The Formation of the One Country, One Village System

"Thank you. I hope you won't regret your decision to let me go today."

On the battlefield in the Land of Fire, within the southern forest.

After saying this, Takenaka Kaguya cupped his hands toward Madara Uchiha once more and thanked him. "If the opportunity arises in the future, I will repay the favor of letting me leave today."

"Hahaha, boy of the Takenaka Clan, I hope you continue to grow stronger. I can see that you possess the heart of a true powerhouse. Hashirama and I will be waiting for you at the summit. When that day comes, don't make us wait too long," Madara Uchiha said with a hearty laugh. There was admiration in his eyes, but even more than that, anticipation.

At the side, Hashirama Senju also smiled. "I, too, look forward to your future. I hope that the next time we meet, the Shinobi World will have achieved true peace, and you will possess the strength to stand before me."

"It will happen."

Takenaka nodded and replied with absolute certainty.

Then, he took a deep look at Tobirama Senju. Without saying another word, he vanished in a flicker.

A moment later, once he could no longer sense Takenaka's Chakra, Madara Uchiha released Tobirama Senju.

Seeing the confidence and expectation on his elder brother's and Madara Uchiha's faces, Tobirama Senju frowned. "Brother, Madara, you will regret letting him go today.

He is only twelve or thirteen, yet he already possesses Kage-level strength. Give him more time, and he will surely become the greatest threat to our Land of Fire."

"Hahaha, relax, Tobirama. You need to learn to tolerate those you dislike. Consider this a task assigned to you by your elder brother," Hashirama Senju said with a laugh, gently patting Tobirama Senju on the shoulder.

Madara Uchiha nodded from the side as well. "Tobirama, listen to your brother. Your greatest character flaw is your inability to tolerate others."

"Hmph. You will definitely regret this."

Unfortunately, after what had just happened, Tobirama Senju had no interest in listening to their lectures. He turned and left immediately.

After he was gone, Hashirama Senju watched Tobirama Senju's departing figure and sighed. "Madara, Tobirama's temperament is what worries me most. If I am no longer around someday, I'll have to trouble you to help teach him."

"No. Teach him yourself. You know the relationship between him and me can never be eased. If not for you, I would have killed him outright.

And you bastard, who told you to come just now? Were you worried that I couldn't deal with the enemy?

The moment you showed up, that brat Takenaka Kaguya changed his target of challenge to you. That really pisses me off," Madara Uchiha snorted coldly.

"Hahaha, don't be so petty, Madara. No matter what, the peace we have been hoping for is about to arrive."

"Hmph!"

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. The Land of Fire declared victory in all its foreign wars. Then Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, together with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, proposed the one country, one village system.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire also knew that the common people of the Land of Fire had long yearned for peace. Besides, if he dared refuse, Madara Uchiha might very well use him to test the power of the Perfect Susanoo.

Thus, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire gathered all the nobles of the Land of Fire and convened a meeting.

Afterward, the meeting decided to approve Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha's joint founding of Konohagakure, with Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, serving as Konoha's First Hokage.

As for Madara Uchiha, he became the Hokage Assistant and, along with Tobirama Senju, gained the right to succeed as the Second Hokage.

With Konohagakure established, the Land of Wind, Land of Lightning, Land of Earth, and Land of Water saw what the Land of Fire had done. Thus, the four great nations pushed the matter forward simultaneously, moving so quickly that it seemed as though they had planned it together.

Thus, the Sengoku era was declared over, and the Shinobi World welcomed peace.

Half a month later, the one country, one village system had completely taken shape throughout the Shinobi World.

Land of Fire: Konohagakure, First Hokage Hashirama Senju, Hokage Assistant Madara Uchiha.

Land of Lightning: Kumogakure, First Raikage A.

Land of Water: Kirigakure, First Mizukage Byakuren, Mizukage Assistant Hozuki Gengetsu.

Land of Earth: Iwagakure, First Tsuchikage Ishikawa.

Land of Wind: Sunagakure, First Kazekage Shakui (no information available), Kazekage Assistant Shamon.

The other small nations did the same. However, there was one exception: the leaders of villages in small nations could not use the title Kage.

Land of Water, on an island.

Corpses lay strewn across the ground. Judging from their clothing and the forehead protectors they wore, they were all Ninja from Amegakure.

At the center of those corpses were more than a dozen bodies piled together. Sitting atop them was a cold-eyed youth holding a Black Bone Blade.

Judging from the battlefield, these Ninja corpses were likely the youth's handiwork.

An hour earlier, Kirigakure, the Mizukage's office.

"Takenaka, based on military achievements and contributions, the position of First Mizukage should logically have gone to you. After all, everyone knows your strength and accomplishments in the past wars.

However, during the meeting to select the Mizukage, the Daimyo overruled all objections. He believed you were too young and wanted you to learn more at my side. He also said that once I step down, the position of Second Mizukage will still be handed to you."

The First Mizukage, Byakuren, looked at Takenaka standing before him and spoke kindly.

Hearing this, Takenaka shook his head slightly. "Lord Mizukage deserves the position. I am merely a junior. Although my strength is not lacking, compared with taking on a major duty such as Mizukage, I prefer simple combat.

As for the position of Second Mizukage you mentioned, I believe Lord Hozuki Gengetsu is far more suitable. First, Lord Gengetsu is your disciple and also Kirigakure's Mizukage Assistant. What he can learn by your side is not something this junior can compare to.

For him to serve as the next Mizukage would be perfectly justified.

Second, Lord Gengetsu is no weaker than I am. Furthermore, he has handled every matter by your side with great propriety over the years, earning the respect of Ninja from every clan.

With everyone's support, his becoming the next Mizukage is what the people desire. I believe that under Lord Gengetsu's leadership, the village will surely flourish more and more in the future."

Takenaka did not care about the position of Mizukage, nor did he have any desire for power struggles.

Especially after witnessing supreme powerhouses like Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, he only wanted to raise his strength as quickly as possible. Then, before Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha broke apart, he wanted to fight them openly and honorably.

Therefore, he had no desire to become Mizukage, nor did he have time to waste on such matters.

Byakuren saw that Takenaka's refusal was sincere, so he let the matter go and did not mention it again.

A moment later, Byakuren recalled the information his subordinates had delivered earlier. His expression immediately turned grave as he looked at Takenaka. "Right, Takenaka. There are results regarding the matter you previously asked me to investigate. This is the intelligence gathered by my men. Take a look."

Upon hearing this, a trace of killing intent instantly appeared around Takenaka. He took the scroll, opened it, and frowned immediately after reading it.

After a moment of silence, he raised his head and looked at the First Mizukage, Byakuren. "Thank you for your help, Lord Mizukage. I want these people's lives!"