Tetsuhiro lay in bed, turning everything over in his mind. In the end, he left the bed that gave him goosebumps and went out onto the deck.
He let the sea breeze wash over him and gathered himself. Once he got back, he would have to spend a night "pouring his heart out" to Mito. Only that could dispel the shadow Madara had left over him.
As time passed, the troops returned one after another. Madara had also captured the First Mizukage, Byakuren, and the others.
"I killed the Daimyo and that Onmyoji. Tell me, what do you want to do with these three?"
The three immediately begged for mercy. "Your Majesty, revered Your Majesty, we were forced to oppose you. Please spare us."
"Hmph! You won't even look Hashirama in the eye, and you dare beg for mercy?" Madara made as if to attack.
Byakuren hurriedly explained, "Lord Hokage, I was born this way! I can't help it!"
"What about the one who's kept his eyes closed this whole time? He won't look at Hashirama either! Don't tell me he's blind." Madara pointed at the handsome, long-haired man.
"My name is Hizashi. I've disliked opening my eyes since childhood. Please forgive me."
"If you don't like opening them anyway, we might as well stab them out."
"Let it go, Madara. That's how things were under the old system. You and I both lived through it. Let them live and properly repent." In the end, Tetsuhiro's words were the ones that worked.
Madara folded his arms and looked down on them. "Count yourselves lucky. If you dare rebel..."
"We won't! If we do, kill us outright. We won't utter a word of complaint."
"Then we'll see how you behave. Don't disappoint me~"
Meanwhile, inside Pangaea Castle.
Senju Shumao held a bloodstained kunai as he looked at Haori, an accompanying ninja from the Earth District, lying at his feet.
An explosive tag was wrapped inside Haori's sleeve, while his eyes unmistakably showed the black coloration unique to Impure World Reincarnation.
Sarutobi Sasuke stepped forward to examine him, then said gravely, "So that's it... Black Zetsu planted puppets in every district long ago."
Shu Mao destroyed the explosive tag, then fired Water Release from his mouth, piercing the leg of another Earth District attendant who was trying to flee.
"Hokage's aide, we've subdued all the traitors. What should we do next?"
"They... seem to be waiting for some kind of signal."
Sarutobi Sasuke's voice simmered with suppressed anger. "It's Black Zetsu. He wants us to collapse from within!"
"Report! A Messenger Hawk brought news! Lord Hokage won a decisive victory on the front lines in the Land of Lightning and successfully kept Uchiha Izuna with us!
"His Majesty suffered severe injuries and fell unconscious while saving Lord Tobirama in the Land of Water!"
"What?! Father!"
"Your Highness, calm yourself!" Sarutobi Sasuke immediately stopped him. "Our duty is to hold the center! Whatever happens, we must wait until the fighting is over!"
"Let go of me! Something happened to Father! I'm going to the front!" Shu Mao struggled to push forward.
Smack! A slap left Shu Mao's cheek red.
"Your Highness! The bigger picture comes first! His Majesty entrusted the empire to you before leaving. Don't disappoint him!"
Those words stopped his struggling. After a while,
"I understand. I won't disappoint Father. Follow the trail from the prisoners right away! Put every important location under strict guard."
"Good. Here are my orders..."
Through the efforts of Shu Mao, Mito, Sarutobi Sasuke, and the others, the situation within the capital finally stabilized.
Only later did they receive word that Tetsuhiro was safe, everything had gone smoothly, and he was on his way back.
Just as they relaxed, Black Zetsu suddenly possessed Shu Mao and left them a message. "Make Madara hand over the Rinnegan, or don't expect to recover his corpse. Hehehehe..."
"Give Shu Mao back!" Four Adamantine Sealing Chains suddenly sprang from Mito's back, barely restraining Shu Mao's upper body as she struggled against Black Zetsu.
The nearby guards rushed over to help pull. As more and more people joined in, Black Zetsu was dragged out.
Seeing the situation turn against him, he hurriedly slipped underground and vanished again.
"Damn it! We'll never have a moment's peace at this rate! We have to find a way to deal with him!" Mito seethed.
"Let's discuss it once His Majesty returns." Sarutobi Sasuke keenly noticed an issue.
"Since the Uzumaki clan's secret technique works on him, we need to protect you and your clansmen. I've heard they've been rather... unruly lately?"
That brought her to her senses. "With such a powerful enemy before us, we can't keep indulging them."
After this incident, all of Pangaea Castle was on edge. Everyone was tense, and patrols were doubled.
Things only eased somewhat when the army returned.
"What? Black Zetsu nearly took Shu Mao away? And he demanded Madara's Rinnegan?!" Tetsuhiro had only just reached the city gates and begun receiving the crowds' welcome when Mito and the others told him what had happened.
"Tch!" Madara sounded displeased when he heard. "Ridiculous!"
After hearing Sarutobi Sasuke's analysis, Tetsuhiro understood. "I see. We'll speed up the reforms in the Land of Whirlpools. The Uzumaki Clan Leader happens to be coming, too. Madara, I'm counting on you."
"For now, let's handle the official business and follow the proceedings."
Amid the cheers and welcome of everyone in the city, the entire expeditionary force, including the shrunken tailed beasts, basked in the joy of victory.
Every one of them held their head high, full of hope for the future.
Tobirama and the other core elites were positively beaming. Nothing felt better than being loved by the people.
The people from the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water also exclaimed in wonder.
"So this is Pangaea Castle in the Ten Thousand Worlds Ninja Nation? It's magnificent, truly majestic~"
"I've never experienced anything like this. Look at the joy on those commoners' faces. They're happy from the bottom of their hearts~"
"Were we really wrong?"
"..." They all fell into deep thought.
Tetsuhiro now stood outside Taiji Hall, recounting how they had defeated their enemies and achieved unification!
Then he recounted the deeds of those who had died for their country and announced compensation for their families, along with the construction of the Hall of Heroes and the Heroes' Monument!
The Hall of Heroes would house the ashes of those who had made great contributions.
The Heroes' Monument would bear the names of those who had rendered meritorious service.
The troops erupted in cheers! "Your Majesty is wise! Long live Your Majesty!"
He had the bodies of the two Daimyo brought out and listed dozens of their crimes before everyone. The crowd ground their teeth in fury, wishing they could go up and stomp on the corpses.
"Therefore, I hereby order their immediate beheading!"
The two enormous heads fell at his command and rolled toward the crowd, leaving blood all over the ground.
Rather than frightening them, the sight drew a wave of applause...
Tetsuhiro then announced a series of reforms, sweeping changes that affected everyone from clans to ninja and samurai, all the way down to merchants and commoners!
He introduced a points system and a military merit system!
Clans would no longer be allowed to maintain monopolies. The market had to thrive! Contributing clan secret techniques would earn points, which could be exchanged for various abilities!
Ninja and samurai would receive better benefits, and the Adventurers' Guild would be established. People could earn money by completing commissions. Anyone could post or accept tasks, but they had to pass a certification exam and register.
The ranks would be divided into black iron-bronze-silver-gold-dark gold-legendary!
This would not conflict with the ninja hierarchy, which would be updated.
Genin-Special Chunin-Chunin-Special Jōnin-Jonin-Kage-Super Kage-Six Paths!
At the same time, the market would be opened up, and the Market Supervision and Administration Bureau would be established to oversee markets and merchants, ensuring fairer ways to make money and allowing everyone to spend with confidence!
Benefits for the middle and lower classes would improve. The Research Department and Public School would be established so commoners could receive an education, participate in research, and seek treatment in hospitals. All land in the world would be nationalized and leased to commoners, while taxes would be reduced by twenty percent!
At this, everyone's cheers grew even louder...
"Ahem~ I hereby announce that the Land of Water will be renamed the Water District. The First Mizukage will replace the Daimyo as Governor of the Water District. The Land of Lightning will be renamed the Lightning District, with the First Raikage serving as Governor. Everything else will remain unchanged."
The captives, who had been questioning themselves, were now overwhelmed with delighted surprise. Despite their defeat, not only had they avoided imprisonment, they could even retain their former positions!
They all felt deeply grateful to Tetsuhiro. The Senju reputation for benevolence was well deserved.
An ongoing special recruitment drive would now seek people interested in scientific research. Anyone interested could sign up, with five hundred places available!
Those without aptitude would be removed and replaced with new recruits. Unsuccessful candidates would mine without pay for one month!
The ordinary people, who had been ecstatic, suddenly felt their enthusiasm cool considerably, while the clan members looked thoughtful.
The World Religions Association would also be established to manage all religions under a unified system, with the abbot of the Fire Temple currently serving as its president!
Finally, he vigorously promoted entertainment, announcing many facilities that had existed only in his previous life.
Filmmaking, novel writing, horse racing, archery, ball games, board and card games, music, art, and more.
An official competitive arena would be established-the Ten Thousand Worlds Martial Arts Tournament would be held every two years, with generous rewards!
A battle royale sporting event would be held every two years. Participants could use any means to evade pursuit and compete for the sole championship. Only the champion would receive a reward!
For further details, they could consult the National Events Committee!
These measures would greatly improve people's happiness and provide leisure and entertainment.
After finishing his announcements, he returned to Taiji Hall...
Leaving everyone outside engrossed in lively discussion.
Before you continue