Two months after the great war against the Otsutsuki clan, the very invasion that had nearly pushed the world to the brink of destruction, the new generation leaders' summit was convened in Uzushiogakure.
Inside the grand conference hall, Shamrock sat in the central seat upon the elevated dais. Gathered before him were the current leaders of the great shinobi villages. The Sixth Hokage represented Konohagakure, the Fifth Raikage represented Kumogakure, the Sixth Mizukage represented Kirigakure, and the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, represented Sunagakure. Although Gaara had already served for many years, he remained Kazekage because there was still no suitable successor capable of taking over his responsibilities. Moreover, he was still relatively young by Kage standards, so there was no urgent need for him to step down.
The atmosphere inside the chamber was calm, yet noticeably heavier than in previous summits. The Otsutsuki invasion had changed everyone's perspective, and no one sitting there could forget the destruction they had witnessed only two months earlier.
As the Uzukage and the one who had convened this meeting, Shamrock calmly looked around the conference table before speaking. "Well, after the Otsutsuki invasion, we unfortunately lost almost everything related to their technology, except for a few remaining fragments of their spaceship." His voice remained composed. "However, after studying those recovered parts, my father, Shanks Uzumaki, the previous Uzukage, has concluded that within the next few years, he will most likely be able to recreate a functional spaceship."
A ripple of surprise spread across the room.
"And it won't just stop there," Shamrock continued. "The research itself will significantly improve our technological development. Once we possess a functioning spaceship, we won't only have the means to defend ourselves against future extraterrestrial threats. We will also be able to explore other planets in search of new resources. And if circumstances allow, we can establish friendly diplomatic relations with the native civilizations living on those worlds rather than meeting them only through war."
For the first time since the meeting had begun, genuine smiles appeared on several faces. At least there was some good news, and the sacrifices of the recent war had not been completely meaningless. However, Shamrock quickly noticed that despite those smiles, traces of anxiety still lingered within everyone's expressions. He understood exactly why; Truth be told, I share the exact same concern.
Looking at everyone gathered there, he spoke again. "I know what all of you are thinking." The room immediately became quiet. "You're worried about retaliation from the Otsutsuki clan. You're wondering whether the force we defeated was merely a vanguard army. You're wondering what kind of monsters the true core of the Otsutsuki clan possesses, whether they command even stronger warriors, or perhaps even more terrifying armies of slaves."
His words perfectly voiced everyone's fears. "Yes, that possibility exists," Shamrock said, without anyone interrupting him. "But I don't believe we should allow that possibility to consume us." He leaned back slightly before continuing. "My father has spent the last two months studying every piece of information we recovered, including the Otsutsuki DNA. He has made one thing very clear: the Otsutsuki possess extraordinary potential. They can become unimaginably powerful. At their absolute peak, they may even reach a level where they are capable of creating planets or destroying planets."
Several Kage instinctively took a deep breath. Such power sounded almost mythical.
"But not every Otsutsuki reaches that level," Shamrock said, his tone remaining firm. "Potential and reality are two different things. So while we must remain vigilant, we don't need to live in constant fear. The only thing we can do is continue strengthening ourselves and remain prepared should another large-scale invasion descend upon this world."
Everyone silently nodded. It was practical advice, as there was little point in worrying about enemies they could neither see nor currently fight.
Then Shamrock's expression became considerably more serious. "And now, there is another matter." His gaze slowly swept across every Kage present. "I'll be completely blunt. Although Uzushiogakure has never officially proclaimed it, the Uzumaki clan is the ruler of this world. This world exists under our authority, our protection, and ultimately, our rule, whether everyone likes that fact or not."
Silence instantly filled the conference hall. The smiles that had appeared moments earlier completely vanished, and the expressions of nearly everyone seated in the room changed. No one spoke, and no one objected, not because they agreed, but because every person present knew those words reflected reality.
The Uzumaki clan had long since become the strongest force on the planet. They had repeatedly protected the world from extinction, possessed the greatest military power, the greatest number of top-tier shinobi, and now even held technological superiority over every other nation. For years, however, they had never openly declared themselves the rulers of the world. Everyone had understood it, but no one had ever said it aloud. Today, that unspoken truth had finally become an official declaration.
Shamrock's voice echoed once more. "Therefore, beginning today, a new law shall be established. Whenever an exceptionally talented or powerful individual emerges within any village or nation, that person will travel to Uzushiogakure. They will present themselves before the Uzumaki clan and pay homage."
The atmosphere immediately grew several degrees heavier. The Kage exchanged silent glances but remained seated, not daring to interrupt. They all understood the significance of this announcement. This was no longer merely the Uzumaki clan being acknowledged as the world's strongest force; this was the formal declaration of their sovereignty. With the immediate Otsutsuki threat temporarily eliminated, the Uzumaki clan had finally chosen to exercise the authority they had possessed for years, openly establishing themselves as the supreme rulers of the shinobi world.
Shamrock continued, his tone steady and authoritative. "In the coming years, we will gradually organize the entire world under a unified administration. Although much of the framework has already been prepared, implementing it properly will still take time." He paused, allowing everyone to absorb his words before continuing. "Taking control of the world does not mean we intend to enslave it. The daily functioning of your villages and countries will largely remain unchanged. People will continue living their lives as they always have."
His voice remained calm, but every sentence carried undeniable weight. "However, the position of Daimyo will be abolished. Those who currently hold political authority will instead serve as governors, responsible for administering their respective regions. The shinobi villages, meanwhile, will answer directly to Uzushiogakure and, by extension, the Uzumaki clan." He folded his hands before him. "Beyond that, we have no intention of interfering unnecessarily in local affairs."
Several leaders quietly released the breath they had been holding. At least their villages would retain a degree of autonomy.
Then Shamrock's expression hardened. "But if any thoughts of rebellion happen to cross your minds, discard them now. And teach your descendants to do the same." The room became deathly silent. "I will tell you something here and now. My father, Uncle Benimaru, Uncle Guy, Uncle Antares, and every member of their generation can live for thousands of years."
The silence only deepened.
"They will not actively interfere with the governance of the world," Shamrock said. "They will mostly remain secluded from worldly affairs, but they will continue watching. They will oversee the growth of the Uzumaki clan and the development of this world." His eyes swept across every Kage. "So long as they remain alive, all of you understand the reality. It doesn't matter if, centuries from now, you somehow produce hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of Kage-level shinobi. Nothing will change."
No one responded. No one could, because everyone present knew he wasn't threatening them; he was simply stating a fact. The overwhelming gap between the Uzumaki clan and the rest of the world had become impossible to bridge.
Soon afterward, the summit concluded. The leaders quietly departed for their respective villages, as none dared voice any objections inside Uzushiogakure itself. Everyone understood that pushing the matter further could easily cost them their lives.
Upon returning home, each leader announced the decisions made during the summit. Predictably, the reaction was divided. Many accepted the new order, believing resistance would only bring unnecessary suffering. Others were furious. Some influential nobles, former Daimyo supporters, and ambitious shinobi secretly began organizing resistance movements, hoping to oppose the Uzumaki clan before their authority became absolute.
Their efforts never had the chance to mature. The Uzumaki clan responded with overwhelming speed to infiltrate strongholds before anyone could react. Every organization that openly sought rebellion was located, dismantled, and eliminated with ruthless efficiency. Those who insisted on resisting despite repeated warnings were swiftly neutralized under the iron-handed policies established by the new administration.
No rebellion was allowed to survive. The message spread throughout the world faster than any official proclamation: the Uzumaki clan was completely serious, and there would be no compromise regarding the unity of the world.
Within a single year, every nation officially stood beneath one banner, and the Uzumaki Empire was born. Following its establishment, Shanks Uzumaki was formally honored as the First Emperor of the Uzumaki Empire, while Mikoto became its First Empress.
Despite holding supreme authority over the world, Shanks ruled personally for only a single year. That year was devoted almost entirely to laying the Empire's foundations. He personally guided his son, Shamrock, teaching him how to govern a united world, balance military and civilian authority, and preserve stability across generations. Together, they established a comprehensive imperial code governing succession, preventing internal struggles within the Uzumaki clan, defining the authority of future Emperors, and creating clear laws that every ruler after them would be expected to follow.
With those systems firmly in place, Shanks willingly stepped back, allowing the next generation to take control. Under Shamrock's reign, and later under the reign of Shamrock's own descendants, the Uzumaki Empire continued to flourish.
The years quietly turned into decades, and decades gradually became centuries. In time, Mikoto reached the end of her natural lifespan. At approximately one hundred and ten years of age, she peacefully passed away while resting in Shanks' embrace.
Looking at him with a gentle smile, her final words were soft. "I am happy that I was able to live a peaceful life with you... and watch this world prosper. I was fortunate enough to witness a peace that had once seemed impossible." She slowly closed her eyes.
Throughout the entire era of the Uzumaki Empire, large-scale wars between nations had disappeared. Because the entire world stood under a single authority, conflicts that once would have escalated into devastating wars were settled through imperial law instead.
That did not mean military strength was neglected; on the contrary, regular mock wars continued without interruption to ensure every generation remained battle-ready. To minimize unnecessary casualties while preserving realistic combat experience, the Uzumaki clan created specialized dimensions designed solely for military exercises. Whenever a participant received what would normally be a fatal injury, the dimension immediately removed them from the battlefield, accompanied by a sudden thump as they landed in medical bays where teams of elite medical experts were prepared to heal them before their injuries became life-threatening.
These dimensions allowed soldiers to fight with complete commitment while greatly reducing deaths. Such precautions were considered essential, for although the Otsutsuki clan had not appeared again for many years, no one believed the danger had truly vanished. If another invasion ever came, humanity needed warriors accustomed to risking everything in battle rather than soldiers softened by generations of peace.
After Mikoto's passing, Shanks withdrew from the world. He sealed himself within a secluded place, leaving behind only a faint consciousness that would awaken only if the Uzumaki clan, or the world itself, faced an existential threat. Guy eventually departed for another dimension altogether, creating a world of his own where he chose to spend the rest of his extraordinarily long life. Antares made a similar choice, disappearing from the public eye to live in seclusion.
Benimaru, meanwhile, remained behind the scenes, quietly observing the Empire without directly involving himself in its day-to-day affairs. As for the remaining siblings of Shanks' generation, the genetic modifications Shanks had performed upon them granted them lifespans comparable to those of the Otsutsuki clan themselves. They, too, would live for thousands of years, yet they rarely interfered with the world's affairs, choosing instead to live peaceful lives away from politics while silently watching over the generations that followed.
Thus, the Naruto world entered a new era: an era united beneath a single banner, and an era remembered throughout history as the age of the Uzumaki Empire.
The Naruto world... a world under the supremacy of the Red Hair.