Ever since the Fourth Hokage Chiyo Uchiha, issued that earth-shattering order for the " Five Kage Summit," the entire village has entered a state of extreme tension, outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense.
The streets were still bustling with people, shops were open as usual, and children's laughter never stopped.
But on a level imperceptible to ordinary villagers, the invisible Barrier was reinforced layer by layer, and the frequency and range of patrols in the Anbu increased exponentially.
All access routes to and from the village have been equipped with unprecedentedly tight checkpoints.
A tension, like the calm before a storm, hung in the air.
Every Konoha Ninja knew that they were preparing to welcome an unprecedented "grand event" that would be recorded in the annals of the Shinobi World.
Inside the Hokage's Office, documents piled up like snowflakes and were quickly reviewed.
Chiyo sat in the central command, his gaze sweeping over every report on the reinforcement of border outposts, the strengthening of Barrier nodes, and the movements of various village delegations.
His instructions were concise and clear, ensuring that every node in Konoha's vast network was taut to its optimal state.
Shikaku Nara oversaw the overall situation; his mind was like the most sophisticated computer, organizing complex matters in an orderly manner.
Minato Namikaze frequently visited key defensive points, personally inspecting and reinforcing them.
His Flying Thunder God Kunai were secretly deployed in dozens of strategic locations within the village to ensure that, should any changes occur, an absolute firepower strike could be launched in an instant.
Hatake Sakumo's Anbu is like a hound that blends into the shadows.
Not only is the highest level of purge and oversight being carried out internally.
They extended their reach far beyond the village, closely monitoring the every move of the four major powers' delegations, and any slight anomaly would be reported immediately.
Everything was arranged in anticipation of the arrival of the "guests".
The first group to arrive at the outskirts of Konoha was not the official Shadow Mission, but rather a "preliminary negotiation team" from Iwagakure and Cloud.
Their arrival was low-key and swift, with a clear purpose.
To redeem their captured shadow.
This was a negotiation destined to be unequal; it was less a negotiation and more a one-sided notification.
They were received by Shikaku Nara and Minato Namikaze.
The meeting was held in a cold and solemn conference room that had been temporarily cleared out outside Konoha Prison.
The Kitsuchi of Iwagakure and the Dodai of Cloud, two powerful figures holding high positions within the village.
Their faces were ashen, and suppressed anger and humiliation were threatening to overwhelm their reason.
But when he saw the list of supplies that Shikaku Nara calmly pushed towards him...
Both of their pupils contracted sharply at the same time, and they gasped.
The sheer quantity and rarity of the supplies listed on the inventory were utterly outrageous!
More than before!
How come the price doubled after Chiyo Uchiha took over?
These things include, but are not limited to...
The package included a massive amount of Explosive Tags, refined Chakra Metal, rare medicinal herbs, advanced ninja tool crafting blueprints, and even temporary passage rights to several strategic border locations, as well as huge sums of money in compensation.
Kitsuchi looked constipated.
"This... this is impossible!"
"Is Konoha trying to drain the resources of Iwagakure?!"
Dodai's face was ashen, and his voice was hoarse.
" The Fourth Hokage are excessive... Such conditions cannot be accepted by Cloud!"
Minato Namikaze Namikaze's azure eyes remained expressionless as he calmly spoke.
"The conditions were personally drafted by the Lord Hokage, and there is no room for negotiation."
You two may refuse, but the Third Tsuchikage and the Third Raikage will remain in Konoha for 'recuperation'."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two men's instantly pale faces, and added.
"Or, you two could try another option, such as... forcibly 'visiting' them."
The threat in the words was so blatant it was suffocating.
Attempting to force a visit?
Fighting two Kage alone on the battlefield and capturing them right under Chiyo Uchiha's nose?
How is that any different from suicide?
A deathly silence fell over the meeting room.
Kitsuchi and Dodai's body trembled slightly, their fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
They were almost overwhelmed by a profound sense of humiliation.
But images of their elders being captured and their village facing even more terrible retaliation kept flashing through their minds.
Ultimately, all the anger, resentment, and pride...
Under the shadow of that absolute power known as " Chiyo Uchiha," they were all reduced to powerlessness and despair.
Kitsuchi seemed to have all his strength drained away in an instant, slumped back into his chair, his voice dry as sandpaper.
" Iwagakure... accepts..."
Dodai glanced at the Kitsuchi, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
When I opened my eyes again, all that remained was a gray and lifeless scene.
" Cloud... accepts it too."
Shikaku Nara nodded expressionlessly and put away the list.
"Very good. After the agreement is signed and the goods are delivered and verified, you two can take your own film back."
Just a reminder, both Kage were 'emotionally stable' during their time in Konoha; hopefully, they will maintain that 'stability' upon their return home."
The profound meaning behind these words plunged Kitsuchi and Dodai's hearts into despair once again.
This is not just a ransom, it's a warning.
They were warned not to have any improper thoughts, even if they returned to the scene.
When Kitsuchi and Dodai, under tight "escort," arrived deep inside the prison to find the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, and the Third Raikage A, looking slightly haggard but not having been mistreated, they were speechless, filled with deep humiliation and sorrow.
Without much communication, the handover was completed in an extremely oppressive and silent atmosphere.
Watching the convoy loaded with massive amounts of supplies drive into Pakura, while their own Kage were exchanged like merchandise, Kitsuchi and Dodai, filled with endless resentment, almost fled Konoha as quickly as they could.
This unequal "redemption" was like the first death knell, striking heavily in the hearts of the Four Great Shinobi Villages and clearly proclaiming a fact.
They no longer have the right to engage in equal dialogue with Konoha.
Only submission and paying the price.
As the date of the Five Kage Summit approached, the Kage or their official representatives from the four great nations finally arrived in Konoha one after another, filled with extremely complex and heavy emotions.
The Fourth Kazekage Rasa of Sunagakure, Rasa; the Third Mizukage of Kirigakure; the Acting Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, Kitsuchi (who temporarily replaced Ōnoki after his return to Kitsuchi ); the Acting Raikage A of Cloud, A; and their carefully selected but strictly limited guard teams.
From the moment they stepped onto the Land of Fire Border, they were caught in a meticulously planned and omnipresent psychological intimidation campaign.
The border guards of Konoha were not fierce and menacing; on the contrary, they were very courteous.
But that cold indifference and scrutiny, along with the concentrated chakra and the exquisite equipment around him, all spoke of Konoha's strength.
The road to Konoha was cleared in advance, and every so often along the way, Konoha Ninja with upright postures like pine trees could be seen standing solemnly on both sides, their eyes sharp as lightning and their aura heavy and composed.
They were all at least elite Chunin level, with some even being Jonin mixed in.
This "luxurious" act of using elite forces for ceremonial purposes is itself a display of power.
What alarmed the four shadows and their guards even more was that they could vaguely sense something.
From the moment they stepped into the Land of Fire, countless gazes were cast upon them from the forests, mountains, and even the air, coldly watching their every move.
That was a surveillance network formed by the Konoha Anbu in conjunction with the Yamanaka Clan and the Barrier Team. It was omnipresent and all-pervasive, like a giant Sky Net that left them nowhere to hide. Any slight disturbance could lead to a devastating attack.
Upon entering Konoha, the sense of oppression intensified rather than decreased.
The streets are bustling, and the villagers live and work in peace and contentment.
But whether it was the children playing by the roadside or the shop owners, there was no fear or curiosity in their eyes as they looked at these "shadows of other villages".
There was only a faint calm stemming from strong self-confidence, as if their arrival was the most natural thing in the world.
Occasionally, a young Konoha Ninja would rush by, their speed and Chakra Control causing several Kage to secretly tremble with fear.
The new generation of Konoha is frighteningly high in quality.
Our accommodations were arranged in the VIP building near the Hokage Building, with an elegant environment and complete facilities.
But everyone understands that this is nothing short of the most magnificent prison.
The exterior appeared calm, but in reality, security was extremely tight.
That evening, a welcome banquet was held at the Hokage Building.
Chiyo Uchiha was not present; Shikaku Nara and Minato Namikaze presided over the event.
The banquet was of extremely high standard, with a dazzling array of delicacies, but the four shadows and their guards found no taste in it.
During the meal, Minato Namikaze casually mentioned a minor incident a few days ago when Konoha patrol team "encountered" and "persuaded" a group of suspected Cloud reconnaissance ninjas at the border.
And how the Anbu "cleaned up" several "unidentified signal sources" that attempted to infiltrate Konoha's Barrier system.
His tone was gentle, even smiling, but every word he uttered was like a cold dagger, precisely piercing the most sensitive nerves of Siying.
It was as if they were being told: all your little actions are under Konoha's control.
After the banquet, the shadows returned to their lodgings, their mood growing increasingly heavy.
The sheer power, order, and unfathomable control that Konoha displayed made them realize for the first time so clearly the gap between them and Konoha.
It's not just a gap in top-tier combat power, but a comprehensive lag in overall national strength and war potential.
That invisible, ubiquitous psychological pressure is more suffocating than a direct threat of force.
The day for the Five Kage Summit to be held officially has finally arrived.
The meeting was held in a giant conference room at the deepest part of the Hokage Building.
The room had been rearranged, with a huge round table in the center, symbolizing a form of "equality," but everyone knew that the true core lay in just one place.
When the four Kage entered the venue with their guards, Chiyo Uchiha was already seated in the main seat.
He was still dressed in a dark Kagami Robe, with black hair and black eyes, his expression calm and unwavering, as if he were just conducting an ordinary daily meeting.
He didn't deliberately exude an aura, but when his gaze swept over, everyone, including the four shadows, felt an invisible, heart-palpitating pressure rushing towards them, as if they were facing an insurmountable mountain.
The meeting proceeded immediately without any small talk or pleasantries.
Chiyo Opening Gate, pushing a pre-prepared Scroll onto the table.
"This is the basic framework of the postwar order, and the obligations and rights of all parties."
After reviewing the documents, identify the specific terms that you cannot enforce and prepare alternative solutions and compensation measures.
My time is limited.
His tone was flat, yet carried an ultimate indifference, as if he were not discussing something, but issuing a notice.
The four shadows, enduring the humiliation, picked up the Scroll and passed it around.
The longer they watched, the uglier their expressions became.
The terms in the Scroll were extremely harsh, far exceeding their worst expectations:
1. War reparations: The four major powers must pay the Land of Fire astronomical war reparations, to be paid in installments, and secured by national tax revenue and mineral resources.
2. Disarmament and Restrictions: The number of ninjas in the Four Great Shinobi Villages is strictly limited, and the research and use of certain specific large-scale destructive Ninjutsu and Forbidden Technique are prohibited. Konoha has the right to send inspection teams to supervise at any time.
3. Border Redrawing: The Land of Fire Border are pushed outwards, annexing some strategic locations and resource points that originally belonged to the four major nations.
4. Mission Share: In the next five years, Konoha will have priority in accepting S-level and A-level high-reward missions issued by various countries, and the commission rate will be greatly increased.
5. Information Sharing: The four major nations must share with Konoha any key intelligence they possess regarding Tailed Beast, ancient ruins, secret techniques, etc.
6. Alliance Obligation: When Konoha encounters an external threat (defined by Konoha ), the four major nations are obligated to provide unconditional military and material support.
This practically turned the four great nations into vassals and resource suppliers for Konoha!
Ai was the first to erupt, his body crackling with lightning. He suddenly stood up and slammed his fist on the table.
" Chiyo Uchiha! Are you trying to force us to sign a traitorous pact?!"
Rasa also looked unwell.
" The Land of Wind will never accept such humiliating terms!"
The Third Mizukage's voice was icy.
" Kirigakure cannot accept this."
Kitsuchi looked at the three of them and gritted his teeth.
" Iwagakure cannot accept this either!"
Despite the fierce opposition from the four Kage, Chiyo's expression remained unchanged.
He merely raised his eyes slightly, and it seemed as if a cold star streaked across his deep pupils.
"So, your choice is... to refuse?"
His voice remained calm, but the temperature in the entire conference room seemed to drop to freezing point instantly.
An indescribable, chilling killing intent spread like a tide.
It wasn't targeted at any one person, but rather it affected everyone except those from Konoha!
The four shadows and their guards felt a sudden tightness in their chests, as if an invisible giant hand had gripped their throats, instantly bringing them to their senses.
Thinking of Chiyo Uchiha's strength...
The meeting room fell silent for a moment.
"I'm not asking for your opinions."
Chiyo slowly stood up and looked down at them from her high position.
"It's not that we're informing you of the rules of the new era."
"Refusal means war."
And I can assure you that the next war will not end with prisoners and treaties.
It will have only one ending--
His gaze swept over the four horrified faces one by one, and he spoke clearly, word by word.
"That's the name of your village, completely erased from the Shinobi World map."
"Now, tell me your final choice."
Absolute silence.
The shadow of death loomed over everyone's heart as if it were a tangible reality.
The four men's faces were ashen, and sweat streamed down their foreheads.
They had no doubt that Chiyo Uchiha would keep his word.
The scene on the Northern Battlefield, and the terrifying strength Konoha displayed, haunted them like a nightmare.
All the anger, resentment, and pride seemed so pale and powerless in the face of the ultimate choice regarding the village's survival.
After a long, suffocating silence.
The Fourth Kazekage Rasa, was the first to lower his head, his voice dry and hoarse, as if he had used up all his strength.
He knew that Sunagakure had long lost the ability to fight against Konoha.
"... Sunagakure, accept."
Mizukage remained silent for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Kitsuchi before they both spoke.
" Kirigakure, accept."
" Iwagakure, accept."
Finally, only the Fourth Raikage A, remained. His body crackled with lightning, but he abruptly and with immense frustration, he withdrew it.
He let out a beast-like growl from deep in his throat, then slammed back into his seat, almost shattering it.
" Cloud!! Accept!!"
Every word of "acceptance" is accompanied by the sound of a heart shattering, symbolizing the complete end of the old era and the birth of a new order with Konoha as its absolute core.
Chiyo nodded slightly, his killing intent vanishing instantly, as if it had never existed.
"Very good. The specific details will be finalized by Shikaku Director Shikaku. Sign it."
He sat down again, as if he had only accomplished a trivial task.
Shikaku Nara forward and began to engage in a detailed struggle with the distraught four Kage and their strategist.
But everyone knows that with the overall framework already set, these disputes over details cannot change the final outcome.
This document, later known as the Konoha -Shikoku Peace Treaty, was less a peace treaty and more a declaration of victory and a surrender of defeat.
It officially established Konohagakure's absolute dominance in the Shinobi World, ushering in a new era dominated by the will of Chiyo Uchiha.
After the Five Kage Summit, Konoha did not bask in the joy of victory for long.
Under Chiyo's will, the entire village began to operate with greater efficiency, embarking on a deeper internal reform and reshaping.
A massive construction site unfolded on the edge of the village, with a new research institute, an expanded Ninja Academy, an advanced medical center, and even more robust and imposing defensive fortifications rising from the ground.
The enormous reparations and resources from the four major powers flowed into Konoha like blood, causing it to grow Yamato and stronger at a visible rate.
Night falls, in the Uchiha Compound, at the Chiyo's Residence.
After a busy day of official business, Chiyo returned home, where the rare warmth and comfort dispelled the harshness and coldness of the outside world.
The restaurant was filled with the enticing aroma of food.
Wearing an apron, Mikoto Uchiha was placing the last soup on the table with elegant and gentle movements. When she saw Chiyo return, a serene smile appeared on her face.
"Welcome back, Chiyo-niichan."
Kushina Uzumaki was setting out the bowls and chopsticks, her fiery red hair bouncing lively as she chattered about the interesting things that had happened in the village that day. When she saw Chiyo, she immediately jumped over.
"Brother Chiyo! You're finally back! Come on, eat! Mikoto made your favorite grilled fish today!"
Tsunade also sat at the table, holding a bottle of sake and pouring herself a drink.
Upon seeing Chiyo, he raised an eyebrow, his tone still carrying a hint of laziness and teasing.
"The busy Hokage has finally decided to go home? He's not going to spend the night in Rōran Town?"
Chiyo looked at the three people in front of him, the cold and stern lines of his face softened unconsciously.
He walked over, naturally reached out and ruffled Kushina's fiery red hair, then smiled gently at Mikoto, and finally looked at Tsunade, taking the wine glass she offered.
"Okay, I'll keep you company."
The four sat around a table for a meal, the atmosphere harmonious.
During the meeting, Chiyo would occasionally mention some details from the talks and the upcoming reform plans, not so much to solicit opinions, but more like a sharing among family members.
Chiyo's gaze would occasionally sweep over Mikoto's gentle smile, Kushina's lively hair, and Tsunade's slightly flushed profile as she drank.
An indescribable sense of satisfaction and possessiveness quietly spread through his heart.
The supreme power in this world, the strength to sweep across the Shinobi World, is ultimately lonely if no one shares it.
But they are different.
Mikoto's gentle grace, Kushina's fiery passion, Tsunade's tsundere charm and maturity...
They filled different corners of his soul in different ways.
"Only in this way can we achieve a result greater than 2 tonight... No, I should say, we can try 1+2!"
The thought flashed through his mind again, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.
After dinner, Kushina insisted on looking at the stars, so the four of them went to the courtyard veranda.
The night sky was clear, dotted with countless stars.
Kushina leaned against Chiyo, pointing at the starry sky and excitedly saying something.
Mikoto sat quietly on the other side, pouring tea for the group.
Tsunade leaned against a pillar, gazing at the starry sky with a distant look in her eyes, lost in thought.
With Chiyo holding his left arm and Kushina handing him a cup of hot tea in his right hand, Mikoto glanced at the two beauties beside him before looking at Tsunade.
The thought of "protecting all of this" became incredibly clear and unwavering.
To maintain this hard-won warmth and tranquility, he wouldn't mind letting the storms outside rage even more fiercely, crushing all potential threats into dust.
His magnanimity is sufficient to accommodate all of this, and he must accommodate all of this.
Because this is the source of his power, and one of the goals he envisions.
A cool night breeze rustled the leaves of the trees in the courtyard.
Under the starry sky, the mansion's lights shone warmly and brightly, a stark contrast to the still bustling Konoha in the distance.
The boundary between inside and outside is crystal clear at this moment.
Sudden.
" Chiyo!"
"Um?"
"I've recently developed a Medical Ninjutsu!"
Chiyo paused, then turned to look at Tsunade.
Tsunade also looked at Chiyo, her gaze softening.
"I don't want you to see me grow old, so I tried to develop this feature, and surprisingly, it worked quite well!"
This technique?
Yin Seal?