The next morning...
As the first rays of daylight pierced the clouds, the representatives of each world and the Empire's ministers were already waiting outside Taiji Hall.
A solemn cry rang out from within: "Court is now in session!" Everyone held their breath and entered, deliberately softening their footsteps.
Taiji Hall was even grander than they had imagined. Twelve golden pillars entwined with dragons supported a dome hundreds of feet high. Flames burned in bronze lamps suspended between the beams, stretching everyone's shadows long and thin.
The gilded palace was magnificent, its carved beams and painted rafters like a rainbow descended from heaven. Its breathtaking beauty made them feel as though they had entered the celestial realm.
Levi paid no attention to the scenery. Instead, he secretly glanced up at the figure seated proudly upon the throne.
Unlike their first meeting, His Majesty wore a stern expression. His dragon robes lent him an even greater air of effortless authority.
That overwhelming presence made Levi's heart tighten.
Once everyone had taken their places.
Li Tetsuhiro laid out coordinated plans for economic development, multilateral trade, and military training across the worlds. He ordered every nation to pursue steady development while strictly adhering to the principle of putting people first, taking from the people and using it for their benefit.
Chief Advisor Sarutobi was the first to step forward and deliver his report. "The Shinobi World has completed the second phase of economic reconstruction.
"Seventeen trade routes now connect the Five Great Districts. Sunagakure's Magnet Release refining technique has been introduced throughout the Land of Earth, significantly improving the efficiency of iron mining."
He unfurled a scroll. The instant he infused it with chakra, an enormous map rose upright in the hall, displaying a crisscrossing network of trade routes.
"However, remnants of rogue