We Adore You, General!

Konoha's summit had undoubtedly ended in complete failure.

Not only had the delegations from the Land of Night and the Land of Earth, represented by Yayoi and Mu, been intercepted by the Shadow Clones of some unidentified individual on their way to the Hidden Leaf Village, but ninja representatives from nations large and small had suffered the same fate.

As for who that unidentified individual actually was, no one dared ask, and no one dared say. It was simply far too difficult to guess.

The ninja delegations from every nation acted as though nothing had happened, turned around, and went home.

After the incident, Konoha immediately expressed its profound apologies, and every nation received them. Yet rather than being comforted, the nations only grew more anxious and uneasy.

Thus, because of the summit's abrupt collapse, the situation between the nations became extremely tense once more.

The combat strength and uncompromising attitude displayed by that unidentified individual had left every nation trembling in fear.

"Most likely, it won't come to war."

Yayoi had returned to the Land of Night and was stationed in the Tenshu Tower.

More than half a month had passed since he returned from the Land of Fire, and it was now December.

After nearly half a month of developments, intelligence reports on the actions of various nations had piled up before Yayoi like snowflakes, forming a thick stack on his desk.

Yayoi had not read those intelligence reports, yet he issued that judgment without hesitation.

Because he knew without reading them that although the nations were nervous, they did not possess the authority to start a war on their own initiative.

That authority had, from the very beginning, rested solely in Konoha's hands.

As long as Konoha did not want war, every nation would be forced to calm itself and endure that agonizing sense of urgency.

According to reports, A, the First Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning, had personally gone to Konoha for this summit, and as a result...

Unless he spent a month bedridden, the First Raikage likely would not be able to get up and walk again.

"He was really impressive. He ran into Madara's real body and still survived..."

Yayoi sighed in amazement, unable to help feeling respect and surprise at the First Raikage's abilities.

He, Mu, and the ninja delegations of the other major nations had all been attacked by Madara's Shadow Clones.

Among the ninja villages of the Five Great Nations, only A, the First Raikage, had personally gone to the Land of Fire for the summit.

To force the First Raikage into submission, Madara's real body had personally taken action.

As for the ninja villages of the smaller nations, Madara did not even spare them a glance.

The smaller ninja villages were too weak to be included in his plans. Yayoi had only encountered him because he happened to be with the Land of Earth delegation.

After all, as long as he forced the ninja villages of the Five Great Nations to submit, the smaller nations would naturally surrender at the sight of it. There was no need to do anything extra.

Honestly, Madara Uchiha's arrogant attitude was the fundamental reason the nations had become so jittery.

A, the First Raikage, was the strongest ninja of the great nation known as the Land of Lightning. Yet before Madara's real body, even a ninja like him had been as soft and powerless as a teenage girl.

It could not be said that his attacks had been completely ineffective against Madara, but they truly had been like a young girl acting spoiled.

How much better could the First Kage of the other three great nations possibly fare?

Even if it were four against one, could they truly win?

Most importantly, Konoha also had Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, who had once defeated Madara Uchiha!

That led the other nations to speculate whether Madara's actions this time were part of a scheme personally arranged by Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi.

Madara was the executor onstage, while Hashirama Senju was the true mastermind behind the scenes.

But with such power already in their hands, was there really any need to play at conspiracies?

The great nations trembled as they secretly began amassing troops to prepare for a Shinobi World War that could erupt at any moment.

The small nations simply gave up. If Konoha dared to attack, they would dare to raise white flags and surrender immediately, declaring that they could love Konoha too.

"Lord Yayoi, do we really not need to establish defenses along the border?"

Faced with such a predicament, Irori could not help worrying deeply.

After fighting Madara Uchiha that day, she had understood that he was a monster the Land of Night could not resist.

"There's no point in doing that. Issue a public notice and tell all citizens to keep doing whatever they normally do. Eating well, drinking well, and sleeping well are more important than anything else. Tell them not to indulge in pointless worries."

Yayoi remained calm and composed.

Unlike the time he had watched the battle more than a year ago, this time Yayoi had personally experienced how terrifying Madara's power was.

Therefore, he understood clearly that before such an existence, whether they established defenses or not was entirely meaningless.

Moreover, after this incident, he had seen that the Senju Clan represented by Hashirama Senju and the Uchiha Clan represented by Madara Uchiha were like water and fire, incapable of merging.

An irreparable rift had appeared between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. They were only one crucial opportunity away from truly parting ways.

Therefore, he was not particularly worried that Konoha would ignite a Shinobi World War.

If the worst truly came to pass, he had already prepared himself to die on the battlefield.

Anyone in the Land of Night could surrender, but he, the general, would never bow to anyone.

But when that time came, he would need to prepare for his family's evacuation. There was no need for them to perish with the nation alongside him.

Seeing Yayoi's stern and resolute expression, Irori gradually calmed down as well.

"I understand. I'll handle it right away."

Irori turned and left the Tenshu Tower to issue a public statement.

The ninja world possessed electrical technology.

It was simply that, in this era, such electrical technology had not yet become widespread among the nations.

However, as one of the Ninja World's advanced metropolitan cities, Nightview City placed great importance on electrical technology.

It was not only used in the military; simple electrical products had also begun to be applied in certain areas of civilian life.

For example, the broadcast loudspeakers spread throughout Nightview City's streets, taverns, and inns were products of this technology.

It was easy to imagine that in the near future, electrical products like these would spring up wildly like mushrooms after rain and enter every field, greatly improving the convenience of life.

Following a drawn-out, raspy tone, Irori's soft and tranquil voice soon rang out from every broadcast loudspeaker in Nightview City:

"Public Notice to All Citizens—

Dear citizens, have you been keeping well lately?

The following are several important announcements that all citizens need to know—

First, according to forecasts, a stronger cold wave will soon arrive from the east. Please protect your doors and windows, keep warm, and be careful not to catch a cold.

Second, meat and vegetable prices may experience slight fluctuations in the near future. This is normal. The relevant departments will intervene as soon as possible to stabilize the market.

Third, some areas in the South District have experienced malfunctions in their underfloor heating systems. Technicians will arrive to repair them at two o'clock this afternoon. Please wait patiently and do not cause panic.

Fourth, a stage play will be performed at the National Theater in the North District. Please do not crowd together when attending, in order to prevent trampling incidents. Also, do not litter or deliberately create extra trouble for the theater staff.

Fifth, Mine Areas No. 7 and No. 8 in the northeastern region urgently require a group of miners. Registration will be held on 13th Street in the West District from one to five in the afternoon each day, for a total of seven days. Due to the harsh northeastern climate, wages and allowances will be increased accordingly.

Sixth, the nation has now basically resolved the issue of worker unemployment. The number of impoverished families receiving relief supplies has decreased considerably compared to last year. Regarding new job opportunities, the nation will establish additional factories next April to resolve the employment issues of those still seeking work at home as soon as possible.

Seventh...

Lastly, please do not believe rumors or spread rumors. The General will always be with you.

Thank you."

Irori's calm and peaceful voice seemed to possess a power that touched people's hearts, naturally soothing their chaotic emotions.

"Oh, it's Miss Irori's voice."

"No matter when I hear it, Miss Irori's voice is always so healing."

"I'm fired up!"

"I want gentle Miss Irori to look down on me with disgust in her eyes while insulting me. Ah, I'm dead!"

Such deranged remarks filled the streets, taverns, and inns.

As a life created by Yayoi, Irori possessed a beauty as ethereal and unreal as a mythical fairy, along with a gentle and serene temperament. Among the citizens of the Land of Night, she was undoubtedly extremely popular.

Not to mention that whenever a major matter needed to be announced, Irori personally appeared to do so.

Occasionally, Irori would also perform highly entertaining puppet plays for passersby in the streets through manual control, drawing countless people to gather and watch. (A puppet controlling puppets to perform a puppet play.)

In just one year, she had become a national-level idol.

However, not everyone was like that. More people were concerned with the contents of the announcement itself.

Well... how should they put it? It always felt completely different from the atmosphere in the other nations.

In the other nations, from daimyos and officials down to ordinary commoners, everyone seemed to be discussing military and national affairs, as though a Shinobi World War could arrive at any moment. Fear and panic filled the air, and everyone was wound tight.

Only the General's announcement made no mention whatsoever of international conflicts or tensions. Just as in previous years, it concerned itself only with various domestic matters related to people's livelihoods.

It cared about whether the people were eating well, dressing well, sleeping well, and whether they had found work. It cared whether impoverished families had received the relief supplies distributed free by the nation on time.

The weather had turned cold, so everyone needed to stay warm. Meat and vegetable prices were fluctuating, so adjustments would be made as soon as possible.

General, you truly are...

These were not tears. It was just that this year's eastern wind and snow had arrived too suddenly and gotten into their eyes.

We adore you, General!!!

(This era really does have electrical technology. I wasn't making it up. I looked up Chapter 625 of the manga, when Hashirama and Madara looked out over Konoha, and there was an architectural illustration from Konoha's early days.

There really were electrical wires in the village, and there even seemed to be air conditioners.

It just wasn't drawn very clearly. That thing should have been an air conditioner, and the wires and utility poles could be seen too.

All I can say is, as expected of Ninja World technology—it's absurdly off the rails.

Also, I adjusted the ages of some characters in this book. All the female leads have been raised to the adult age of eighteen.

Finally, let me say it one more time: no AI, no AI, no AI. Important things must be said three times.)