The survivors in the ruins, the leaders of every nation watching the live broadcast, everyone who heard that voice felt as though an invisible hand had clenched around their hearts.
"As you can see, the Five Kage Summit has ended."
"With a... little sideshow."
Liuyu tilted his head slightly and glanced at the unfathomable black abyss beneath his feet, as though admiring his own handiwork.
"For too long, the order of the Shinobi World has been controlled by the Five Great Nations and maintained by the Five Kage.
They wage wars in the name of 'justice'; they hide their greed behind the guise of 'peace.'
They wield 'righteousness' as a blade to slaughter those who oppose them."
"Their justice is steeped in hypocrisy."
"Their peace is drenched in blood."
"Their strength-"
Liuyu raised a hand, palm upward, as though holding something invisible.
"Pathetically weak."
As his words fell, he slowly spread his arms.
His white haori snapped in the surging reiatsu, his black hair streaming back to reveal a face as handsome as a god's, yet as cold as a demon's.
"I know what you're thinking right now."
"Monster, demon, invader, a madman who destroys order..."
Liuyu smiled.
There was no mockery in that smile, no scorn, only an almost compassionate... understanding.
"But remember-"
His voice suddenly rose, echoing between heaven and earth like a tolling bell.
"No one stood in heaven from the very beginning!"
"Not you, not me, not even the gods."
"The throne of heaven has never been anyone's private property."
"But-"
Liuyu slowly brought his outstretched arms together, as though embracing the entire world.
"This age of an empty throne, this laughable age where mortals play gods and sustain peace through lies-"
"Must end."
"From this day forward, the Shinobi World will have a new order."