Mikoto Uchiha's beautiful face was lightly adorned with delicate makeup, her jade-pale skin glowing beneath her long, ink-black hair. The close-fitting wedding dress traced every elegant curve of her figure, and the trailing skirt flowed across the crimson carpet like a ribbon of snow. She looked breathtaking.
"Let's go."
Ryoma took Mikoto's soft, fair hand in his and slowly guided her toward the front of the auditorium.
Thus, under the blessings of countless people, Ryoma completed the wedding ceremony with Uchiha Mikoto.
When Ryoma placed the wedding ring on Mikoto's finger and kissed her deeply, the entire venue erupted into cheers.
At that moment, day turned into night—the sky shifting like a canvas under Ryoma's hand.
A heartbeat later, fireworks burst upward, illuminating all of Konoha. Under Ryoma's precise control, the exploding lights wove themselves into a magnificent portrait of Uchiha Mikoto across the sky.
Countless women in the audience—even Terumi—gazed up at the radiant Mikoto with envy in their eyes.
If only I could find a man like that someday…
On the stage, the two held each other's hands tightly.
Looking into each other's eyes, everything else fell silent.
Their wedding ended in quiet perfection.
Ryoma himself remained extremely busy. Although his true body was currently on honeymoon with Mikoto, in Konoha, even with Nara Shikaku and Tsunade assisting him, piles of state affairs still required his personal review and signature before they could proceed.
The first major matter was the official announcement of the name "Shadow Empire." It became the singular nation of the entire continent. Every former country was now a province—for example, the former Land of Lightning was now the Province of Lightning.
The former shinobi villages became the first cities of their respective provinces—except Konoha.
However, to preserve tradition, people still referred to them using names like "Kumogakure." Their leaders were now governors, but Ryoma allowed the continued use of the honorary title "Kage."
The Hokage was now the leader of the entire nation, and the governors of the Water, Wind, Lightning, Earth, and other provinces reported directly to Ryoma.
Konoha served as the imperial capital—the heart of this vast empire.
In mid-March, Ryoma issued the first set of continental laws. Without rules, nothing endures.
Every region was required to comply, regardless of culture, custom, or religion. Violations would be punished accordingly.
Local governments had to report major issues to Konoha and follow its directives. Every citizen was required to register and obtain an identification document.
Policies for poverty relief and war-damaged regions soon followed.
Regions unable to grow crops or suffering famine would receive abundant supplies, food aid, and educational resources. Expert ninjas were dispatched periodically to restore barren land and improve environmental conditions over time.
Amegakure, long trapped between three major powers and plagued by endless conflict, received Ryoma's special attention.
He first eliminated the criminal and violent forces entrenched there. Then, he appointed respected locals as administrators to rebuild and govern Amegakure—and all voices of resistance were swiftly removed.
At the same time, the empire pushed for sweeping educational reforms while transporting immense quantities of food and supplies to war-torn regions. Within a short span, even villages like Amegakure—long devastated by conflict—began developing at a pace never before seen.
Time flowed like a white horse passing through a crack in the gate; a year slipped by quietly.
In that single year, the entire world underwent earth-shaking change.
Since Ryoma unified the shinobi world and consolidated the former nations, the only country remaining on the continent was the Shadow Empire.
All former nations were reorganized into provinces, and the former shinobi villages became the first cities of their respective provinces.
Konoha now stood as the imperial capital—the political heart of this vast nation. The first continental law, issued personally by Ryoma, required every region—regardless of cultural tradition—to adhere strictly to imperial standards. Local governments were obligated to report all major matters to Konoha and act according to its directives.
Ryoma also implemented numerous policies focused on improving the livelihood of the people. Regions struggling with barren land, famine, or the inability to grow crops received generous shipments of food, materials, and educational resources from the government.
Even Amegakure, once caught between the three great powers and forced into endless warfare, experienced remarkable growth now that stability had finally arrived.
Yet among all these reforms, the greatest change was undoubtedly the surge of technological advancement.
Eight months ago—after countless experiments confirming that the device caused no harm to the human body, produced no side effects, and maintained stable spatial integrity—Konoha officially unveiled the Space Device.
...
TN:
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