That afternoon.
Inside the conference room of the Hokage Building.
All the Clan Heads of Konoha's well known clans were present.
Hyuga Hiashi looked solemn. Beside him were the heads of the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, as well as members of the secret technique clans such as Inuzuka and Aburame.
All other shinobi clans, large and small, had also arrived.
The atmosphere was heavy. Everyone knew that a major war had just ended, yet the Daimyo had suddenly summoned them all. Whatever was coming would not be pleasant.
If it was not a demand for money, then it would be a demand for manpower.
Arashi pushed open the door, walked straight to the main seat, and sat down.
He did not waste words.
"I have good news for everyone," Arashi said, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Sunagakure is gone."
"From today onward, there is no longer a Land of Wind on the map. There is only Sand Province, a territory of the Land of Fire."
An uproar broke out.
Although rumors had already spread, hearing it confirmed in person still caused shock to ripple through the room.
The destruction of a nation.
This was something that had never happened before in the history of the shinobi world.
"Daimyo-sama," Hiashi asked instinctively, "is this truly real?"
"Do you think I would joke about something like this?" Arashi tapped the table, signaling for silence. "The territory has been taken, and now it must be governed."
"The Land of Wind is vast. Relying solely on the administrative staff of the Daimyo Manor is not enough. Military protection is also required."
"That is why I need all of you Clan Heads to assist."
As expected.
The Clan Heads exchanged looks.
"Daimyo-sama," Nara Shikaku asked carefully, "what do you require of us?"
Arashi smiled. "It is simple. I need you to send a portion of your clan members to the Land of Wind to assist with governance."
"Send clan members to the Land of Wind?" Several Clan Heads were stunned.
"Yes," Arashi said, nodding. "The Land of Wind is large and requires a great deal of administrative manpower."
"And you are the key to ensuring that policies are carried out smoothly there."
Silence fell over the room.
Everyone understood this was not a suggestion. It was an order.
"Daimyo-sama," Hiashi said, "how many people must each clan send?"
"Not many," Arashi replied. "Orochimaru will be stationed in Sunagakure, and the Fourth will leave him one thousand shinobi."
"The remaining regions will rely on you."
"Each major clan will send ten to twenty people."
"Smaller clans will send five to ten."
"In total, around two to three hundred people will be enough."
The Clan Heads quietly let out a breath of relief. The numbers were manageable.
"When do we depart?" Shikaku asked.
"In one month," Arashi replied. "You have one month to choose suitable candidates."
"Make your preparations. In one month, we will set out together."
"Yes."
The Clan Heads responded in unison.
Arashi nodded. "Very well. This meeting is adjourned."
One by one, the Clan Heads left the room.
Only Arashi remained.
"The Land of Wind is finished," he murmured. "Next will be the Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning, and the Land of Water."
"One day, the entire shinobi world will stand under the banner of the Land of Fire."
"Unification."
…
The news of the Land of Wind being annexed spread rapidly throughout the shinobi world, triggering widespread panic.
The Land of Water.
Kirigakure.
Inside the Mizukage's office.
Yagura Karatachi was reading an intelligence report.
Suddenly, his hand trembled.
Uchiha Obito emerged silently from the shadows behind him.
"What?" Obito's single eye widened. "Sunagakure has been occupied? The Land of Wind merged into the Land of Fire? This must be a mistake."
"There is no mistake," Black Zetsu said calmly. "According to the latest intelligence, Konoha launched a surprise attack on Sunagakure three days ago."
"The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was killed in battle."
"Sunagakure surrendered."
"The Land of Wind has already become part of the Land of Fire."
Obito stood frozen. "This… how is this possible…"
"How dare the Land of Fire do this?"
Black Zetsu shook its head with a sigh. "I thought we were bold enough. I never expected the Land of Fire to be even bolder."
"Does that mean Ichibi has also fallen into Konoha's hands?"
"…Tch."
Obito lowered his head and fell silent, deep in thought.
…
The Land of Lightning.
Inside the temporary Daimyo Manor.
The Lightning Daimyo was in the middle of a meeting with his ministers.
"The Land of Fire has gone too far," one minister shouted angrily. "They actually annexed the Land of Wind."
"What does the Land of Fire want? Are they planning to swallow all of us next?"
"Exactly."
"Something must be done to stop them."
"Otherwise, the next one…"
"Could be our Land of Lightning."
Voices overlapped in chaotic outrage.
Seated at the head of the room, the Lightning Daimyo rubbed his aching temples. Watching the ministers below shout with righteous fury only made his headache worse.
"Stop them?" he said suddenly. "Tell me how."
"We can barely hold onto Kumogakure as it is. How exactly are we supposed to stop the Land of Fire?"
"With words?"
The ministers fell silent.
The Lightning Daimyo stood abruptly and flung the battle report in his hand straight at the loudest minister's face. "Open your eyes and read."
"How much fighting strength does Kumogakure have left?"
"The mad dogs from the Land of Water are biting into us and refusing to let go."
"Do you think the Land of Lightning is not already miserable enough?"
Moments ago, the ministers had been full of anger. Now they shrank back, lowered their heads, and stared at the floor, not daring to speak.
Everyone knew the truth.
The Land of Lightning was barely keeping itself afloat and had no power to resist the Land of Fire.
"Daimyo-sama," an elderly, white haired minister stepped forward shakily. "We cannot simply sit and wait for death."
"Should we not unite with the other nations to resist the Land of Fire together?"
"Unite?" The Lightning Daimyo let out a bitter laugh and slumped back into his seat. "With whom?"
"The Land of Earth has just suffered a crushing defeat."
"The Land of Wind has already been annexed."
"The Land of Water is currently seizing benefits on our own territory."
"Tell me, how exactly are we supposed to unite?"
The old minister had no answer.
The Lightning Daimyo sighed deeply. "Pass down the order. From today onward, there must be no provocations toward the Land of Fire."
"Also, send envoys to the Land of Fire to formally congratulate the Fire Daimyo."
The ministers were stunned. Some felt uneasy, but with no better solution to offer, they remained silent.
After the meeting ended, the Lightning Daimyo personally wrote two secret letters, one to the Land of Water and one to the Land of Earth.
…
Iwagakure, in the Land of Earth.
After receiving the intelligence report, Ōnoki was completely stunned.
"The Land of Fire annexed the Land of Wind?" He stared at the report in his hand, unable to believe it.
"Have they gone mad? What exactly are they trying to do?"
Kitsuchi entered the room. "Father, are you alright?"
Ōnoki snapped, "Do I look alright? We have all been played."
"The ambition of the Land of Fire is far greater than I imagined."
"They first stirred us into conflict with the Land of Lightning."
"Then they allied with the Land of Water and the Land of Wind to surround and attack us."
"And now, they are not satisfied with simply defeating us. They want to annex entire nations."
"This… this is an attempt to unify the shinobi world."
Kitsuchi's expression darkened. "Then what should we do?"
"What can we do? Nothing," Ōnoki said grimly. "At least not this year. We no longer have the strength to fight another war."
"We must wait for next year's harvest."
"But," Kitsuchi hesitated, "by next year, the situation may have changed again."
"Then what do you suggest?" Ōnoki replied sharply. "Send Iwagakure's people to fight on empty stomachs?"
"All we can do now is conserve our strength and wait for the right moment."
Kitsuchi nodded. "I understand."
(To be continued.)