462. Goal: Liberate the Entire Ninja World

"Shinobi World United News, May 19th, Year 60 of Konoha: After a vote by the Konoha Cabinet, the Land of Fire will officially be renamed: [Konoha Liberation and Reform Alliance]."

"Its aim is to liberate the entire ninja world, eliminate all forms of exploitation and oppression, and ensure a better and happier life for all people in the ninja world."

"Shinobi World United News, July 11th, Year 60 of Konoha: After a public vote by the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, the Land of Rain has officially joined the Konoha Liberation and Reform Alliance."

"Shinobi World United News, October 7th, Year 60 of Konoha: The Land of Rivers announces its accession to the Konoha Liberation and Reform Alliance."

"Shinobi World United News, January 21st, Year 61 of Konoha: The Land of Rice and the Land of Hot Water..."

In just two short years, the ninja world underwent another seismic shift.

At the call of the Land of Fire, four nations, including the Land of Rain, officially joined the Konoha Liberation and Reform Alliance, marking the beginning of the unification of the ninja world.

This event undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the other major nations, rapidly escalating tensions across the ninja world.

---

Land of Lightning, Raikage's Office

"That damned Danzō... is he really planning to unify the entire ninja world?" The Fourth Raikage, A, stared at the intelligence report before him, his expression a mix of gravity and surprise.

Although he had long known that Danzō was an ambitious man, he couldn't help but be shocked by the sheer scale of his plans.

On paper, the Land of Fire and the other nations used terms like "merger" and "alliance." But in the eyes of the Raikage and others, this was nothing short of annexation—a blatant takeover!

This was Konoha's signal to tear apart the peace and dominate the entire ninja world.

The report from his secretary, Mabui, confirmed Raikage A's suspicions.

"Lord Raikage, after the alliance was formally established, Konoha began deploying large numbers of troops to the Land of Hot Water, putting immense pressure on our border security," Mabui, with her white hair, held a file in her arms, her expression serious.

It seemed the situation at the border was not good...

The Fourth Raikage's face darkened as he took the file from her.

Indeed.

As Konoha continued to send reinforcements to the former Land of Hot Water under the guise of "protecting territory," the pressure on the Land of Frost's border had skyrocketed.

Numerous artillery positions had been established along the border, and reconnaissance airships monitored the movements of Kumogakure ninja around the clock.

Not to mention the new equipment Konoha had developed over the past two years, including the latest land-based tanks and aircraft carriers.

All of this had placed tremendous pressure on the frontline Kumo forces.

Even within the Land of Frost, there were signs of wavering.

Rumors suggested that some citizens of the Land of Frost were considering following the examples of the Land of Rice and the Land of Hot Water by holding a referendum to join the Liberation Alliance!

In response, Raikage A made a resolute decision:

"No matter what, we cannot allow Konoha's influence to extend into the Land of Frost!"

The Land of Frost was the last barrier between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire.

If the Land of Frost were to defect, the geopolitical pressure on the Land of Lightning would double.

The risk of friction, or even outright war, with the Land of Fire would increase dramatically!

This was something the Raikage absolutely did not want to see.

Thus, he slammed his hand on the map.

"Inform the Daimyō that I need increased military funding. We must deploy troops to the Land of Frost immediately to curb Konoha's expansion!"

---

Land of Earth, Iwagakure

A tense atmosphere also permeated Iwagakure.

"Danzō Shimura, you've finally shown your true colors, haven't you?" Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, stared at the newspaper in his hands, his gaze icy cold.

Unlike the Raikage, Ōnoki had anticipated Danzō's ambitions.

After all, the Land of Fire's terrifying development speed and military scale were clearly not for defensive purposes.

"I was right, wasn't I, Lord Tsuchikage?"

A voice suddenly rang out, and Obito Uchiha's figure materialized before Ōnoki.

"Someone like Danzō Shimura, with his wolfish ambitions, would never be content with just one nation."

"What he wants is the entire ninja world!"

As Obito spoke, his tone carried a hint of smugness, as if he had seen through everything long ago.

Ōnoki's eyes showed a flicker of annoyance as he looked at the man who freely roamed Iwagakure using his space-time ninjutsu.

But since they were currently allies, Ōnoki couldn't outright rebuke him. Instead, he coldly asked:

"So, what do you plan to do next?"

To this, Obito chuckled:

"Don't worry, I've already discussed this with the Fourth Kazekage."

"If you convene a Four Kage Summit, he will lead the Land of Wind in being the first to fully support it."

"A Four Kage Summit, huh?"

Hearing Obito's words, Ōnoki couldn't help but feel a sense of irony.

The last Five Kage Summit had been convened by Hashirama Senju to distribute the tailed beasts.

Who would have thought that this time, the one initiating it would be someone who was barely a footnote back then—himself—and that the enemy would be Konoha, the former host of the summit!

Truly, the world was unpredictable.

Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha probably never imagined that Konoha would produce a successor like Danzō Shimura.

Seeing Ōnoki's silence, Obito added fuel to the fire.

"If we don't unite, do you think we stand a chance against Danzō?"

Though neither Obito nor Ōnoki wanted to admit it, they both knew that Danzō was now the undisputed strongest in the ninja world.

Unless Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha were resurrected, they couldn't think of anyone who could stop him.

Coupled with Konoha's ever-advancing modern technology, going it alone would only result in being crushed by Konoha!

Thus, with no other choice, Ōnoki nodded.

"I will convene the Four Kage Summit, but you must ensure that the Raikage and Mizukage will attend."

Seeing Ōnoki finally relent, Obito smiled beneath his mask.

"Don't worry, they will!"

---

Land of Water, Kirigakure

When Ōnoki's letter inviting Mei Terumī to the Four Kage Summit arrived in the Land of Water, Kirigakure's leadership erupted into heated debate.

"Absolutely not!"

Zabuza slammed his hand on the table in front of the assembled leaders.

"The reason Kirigakure was able to defeat the Blood Mist faction and gain independence was entirely due to Konoha's assistance. If we attend this Four Kage Summit now, wouldn't that be a blatant declaration to the world that we, Kirigakure, are a bunch of ungrateful scoundrels?"

Hearing Zabuza's impassioned speech, Ao, sitting across from him, couldn't help but sneer.

"Assistance? Favors?"

"Do you really think Konoha's true intentions are as noble as you claim?"