Three days later, news that shocked the entire Shinobi World spread across the globe.
Konoha Village was attacked by an unknown force; the Third Hokage's fate was unknown. Konoha, led by Shikaku Nara, announced its surrender, and Konoha Ninja Village was officially declared defunct.
The Land of Fire also fell within a day. The Land of Fire's Daimyo and nobles all mysteriously disappeared, suspected to have been purged by the unknown force.
"This... this is simply a provocation to all of our countries! Kumogakure must mobilize completely and utterly annihilate this unknown force! Otherwise, you can forget about military funding in the future!"
The Land of Lightning's Daimyo shouted angrily at the Fourth Raikage, Ay.
This mysterious force had completely touched his raw nerve. Occupying Konoha was fine, but they couldn't eliminate the Land of Fire's Daimyo as well.
It was an ironclad rule that ninja could not attack a Daimyo, as the Daimyo was, after all, the actual ruler of a country.
Ninja villages were more like special military forces hired by the various Daimyo.
Now, this mysterious force didn't even spare the Daimyo, which clearly aimed to completely subvert the foundation of their rule as Daimyo.
This force absolutely could not be allowed to continue existing.
The same scenario played out in other countries. Whether it was the Daimyo of major powers or the Daimyo of smaller nations, they all issued orders to their ninja to eliminate this force.
However, while the entire world was in such turmoil, Rainbow Country seemed like an uninhabited island, with no news coming from it.
It was as if this mysterious force didn't care about it at all.
Given that Rainbow Ninja Village was the first ninja village, the Daimyo of other countries all dispatched delegations to Rainbow Country.
They hoped that Rainbow Country's Daimyo would order Rainbow Ninja Village to mobilize and join them in eliminating this mysterious force that had occupied the Land of Fire.
"So, those guys want me to fight myself?"
Zhong Chen took a sip of the green tea Sakuya had brewed, looking at the ANBU reporting to him with a speechless expression.
"Yes, Lord Chen."
The ANBU first nodded respectfully, then, suppressing a smile, continued, "The delegations from various countries have arrived and wish to meet with Rainbow Country's Daimyo. Would you like to see them?"
"Heh, interesting. Then let's meet them. Rimuru, are you coming?"
Zhong Chen suddenly thought of an amusing idea, then turned to look at Rimuru.
"I won't go. As a Great Demon Lord, I cannot frequently show myself; it would lower my prestige."
Upon hearing Zhong Chen's question, Rimuru quickly waved his hand, indicating that he needed to maintain his prestige and it was inconvenient for him to appear.
Seeing this, Zhong Chen no longer insisted. He simply stood up and walked towards the door, muttering softly as he went: "Still fantasizing about prestige, huh? Your part is over. Now it's this Heavenly King's turn."
Meanwhile, in the reception room, all the national delegations were gathered, discussing how to persuade Rainbow Country's Daimyo to join this war of subjugation.
"I heard Rainbow Country's Daimyo came to power through rebellion?"
The person from the Land of Earth, sitting in the center, spoke with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"That's right, but at the time, we didn't pay attention to that small country, which allowed him to succeed."
"Then will he participate in this war?"
Hearing the representative from the Land of Wind, the Land of Lightning's representative loudly and arrogantly said, "He must participate. Otherwise, if all our countries unite, even if Rainbow Ninja Village is the first ninja village, it wouldn't be able to withstand the combined attack of all our ninja villages, would it?"
After speaking, he provocatively glanced outside the door, not caring at all that this was someone else's territory.
However, before he could move his gaze back to the table, there was a "bang!" The door was kicked open with force, and Zhong Chen entered with Sakuya and others.
Zhong Chen walked to the main seat and sat down, propping his feet on the table and leaning back in the chair.
A smile even more arrogant than the Land of Lightning's representative appeared on his face, and he shouted loudly, "Let's talk terms! You bastards!"
"?"
"?"
"???"
The many national representatives looked at this arrogant fellow, momentarily dumbfounded. Who was this guy? How dare he be so arrogant in front of them?
Also, you didn't even introduce yourself, and you're already talking terms. Aren't you a bit too eager?
"Ahem, excuse me, may I ask who you are?"
A representative from a small country cautiously spoke first.
"Me? I'm your grandpa! Who do you think you are to talk to me? Be careful, I'll send people to wipe you out, you lowly bastard born of a mistress! How dare you..."
Zhong Chen instantly transformed into a Zaun madman, unleashing a torrent of abuse on the representative who spoke.
The representative being cursed was now completely bewildered. Did I say something wrong? Why is this guy cursing me so much?
And how did he know I was born of a mistress?
The Land of Lightning's representative, seeing Zhong Chen's arrogance, couldn't help but frown and interrupt, "Is this how your Rainbow Country treats guests?"
Hearing the other party dare to interrupt his tirade, Zhong Chen immediately switched targets.
"Damn it, I wasn't talking about you, was I? This is my territory. Did I tell you to sit down? How dare you sit? Get up, now!"
"You guys are really pushing your luck! I'm telling you, I'm really pissed off right now! Nobody provoke me."
Hearing Zhong Chen's words, the Land of Lightning's representative slammed his right hand on the table in anger, then stood up and shouted furiously, "Aren't you in Rainbow Country afraid of the entire Shinobi World turning against you?!"
"Oh, really? Challenging me, are we? Sakuya!"
"Yes, Master!"
Izayoi Sakuya, standing behind Zhong Chen, nodded slightly, then with a flick of her right hand, a throwing knife instantly appeared in her grasp.
Whoosh... "Pfft!"
"Ahhhh! Murder!"
Looking at the Land of Lightning's representative, who had a throwing knife embedded in his head and died with wide-open eyes, the other national representatives were terrified.
They were just civil officials, not ninja, and had always lived lives of luxury. When had they ever seen such a bloody scene?
"Um... Your Excellency, we..."
Whoosh... "Pfft!"
Before the person could finish speaking, Sakuya's throwing knife was already embedded in his head. The others, seeing this, all shut their mouths, fearing that another word would cost them their lives.
Zhong Chen looked at the national representatives, who were all silent, merely looking at him in fear, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.
Originally, Zhong Chen hadn't intended to kill anyone directly, but after hearing the Land of Lightning's representative's words outside the door, he immediately became displeased.
Had Lord Chen not killed anyone or destroyed the world recently, making these guys think he was a good person?
"It seems you all finally understand what courtesy means."
"Very good. Now, answer me one question."
Zhong Chen turned to look at the Land of Earth's representative, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he asked.
"You... you speak?"
The Land of Earth's representative involuntarily cowered, lowering his head and looking respectfully at Zhong Chen.
"If I and the Land of Earth's Daimyo both fell into the water at the same time, who would you save?"
"Huh?"
The Land of Earth's representative was suddenly stunned by Zhong Chen's question. What kind of question was this? How should I answer it?
"Huh what? Answer."
"Um... save you first?"
"Good! So you're a traitor! I'll deal with you on behalf of the Land of Earth's Daimyo!"
Hearing Zhong Chen's words, the Land of Earth's representative immediately looked panicked, wanting to explain something.
"I... Ahhh!"
"Alright, the traitor is dealt with. I ask you, if I and the Land of Water's Daimyo both fell into the water at the same time, who would you save?"
"..."