Chiba Mokushū's prestige was at an all-time high—his name practically worshipped as divine by the people of many small nations.
Hyuga Gakuya was already onto the next step of his plan. Using the name of the Daimyō of the Land of Rice Fields, he sent invitations to powerful nobles from neighboring countries. On the surface, it was just a gathering of aristocrats—but in truth, it was a banquet filled with hidden agendas.
He invited the daimyōs and upper nobility of the Lands of Waterfalls, Iron, Waves, and the Moon. Of them, only a few had names known across the continent—namely General Mifune of the Land of Iron and Shibuki, the leader of Takigakure.
These four nations had been chosen after careful discussion between Gakuya and Kabuto. Together, they formed a near-contiguous region—capable of sharing resources and boasting a relatively strong economic base. The only other option, the Land of Grass, had just emerged from a devastating war and wouldn't recover anytime soon. It would be more of a burden than a benefit.
...
Inside the daimyō's estate in the Land of Rice Fields, the banquet was already underway. Nobles from across the region drank and laughed freely, enjoying the moment.
The five daimyōs sat at the main table. The daimyō of the Land of Iron spoke up,
"Where's the head of Otogakure? He's been in the limelight a lot lately—odd that he's not here."
"He'll be here soon. He's just finishing up some official matters," replied the daimyō of the Land of Rice Fields, fanning herself gently as she took a delicate sip of sake.
"Showing up late to an event like this? Rather rude, don't you think?" muttered the daimyō of the Land of Waves.
From the shadows, Hyuga Gakuya watched. Everyone had arrived—now it was time for the main act.
He stepped into the hall, accompanied by Uchiha Hikari, who was carrying a crystal orb in her hands.
The daimyō of the Land of Rice Fields smiled at Gakuya's arrival and gestured at the sake jug.
"Mokushū-dono, you're late. That's three drinks as punishment."
Gakuya returned a faint smile. "Let's deal with business first. Drinks can wait."
"You're right. You're absolutely right. There are more important things at hand," the daimyō of Rice Fields replied, a flicker of eagerness in her eyes.
The daimyō of the Land of Iron frowned slightly. "Business? I thought this was just a gathering of nobility."
"Of course we needed the cover of a noble gathering," the Rice Fields daimyō explained calmly.
"Otherwise, would the great nations really have let this happen so easily?"
"I'll explain." Gakuya stepped forward into the center of the banquet hall. Every pair of eyes followed him.
"I came here today because I want to help all of you. For far too long, our small nations have lived under the shadow of the great ones. The only way to break free is by standing together."
He took on the role perfectly—his voice clear and compelling, his gaze firm as he swept it across the room.
"We can't just sit back and wait for salvation. We must act. I believe that if we unite, we can change the fate of our lands."
A murmur began to ripple through the crowd. Some looked skeptical. Others, intrigued.
"The great nations won't sit back and let us do that," someone challenged. "They'll crush any alliance we try to build."
Gakuya took a breath. "That's why we need deeper cooperation. We'll build shared strategies, exchange resources, support each other. And we must nurture talent—strengthen ourselves from within."
He paused, then added, voice firm, "Most importantly, we must have the courage to resist the great nations and protect our rights."
One man scoffed. "Easy for you to say. Sounds more like you want to use us to serve your own ambitions."
A hint of regret crossed Gakuya's face. His words alone weren't enough to win everyone over just yet.
He gestured toward Uchiha Hikari. "Please, everyone, take a look."
All eyes turned to the crystal orb in her hands.
A crimson Mangekyō Sharingan shimmered in Hikari's eyes. Using a specially crafted crystal orb developed by their research division, she projected the power directly into the minds of everyone present.
The strongest ocular jutsu—Yachihoko—was activated. In that instant, the consciousness of everyone in the hall was forcibly altered.
Gakuya spoke again. "Now then... let's take another look at my proposal."
"No more thinking—it's the right move!"
"Exactly! I've had enough of those arrogant great nations!"
The crowd roared in agreement, brimming with sudden zeal, as if they were ready to take on the Five Great Nations right then and there.
"That was... a bit too effective," Gakuya thought to himself.
He raised a hand to quiet them.
"Let's not be hasty. We need to grow stronger before we face the great nations head-on. For now, we'll operate in the shadows—strengthening our alliance in secret."
"My assistant will now explain what comes next."
Just as he finished speaking, a man stepped through the doors—none other than Kabuto.
Gakuya clapped a hand on his shoulder. "It's in your hands. Bring the four nations together."
Kabuto's glasses caught the light as he nodded. "Understood, Mokushū-sama. So... what should this new nation be called?"
"The Shinobi Federation," Gakuya replied, without even turning back.
With that, he left the banquet hall. His part was done. In a year, Kabuto would complete the integration of the four nations and announce the founding of the Federation.
All that remained was for the Five Great Nations to push back. Sooner or later, one of them would cave under the pressure and declare war on the Federation. That would be Gakuya's moment—to force the world's hands and gain recognition for this new power as the Sixth Great Nation.
All he had to do now... was wait.
...
But what Gakuya didn't expect was a very different kind of guest that night.
He reclined in a chair while Uchiha Hikari, ever loyal, grilled meat and gently fed each slice to him.
After years of working tirelessly for peace in the shinobi world, didn't he deserve to enjoy it a little?
These daimyōs sure knew how to indulge. No wonder most of them had no desire to stand against the major powers—they lacked the ambition.
The Land of Grass's daimyō was one of the rare exceptions—most could live in comfort no matter how deep their nation sank into chaos, more focused on women and pleasure than politics or war.
As Gakuya savored another bite of grilled meat, he suddenly sensed two distinct chakra signatures enter the estate.
They weren't hiding themselves at all—walking straight through the front gate, like they owned the place.
It was none other than the long-absent Pain and Konan.
Gakuya needed only a moment to guess their intentions. Recruitment, of course. With the name "Chiba Mokushū" now legendary across the shinobi world, it was only natural that someone like Nagato—who also hated the great nations—would take notice.
Gakuya held out his hand toward Hikari. With a flicker of chakra, he changed her appearance. After all, the last time they met in the Land of Rain, Pain and Konan had seen Hikari's real face—he couldn't risk blowing their cover now.
He stood up and walked outside to the courtyard, gazing down at the two visitors from above.
"Unexpected guests?"
He raised a cup of sake, taking a slow sip before saying calmly, "Entering uninvited... I take it you're not here for friendly conversation?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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