Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 229: Such Benevolent Daimyo—They Must Be Willing to Give Up Their Power, Right?

Chapter 229 - Such Benevolent Daimyo—They Must Be Willing to Give Up Their Power, Right?

An experiment...

How dare he?!

To think he would use the entire shinobi world as a testing ground for some theoretical model of peace—treating the current system of the entire ninja world like material for his pet theory!

There are hundreds of thousands—millions—of lives in this world, and yet he intends to run a full-scale social experiment on all of them, without consent or discussion.

And the worst part was—

He could actually do it.

No one in the shinobi world could stop Shigen.

Even just Uchiha Madara standing nearby, keeping watch over the Allied Shinobi Forces, was already more than they could handle. That man alone stood like a lone wolf surrounding tens of thousands of prisoners.

"But weren't you all hoping for peace in the ninja world too..."

Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage, let out a soft sigh as he reached for the scroll in Tsunade's hands. He picked up the pen from the table and signed his name—though regret still lingered in his voice. "Why can't we take it slowly..."

As a member of the new generation, Gaara hadn't experienced the founding wars of the shinobi villages. He was more open to change. He simply spoke as a leader, and was the first to step forward and sign the agreement.

Shigen, seeing the first to take initiative, didn't mind explaining, though his voice was cold: "The more power you possess, the less patience you have. Madara just experienced a failure—he needs something to reawaken his drive."

"..."

The other Kage felt their hearts sink further.

But with Gaara leading the way, Mei Terumī, the Fifth Mizukage, sighed and stepped forward to sign as well.

The Hidden Mist Village was too weak.

In terms of economy and population, it was leagues behind the other shinobi powers on the mainland. The support for the village leadership was also thin.

To be honest...

Mei's position as Mizukage was practically forced on her.

"Not like we could resist anyway, right?"

She signed while giving her reasons, pulling the remaining villages down with her. Because really, none of them had the strength left to resist.

After being trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi...

Everyone's chakra was completely depleted.

With both the Hidden Sand and Hidden Mist signing, Tsunade of the Leaf and Ōnoki of the Hidden Stone could only sigh and follow suit.

"I'll sign..."

"The Hidden Cloud and the Land of Lightning will join your new nation."

The Fourth Raikage gritted his teeth, shooting a glare at Uchiha Madara. "But every ninja of the Hidden Cloud will remember the destruction Madara wrought upon us..."

That hatred...

Would not be so easily forgiven.

Hearing his name, Madara raised an eyebrow. He was about to sneer, but then—a face flashed through his mind.

Hashirama.

He suddenly remembered the moment he agreed to ally with Hashirama in the Warring States period, and had asked for someone to pay for his brother's death. Without hesitation, that man had raised a kunai to kill himself.

Hatred again...

Always hatred.

To pursue peace...

Someone must let go of hatred.

A brief flicker passed through Madara's eyes. In that moment, he finally understood why Hashirama had been so ready to sacrifice himself. Perhaps that man truly believed that if even he could let go of hatred, peace would finally be within reach.

"Hashirama..."

"I understand you more and more."

Madara's voice was low as he sighed. Then he opened his mouth again, "If I were to choose, now, to—"

But before he could finish, Shigen interrupted him, turning to the Fourth Raikage: "So... did you thank Madara yet?"

"???"

The Raikage's face froze in confusion.

Wait what?

Thank him?

"You're saying we should be grateful to him?!" he barked.

"Seems Madara should have just wiped out your entire village."

Shigen reached toward the scroll on the table, looking nonchalant as if ready to end the whole discussion. "Well then, if the Hidden Cloud doesn't want peace, this future of peace doesn't want the Hidden Cloud."

"!!!"

The Raikage stiffened in panic, clutching the scroll as if it were a lifeline, voice trembling: "Wait..."

That escalated way too fast!

He only meant to express that the Cloud would never forget what happened—not to have them erased from history!

"Cloud agrees..."

Teeth gritted, the Raikage grabbed the pen and hastily signed his name. "I just hope... you won't go back on your word, and this peace is real."

"Those who make the rules..."

"Have no reason to break them."

Shigen shook his head, hoping the Raikage would understand how this world worked. "These rules were designed to shape the future we want."

"Well then..."

"There's still a lot to do."

"From this day forward, a new nation is born."

"Any daimyō or small village that refuses to obey this agreement will be deemed traitors. They are to be purged—by the Five Great Villages' military might."

"..."

So quick and decisive!

The Five Kage instinctively wanted to object. They had deep personal ties to many of the current daimyō. Wasn't this being a little too ruthless?

"You'd rather have the Akatsuki handle it?"

Shigen's calm voice cut into their thoughts. "Most Akatsuki members don't care much for polite conversation. Their methods can be... rough."

"We'll convince them..."

Tsunade sighed in defeat.

"Then..."

Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, spoke up with his own suggestion: "What about the new nation's daimyō? Couldn't we choose someone from the old system? Our Land of Earth's current daimyō is known to be kind and just..."

"Then surely he'd gladly give up his power for the good of his people."

Shigen's response instantly shut Ōnoki down—and silenced everyone else who had similar thoughts.

"..."

The Five Kage fell silent.

Everything they wanted to say—he already predicted.

And so, the Five Kage returned to their villages in defeat, leading the shinobi forces home under Shigen's looming authority. Even Madara couldn't help but grow curious.

"So... who'll be the daimyō of this new nation?"

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"No rush."

Shigen wasn't concerned in the slightest. He didn't even look at the equally curious members of Akatsuki. Calmly, he said, "Though we all want things to move fast, building eternal peace is a long journey. We may not need a daimyō at all."

"After all..."

"In this world—strength is what matters most."