I Will Forge an Era That Belongs to You

"Mito, your heart was wavering."

Within the space of the Eight Trigrams Seal, Mito Uzumaki opened her eyes. A magnificent, enormous crimson demon fox lay sprawled on the ground, its limbs, chest, abdomen, neck, and nine mountain-like tails all tightly bound in place by Adamantine Sealing Chains emerging from the void.

The chains binding its mouth loosened slightly. The Nine-Tails parted its jaws, revealing rows of fangs, its blood-red beastly eyes brimming with murderous intent.

"Compare him to that Mangekyo brat. Don't you find your son more and more like a useless waste?"

"You might as well kill that waste and find someone else to bear—"

"Watch your tongue."

Mito Uzumaki, who held absolute control over this space, softly uttered those two words. The Adamantine Sealing Chains immediately tightened, binding the Nine-Tails so thoroughly that it could not move, leaving it only its enraged beastly eyes to vent the violence in its heart.

"What an unruly beast."

Mito Uzumaki snorted coldly, and her consciousness returned from the Eight Trigrams Seal to the outside world. The noblewoman seated at the edge of her bed revealed an inescapable sorrow on her face as she sat alone at night.

"You're back?"

The moment Uchiha Takeyasu returned to his room, Uchiha Naori activated her Sharingan and inspected him from head to toe. She even reached out and pinched at the joints of his body while muttering to herself.

"No signs of genjutsu, no traces of sealing techniques, and no injuries."

Seeing the purple-haired girl finally relax, Uchiha Takeyasu's gaze softened. He wrapped his arms around Uchiha Naori's waist and gently kissed her forehead.

"Naori, you may not trust the Senju, but you have to trust me."

"You know just how capable I am, don't you?"

Uchiha Naori looked at her lover's double entendre. Her face reddened slightly as she slapped away his wandering hand and spat, "Ever since that day, you haven't been serious for even a moment."

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have believed your sweet talk. I should have waited until after we were married to do something so shameful."

"That's only because Naori is so irresistible."

Uchiha Takeyasu smiled, then looked past Uchiha Naori at Minamoto Kaori, who was holding Tachibana and gazing at him tenderly. "Kaori is incredibly charming too."

"What should we do tonight?"

"Meow!"

Late at night, all was silent within the Feudal Lord's Palace of the Land of Lightning.

The city walls were brightly illuminated by torchlight. Fully armored samurai marched along them with imposing vigor, while several tall watchtowers stood nearby. The soldiers atop them silently monitored the surrounding area, yet clear disdain could be seen on their faces.

This was the capital of the Land of Lightning, one of the Five Great Nations—the land founded by the descendants of the sacred ancestral emperor. Who in the world would dare commit such a grave offense as attacking it?

Ever since the Feudal Lord's Palace had been built, not a single trace of blades, spears, swords, or halberds had ever marked its tall, sturdy walls. If not for Kinkaku and Ginkaku from South Cloud Village appearing recently, they would have long since been napping and slacking off.

"Lord Raikage, everyone is prepared."

"Good. From now on, you are Kinkaku and Ginkaku of South Cloud Village."

In the distant forest, the Third Raikage of North Cloud Village watched as two of his subordinates transformed into Kinkaku and Ginkaku. With a wave of his hand, he sent them, along with more than a dozen trusted Jonin, charging directly at the walls of the Feudal Lord's Palace.

The violent roar of air being torn apart exploded through the night like thunder, instantly jolting the soldiers awake.

"Enemy attack!"

The gongs and drums atop the watchtowers were sounded. The samurai began gathering in groups, while archers stepped up to the walls and drew their bows under their captain's command.

"Fire!"

The rain of arrows was directly blasted apart by Lightning Release ninjutsu. Blinding lightning illuminated the sky. The samurai general who had rushed over wore an ugly expression, but what alarmed him even more was the soldiers' lack of fighting spirit.

Ever since ninja had taken the stage, they ordinary people were no longer the protagonists of war. Even the Land of Iron, which revered samurai, had nothing more than samurai who wielded Chakra.

The power of Lightning Release ninjutsu had already shattered their courage.

"Keep firing!"

"There are only a dozen of them! Don't be afraid!"

Before the samurai general could rally the soldiers' resolve, the ninja below the walls had already rushed up. What followed was an instant slaughter of spraying blood and flesh. The loudly shouting samurai general was also stabbed to death by a katana "Kinkaku" casually picked up.

The advance was like a hot knife slicing through butter. Without pausing in the slightest, the dozen or so men slaughtered their way into the keep of the Feudal Lord's Palace.

The leading "Kinkaku and Ginkaku" charged all the way into the tower and swiftly killed the fat, pig-faced feudal lord. At the same time, the feudal lord's children were also being massacred.

Soon, a signal flare appeared in the night sky, and the ninja vanished into the darkness.

"Lord Raikage, the mission was completed smoothly. Many people saw our faces."

"Well done."

The Third Raikage nodded slightly. In his plan to seize control of the entire Land of Lightning and serve Madara Uchiha, killing the current feudal lord of the Land of Lightning and framing Kinkaku and Ginkaku was merely the first step.

After casting aside the reverence for feudal lords that had built up over countless years, the Third Raikage discovered just how vast the world truly was. How could powerful ninja allow themselves to be ridden over by pigs that only knew how to eat, drink, shit, and piss?

Facing the groveling nobles and court officials—living such a pointless life was worse than living as a dog!

"How are preparations for the next step?"

"The companion skilled in the Transformation Technique had already remained in the keep, transformed into an insignificant prince."

"Good. Next, we just wait for our appearance tomorrow, ensure that he inherits the throne smoothly, and then issue a mission to the Five Great Nations to eliminate Kinkaku and Ginkaku."

In the Third Raikage's original plan, the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki was meant to launch a suicidal assault on Kinkaku and Ginkaku. However, considering that the enemy also had the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki, a single misstep could cause devastating losses on their side as well. And if they lacked manpower, they would be unable to promptly complete Madara Uchiha's task of gathering researchers.

Therefore, summoning ninjas from the other four great nations to serve as cannon fodder was necessary.

As far as he was concerned, the resources paid as compensation were merely being held in the other hidden villages for safekeeping. Whenever needed, they could simply wage war and take them back.

"Once Kinkaku and Ginkaku are dead, all the resources of the Land of Lightning will be ours. We will end the north-south divide and bring back the Kumogakure of old. The village will surely grow even stronger."

Inspired by the Third Raikage's words, the surrounding subordinates all looked excited, as though they could already see that glorious future.

"Let's go. Get a good night's sleep and wait for tomorrow's appearance."

The Third Raikage looked back at the Feudal Lord's Palace, illuminated by firelight. Faint cries and wails drifted into his ears along with the wind, yet a trace of regret appeared on the dark-skinned man's face.

The system of one village, one nation had been established jointly by Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

If not for his concern over Lord Madara, he truly wanted to erase the bloodline of the Feudal Lord of the Land of Lightning, allowing the village to become the nation's true master instead of having a puppet standing at the forefront.

(I wonder what the feudal lords of the other nations will think once they learn of this?)

The Third Raikage gave a mocking smile.

He knew perfectly well that once this matter spread through the nations and villages of the Ninja World, it would certainly cause an earth-shattering uproar. This was the first of the Five Great Nations' feudal lords to be killed by ninjas!

The sacred legitimacy bestowed by the Son of Heaven had been dragged down from the clouds by "Kinkaku and Ginkaku" and ruthlessly trampled underfoot. The future order would inevitably be one where hidden villages ruled nations, rather than nations ruling hidden villages.

The Third Raikage could already clearly foresee a future in which the ninja class replaced the court nobles and aristocracy. He would place his revered Lord Madara upon the supreme throne!

(Lord Madara, please wait just a little longer. I will forge an era that belongs to you!)

(The future of the Ninja World will belong to Lord Madara!)

Meanwhile, in the underground space of Unraikyo Gorge, Madara Uchiha—unaware of any of this—was stroking the Flame Gunbai as he reminisced about his love-hate days with Hashirama Senju.

The next chapter got flagged for review. I have no idea why.