Chapter 84: Ascending the Throne / An Enemy from Outer Space...
The late autumn sun shone through the gaps in the maple leaves, casting dappled golden light in the courtyard.
Uchiha Shi carefully adjusted the angle of the final flower arrangement, while Uchiha Masaki quietly confirmed the guest list. The entire Daimyo's residence was enveloped in a solemn yet festive atmosphere.
When Yan Sheng appeared in the banquet hall wearing a dark silver patterned kimono, the previously quiet conversations instantly ceased.
He walked slowly toward the head of the table, each step carrying an innate air of authority—a sense of oppression naturally formed from long-term residence at the pinnacle of power.
The ministers of the Land of Fire bowed respectfully, and even the most arrogant nobles subconsciously lowered their heads when his gaze swept over them.
The Senju couple stood in the corner, unconsciously exchanging shocked glances.
They saw several high-ranking officials from the Daimyo's court, whom even the Senju clan chief treated with deference, humbly offering toasts to Mikatsu. Yoriichi's mother gently tugged at her husband's sleeve, her voice trembling slightly: "Who...who is this lord?"
Just then, Yoriichi walked over, wearing the dark blue patterned haori that Mikukatsu had prepared for him. This outfit, in the same color scheme and style as his brother's, along with the family crest on the back, silently proclaimed his special status with Mikukatsu.
Yan Sheng's gaze lingered on Yoriichi for a moment, then he suddenly frowned slightly and did something surprising—in full view of everyone, he reached out and carefully smoothed out a barely perceptible crease on Yoriichi's collar.
“Since you’re wearing formal attire, you should always maintain a proper posture,” Yan Sheng said calmly.
His inherent fastidiousness about etiquette made him intolerant of any minor imperfections, even the most inconspicuous wrinkle in his collar.
This scene left the guests looking at each other in bewilderment, and whispers filled the banquet hall.
"Who exactly is this young master? That Lord Yan Sheng would personally prepare clothes for him..."
"Judging from their attitude, could it really be an illegitimate child? It's just that those two (Yashu and Shi) didn't dare to admit it."
"Why won't you admit it? Lord Yan Sheng is not married either..."
"It's morally wrong to have an illegitimate child because there was no marriage."
The Senju couple witnessed all of this, their feelings a complex mix. They hadn't expected Uchiha Kokusatsu to treat his son so well.
However, the truth is that it was a habit ingrained in Yan Sheng's bones.
In his previous life, as the successor to the throne, Yan Sheng was almost obsessive about etiquette, a common trait among nobles. So he only stepped in to help straighten Yoriichi's clothes because he couldn't stand them being messed up.
***
The hustle and bustle of the birthday banquet gradually subsided, and the guests took their leave one after another.
The ministers walked together, and when they passed a heavily guarded and excessively quiet mansion, they all quickened their pace without prior arrangement. Even their whispers stopped immediately, and only the soft rustling of their clothes remained in the air.
This mansion is where the daimyo of the Land of Fire, Prince Hijiri, is imprisoned.
The coup that didn't cause too much of a stir a few days ago was no secret among these true power circles—Prince Fangren attempted to unite with other daimyo to challenge Yan Sheng's authority, and the result was self-evident.
Although the person is still alive, according to insiders, the prince is on the verge of a mental breakdown and is not far from going insane.
In private, their way of addressing Yan Sheng as "Regent" was both a cautious probe and a reflection of their true feelings.
With the power to manipulate events at will, and to imprison a king until he goes mad without the outside world knowing, Yan Sheng's power far surpasses that of a normal minister. He is the true ruler of this country.
On the other side.
Yoriichi's parents sat in the carriage returning to their residence. The unease and shock they felt when they arrived had transformed into a sense of peace and a touch of complexity.
They were initially extremely worried, after all, Kokushibo was an Uchiha, and judging from his age, he grew up during the most intense period of the war between the Uchiha and Senju. They feared that this important figure might harbor resentment or even malice towards Yoriichi, who was a Senju.
In fact, if it weren't for the clan leader Hashirama Senju personally guaranteeing and swearing to ensure Yoriichi's safety, they would never have allowed their son to follow Michikatsu.
Fortunately, after what they saw and heard today, witnessing Yan Sheng preparing formal attire for Yoriichi and meticulously adjusting his collar, their seemingly indifferent yet thoughtful care finally put their minds at ease.
...
...
Side hall.
The birthday gifts from the ministers piled up like a mountain. Yan Sheng merely glanced at them before instructing Uchiha Masaki and Uchiha Shi: "Organize them. Keep the useful ones, put the ones with collectible value into storage, and as for those that are of little practical use..." He paused, "you can handle them yourselves."
He wasn't worried that the two would line their own pockets.
Firstly, it was based on years of trust; secondly, he knew their character well and that they were not greedy for money; and thirdly, he was skilled in managing subordinates and knew that giving them appropriate benefits could foster their loyalty.
Interestingly, Ya Shu and Shi, who had followed him for many years, never took anything without his explicit permission, demonstrating an excellent sense of propriety. This excessive "self-discipline" sometimes surprised Yan Sheng, given that human nature is driven by self-interest, yet they were able to adhere to it to this extent.
After giving all the instructions, Yan Sheng looked at Yoriichi, who had been quietly sitting in the corner.
"I'm all set here, you can go home now."
Back when he had Masaki see the Senju couple off, he had asked Yoriichi to go back with him, but Yoriichi stayed behind, citing reasons such as "I'm worried" and "I always wait for my brother to finish his work before I leave."
Now that everything is done, Yoriichi should leave.
However, Yoriichi just stared at him with a dazed look in his eyes, neither speaking nor moving.
Yan Sheng suddenly felt a twitch between his brows, sensing something amiss. He strode over to Yoriichi, bent down, and brought his mouth close to Yoriichi's lips to smell them.
...a light yet distinct aroma of alcohol.
When did this child start drinking?
Yan Sheng recalled the scene at the banquet. Unfortunately, there was a constant stream of people coming to chat and socialize with him, and there were always times when he couldn't keep an eye on Yoriichi. It must have been during those moments that Yoriichi accidentally drank some alcohol.
Yan Sheng sighed.
Fortunately, he had recently ordered Masaki to prepare a guest house in case of emergency. He could settle Yoriichi there.
"Follow me."
Yoriichi was very obedient and followed closely behind Kokusatsu. After winding their way through several turns, they arrived at a quiet courtyard. Kokusatsu pushed open the door to the house.
"You'll sleep here tonight." With that, he turned to leave.
Then, he discovered that Yoriichi was still following behind him.
What are you doing following me?
"Follow," Yoriichi mumbled, repeating the word in a daze.
"You don't need to follow me anymore, go to your room and sleep."
"oh."
......
Yan Sheng took two steps and found that the small footsteps were still stubbornly following behind him.
He sighed again, feeling that he had sighed more tonight than in the past three months combined.
Yan Sheng, with a stern face, simply took Yuan Yi's hand and led him into the room, directly to the bedside, pointing to the bed and saying, "Lie down."
Yoriichi obediently lay down. Yan Sheng immediately turned around, but as soon as he took a step, he heard a rustling sound behind him. Yoriichi had already jumped off the bed and followed him.
Yan Sheng: "..."
He was so angry he almost laughed.
"You absolutely have to come with me?"
Yoriichi, with a bewildered look on his face, stubbornly repeated, "Follow."
The next day, as dawn broke.
Yoriichi woke up groggily, his head still feeling dizzy and heavy from the hangover.
He unconsciously surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings: the cold, hard lines of the ebony furniture, and a crisp, familiar fragrance in the air... Two seconds later, he blinked and suddenly realized that this seemed to be his brother's bedroom.
He sat up abruptly, but his hand inadvertently touched something smooth and cool like silk. He subconsciously looked down and saw several strands of long, dark hair that he had pressed down on his body.
Looking towards the owner of the long hair.
It's my elder brother!
Yoriichi's heart skipped a beat as he recalled how he had clung to his brother the night before, and his face flushed crimson.
The next second, like a startled rabbit, he tiptoed and almost held his breath as he climbed off the other side of the bed, hurriedly put on his shoes, and fled the room in a flash.
Just as the door was gently closed, Yan Sheng, who was "sleeping" on the bed, slowly opened his eyes.
He had actually woken up when Yoriichi made his move, but he was too lazy to explain how the child had insisted on going back to his room with him last night, and how he had no choice but to let him sleep on his own tatami mat. So he simply closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.
Sure enough, the child woke up and ran away.
Yan Sheng lay quietly on the bed for a while, listening to the birdsong gradually rising outside the window, before slowly getting up.
***
Yoriichi noticed that lately, his older brother would often look up at the sky when he was handling official business or sitting alone.
He looked in that direction, but there was nothing there except for the drifting clouds and the occasional bird flying by.
Finally, as Yan Sheng looked up at the sky again, Yoriichi, unable to contain his curiosity, asked softly, "What are you looking at, brother?"
Yan Sheng's gaze remained fixed on the scene, and his voice, though calm, carried a solemnity that Yoriichi could not comprehend: "We'll see when the visitors from beyond the heavens arrive."
"A visitor from outer space?" Yoriichi tilted his head.
“Hmm.” Yan Sheng finally lowered his head. He looked at Yoriichi and explained in a way that Yoriichi could understand, “They live on another planet... You can think of them as people from another, very distant world. They possess great power and will come to invade us.”
Although Yoriichi was young, he was not stupid. Besides, even a fool would know what aggression meant.
"So, are they enemies?"
“They are a threat that must be eliminated,” Yan Sheng said. “They see us as ants, as food.”
He was referring to the Otsutsuki clan, who came from outer space.
Since the deal with the world's consciousness has been made, it proves that the arrival of the Otsutsuki is something he will inevitably encounter in his lifetime. He only hopes that this time will not be too late. If he waits until he is a hundred or eighty years old, when his physical functions are declining and he is old and frail, then the outcome will be unpredictable.
Thinking of this, a dark shadow crossed the depths of Yan Sheng's eyes.
It must be admitted that short lifespan is a tragedy.
His last battle with Yoriichi in his previous life was when Yoriichi was over eighty years old.
He didn't win that battle through strength, but because Yoriichi's lifespan had ended and he died peacefully the moment he was about to fight him.
He merely won without actually winning.
Yuan Yi had no idea what Yan Sheng was thinking. He was thinking about Yan Sheng's answer.
So, we've confirmed they're the enemy. If they are, then kill them.
Yoriichi's ideas were not extreme.
The current era is only relatively peaceful, but even if it were completely peaceful, the wars would have only been over for a few years. Moreover, I was born into a ninja family, and the educational philosophy of my elders could not possibly be "peaceful".
On the other hand, if they come to your door to kill you, are you going to wait for them to kill you if you don't kill them?
Looking at Yan Sheng's solemn profile, Yuan Yi secretly clenched his small hand and made a silent resolution in his heart that he would work hard to become stronger so that he could share the burden with his brother in the future and fight against those extraterrestrial visitors together.
***
Just as Yan Sheng was closely monitoring the sky and preparing for the potential threat from the Otsutsuki clan, something that he considered a natural progression and something he didn't bother to push forward happened, with the support of the forces below.
—In fact, through years of planning, Yan Sheng had already achieved absolute control over the Land of Fire and its surrounding areas, with his influence reaching far and wide, while the other four great nations existed in name only.
The so-called "great name" has become a puppet in his hands.
As for why he has been slow to allow the "name to match the reality" to be officially recognized, it is simply because he finds it troublesome, and that's why he has not completely removed that fig leaf in name.
However, he didn't care. His shrewd and ambitious followers, especially those interest groups who had chosen the right side, were already itching to act.
Their ingenious operation, of course, was also carried out with Yan Sheng's tacit approval. They first got the half-mad daimyo of the Land of Fire, who had been sidelined, to "voluntarily" announce his "abdication," tearfully pleading with the exceptionally capable and accomplished Yan Sheng to ascend to the highest position for the sake of all people and unify the chaotic world.
Following this, the leaders of the other four major powers, who had already been thoroughly infiltrated, either out of fear, pragmatism, or because they were offered substantial benefits, submitted petitions expressing their willingness to submit and jointly claim victory as the sole sovereign.
During this period, any dissenting voice was ruthlessly silenced and suppressed the moment it began to emerge.
And so, almost overnight, a piece of news that shocked the entire world spread like wildfire: the five great powers were merging! The era of division and war that had lasted for hundreds of years came to an end!
The only king—Uchiha Kokusatsu—has officially ascended the throne.
The news caused a global uproar, followed by a massive wave of jubilation and support that swept across the world.
The public's reaction brought it to a climax:
"Finally! We've finally waited for this day!" The common people, who had suffered from war and exploitation by nobles, spread the news with tears in their eyes.
They don't understand complex politics; they only know that within Lord Yan Sheng's (now His Majesty's) sphere of influence, taxes are lighter, order is better, and life is more promising.
Now that the whole world is going to be like this, how can one not be overjoyed?
"Long live the Emperor!" The merchants waved their ledgers excitedly. The merger of the five great powers meant the disappearance of tariff barriers and unimpeded trade routes. An unprecedentedly huge market opened up to them, and gold coins seemed to clink before their eyes.
"We've unified! We've witnessed history!" The young ninjas were filled with excitement. They admired the strong, and Yan Sheng was a living legend, the embodiment of power.
To follow such a monarch and usher in a new era is the glory that every ambitious ninja dreams of.
People in other regions who were initially somewhat uneasy quickly turned their anxiety into support for the new emperor when they discovered that their lives had not worsened after the merger, but rather improved visibly due to the unified and efficient management of the central government.
"Mother, Father, I told you not to worry. That lord... no, now we should call him His Majesty, our good life today is all thanks to His Majesty. Now that His Majesty intends to formally rule us, it's definitely not a bad thing for us. On the contrary, it's absolutely a good thing. Under His Majesty's rule, our lives will only get better and better!"
The entire continent seemed to be engulfed in a grand festival celebration. People spontaneously took to the streets, singing and dancing, cheering the birth of the new dynasty and the name of the king who brought peace and order.
This scene of universal support and widespread acclaim is unprecedented in the history of the world.
Meanwhile, Yan Sheng, who was at the center of the storm and had been placed on the throne, stood atop the newly renovated and more magnificent palace, looking down at the jubilant crowd below, but his face showed little joy.
Ascending the throne and wielding power over the world is the ultimate goal that most people in the world dream of.
However, for Yan Sheng, the allure of this crown was far less than the slight progress he made when he swung his sword in the courtyard at dawn; it was less than the deeper understanding he gained of chakra nature transformation in the still of the night.
The increase in strength, the pinnacle of swordsmanship... these are what he truly yearns to pursue deep in his heart. The throne is merely a slightly more conspicuous milestone on this path.
***
With the territories of the five great powers completely broken up and reorganized, merging into an unprecedentedly powerful unified empire, a new era was ushered in.
An official edict was issued, abolishing all old era names and ushering in a new era—the Era of Peace.
For this land ravaged by war, the word "peace" carries immense weight of hope and prayer. It acts as a clear watershed, sharply separating the past filled with killing, hunger, and fear from the future of order, stability, and development.
After that, every time the words "Year x of the Peace Era" appeared on the document, it was a silent declaration that the old world had passed away and a new order had been established by that powerful king.
Office building in Konoha Village.
As Tobirama Senju looked at the official document in his hand announcing the establishment of the new empire and the beginning of a new era, his face was expressionless, only blank and numb.
The Uchiha clan... produced a king.
This fact struck his perception like a hammer blow.
Although the Senju and Uchiha clans had long been allied and shared a common destiny, theoretically, if Uchiha Kokusatsu were to rise to the top, the Senju clan would also benefit. But the feeling was like a top student who had consistently ranked first in their grade being suddenly left far behind by a competitor who was "unbalanced" and "physically weak" in an unbelievable way, and directly admitted to a top university that the student could never even get close to.
This is no longer jealousy, but a cognitive upheaval and a strong sense of frustration.
Even more bewildered and incredulous than Tobirama Senju were the members of the Uchiha clan themselves.
When the news reached the clan's territory, the first reaction of all the clansmen who were unaware of it was: "Who? Uchiha Kokusatsu? Which Kokusatsu? Is he the clan leader's younger brother, who is said to be in poor health, spends most of his time in seclusion, and has hardly ever shown his face?"
"No way! Are you sure there's no mistake?"
"Is it really Yan Sheng, the one that Shi used to follow around all the time, the one who looked like he could be blown away by a gust of wind?"
"Isn't he keeping to himself because he's too weak?"
After the initial sense of absurdity came overwhelming elation. They suddenly realized—Yan Sheng's reclusive lifestyle all these years wasn't due to poor health requiring quiet rest, but rather because he was quietly accomplishing something significant!
"It turns out we've all misunderstood Lord Yan Sheng before." He's gone from being called Young Master Yan Sheng/Sickly Young Master to Lord Yan Sheng.
"This is called being frail and sickly? It's clearly a case of biding one's time! It's called 'not making a sound until it's made, then stunning everyone'!"
"Thinking about it, how could the younger brother of Clan Chief Madara and Lord Izuna be an ordinary person?"
The clansmen's feelings were extremely complex, a mixture of embarrassment at having misjudged the situation and immense excitement and pride in sharing in the glory.
Those who had once secretly wondered "how could the clan leader have such a weak younger brother?" were now blushing, overwhelmed by the fervent pride that swept through the entire clan.
The happiest people were the clan elders.
They had long forgotten how worried they had been about Madara and Izuna's marriage, and how concerned they were about the future of their families. They were all grinning from ear to ear, their wrinkles smoothing out, and their old eyes glistening with tears of excitement.
"God bless my Uchiha clan!"
"I knew it! I knew Yan Sheng was extraordinary from a young age!"
"From now on, let's see who dares to look down on us Uchiha! This world belongs to us Uchiha! We are royalty!"
***
The former Daming Prefecture has now been given a new name and meaning—the Imperial Palace. Its layout has been extensively expanded and renovated, making it even more magnificent and imposing, and its security has become even more stringent.
Deep within the palace, in a side hall used for handling confidential government affairs.
Madara Uchiha, seated at the lower end of the table, had just relayed some recent rumors circulating within the clan to Yan Sheng, who was seated at the head of the table and reviewing documents.
"That's roughly it." Ban's voice was as cold and sharp as ever. After he finished speaking, he chuckled and a hint of undisguised mockery flashed in his eyes. "A bunch of fools. Even now, they're still fixated on your past appearance of being 'weak' or smug about your so-called 'royal relatives' status."
Yan Sheng did not look up. His brush tip swept across the rice paper, leaving behind steady and smooth characters. Only when the last character was written did he slowly put down his brush and raise his eyes.
His gaze was calm and unwavering, as if what Ban had just said was nothing more than an insignificant fallen leaf drifting past the window.
“It’s only human nature.” Yan Sheng’s voice was indifferent, devoid of any emotion. “Let them say what they want.”
Madara crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed yet still exuding an air of oppression: "I naturally can't be bothered with these short-sighted fools. I just find it laughable that they seem to have completely forgotten that you got to where you are today not because of the Uchiha surname, or the so-called 'hiding your talents and biding your time'."
Yan Sheng remained noncommittal, his fingertips lightly tapping the smooth tabletop, producing a rhythmic, soft sound.
"Power and fame are merely byproducts of strength, and can occasionally serve as convenient tools. But to become obsessed with them is to put the cart before the horse." He looked at Madara, his tone still calm. "You and Izuna can handle the affairs of the clan. If there are any troublemakers... you know how to deal with them."
Upon hearing this, Madara's lips curled into a cold smile: "Of course. The current Uchiha clan neither needs nor can afford to have any fools who would hold you back."
Ban briefly explained that although there were some dissenting voices within the clan, the overall situation was under control, and then got up and left.
For him, informing Yan Sheng of these situations was a necessary notification; how to manage them afterward was his and Izuna's responsibility, and Yan Sheng did not need to worry about it.
Yan Sheng continued to bury himself in the mountains of documents, reviewing them with his red pen, dealing with the myriad urgent political affairs of the new empire in its early days.
He is extremely efficient; he can grasp the core issues with a glance and make decisive decisions without any hesitation.
After processing a batch of the most important documents, he did not stop, but pondered for a moment and picked up a blank bright yellow scroll from the side—this was the special format for imperial edicts.
He picked up the pen, pondered for a moment, and began to write. The characters flowing from the pen tip were vigorous and austere, just like him.
However, the content is not about grand national strategies, nor is it about the appointment or removal of officials in a certain place... but rather a recruitment and appointment of specific talents.
After writing it down, he affixed the jade seal, which represented the highest authority of the empire, and then summoned his attendants.
"Send it to Konoha Village immediately, without delay."
News of the impending arrival of the imperial envoy was sent to Konoha via a messenger hawk.
Although the specific meaning of the decree was unclear, the first official edict from the new emperor was of great significance. The management quickly sprang into action; the village's main road was swept spotless, and the reception area was simply furnished—not extravagant, but with the proper etiquette and solemnity.
On the day the imperial edict arrived, the procession was not large, with only a few guards surrounding the key figure—a young woman dressed in the attire of a court lady, with a capable and composed demeanor.
She had delicate features, sharp and bright eyes, and a steady gait, clearly not an ordinary, weak woman.
Tobirama Senju personally received the delegation from Konoha to show their respect.
"Lord Tobirama, there's no need for such formalities. I have official duties to attend to, so please arrange the delivery of the imperial decree as soon as possible." The female official's voice was clear, and her tone was polite but firm, directly refusing the tea break and other pre-arranged activities.
Senju Tobirama felt a slight chill in his heart, said no more, and immediately led the lady-in-waiting to the reception hall where an incense table had been simply set up.
The high-ranking officials of Konoha and representatives from various clans who had come upon hearing the news gathered here, the atmosphere solemn. All eyes were focused on the female official and the bright yellow edict in her hand.
The female official stopped, her gaze sweeping over everyone present, finally settling on Tobirama Senju, who stood at the very front. She slowly unfurled the imperial edict, her clear voice echoing throughout the hall, every word audible:
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
I have heard that the foundation of a nation lies in its talent, and the path to strength depends on science and technology. Tobirama Senju is a man of profound knowledge, wisdom, and innovation, who has made significant contributions to the research and development of ninjutsu and theoretical exploration. He is truly a rare scientific talent of our time.
To gather the nation's finest talents and jointly build the empire's great cause, the National Academy of Sciences is hereby established, selecting top intellectuals to specialize in major scientific research projects concerning the national economy, people's livelihood, and national defense. We hereby appoint Tobirama Senju as the nation's chief scientist, enjoying the salary of a first-rank official, and bestowed with a golden dragon plaque. He will have free access to non-classified resources within the national resource treasury, and will be directly under my jurisdiction, without needing to go through ordinary government departments.
"I hope you will live up to my expectations, fully utilize your talents, and with your wisdom, achieve lasting merit, contributing to the technological advancement of the empire and ensuring the well-being of all people. So be it!"
After the imperial edict was read aloud, the entire reception hall fell silent.
Everyone was stunned by the sudden announcement.
Chief Scientist of the Nation? First-Rank Official Salary? Freedom to Access Imperial Resources? Directly Under the Emperor's Jurisdiction?
This is not just a simple reuse; it's granting unprecedented privileges, status, and resource allocation!
Regardless of what others think, for Tobirama Senju, the allure of the phrase "free access to non-classified resources within the national resource database" and "specializing in major scientific research projects" far surpassed that of any position of power.
The female official closed the imperial edict, stepped forward, and handed it and a metal plaque, exquisitely engraved with dragon patterns and smooth to the touch, to the still-stunned Tobirama Senju, a smile on her face:
"Lord Tobirama, please accept the decree. His Majesty places high hopes on you."
Having completed her mission of delivering the imperial decree, the female official declined the banquet arranged by Konoha and prepared to immediately depart to return and report back.
The carriage was already prepared at the village entrance, and a group of Konoha high-ranking officials, including Tobirama Senju and Izuna Uchiha, came to see them off with impeccable manners.
The lady-in-waiting stepped onto the carriage platform, preparing to enter the carriage, when she suddenly remembered something. She paused slightly, turned around, and her gaze landed precisely on Uchiha Izuna in the crowd. She gave a slight bow and said:
"Lord Izuna, His Majesty has another imperial edict, instructing me to convey that there are important matters to discuss in the palace, and that you must come to the palace when you have time."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people around him changed slightly.
Tobirama Senju's eyes flickered, as if deep in thought; the representatives of the other families exchanged meaningful glances.
Izuna's expression remained unchanged, maintaining his polite smile as he nodded in response: "Thank you for informing me. Please tell His Majesty that I will arrive shortly."
***
Izuna acted quickly. On one hand, he had already planned to ask his younger brother about the specific considerations for Tobirama Senju's appointment. On the other hand, the words "important matter" carried significant weight coming from Kokushiro's mouth.
He set off almost immediately, arriving at the palace together with the procession of female officials who were delivering the imperial decree.
In Yan Sheng's simply furnished study, the two brothers sat facing each other. The doors and windows were tightly closed to ensure that their conversation would never be known to a third party.
Yoriichi stood guard under the eaves outside the palace. After the assassination attempt on Yan Sheng, he was determined not to stray too far from him.
Even though he later realized that Yan Sheng was using a scheme against him.
As we transition from late autumn to early winter, even though the sun is shining brightly today, the air is already filled with a biting chill.
The trees in the courtyard have lost their leaves, leaving only bare branches pointing towards the gray-blue sky. A cold wind occasionally sweeps by, swirling up a few withered leaves.
However, Yoriichi didn't feel much cold; maintaining body temperature by circulating chakra was a basic skill for ninjas. He stood quietly outside the door, his gaze fixed on the tightly closed palace doors, waiting for his brother.
Inside the room.
Izuna cut straight to the point without much small talk, his tone tinged with a hint of confusion and awkwardness: "Yan Sheng, I know that Tobirama Senju's scientific research abilities are indeed unmatched, but giving him such high authority and status... isn't that a bit too generous?"
Yan Sheng picked up the hot tea beside him, the rising steam blurring his overly cold and stern features.
“I know you despise Tobirama Senju, Izuna-kun.” His voice was calm and even. “But we must admit that his scientific research abilities are unmatched in the world. Some things cannot and should not be decided based on personal preferences.”
Upon hearing this, Izuna remained silent for a moment before finally sighing and relaxing his shoulders slightly. "That's not what I meant... I wanted you to dismiss him." He rubbed his temples. "It's just that the thought of that guy being able to access massive amounts of national resources in the future, and possibly even having extremely high authority in certain areas... still makes me feel a little uneasy."
He admitted frankly that he acknowledged Tobirama Senju's talent, but the emotional unease was not so easily overcome.
“His talent should be used in the right direction, for the country and the people, rather than being confined to his family and village.” Yan Sheng put down his teacup, making a crisp clinking sound. “Alright, the matter is settled, no need for further discussion. I called you here because there is a very serious and urgent matter.”
After he finished speaking, his expression turned solemn: "Izuna-nii, what I'm about to say concerns the very survival of the world. I wonder if you've ever heard of the Otsutsuki clan?"
“Otsutsuki?” Izuna repeated the unfamiliar term, his brow furrowed, and shook his head. “Never heard of it. Is it some hidden clan? Or…?”
“No.” Yan Sheng interrupted him, his tone somber. “They are not from this world. Or rather, they are not ‘people’ in the usual sense.”
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the desolate courtyard, as if his gaze could penetrate space and see the boundless starry sky.
“The Otsutsuki clan are life forms from outer space, from other planets,” Yan Sheng began to explain. His words opened up a completely new and threatening dimension of understanding for Izuna. “They call themselves gods and live by devouring planetary energy and plundering the essence of life. Wherever they go, vibrant planets turn into desolate deserts.”
He turned around, his gaze fixed intently on Izuna: "Based on the information I have, they possess extremely long lifespans, powerful ocular abilities—a type of eye technique surpassing the Sharingan—and various bizarre abilities that are difficult for us to comprehend. They regard native life forms like us as ants, as nourishment for cultivating 'Chakra Fruits'."
"Chakra Fruit?" Izuna caught this key point.
“That is the source of their power, formed by absorbing the energy of the entire planet through the Divine Tree. Once they successfully plant the Divine Tree, all life on this planet will become nutrients to nourish the fruit, and the planet itself will die.” Yan Sheng’s voice was icy. “Their target is our world. In fact, they have already done so, but one of the team members sent to our planet betrayed the other because he didn’t want to die. However, the main family will find out sooner or later, and they will come sooner or later.”
A deathly silence fell over the study.
The previous ease on Izuna's face was gone, replaced by deep shock and seriousness.
The information his younger brother revealed was too shocking and beyond his previous understanding.
—Extraterrestrial visitors? A planet-devouring creature? A divine tree? All of this sounded like myths and legends, but coming from Yan Sheng's mouth, he couldn't help but believe it.
"Is this... the reason why you are so eager to promote unification and grant Tobirama Senju such privileges?" Izuna's voice was somewhat hoarse.
“That’s one of the reasons.” Yan Sheng nodded. “We need to concentrate the resources and power of the entire world, we need the most advanced technology as support, and we need to improve every possible aspect of our combat capabilities. We don’t have much time left.”
"Afterwards, I will call a meeting with everyone."
After the secret meeting with Izuna, a series of urgent summons orders bearing the imperial seal and with solemn wording were rapidly sent to every corner of the world through the efficient intelligence and transmission system under Yan Sheng's command.
The list of recipients includes the "Kage" of all the major ninja villages within the former Five Great Nations—although they are now administratively under the Empire, the title and influence of "Kage" as the supreme leader of each village still exist.
The Raikage of Kumogakure, the Kazekage of Sunagakure, the Mizukage of Kirigakure, the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, as well as Hashirama Senju and Madara, who, though not Kage, were more than Kage in Konoha, were all among those invited.
In addition, some renowned but still relatively independent powerful ninja clans that have not yet fully integrated into any ninja village also received invitations.
Even some non-ninja organization leaders with extremely high prestige or unique abilities in specific fields are among those recruited.
In short, this is a summit for the world's top military powers and leaders. Its scale is unprecedented.
The news sent shockwaves around the world.
The various factions reacted differently; some were doubtful, some were solemn, and some were dismissive, but no one dared to underestimate this summons from the emperor.
The meeting was to be held in the main hall of the palace.
This palace, which originally belonged to the daimyo of the Land of Fire, has been expanded and renovated, becoming even more magnificent and solemn. It can now accommodate nearly a hundred powerful attendees.
On that day, the atmosphere inside the main hall was solemn and dignified.
Leaders from different villages, families, and regions gathered together. They dressed differently and had distinct personalities. Many of them had generations of grudges or fierce competition with each other.
An invisible tension permeated the air, with hushed conversations and scrutinizing gazes mingling among the crowd.
Although we are all under the same country now, the internal regional competition and old divisions cannot be eliminated overnight.
The time has come.
Accompanied by a long, drawn-out announcement from a palace attendant: "His Majesty has arrived!"
The hall fell silent instantly. All conversations ceased, and everyone's gaze turned to the towering imperial steps at the far end of the hall.
Uchiha Yansheng, dressed in a black imperial robe embroidered with gold dragon patterns, walked steadily out from behind the screen, ascended the steps, turned around in front of the central throne, and calmly swept his gaze over the assembled powerful figures below.
He didn't deliberately release any pressure, but his aura of someone who had long held a high position and was in control of the world, as well as the calmness in his deep eyes that seemed to see through everything, naturally made most of the people present feel pressured.
His cool voice, amplified by the slight vibrations of his chakra, clearly resonated throughout every corner of the hall:
"The reason I have summoned you all here today is not to discuss the internal affairs of the empire, nor is it to discuss ordinary matters. What I want to tell you is a crisis concerning the survival of all living beings in this world."
The opening remarks were so somber that many people below changed their expressions slightly.
"Beyond our world, in the vast sea of stars, there exists a race called the 'Otsutsuki'," Yan Sheng said calmly. "They live by devouring planetary energy and plundering the essence of life, and they regard us as nourishment to cultivate their power source—the 'Chakra Fruit'. Wherever they go, life is extinguished, all things wither, and planets are turned into dead zones."
He briefly described the characteristics, purposes, and terrifying power of the Otsutsuki clan, including their long lifespan, powerful eye abilities, and the horrific process of the Divine Tree devouring planets.
This information was like a fairy tale to many people present, and many showed expressions of disbelief. Some were already whispering to each other, expressing their doubt.
"I know this matter is absurd." Yan Sheng remained calm despite the commotion below. "But it is absolutely true. The Otsutsuki clan will eventually descend upon this world. Perhaps in ten years, perhaps in a hundred, but their threat is real."
He paused, then continued, “In the past, we fought endlessly among ourselves, vying for power and profit, regarding each other as enemies. However, this was merely a conflict within our own family. Now, an enemy from beyond the heavens is approaching. If we continue to cling to internal strife and remain stagnant, the day this powerful foe arrives will be the day this world is plunged into chaos and civilization is extinguished. At that time, whether you are shadows, clan leaders, or commoners, none of you will escape the fate of destruction.”
"Therefore," Yan Sheng's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable determination, "from this day forward, the Empire will launch the 'Salvation' plan. I demand that all forces present here set aside past grievances and cooperate fully. Each village and clan must share some key technological intelligence, conduct unified screening and special training of ninja combat capabilities, and concentrate the most outstanding scientific research talents. I have appointed Tobirama Senju as the nation's chief scientist to oversee related research and jointly develop weapons and tactics to deal with unknown threats."
The meeting then moved into the specific discussion and questioning phase.
Each leader, clan chief, and tribal chief raised their own questions and concerns, ranging from resource allocation and command authority to the boundaries of technology sharing; the issues were sharp and practical.
Annoyed by the noise, Yan Sheng simply assigned Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Izuna, Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Masaki, and Uchiha Uta to be in charge of the matter, and told everyone to find them.
The already turbulent crowd below erupted into a heated discussion.
With a loud bang, Raikage slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, his tall frame rising abruptly to his feet. His voice boomed as he demanded, "Your Majesty! How can everyone on this list be your own people?! Either from Konoha or your own clansmen! How can the rest of us be convinced?"
Yan Sheng calmly turned his gaze to Lei Ying, his tone completely unwavering: "Lei Ying, watch your words. Now that the continent is unified, everyone here is a subject of the empire. How can there be a distinction between 'our own people' and 'outsiders'? If you insist on calling them 'our own people,' then everyone here is my subject, everyone is 'our own people.'"
"Hmph!" The Raikage didn't back down, his rugged face filled with distrust. "Even if we're from the same country, there are still distinctions of kinship! Who can guarantee that you're not using this crisis to seize more power and resources for your Konoha and Uchiha cronies?"
"There's no need," Yan Sheng replied coldly.
This is not an exaggeration.
Given his current status, he doesn't need to resort to such seemingly "planting his own people" tactics to get what he wants. Besides, if he really wanted something, he wouldn't need to lift a finger; plenty of people would deliver it to him.
Raikage didn't believe this explanation at all; he stubbornly believed that there must be some ulterior motive behind it.
Under his lead, the other representatives, who were already harboring doubts, also chimed in, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense.
Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Hashirama Senju quickly stood up, his signature slightly naive smile on his face, and pressed his hands down to calm things down: "Oh dear, everyone, calm down! Don't be like this! His Majesty's actions are surely to concentrate resources to deal with the crisis. I believe in His Majesty's fairness, and I hope everyone can put aside their prejudices and consider the future of the world together..."
He tried to ease the tension as a peacemaker, speaking earnestly and with an idealistic sense of tolerance.
However, in the eyes of pragmatists like Raikage, this lack of sharpness and retreat is more like a sign of weakness and insecurity.
Hashirama Senju's "cowardly" attempt to mediate infuriated Madara Uchiha, who had been observing the situation with a cold eye.
He stood up abruptly and interrupted him rudely: "Hashirama! What's the point of talking to these stubborn, short-sighted fools!"
Ban's words were like the fuse that lit a powder keg. His single word, "idiot," instantly ignited the anger of many present to its peak.
"Uchiha Madara! What did you say?!"
"This is outrageous!"
"You really think we're afraid of you?!"
What started as a verbal argument escalated instantly.
Several hot-tempered ninjas unleashed their chakra, seemingly about to attack. Although they retained a sliver of rationality and refrained from direct assault, their tense demeanor indicated that conflict was imminent.
At this critical moment, a cold, immense, and suffocating pressure, like an invisible tsunami, suddenly swept across the entire hall, centered on the imperial steps.
The air seemed to freeze, and the chakra that was about to collide was forcibly suppressed.
Everyone looked on in shock, only to see that Uchiha Kokushiro, sitting on the throne, had changed his eyes. They were no longer the Sharingan they knew, but a pair of purple, wavy eyes that they had never seen before.
Feeling the familiar power fluctuations of the Rinnegan, Yan Sheng was somewhat surprised—his Sharingan, which was on the verge of evolution, had completely transformed and advanced into the Rinnegan at this moment.
The timing for this advancement is quite right.
Since that's the case...
Next, something even more terrifying happened: the skin above and below Yan Sheng's eyes split open, revealing a second pair of eyes, followed by a third pair.
Three pairs of Rinnegan, like the gaze of gods, indifferently watched the arguing beings below.
In an instant, the consciousness of everyone in the hall, except for Madara and the others who already knew the truth, was forcibly stripped away and pulled into an illusionary space under the absolute control of Yan Sheng.
In this space, they had no physical form, only perception. Then, a vast, swirling torrent of memories forcefully flooded their minds—
They "saw" the conversation between Yan Sheng and the Sage of Six Paths, and heard the horrifying truth about the Otsutsuki clan, who came from outer space and lived by devouring planets.
They "saw" the scene of Yan Sheng's battle with the Otsutsuki clan members, the earth-shattering power, and the unpredictable abilities;
They "saw" the terrifying process of how the divine tree took root in the earth, drained all life, and turned a prosperous world into a desolate wasteland...
All of this information comes from Yan Sheng's personal experience; it is incredibly real, incredibly cruel, and beyond question.
Once the illusion dissipated and everyone's consciousness returned to their original bodies, the hall fell into a deathly silence.
You could hear a pin drop.
All the previous doubts, anger, and disputes seemed so ridiculous and insignificant in the face of that vast and terrifying torrent of memories.
Rayleigh opened his mouth, but found himself unable to utter a sound; his forehead was covered in cold sweat. The others were also pale-faced, their eyes filled with shock and fear.
They finally understood the magnitude of the "crisis" Yan Sheng spoke of; they finally understood why Yan Sheng said there was "no need" to play power games—in the face of a threat capable of destroying the world, the little power and resources within the organization were meaningless.
The undeniable truth instantly silenced all the dissenting voices.
Inside the main hall, only heavy breathing could be heard.
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Author's Note: Brothers snuggling together [cat emoji]
The author is unfamiliar with the Japanese Imperial Family and had difficulty finding information. They tried to imitate the format but were defeated by their own awkwardness and affectation, so they gave up. The style is full of Chinese influences... Please ignore! QAQ
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