them their lives.

"Lord Hokage."

Shikaku put down the scroll in his hand. "What do you think of what Sasuke said at the Five Kage Summit?"

"How about it?"

Kakashi paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile. "To be honest, it's crazy, but it also makes a lot of sense."

"The profession of ninja was created for killing from the very beginning."

"We fight for the village, we fight for the daimyo's orders, generation after generation, struggling in this vortex of hatred."

"Whether it's the teacher, Obito, or Rin, they are all victims of this vortex."

Kakashi turned his head and looked at Shikaku, his eyes showing a clarity he had never seen before.

"If there really were someone who could end all of this and create a new world where ninjas no longer need to kill each other..."

"Even if that world were ruled by absolute power, it would probably be much better than this world full of hypocrisy and sacrifice."

Shika listened quietly, silently lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and then slowly exhaled.

Amidst the swirling smoke, his gaze became somewhat profound.

"Yes, perhaps you are right."

"But Kakashi, you need to understand."

"In this world, people who have this kind of thinking usually only have two outcomes."

"Either succeed, or become everyone's enemy."

..........

The Land of Iron.

The meeting of the five great daimyo, like the Five Kage Summit, was held here.

The daimyo of the Land of Fire was short-tempered and had dark circles under his eyes. He hadn't slept well all night, as the nightmare of having his identity stolen kept haunting him.

"Don't take advantage of our misfortune!" He slammed his fist on the table, pointing angrily at the daimyo of the Land of Wind sitting opposite him. "I've already said, this isn't just a matter for the Land of Fire."

"It concerns all of us."

The daimyo of the Land of Fire waved his folding fan somewhat nervously, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

"That guy named Uchiha Sasuke, his goal is to control all of us."

“A person who will not obey the orders of our daimyo, his very existence has threatened the power of all of us.”

The daimyo of the Land of Wind held up a fan and covered his mouth, saying, "We're tired of hearing that kind of talk."

"In the end, isn't this all caused by the rogue ninja that Konoha trained?"

"Now that you can't solve it yourself, you want to drag us down with you and expect us to do our work for free?"

"Isn't this wishful thinking a bit too optimistic?"

"You...!" The daimyo of the Land of Fire was speechless with anger, yet unable to refute it.

The other three daimyo remained silent, but their expressions were equally solemn.

They are not unaware of the stakes involved.

Although they didn't understand ninjutsu, they also didn't know the exact extent of Uchiha Sasuke's strength.

But in their eyes, ninjas were nothing more than "tools" they kept, possessing only a few special abilities.

No matter how strong it is, it's still just a relatively sharp knife.

If you pay enough, there will always be a stronger knife to break it.

What truly terrified them was Sasuke Uchiha's words.

"Overthrow the ninja system and eliminate the boundaries between daimyo and the country."

His actions prove that he was not just talking big, but truly had this awareness and seemed to genuinely possess this ability.

This is the most "fatal" thing, the thing that can most easily break the hearts of these famous figures.

In this world, ninjas can die, villages can be destroyed, and even countries can change their names.

The status of these great names alone is sacred and inviolable, a legal principle passed down through generations.

And now, some people are actually trying to break this ironclad rule, wanting to pull them down from their pedestals and turn them into ordinary people like those peasants.

This is absolutely intolerable!

"Just how strong is that guy named Uchiha Sasuke?" The Daimyo of the Land of Earth frowned, clearly finding the matter troublesome.

The daimyo of the Land of Lightning replied, "He is very powerful. I remember that not long ago, the Hidden Cloud Village fought against him, and those useless guys lost to him."

"What, an entire village?" The daimyo of the Land of Water was bewildered.

“That’s right.” The daimyo of the Land of Lightning nodded.

The daimyo of the Land of Fire slammed his fist on the table, gritting his teeth: "Did you see that?! The ninjas of one country are no longer enough to deal with him."

"If we don't join forces now, and instead continue to haggle over such petty gains..."

"Then let him devour us one by one! He's the biggest threat we've ever faced!"

The meeting room fell silent once again.

All the daimyo were weighing the pros and cons.

Fear ultimately triumphed over greed.

"In that case..."

The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning was the first to speak up. He stood up, a ruthless glint in his eyes, "I agree to form an alliance to defeat Uchiha Sasuke!"

The crushing defeat of Kumogakure was not only a disgrace to the Raikage, but also a disgrace to the daimyo.

This matter must be settled clearly.

“I agree as well,” the daimyo of the Land of Earth followed closely.

"I second that." The daimyo of the Land of Wind also put down his feather fan, abandoning his nonchalant demeanor.

All eyes eventually turned to the daimyo of the Land of Water.

This daimyo, who usually loves to take advantage of others, is now rubbing his hands together in a conflicted manner, his eyes darting around uncertainly.

"that......"

After hesitating for a long time, he couldn't help but ask tentatively, "Since we're going to form a coalition, shouldn't we discuss the allocation of military funds and supplies again?"

"For example, our Water Kingdom is far away, and transportation costs are high..."

"Shut up!"

The other four lords all shouted at him to stop.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire glared at him fiercely: "What kind of time is this to be thinking about getting something for nothing?! If you keep dawdling, when that Uchiha Sasuke attacks, he'll be the first to fill the sea with your body!"

Startled, the daimyo of the Land of Water shrank back and finally dared not say another word.

"Okay, fine, I agree too." He weakly raised his hand.

This is the most "united" effort the five major powers have ever made.

A supreme edict bearing the seals of the five daimyo was swiftly transmitted to every corner of the ninja world through the most urgent channels.

"The five great ninja villages, set aside all prejudices and disputes from this moment forward, and form a ninja alliance!"

"There is only one goal: to defeat Uchiha Sasuke!"

This order instantly ignited the entire ninja world.

Those small countries that depended on large countries for survival were not spared either; they were forcibly conscripted and had no way to resist.

.........

Hokage Building.

The setting sun outside the window was like blood, dyeing the office a layer of orange-red.

Kakashi's expression turned grave after reading the order from the Daimyo: "Slay Sasuke?"

"A coalition of the five major powers?"

Even Shikaku couldn't control his expression. He had anticipated that the Daimyo might take some action against the disobedient Sasuke, and might even pressure Konoha to clean house.

But the combined forces of the five great nations, along with the smaller nations forced into involvement, represent almost the entire ninja world's power being mobilized to target one person.

"It seems they found out what Sasuke said at the Five Kage Summit." Shikaku frowned.

"The idea of ​​eliminating national borders and abolishing ninja villages has indeed hit the daimyo's sore spot."

“They’re afraid,” Shikaku pointed out the essence of the matter. “They’re afraid that Sasuke can really do it, and they’re afraid of losing the power they hold.”

Kakashi didn't say anything more, his gaze passing over Shikaku and landing on the village outside the window, shrouded in the setting sun.

That was the place where he was born, grew up, and vowed to protect with his life.

But at this moment, looking at the children running and playing in the streets, and at the villagers busy making a living, Kakashi felt a sense of confusion.