The best way to bind people together was neither ideals nor pressure, but shared interests.
Eligibility to participate in the Shinobi War was directly tied to the Union, and the Shinobi War's rewards had now become a temptation the entire Shinobi World could not resist.
The Union's members understood this clearly. Ensuring that the Union proceeded smoothly was no longer merely Konoha's wish—it meant protecting their collective interests.
Meanwhile, at the front, Minato and Tobirama returned with the Ten-Tails, which had been sealed away once more.
"...Unusual, serrated patterns, with a vertical row of tomoe tattoos on both his chest and back. His fingernails and toenails are all black... But his body turns to ash at a touch. Unlike Urashiki, it looks like we can't recover it..."
Minato frowned as he inspected Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's remains at Tobirama's instruction. Isshiki's condition somewhat resembled the First and Second Hokage's Impure World Reincarnation bodies: once all signs of life vanished, the entire body turned to ash.
Urashiki Otsutsuki's body is still in Lord Tobirama's Laboratory. What caused this difference?
While Minato pondered that, Tobirama removed the Fire Eye placed inside Hashirama's reincarnated body to broadcast the battle.
"Good thing my head didn't get smashed during the fight, haha." Ever the optimist, Hashirama looked at the Ten-Tails behind Tobirama, roaring incessantly inside a small barrier. "Did we achieve our goal?"
"I haven't gone back to confirm it yet, but I imagine that should be enough."
Tobirama answered while he and Naruto examined the Black Rods inside their bodies. "After all, this was an opponent neither you nor Madara could defeat, brother. Those people aren't fools. They'll know what takes priority."
"Hmph. A pointless exercise."
Madara gave a slightly displeased snort.
The Black Rods' abilities were themselves an application of Yin–Yang Release. Breaking their effects