The White Zetsu, whose mind had never been particularly sharp, had now degenerated into a mindless beast. It roared and lunged straight at Hyuga Gakuya.
Chains shot out once again from the void, binding the mutated Zetsu in place. Gakuya formed a condensed spiritual orb in his hand and drove it straight into the creature's chest.
He had initially planned to control White Zetsu's soul—but quickly realized there was nothing left to control. Its already fragile soul had been completely erased. What stood before him now was merely a soulless beast.
No matter how powerful the Tenseigan's spiritual control may be, it couldn't affect an entity without a soul. Genjutsu, after all, only worked on the living.
"He no longer has a soul. The Box of Ultimate Bliss has completely consumed it. What I want now is a usable weapon of war—so I need you to figure out a way to control 'it'," Gakuya said, clapping his hands together. The sealing mask on the ground immediately reactivated, resealing the Box of Ultimate Bliss in full.
With another wave of his hand, several shinobi stepped forward, pushing aside the crowd of scholars to seal away the mutated White Zetsu.
"You can study all of this as much as you want—but I want results within three months."
Gakuya wasn't worried about the scholars accidentally unleashing the contents of the box. It required a tremendous amount of chakra to open—chakra that no one in the entire Otogakure possessed, except for Gakuya himself.
"Understood!"
"Right away. May we examine the creature now?"
This was the first time many of these researchers had heard of a power outside of chakra. Their eyes lit up with excitement—they were desperate to see what kind of force could grant White Zetsu such overwhelming strength in an instant.
"You can have a look. This is your only test subject, so try not to kill it," Gakuya said with a casual grin before turning and leaving.
In an instant, the small sealing cell became packed with curious onlookers, all eager to get a closer look.
Eventually, an older scholar stepped up and restored order, assigning the resources fairly among each lab.
As for the actual research? That wasn't Gakuya's concern. All he had to do was wait for results.
...
One year later, Kabuto Yakushi completed the integration of the Land of Fields, the Land of Waterfalls, the Land of Waves, the Land of Iron, the Land of Grass, and the Land of the Moon.
All preparations had been finalized. The united military forces of the six nations were fully organized and ready for war. 'It' could be deployed at any time, and the brainwashing of the prisoner army was complete.
This time, Gakuya didn't hide in the shadows.
He summoned the daimyō and high-ranking nobles of all six nations to Otogakure to witness the founding ceremony. The event was broadcast by newspaper and radio to every corner of the six countries.
The old system of nation-states was being dismantled. The daimyō would now serve only as symbolic figures. The Shinobi Federation would replace them and take direct responsibility for the people.
Gakuya would be the supreme leader of this new federation—a title he claimed as the Leader of the Nation decisions would be made through parliamentary elections.
Of course, the parliament was just a public-facing institution. Gakuya had no intention of handing over real power, not until his plans were complete. He allowed each department a degree of autonomy, but his grip on the nation remained absolute.
The next morning, Gakuya stood atop a high platform, facing the assembled citizens of Otogakure. Behind him stood the daimyō of the six nations.
Before him, a microphone transmitted his voice in real time to every place the radio could reach.
Gakuya raised his hand to the mic and spoke:
"We, the shinobi of the small nations, have gathered here today to declare the founding of the Shinobi Federation—to resist the oppression and tyranny of the great nations.
For too long, they've used their power and resources to exploit the weak. This injustice must end. Our federation will uphold—ah, forget it."
Halfway through his speech, he abruptly cut himself off.
The people of the small nations weren't the most educated. Long speeches wouldn't move them.
A promise would.
"I swear on my name to every citizen of this federation: within three years, you will all be well-fed, your children will receive an education, and you will be free from the oppression of the great nations."
"From this day forward, I am your leader. And I will take responsibility for each and every citizen of this land."
It was a bold, uncompromising promise. But he'd already proven he could deliver—just look at the Land of Fields.
All he had to do was replicate those same policies.
The simplest promise sparked the loudest cheers—broadcast across all six nations.
"Long live the Federation!"
"Long live the leader!"
No one doubted Gakuya would deliver. Over the past year, the economic and technological aid from Otogakure had already brought tangible benefits.
Rice yields had soared. New technologies were more useful than anyone imagined.
Combined with the propaganda painting Chiba Mokushū as the savior of the small nations, a reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths—he had become a legendary figure among the common people.
These were just rumors, and since they hadn't reached the Five Great Nations, no one there took them seriously.
The arrogant leaders of the great nations didn't bother acknowledging such gossip.
But soon, they would pay for their arrogance.
Among the crowd, several foreign spies concealed in civilian clothing watched the wild cheers and fervent faces around them. A chill ran down their spines.
This intelligence needed to be reported immediately.
In the shadows, several Otogakure ANBU watched the spies quietly leave—but made no move to stop them.
Gakuya remained atop the platform, basking in the adoration of the crowd.
Now, all that remained was the war that would follow the nation's founding.
...
The news of the Federation's founding exploded across the Five Great Nations, each reacting differently—but almost all of them with hostility.
There was no question: the Federation Gakuya created would shake the foundations of the existing power structure.
...
Konohagakure.
Tsunade wasted no time convening a war council to discuss their response to the new regime.
"We must launch a strike immediately—before they're fully established!" a hardline shinobi declared without hesitation.
"The Federation now surrounds Konoha. If we go to war, we'll be attacked from all sides," someone countered.
A member of the pro-peace faction added, "We already have an alliance with their leader, Mokushū. He could become our buffer against future invasions from the Land of Earth. Konoha can't afford another war."
The council erupted in fierce debate.
Tsunade, caught in the middle, turned to Shikaku Nara—the man most likely to offer a strategic answer.
Shikaku took a moment to consider.
"We don't need to rush into war. There's someone else who's even more anxious than us."
"The Land of Lightning's only remaining connection to the outside world was just severed by the Federation. And now that the Land of the Moon has joined them, it's as if Kumogakure's front door has been slammed shut."
"Within a month, war will break out between those two. If Kumogakure defeats the Federation, we'll be in a position to benefit from the chaos."
Someone immediately raised a concern. "And what if the Federation wins?"
Another dismissed the idea. "Impossible. They've only just been founded. There's no way they could go toe-to-toe with a great nation."
Jiraiya spoke up, quiet but firm. "I know Mokushū. He never does anything without a contingency plan. He's been preparing for this for a long time."
Shikaku nodded and added, "Then we continue diplomatic relations. Maintain the alliance for now."
Someone shot up from their seat.
"No way. What are we supposed to tell the daimyō? He's demanding immediate military action."
Tsunade exhaled slowly, then made her decision.
"Let me handle the daimyō. This is the safest path forward."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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