I Want to Sever the Chain of Hatred

After the shock wore off, the Raikage said, "This isn't the time to be saying things like that. We should organize our defenses as soon as possible!"

Ōnoki laughed. "Before that, I think you, as the Hokage and Commander-in-Chief of the Shinobi Allied Forces, should meet everyone. The Allied Shinobi Forces are not in as smooth a state as we imagined."

"I know." Minato rose and walked outside. "I happen to have a few things I want to say to everyone as well."

Just as Ōnoki had said, with eighty thousand shinobi and samurai from different villages gathered together, it was inevitable that some would rub each other the wrong way, leading to verbal clashes and even outright brawls.

The last Shinobi World War had taken place only a little over a decade ago. Many people present had once cracked each other's skulls open. Even blood feuds over murdered fathers were nothing unusual. The fact that they had not immediately beaten each other's brains out was already proof that the Kage of each village had taught them well.

Although most people barely maintained their formations, many areas were still rather chaotic.

Until—the Five Kage appeared on the platform.

As they looked at the five people before them, who stood at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World, the unrest among the Allied Shinobi Forces gradually subsided. Those clutching each other by the collars temporarily released their grips as well.

Crowds were a strange thing. They were like students during self-study: when no one maintained discipline, they gradually became as chaotic as a marketplace. Then, at some random moment, everyone would inexplicably fall silent.

At that point, everyone would look around. If they spotted a teacher, they would automatically enter the stage of listening to the teacher's reprimand. If not, they would tacitly burst into laughter, and the chaos would continue.

And now, it was clearly the former. The shinobi looked up and suddenly saw the bosses of their respective groups, so they fell completely silent.

It was under these circumstances that Minato began to speak. The other four Kage took a step back and spread out on either side of him, helping to hold the stage.

"Everyone of the Shinobi Allied Forces, you have traveled a long way. You must have had a difficult journey. I am Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, and the current Commander-in-Chief of the Shinobi Allied Forces." Minato's blue eyes met the gazes of the tens of thousands below the platform.

He could not make out every person's expression, but he knew that most Konoha shinobi looked at him with admiration and affection. As for the other villages, quite a few probably regarded him with hostility or even fear.

Minato gathered his thoughts slightly and continued, "For a long time, in pursuit of the interests of our respective countries and villages, shinobi harmed and hated one another throughout the long wars from the First to the Third Shinobi World War. It was precisely because of that hatred that Akatsuki and Pain were born."

They sought to destroy everything, to overturn this world. After gathering all the Tailed Beasts, they wanted to raise their fists and tell us that they had brought peace!

We all know that is nothing more than a lie. That is why this war has come to pass.

This war will decide the survival of the Shinobi World. If we lose, then family, friends, dreams, hopes—everything will vanish like bubbles!

We are fighting to protect our family and friends, to protect this world!"

If this had merely been meant as pre-battle encouragement, then perhaps that would have been enough. Once everyone knew what they were fighting for, it would be enough to make them temporarily set aside their grudges and focus on their common enemy.

At the very least, those who had once been hostile toward one another could now control their emotions instead of wearing murderous expressions.

But Minato's goal did not end there, so he continued:

"I have always believed that if we unite, we can definitely win this war. But simply winning the war is not enough.

As long as our world, as long as the current shinobi system, remains unchanged, new hatred will continue to emerge. And the monster called hatred will give rise to new Akatsuki, new Pain."

The shinobi all fell into thought. The older ones understood this best. The First War, the Second War, the Third War, and now this Fourth War—after fighting and fighting, when would it ever end?

"Regarding the hatred and pain of the past, I have no right to ask you to forget, nor am I in any position to ask you to let go. On the contrary, I hope you remember them. Never forget the hatred of the past. Never forget the pain you once endured. Then work to protect the hard-won peace!

Is an era where people can understand one another truly such an unattainable dream?"

Minato's voice gradually rose, and both the shinobi below and the Kage behind him were moved by his words.

"No, it is not! At least right now, we stand together.

Five Kage, Jinchuriki, Jonin, Chunin, Genin, samurai—we hold different positions, bear different identities, and come from different countries. We each have our strengths and our weaknesses, but at this very moment, we stand together for the same goal. At least for now, we are capable of understanding one another!

My wish is to change the shinobi world, sever the Chain of Hatred, stop all misfortune, and achieve true peace!

Even if those before us failed, I will do it. No matter how difficult it is, I will do it. I am willing to stake my life on it. I am willing to strive for it for the rest of my life!

But even so, I know clearly that one person's strength is far from enough to fulfill this wish. So, everyone, will you lend me your strength?"

Minato's sincere expression entered everyone's sight. The resolute look in those blue eyes told them that the Fourth Hokage was serious.

The field fell silent for several seconds before erupting into thunderous cheers!

"Oh!"

"!"

"Just as expected of the Fourth Hokage!"

"If we can be of help to you, it would be our honor!"

"Our youth is burning!"

"Hokage-sama!"

Peace—the thing even the God of Shinobi had failed to achieve, the thing countless people had hoped to see realized, the thing everyone believed had only the faintest chance of success—was there actually still an idiot willing to strive for it?

Was there actually someone who believed that people could understand one another and live peacefully together?

Then please, let there be more idiots like that!

Gaara crossed his arms. "The tense atmosphere disappeared in an instant."

Yagura Karatachi sighed. "Their morale is soaring."

Ōnoki rubbed his aching lower back and laughed. "Hahaha, what an incredible young man."

The Raikage, A, gave a soft snort. "Only a man of this caliber can serve as commander-in-chief."

After receiving so many affirmative responses, Minato smiled. His warm smile won him countless admirers. In that instant, who knew how many more young girls became his fans.

Minato raised his hand, and the tens of thousands of shinobi quickly fell silent. Their eyes turned in unison toward the Hokage on the platform—or rather, the Commander-in-Chief of the Shinobi Allied Forces.

From this moment onward, they had truly become one team.

"Orders: Fugaku Uchiha will lead the First Combat Division to the west of the Land of Fire. Huang Tu will lead the Second Combat Division north. Mei Terumi will lead the Third Combat Division to the eastern coast. Mifune will lead the Fourth Combat Division and prepare to provide support.

Tsunade will coordinate the Medical Unit and assign medical shinobi to each division. The Sensory Unit will monitor enemy movements. The Rapid Support Unit will remain on standby.

Begin the operation!"