"Ah."
Hearing Naruto Uzumaki's refusal, Shin let out a soft sigh. He had already anticipated Naruto Uzumaki's answer. Naruto Uzumaki's character in the original story had long been made clear; it would have been strange if he had agreed to such a plan.
Then, his gaze swept across the faces of the shinobi one by one, but he did not ask again. From their eyes alone, Shin could understand their choice.
He had no intention of explaining his plan any further. Those who understood would naturally understand, and those who refused would not change their stance because of his explanations.
"It seems you have ultimately chosen to fight." Shin spoke softly, an eerie red glow flickering within the Three Tomoe of his eyes.
Ōnoki said in a deep voice, "When it comes to our own world, we will defend it with everything we have. Whether your goal is the 'Infinite Tsukuyomi' or this so-called 'Divine Kingdom Plan,' we will protect this world. With the Allied Shinobi Forces, there is no enemy we cannot defeat."
"Oh?" Shin raised his gaze slightly, a mocking smile curling across his lips. "Who told you that the Allied Shinobi Forces still existed?"
"What do you mean?" Ōnoki's heart jolted, and he asked instinctively.
"The meaning is simple. Members of Akatsuki, you may reveal your identities. You will become the foundation stones of the new world."
Shin raised a hand toward the sky. A point of white chakra light blossomed from his palm like a torch in the night sky.
As the chakra light appeared, countless shinobi looked up, confusion appearing in their eyes. Then, certain memories began to surface in their minds, and strange expressions appeared in their gazes.
A scheme laid out countless years ago—the arrangements that had turned them into pawns generations before