Unexpected Developments...

The Five Great Nations, or rather, the remaining Four Kage—Hokage Naruto Uzumaki (severely injured but forcing himself to preside), Kazekage Gaara (lesser injuries but chakra depleted), Mizukage Chojuro (critically injured, just regained consciousness, extremely weak), and Raikage A (near death, barely clinging to life)—along with their core advisors, were gathered in a heavily guarded secret room in Konoha.

The atmosphere was as oppressive as a tomb.

The image of Shikamaru's tragic death, Uchiha Sakuya's god-like Perfect Susanoo (for clarification: Sakuya's original skeletal form was blue. After being forced to transplant his brother's Sharingan, it turned a deep purple. The reason is currently unknown), and the near annihilation of the Allied Shinobi Forces haunted everyone like a nightmare. Despair and helplessness coiled around each attendee like icy vines.

Tsuchikage Kurotsuchi was captured, the acting Tsuchikage was killed, and Iwagakure was practically nonexistent. Cloud Hidden, Mist Hidden, Sand Hidden, and Konoha were all severely weakened, their high-tier combat power decimated, leaving them with no ability to fight for years. They couldn't even see hope of rescuing Kurotsuchi or reclaiming the Tailed Beasts.

"Is... is there really no way?" Naruto's voice was hoarse, his fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms. Even his golden hair seemed to have lost its usual luster.

Gaara silently gazed at the conspicuous marker representing "Phantom Branch Village" on the sand table, slowly shaking his head. "In the face of absolute power disparity, strategy seems so pale... Unless..."

Unless what? Unless a miracle happened. But where was the miracle?

Chojuro coughed weakly, his face ashen. "We... need time... to recuperate..."

"Recuperate? By the time we recover, that monster will only become stronger!" The Raikage, though weak, was still furious, his anger filled with unwillingness and despair.

Just as the meeting reached a dead end, and despair threatened to drown everyone like a tide—

Caw!

A sharp crow's cry suddenly echoed from the room's only ventilation shaft!

A pitch-black shadow shot into the room like an arrow, landing steadily in the center of the conference table!

It was a crow, entirely black, with sharp eyes and a size far exceeding that of ordinary ninja crows. Tied to its leg was a small scroll, engraved with the Uchiha Gunbai and a strange mirror pattern.

Everyone tensed instantly! Guards moved forward, warily eyeing the uninvited guest.

"It's an Uchiha ninja crow!" Kakashi said gravely, his single eye filled with solemnity.

As if understanding them, the crow arrogantly surveyed the disheveled Kage present, then lowered its head, skillfully using its beak to untie the scroll from its leg and drop it onto the table.

The scroll unrolled automatically, revealing nothing.

But the next moment, a cold and immense chakra fluctuation emanated from the scroll, coalescing in the air into a blurry phantom wearing a vortex mask—it was Uchiha Sakuya!

Though merely a chakra imprint, the coldness and oppressive aura emanating from those eyes still made everyone present gasp for breath.

The phantom spoke, its voice cold and calm, yet carrying an undeniable authority that echoed in the deathly silent room:

"To the Kage clinging to existence:

"Endless war and sacrifice are tiresome. Uchiha Ren's life requires a more valuable sacrifice to appease."

"I grant you one last chance."

"Three days from now, at noon, at the Valley of the End."

"The Allied Shinobi Forces may send... your strongest."

"To fight me. To decide victory, and to decide life and death."

"The rules are simple:" "If the Allied Shinobi Forces win, I, the 'Phantom Branch Village', and the 'Phantom' organization are yours to dispose of. The Jinchuriki and the Tsuchikage will be returned." "If I win..."

The phantom's voice paused, becoming colder and more resolute: "Then, the ninja world must acknowledge my title as 'First Phantom Kage'!" "Henceforth, the Five Kage Summit shall become the Six Kage Summit! The 'Phantom' shall possess equal status and power to the other Five Kage!" "Simultaneously, the 'Phantom Branch Village' shall be fully recognized as the Sixth Great Shinobi Village, enjoying all its legal rights and interests!" "And, a treaty of peace and alliance shall be signed on the spot, with mutual non-aggression!"

"This is the final ultimatum." "Accept, or... await complete annihilation." "Choose."

As the voice faded, the chakra phantom instantly dissipated. The scroll then ignited with a "poof," turning into a small pile of ashes.

The ninja crow let out a mocking cry, spread its wings, and vanished into the ventilation shaft.

Inside the secret room, an even longer, pin-drop silence descended.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden, earth-shattering declaration of war.

A one-on-one battle? A duel betting the future of the entire world?

If they won, they could end it all, rescue the hostages, and eliminate the greatest threat? If they lost, they would have to acknowledge the monster's status, and the ninja world's structure would be completely overturned?

This was... madness!

But...

After the silence, all eyes, involuntarily, slowly, converged on one person.

Naruto Uzumaki.

Currently, the only one among the Allied Shinobi Forces who might, who was qualified, who had the strength to face that monster... the strongest.

Even though he was severely injured, even though the Nine-Tails' chakra was largely depleted, even though the future was uncertain...

It seemed to be the only faint yet incredibly sharp ray of light piercing through the abyss of despair.

Should they grasp this sliver of light, gamble everything for a future? Or refuse, and await the potentially more complete destruction that might come after the opponent recovered?

The burden of choice weighed upon every Kage, especially Naruto Uzumaki.

The Valley of the End, three days later. A decisive battle that would determine the fate of the ninja world was about to unfold.