Chapter 320: The Grand Finale
Countless white cocoons hanging on the branches of the God Tree began to crack and peel on their surfaces. Like cicada shells, one after another, bewildered figures fell from the cocoons, slumping to the ground. Their eyes had returned to their original color, but they were filled with the daze of having survived a disaster and the lingering attachment to the beautiful dreams they had just had. For a time, they could not distinguish reality from illusion.
Uchiha Douhuan led Naruto and his group back to the reincarnated forms of the several previous Hokage who had participated in the war.
"Douhuan... you..." Senju Hashirama looked at Uchiha Douhuan, whose aura was completely restrained, and spoke with a complicated expression.
Previously, when Uchiha Douhuan had activated the Infinite Tsukuyomi, they all felt as if the sky was falling. But now it seemed that there was another hidden story.
"I'm sorry. Things happened suddenly before. I had to rely on that jutsu to break through my original limits, only then could I be sure of killing all the enemies," Uchiha Douhuan said.
"It seems that things are all over now?" Minato Namikaze looked up at the moon, which had returned to normal, and said.
"Fortunately, I did not fail the mission," Uchiha Douhuan said. "All the enemies, those who deserved to die are dead, and those who deserved to be sealed are sealed."
"I see," Senju Tobirama nodded. "Then, it is also time for us to return to the Pure Land."
"Then, Douhuan, what do you plan to do next?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked at this time.
"After this, I plan to let Kakashi succeed as the Sixth Hokage," Uchiha Douhuan said. "As for myself, I plan to establish a new Sage Region to teach the geniuses of the ninja world the human Sage Mode."
Kakashi, whose face was still a bit pale, looked at Uchiha Douhuan's unquestionable gaze and nodded.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's old voice was filled with unconcealable shock. He even forgot to smoke his pipe. He looked at the calm Uchiha Douhuan before him, as if he was truly getting to know this young Fifth Hokage for the first time. You must know, the current Uchiha Douhuan, after ending the Fourth War, unifying the ninja world, and resolving the Infinite Tsukuyomi crisis, his prestige was already at its zenith.
Nominally, the sole monarch of the ninja world, Minamoto Miyuki, had already entrusted all national political power to him, this Grand Minister of the Fire Federation. In reality, by virtue of his unparalleled prestige and unfathomable strength, the federation's military power, political power, and even the hearts of the people were all firmly tied to him. He was already an uncrowned emperor. As long as he showed a slight intention, it would be as easy as flipping his hand for him to take the throne and create a new era.
However, what he chose was to retreat bravely from the rapids and to create a transcendent "Sage Region."
"Douhuan, you..." Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his mouth, unsure how to comment on this sudden decision for a moment.
"I understand your surprise, Third," Uchiha Douhuan's gaze swept over the crowd, and finally landed on the distant sky, looking straight at the vast yet dangerous starry sky. "The peace before us is only temporary. Although we have dealt with Kaguya and Isshiki, we have also, because of this, completely exposed ourselves to the sight of the Ōtsutsuki clan in the depths of the starry sky."
"Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and Kaguya, in their clan, are far from being the top powerhouses. As far as I know, the existence of their 'Progenitor,' named Ōtsutsuki Shibai, his strength has long since surpassed the dimension we can understand. If we do not prepare in advance, when an even stronger enemy descends, all the current prosperity of the ninja world will collapse like a sandcastle, and the life force of the entire world will be ruthlessly stripped away and turned into a fruit to nourish them."
Upon hearing this, Senju Hashirama's brows furrowed tightly, and he said in a low voice, "The power of the Ōtsutsuki clan is indeed extremely terrifying. If it weren't for the fact that that Isshiki seemed to be unskilled in true life-and-death combat, his fighting style was slightly rigid, just with his pure power, it would have been enough to bring a devastating disaster to the ninja world." Recalling that almost suffocating sense of oppression, he still had lingering fears.
"Precisely," Uchiha Douhuan nodded. "So, we cannot pin our hopes on the enemy's weakness or mistakes. We must possess the power to contend with, and even surpass, them head-on. Establishing another Sage Region, gathering talented individuals, and exploring a training path that transcends the existing ninjutsu system and points directly to the origin of Yin-Yang Release is a necessary step to accumulate strength for the future."
His gaze turned to the three reincarnated Hokage, Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and Minato Namikaze: "Therefore, Lord First, Lord Second, Lord Fourth, I'm afraid I'll still need you to wait in the Pure Land for a while. After a period of time, when I am fully prepared, I will personally perform a jutsu to truly revive you and bring you back to the world of the living."
"Directly revive?!" Senju Hashirama's face turned grim. "Douhuan, there is an order to life and death. It is the most basic law of the world. To forcibly blur the boundary between life and death will, I fear, cause great chaos!"
Uchiha Douhuan met Hashirama's worried gaze, his eyes as firm as a rock, "The risks involved, I naturally know. However, First, in order to cope with the future crisis, we now... have no other choice. We need the strength of every hero, we need your wisdom and experience. This is not a desecration of the order of life and death, but an extraordinary measure that must be taken in order to protect more of the living."
Naruto, who was nearby, heard this, and his azure eyes instantly lit up. He looked excitedly at the golden-haired man beside him, "Dad! Did you hear that? You... you and Mom really can..."
Minato Namikaze looked at his son gently, a warm smile like the sun on his face. He reached out and rubbed Naruto's hair, "Ah, it sounds like Kushina and I really have a chance to personally see you wear a handsome suit, marry your bride, and maybe even hold our grandchildren." His words were filled with longing and love for the future, diluting some of the heavy atmosphere about the taboo of life and death.
After a brief silence, Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama exchanged a look, and finally, nodded heavily. They understood that the decision Uchiha Douhuan had made was not out of personal desire, but for the very survival of the entire world. Sarutobi Hiruzen also let out a long sigh and said no more.
Soon, the bodies of the three previous Hokage, who had been summoned by the Impure World Reincarnation, began to emit a faint light, and their souls gradually separated from their reincarnated bodies, returning to the Pure Land. Before Senju Hashirama completely disappeared, he once again took a deep look at Uchiha Douhuan. His eyes were complicated, and finally, it turned into a barely audible sigh.
Uchiha Douhuan, on the other hand, turned around and led the surviving crowd, leaving this devastated battlefield and returning to Konoha.
After returning to the village, Uchiha Douhuan immediately began the process of transferring power. He personally promoted and presided over the election of the Sixth Hokage.
Although everyone knew very well that Hatake Kakashi was the one whom everyone looked up to and the only candidate who could smoothly take over, not a single step of the required procedure was skipped. Thus, people could often see that lazy, silver-haired Jonin, having to brace himself, put on the Hokage robe, and frequently appear in various parts of the village, comforting the villagers, guiding the reconstruction, and giving speeches, beginning that period of time that he himself jokingly called "being forced to sell this old face."
At the same time, in the political center of the Fire Federation, another important personnel arrangement was quietly underway under the leadership of Uchiha Douhuan. Hyuga Neji, the Hyuga genius who had played a key role in the final battle and possessed the Tenseigan, was personally introduced into the federation's highest decision-making level by Uchiha Douhuan. Under Douhuan's careful guidance, Neji began to gradually come into contact with and familiarize himself with the core government affairs of the vast empire. From economic planning, diplomatic strategy, to public welfare projects, his talent and calm insight quickly won the recognition of many people.
And as Kakashi and Neji gradually got on track, Uchiha Douhuan himself, this Grand Minister who held all the power, consciously began to gradually fade from daily government affairs. His figure appeared in the court less and less. He invested more energy into a more far-reaching layout for the future, and into the preparations for that brewing "Human Sage Mode Sage Region." An era slowly came to an end, and a new era, accompanied by hope and unknown challenges, quietly began.
...
Two years later, in a remote and uninhabited mountain range in the Land of Fire, where the natural energy was so dense that it turned into a tangible mist.
Uchiha Douhuan's figure appeared on a steep cliff. He looked down at the cloud-shrouded, vibrant valley below. In his eyes, the dark Rinne Sharingan and the gray-white sage patterns lit up at the same time.
He slowly raised his hands. His majestic will, mixed with incomparably pure Yin Sage chakra, like an invisible giant hand, began to "comb" and "shape" this land.
The earth writhed as if it had life. In accordance with his will, one after another, simple and solemn temple foundations rose up. These buildings were not built by man, but "grew" directly from the mountain rock, perfectly blending with the surrounding environment.
Natural energy was guided and gathered, forming a sparkling spiritual spring in the center of the valley, containing infinite life force.
Arcane runes did not appear to be carved, but "emerged" directly on the outer walls and ground of the buildings, constructing a powerful barrier that gathered energy and defended against external enemies.
The Human Sage Mode Sage Region had, at this point, taken its initial shape.
This was not a summoning beast sage region like Mount Myoboku or Ryuchi Cave, but a training holy land exclusively for humans, relying on one's own spiritual power to resonate with natural energy, to explore the essence of Yin-Yang Release, and to explore the higher levels of life and power. It would abandon the theory of bloodlines and sectarianism, and be open to all humans who possessed sufficient talent, character, and will.
After doing all this, Uchiha Douhuan's figure quietly disappeared, as if merging into the clouds and mist of this holy land he had personally created. He would, as the founder and guardian of this holy land, hide behind the scenes, no longer directly interfering in worldly disputes, but instead, turning his gaze towards a more distant exploration of the origin of life and power.
...
Ten years passed in a flash.
The ninja world was reborn from the ruins and welcomed an unprecedented period of true peace and prosperity. The system of the Fire Federation became more and F_U_L_L_Y_ (This appears to be a bug in the source text, F_U_L_L_Y_ is not Chinese. I will assume it's wánshàn (完善) which means "perfected" or "complete") perfected and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
Konoha Village had long since been rebuilt, even more magnificent than before. On the Hokage Rock, next to the head of the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, the head of the Seventh Hokage had already been engraved—Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke sat in the Hokage's office, handling the mountains of documents. He had shed some of his youthful indifference, and his brow held more calmness and majesty. Only that pair of deep black eyes would occasionally flash with a sharp light, reminding people of his former title and power.
He governed the village and the federation with a combination of an iron fist and wisdom. His efficiency was extremely high, and his rewards and punishments were clear. Although he was not as "close to the people" as the previous Hokage, he had won absolute reverence and conviction.
His wife, Uzumaki Karin, a political marriage with the Uzumaki clan, had become the leader of Konoha's Sealing Squad. Although the couple's marriage was political, having grown up together, there was not much of a barrier between the two of them. They managed Konoha and the Uchiha clan in an orderly manner.
And in the capital of the Fire Federation, a more modern political center.
Hyuga Neji, wearing a neat, dark suit instead of a traditional ninja uniform, was standing in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window, discussing issues of economic, transportation, and technological cooperation with representatives from various countries. He had temporarily set aside his duties as a ninja. Relying on the extraordinary insight, calm mind, and excellent big-picture view brought by his Tenseigan, he had walked step by step to the position of the Grand Minister of the Fire Federation. He became Sasuke's most capable arm and ally in the political sphere, his actual power second only to the Hokage. Together, the two of them, following the blueprint laid out by Uchiha Douhuan before his seclusion, steadily pushed the ninja world from a simple ninja village alliance to a more modernized, institutionalized form of a national federation.
As for Uzumaki Naruto...
No one knew his exact whereabouts. His face was not on the Hokage Rock, and his name was not on the high-level list of the federal government.
But his stories seemed to circulate in every corner of the ninja world.
Some said that in the depths of the Land of Wind's desert, they saw him helping the local villagers find water sources and tame rampaging sand beasts.
Some said that in the canyons of the Land of Lightning, they saw him training alone, his golden chakra illuminating the treacherous landscape.
And some said that he would often return to Konoha, secretly visit old friends and his teacher, or run to Ichiraku Ramen to eat several large bowls, and then run off with a loud laugh before being discovered.
The last time he had made a public appearance in front of everyone in the ninja world was at his wedding to the eldest daughter of the Hyuga family. However, on the second day of the wedding, the young couple had left together. It wasn't until half a year later that the eldest daughter of the Hyuga family returned to the village, pregnant. For this, the new Grand Minister of the Land of Fire had, after many years, put on his battle suit again, and it was said that he had hunted the other party across half the ninja world.
But in any case, he had achieved his childhood dream. He had become a hero of the ninja world and saved the world. But in the end, the path he chose was one of freedom and unrestraint.
He continued to protect the people he cherished and this land in his own way, just no longer needing the constraints of any title or position.
The scroll of the new era had already been unfurled, and everyone had a bright future.
And that mentor, who had founded the new era and pulled the world back from the brink of the abyss, was in seclusion in the holy land, pursuing a higher realm.
The story of the ninja world has never ended, it just continues to be sung in a different way.
(End of Book)
The extra chapters will be released in the next few days.
(End of chapter)