"It's actually quite simple," Shūichi announced in a commanding voice. "The highest governing body of the Ninja Alliance will be the Five Kage Joint Council—a council composed of the Kage from the five great ninja villages to oversee and decide on Alliance matters."
Tobirama Senju frowned upon hearing this. His sharp mind immediately spotted potential issues with such a system—it could easily devolve into endless bickering.
But Shūichi continued, "Within the Five Kage Joint Council, there will be a Council Leader, akin to the Supreme Commander of the previous Ninja Alliance, who will hold both veto power and the authority to make decisive decisions."
Tobirama's frown softened.
Ōnoki said gravely, "If that's the case, won't everything depend on the Council Leader? The rest might as well not exist."
Shūichi replied calmly, "The reason for granting the Council Leader absolute authority is the same as the supreme authority vested in the Kage within their respective villages."
"The person chosen as Council Leader will undoubtedly be the most outstanding individual within the Ninja Alliance, someone recognized and trusted by all."
"At critical moments, such a leader must have enough decisiveness to prevent the council from falling into endless disputes and stagnation."
"Of course, the Council Leader must also be held accountable for their actions. If all four Kage agree, an impeachment meeting can be convened."
"If more than 60% of the jōnin approve, the Council Leader can be removed and replaced with a new leader."
"Therefore, beneath the Five Kage Joint Council, there will be a Jōnin Assembly."
"And the appointment of the Council Leader must also receive the Jōnin Assembly's approval."
Hearing this, Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged glances, both instantly recognizing the structure—it closely resembled Konoha's jōnin approval system.
Ōnoki and the others frowned, deep in thought, pondering how this proposal might affect their positions and influence.
Subconsciously, however, they didn't reject the idea outright.
Given the current situation, if they didn't want to be overshadowed by Konoha, their only option was to join.
And since joining was inevitable, their focus naturally shifted to how to secure the most benefits within this new system.
Shūichi continued, "Of course, not every jōnin will qualify to join the Jōnin Assembly."
"Selection will naturally be based on merit and strength."
"The specifics can be decided once the Five Kage Joint Council is established."
Shūichi refrained from proposing overly radical changes or completely new systems. Instead, he adapted existing structures while avoiding extreme measures.
At this stage, progress could be made step by step. There was no need to create unnecessary bloodshed or turn the process into a spectacle.
To Shūichi, individuals like Ōnoki and the others still had their uses.
In his view, living allies were far more valuable than dead enemies.
Moreover, the suitability of a system could only be tested over time.
Shūichi was confident that, with his strength, he could maintain control and ensure stability.
The Fourth Kazekage then asked, "Lord Shūichi, what about task assignments?"
In the three great ninja wars, the core disputes weren't merely about territorial gains for the daimyōs but centered on the distribution of missions.
Missions were the primary source of funding for the villages besides the stipends provided by the daimyōs and were essential for their survival.
After all, the one-country-one-village system didn't mean that ninja villages were simply the military forces of their respective nations.
They were, in essence, mercenaries supported by the nations.
Thus, the Fourth Kazekage's question struck at the heart of the matter.
Ōnoki, the Fourth Raikage, and even Mei Terumi, as the Mizukage, exchanged looks, their gazes filled with intrigue.
Although Mei unconditionally supported her partner Shūichi in unifying the villages and forming the Ninja Alliance, as the Mizukage, she also had to consider the interests of Kirigakure.
This duality did not conflict with her loyalty.
Shūichi smiled faintly. "Since this is a new era, we must adopt new methods. Otherwise, we'll only return to the old cycles of conflict and hatred."
"If we want to change the past, we must first transform the way ninjas sustain themselves!"
Ōnoki frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Abandon missions?"
"Do you expect the daimyōs to fully fund us?"
He began to sense Shūichi's grand ambitions.
Shūichi shook his head. "Of course, missions won't be abolished."
"Our ultimate mission is to protect the entire ninja world—all its nations."
"In return, these nations will allocate funds to support us."
"However, our relationship with the nations of the ninja world won't merely be transactional."
"It will be one of guardians and the guarded, of comrades and kin."
"Our duty isn't just to protect one village or one country, but the entire ninja world, all of humanity, and the whole Earth."
Hashirama Senju's eyes sparkled as he listened.
Tobirama Senju's face was full of admiration.
Minato Namikaze smiled with pride, feeling honored to witness such a vision.
Shūichi raised his fist. "From this moment on, ninjas are no longer mercenaries, assassins, spies, or mere tools for completing missions."
"Ninjas are guardians!"
There was one thing he didn't say aloud: Ninjas are the rulers of the ninja world!
Even so, the impact of his words was undeniable. Even Ōnoki, typically calm and pragmatic, couldn't help but feel his blood surge with excitement.
However...
Ōnoki interjected skeptically, "If the ninja world achieves peace, the number of ninjas will skyrocket. The nations aren't likely to spend so much money to support us, especially when we're seen as useless except in fighting threats like the Ōtsutsuki!"
Shūichi shook his head. "I said we need to change the way ninjas sustain themselves, but I never said ninjas won't earn money through missions anymore."
"Missions will still exist. Even with the Ninja Alliance, there will always be bandits, rogue ninjas, malicious cults, and other threats."
"There will still be caravans to escort, bandits to eradicate, and wild beasts to subdue."
"Beyond that, ninjas are capable of so much more. Medical ninjas can heal diseases. Ninjas skilled in Earth Release—why can't they use their abilities to build bridges and pave roads?"
"Explosive tags—are they only for killing? Why can't they be used for mining or demolishing mountains?"
He turned to Ōnoki. "Tsuchikage, your Iwa-nin demolition teams seem perfectly suited for mountain clearing and road construction."
Ōnoki's mouth twitched in response.
Shūichi then looked at the Fourth Kazekage. "If we could alter the vast deserts of the Land of Wind, wouldn't that require the power of ninjas?"
"Would the daimyō of the Land of Wind refuse to allocate funds for such a transformation?"
The Fourth Kazekage was stunned. "That... seems impossible, doesn't it?"
Shūichi replied calmly, "Nothing is truly impossible."
"Ninjutsu can destroy the heavens and earth, but it can also create and rebuild them."
"Using various techniques, Wood Release, and the abundant water resources from the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers, transforming the Land of Wind is feasible. The extent of that transformation depends on effort and determination."
"Kazekage, don't underestimate the power of ninjas."
Hashirama Senju smiled broadly. "This is an incredibly interesting and worthwhile endeavor. Perhaps I could stay a bit longer to help out."
Shūichi nodded. "If the First Hokage lends his strength, the results will undoubtedly be exceptional."
He turned back to the group. "Additionally, everyone, you may recall that the moon sealing Kaguya Ōtsutsuki was created by the Sage of Six Paths using his Rinnegan."
The group nodded in agreement.
Shūichi then smiled faintly. "Have you ever considered that there are people living on that moon?"
"What?!"
The room erupted in shock.
"People living on the moon?"
As they stared at him in astonishment, Shūichi elaborated, "According to the information obtained from Kaguya, after she was sealed by the Sage of Six Paths and his brother, the Sage established ninshū, giving rise to ninjas and ushering in a new era. This is the origin of the legend of the Sage creating the world."
"But his brother, Hamura Ōtsutsuki, did not remain on Earth. Instead, he chose to reside on the moon to guard their mother's seal."
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately asked, "Shūichi, didn't you mention before that the Hyūga Clan are descendants of Hamura Ōtsutsuki?"
Shūichi nodded. "As you've seen, Kaguya herself possesses the Byakugan."
"This is an innate dōjutsu of the Ōtsutsuki Clan. The Rinnegan and Sharingan originate from the Ten-Tails, but Hamura inherited the Byakugan. The Hyūga Clan represents a branch of his lineage that remained on Earth. Meanwhile, another branch resides on the moon."
"So, the power of ninjas is more than capable of reshaping the world."
"Everyone, the times have changed, and so must our mindset. Ninjutsu doesn't always have to be used for killing."
The Fourth Kazekage said resolutely, "If such changes can truly be achieved, no one will oppose them!"
Ōnoki looked at Shūichi and asked, "So, what you're suggesting is that all missions in the ninja world should be allocated by the Ninja Alliance?"
Shūichi nodded. "Of course."
"If things remain as they were, then there's no point in maintaining the Ninja Alliance."
"Or are you worried about unequal distribution, Tsuchikage?"
"If so, there's no need to fret. Managing the Alliance isn't solely the Council Leader's responsibility; it involves everyone here as well."
Ōnoki fell silent, his expression softening considerably.
At this moment, General Mifune, who had remained quiet until now, spoke up. "Although this concerns the ninja world, I support Lord Shūichi's proposal. However... samurai are also part of this world and should contribute to its protection."
"Lord Shūichi, shouldn't the Ninja Alliance include samurai as well?"
Shūichi turned to Ōnoki and the others. "What do you all think?"
The Fourth Raikage replied, "The more people, the stronger the Alliance. I have no objections."
"However, in that case, calling it the 'Ninja Alliance' doesn't seem appropriate anymore."
Minato Namikaze, Ōnoki, the Fourth Kazekage, Mei Terumi, and the others nodded in agreement.
Shūichi smiled and said, "Samurai nowadays also use chakra, don't they?"
"They're already quite different from the samurai of the past. In that case, calling them 'Ninja-Samurai' wouldn't be a problem."
"Samurai are, after all, part of the ninja world."
"So, calling it the 'Ninja Alliance' remains appropriate. As for the Five Kage Joint Council, we can rename it the Expanded Five Kage Joint Council. Beyond the Kage of the Five Great Ninja Villages, leaders of smaller villages who meet the requirements can also gain a seat."
Ōnoki nodded. "General Mifune certainly qualifies for a seat."
The others also nodded in agreement.
Excellent!
Shūichi nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Each village has its own ninja academy. You can deliberate among yourselves on how to run them going forward."
"However, I plan to initiate a high-level ninja training program to train more ninjas who surpass the Kage level, including those with kekkei genkai and those adept at senjutsu."
"This is, in fact, something I've already been working on within Konoha's Root division."
"Each seat in the Expanded Five Kage Joint Council will have a nomination slot. Those nominated will directly receive my guidance and specialized training."
"For others, selection will be required, with at least a jōnin-level qualification."
Under the gazes of the gathered leaders, Shūichi stood and declared, "I've established three new tiers beyond the Kage level: Super-Kage, Quasi-Six Paths, and Six Paths level."
"For example, Super-Kage includes figures like Nagato without the Ten-Tails and Uchiha Madara with the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Tobirama Senju interjected, "What, no mention of my elder brother?"
Shūichi smiled. "At his peak, the First Hokage would certainly fall under the Quasi-Six Paths level."
"Meanwhile, the likes of Ten-Tails jinchūriki or Madara with the Rinnegan naturally qualify as Six Paths level, with the Sage of Six Paths as the benchmark."
Though such distinctions might not be absolute, they at least provided a relatively clear framework.
Hashirama Senju laughed heartily. "I didn't expect to be ranked as Quasi-Six Paths."
"But tell me, Shūichi, for your Six Paths level—aside from becoming a Ten-Tails jinchūriki or acquiring the Rinnegan, is there any other way to reach it?"
Shūichi didn't hold back. "Through Truth-Seeking Orbs or Kekkei Mōra!"
"Truth-Seeking Orbs nullify conventional ninjutsu, surpassing both kekkei genkai and kekkei tōta in power. Meanwhile, Kekkei Mōra is on par with Truth-Seeking Orbs in strength."
"Infinite Tsukuyomi and God: Nativity of a World of Trees are examples of Kekkei Mōra."
"The sealing technique I used on Kaguya Ōtsutsuki also falls under Kekkei Mōra."
Tobirama remarked, "Achieving kekkei genkai is already a monumental challenge. Before you, Dust Release was the ninja world's sole kekkei tōta. Truth-Seeking Orbs and Kekkei Mōra are akin to reaching hell itself."
Shūichi smiled. "Climbing an uncharted peak is undoubtedly difficult, but if someone has already blazed a trail and reached the summit, it becomes easier for those who follow."
"If someone has the potential, I won't withhold my training methods."
"So, everyone, don't squander the nomination slots you have."
With those words, Shūichi's figure disappeared.
Nagato and Konan exchanged glances and then used the Body Flicker Technique to leave as well.
General Mifune, gazing at the now-empty space, said, "Isn't Lord Shūichi the first Council Leader?"
Ōnoki replied, "He isn't the Hokage of Konoha, so he won't be the Council Leader."
Mifune turned to Minato Namikaze. "In that case, it seems the Fourth Hokage is the natural choice for the first Council Leader."
Mei Terumi immediately agreed. "I support the Fourth Hokage as the first Council Leader."
After all, Minato Namikaze was practically her teacher.
Following Mei, the Fourth Kazekage also expressed his support. "I, too, endorse the Fourth Hokage as the first Council Leader."
At this point, it was a foregone conclusion. Ōnoki and the Fourth Raikage also voiced their agreement.
Minato Namikaze stood tall, bowing respectfully before saying, "Thank you all for your support. I will give it my utmost effort."
"However, as per Shūichi's proposed rules, I still need to undergo a vote by the Jōnin Assembly to officially assume the position."
"In light of the tasks ahead, I will serve as Acting Council Leader and work with you all to finalize the new Ninja Alliance!"
(End of Chapter)
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