Although structural unification and large-scale rotation of management staff initially caused some chaos, it also provided the long-fractured Ninja World with a rare chance at reunification.
The road to reconciliation was full of twists and turns. Despite frequent setbacks and persistent communication breakdowns between upper and lower levels, Hyuga Soushu persisted in pushing through his policies.
At the very first Ninja World Parliament, Hyuga Soushu clearly declared that no matter what obstacles arose, he would steadfastly carry out the administrative restructuring plan and enforce the directive mandating rotational reassignment of managerial ninjas across regions.
Intimidated by Hyuga Soushu's near-unification of the entire Ninja World, even those clan ninja who secretly wished to retain positions within their ancestral lands eventually chose to unanimously approve the Number One Joint Government Bill proposed by Hyuga Soushu, despite their inner discontent.
Meanwhile, a principle was established: all policy agendas of the Ninja World Coalition Government must undergo parliamentary deliberation and receive simple majority approval before implementation—helped largely by the fact that all parliamentary voting was conducted under real names.
While Hyuga Soushu had emphasized during the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation Joint Conference era that no one would be punished solely for speaking out, under such overwhelming military deterrence, nobody dared oppose any proposal that Soushu had explicitly decreed or directly ordered full support for.
Quite frankly, many parliament members outside the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation hierarchy found this calm negotiation-based governance model deeply unsettling—especially high-ranking Jonins from Sunagakure, who initially struggled to adapt. However, after witnessing several government reports get reviewed and seeing fellow parliamentarians speak freely without suffering retaliation, they gradually gained confidence.
Soon afterward, senior ninja representatives originating from various regions or interest groups began submitting proposals favoring their home territories. But without exception, these proposals were almost always rejected during preliminary discussions—never reaching sufficient support levels for actual votes.
Thus, these Jonin parliamentarians quickly came to a crucial realization: clans formed along village or bloodline lines held little influence within the vast parliamentary arena. If a proposal failed to account for other powers' interests, it stood practically no chance of passing.
Therefore, Jonin representatives started making limited revisions to their originally self-serving proposals before resubmitting them.
Even so, these revised proposals still failed to reach formal voting stages because insufficient sponsorships prompted Sakumo Hatake, head of Parliamentary Adjudication, to reject them outright.
At this point, upper ninja representatives realized that merely considering other factions' interests wasn't enough. They then recognized an opportunity: forming alliances with ideologically similar yet non-conflicting forces to jointly sponsor initiatives. Thus, these Jonin parliamentarians began breaking free from previous narrow-circle limitations, tentatively engaging in cross-factional hezong lianheng (horizontal-vertical alliance strategies).
However, even if those Jonin council members from remote regions—who were originally outsiders to the major clans—tried their hardest to form alliances, they still couldn't make any real impact in terms of numbers, especially when compared to the two dominant ninja clans—the Hyuga and Uchiha—who occupied two out of every seven seats in the Ninja World Parliament.
Although the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation had effectively become defunct, with all its economic departments taken over by the Ninja World Coalition Government, the long-established internal decision-making habits and procedures ensured that these clan representatives still followed Hyuga Soushu's guidance when casting votes, unwilling to immediately defect even when their own interests were at stake.
Therefore, although these Jonin council members affiliated with ninja clans didn't openly conspire within the parliament, the balance of power still firmly rested in the hands of these powerful clans.
In the front rows of our parliament sit two powerful aristocratic families and dozens of influential ninja clans. Their presence alone determines whether a proposal can even be brought up for discussion or pass through the voting process—it's like an invisible wall right in front of us!
Kitsuchi, a former Iwagakure Jonin who had regained his freedom after the war and was later elected to the Ninja World Parliament, said during a small gathering among old Iwagakure peers.
"But we can't do anything about them. Even if we united with those barbarians from Kumo, we could only gather forty-seven co-signatures at most. Even after communicating with other council members, this mere three-vote gap has become an insurmountable divide, let alone actually bringing it to formal parliamentary voting."
Tosuien, another Ninja World Parliament member, helplessly added.
Currently, these council members originating from pre-reform Iwagakure share one clear objective: ending the military-controlled zones in the original Land of Earth region and transforming them into standard administrative zones.
Yet how simple could this truly be?
For various clans stemming from the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation, such Control Zones represented familiar management models—essentially super-sized versions of collective farms or workshops inside clan fiefs—and were thus considered important sources of profit generation.
Especially for clans granted fiefs in the Herb Country, large numbers of clan members had been appointed to key positions across the three Control Zones in the former Land of Earth. Bound by tight financial ties, they clearly lacked motivation to support abolishing these zones. Once converted to administrative zones, their families would no longer easily reap excessive benefits from the special military status.
Therefore, despite being veteran Jonins from the old Iwagakure Village who gained freedom after the war and successfully joined the Ninja World Parliament, these deeply dissatisfied Jonins found themselves facing heavy resistance despite actively working everywhere and passionately advocating reforms. Their voices disappeared like stones dropped into the ocean, barely making a ripple.
Though determined to do something meaningful for their homeland, these Jonins must inevitably confront numerous practical obstacles. In the face of strong resistance from established interest groups, their efforts appeared particularly difficult and powerless.
"What if we try establishing a Ninja Academy as well?"
Another Iwagakure council member suddenly suggested. "As long as the Will of Stone continues spreading, eventually we'll get our chance to change everything back home."
"But military zones strictly forbid the establishment of ninja academies. And if we were to set up ninja schools across the nine Administrative Zones, how many people do you think would still be interested in the Stone Will?"
Tosuien gave a slight shake of his head, indicating the proposal wasn't very feasible.
"And more importantly, how would we charge students?"
Another council member immediately raised a practical issue. "Although in name the Ninja World Parliament permits Jonin to independently establish ninja academies and teach through apprenticeship systems, Joint Government funding won't extend support to private institutions!"
"Plus, without official regulations from the Joint Government, where exactly would we purchase affordable ninja tools and secret medicinal potions?"
"Don't forget—the original village-run ninja schools could continue operating because they had the entire village behind them. With just our current numbers, we couldn't even establish a proper academy. Hell, whether we'll even remain council members five years later is questionable."
"Sigh... makes sense,"
A sigh escaped them as one — the group of Iwagakure-born council members murmured together.
Since preparations for the First Ninja World Parliament had been relatively rushed, and aimed at accommodating various interests, almost every recognized legal faction had been given at least one seat on the council by appointment.
Groups like Iwagakure and Kumo, which had originally been defeated, recruited, and then released, naturally received certain considerations as well—after all, they'd already proven their loyalty to the Ninja World Parliament through the bloody campaign at Mount Myoboku, paying a heavy price.
But that applied only to the first session.
If these scattered Iwagakure and Kumo members couldn't keep their old comrades united and hold onto their numbers, over time, their factions would surely fade into nothingness.
"Friends, if you have the time, perhaps you should focus more on nurturing your own offspring."
Akatsuchi, former personal guard of the Tsuchikage, rose slowly and spoke. "Only by continuously strengthening our bloodlines can we faithfully uphold and transmit the Stone Will!"
"Oh, and by the way—I've already accepted an invitation from the Hyūga Construction Company and am about to start working there as chief engineer. So while I may not attend future meetings regularly, rest assured, when it comes to co-signing documents or casting votes, I will definitely support our causes."
Having said that, Akatsuchi turned to face everyone, bowed respectfully, and left.
"I'm also planning to join the Uchiha Housing Corporation."
After a brief silence, another Jonin council member spoke out. "Truthfully, I wasn't really keen on it either... but"
"But what?!"
Tosuien's eyebrows instantly furrowed.
"But they offered way too much!"
The Jonin councilor quickly replied.
Then he stood up and hurriedly left the room.
"This..."
The other Iwagakure-based Jonin councilors looked shocked, speechless for words.
"It's completely normal. Even ninjas need to eat, after all. Besides, nowadays there aren't nearly enough missions going around—we shouldn't be ashamed about taking regular jobs."
Though Kitsuchi's voice sounded open-minded and reasonable, deep inside, he felt anything but.
But what could he do?
This was simply the tide of history — and no amount of human effort could turn it back.
The gradual decline of old cliques and the vigorous rise of new interest groups had already clearly outlined the future structure of ninja society, becoming an undeniable and increasingly obvious trend.
After returning to the Ninja World from Ryuchi Cave, Asura remained as radiant and brilliant as ever while journeying through the Ninja World. His only companion remained Kakuzu, the grotesque thread-wrapped man he had forcibly brought along.
Moreover, to hide his frequent wanderings and avoid suspicion, Asura disguised Kakuzu as a typical small-time merchant engaged in basic buy-low-sell-high operations.
Yet all Asura could see along the way were buzzing construction sites, offering no chance to carry out his plans.
If not for his unshakable belief, he might have given up midway—just like Kakuzu, who now regretted not reporting him at the moment Asura had headed for Ryuchi Cave.
"Roads again."
After passing through the Central Administrative Zone, formerly part of the Fire Daimyo's Court, and entering the Centrally Administered Metropolitan Zone, Asura witnessed the largest construction zone he had ever seen.
Although many of the Ninja World Coalition Government's investments focused on transportation infrastructure, the Centrally Administered Zone naturally received the biggest share as the capital region, hence having the most ongoing projects.
"They actually made ninja do this kind of work!"
But Kakuzu noticed something else.
Throughout the site, numerous Earth Release ninjas assisted in construction. With ample secret medicinal potions supporting them, their efficiency reached unprecedented levels, greatly accelerating progress.
"Hyūga Construction Company's site."
But Asura wasn't focused on the critical issue of which organization these ninjas served. Instead, he noted the company name prominently displayed at the entrance.
"Clans only flaunt their ancestry; indeed, none seem to care for the burdens of common folk."
Still, all Asura felt inside was bitterness and helplessness—the ninjas would rather work here for pay than voice their complaints or dare to rebel like he had.
So Asura could do nothing but watch the industrious ninja for a while before resuming his journey toward Heiankyo.
Of course, Asura wasn't ignorant of the changes sweeping the Ninja World—he simply refused to acknowledge them out loud.
With the completion of the palace in Heiankyo, the leading family, led by Hyuga Soushu, joyfully moved into their new home.
As the ruling leader of the Ninja World Coalition Government, Hyuga Soushu strictly forbade anyone from visiting to offer congratulations or sending private gifts to prevent endless competition and comparisons.
So when the family of three officially moved into the palace, Mahiru Uchiha simply prepared a couple of steaks, Hyuga Soushu's favorite dish, and they shared a quiet toast—marking the occasion with simple grace.
As for what happened after finishing their meal—how passionately they embraced afterward—that was not something to be shared with outsiders.
After their intimate moment, Mahiru Uchiha lay nestled in Hyuga Soushu's arms, flushed and content, breathing softly, while Hyuga Soushu gently stroked her hair, deep in thought about lingering concerns.
"What's wrong?"
Snapping out of her daze, Mahiru Uchiha quickly sensed her lover's thoughts.
"I'm wondering whether Ryujū will be able to smoothly control and balance all factions when he succeeds to the throne."
Hyuga Soushu said slowly, "Moreover, the Ninja World currently seems to lack any external enemies that could be used to redirect internal conflicts."
"You should believe in the wisdom of our descendants. Each generation will be stronger than the last, so there's no need to worry too much about them."
Mahiru was quite optimistic about this. "Besides, if we're only concerned about Ryujū's personal abilities, we could simply overwhelm the problem with numbers."
"That makes sense!"
Immediately, Hyuga Soushu did a somersault, pinning Mahiru underneath him as he started tickling and teasing her, causing her to giggle and pant.
After all, he'd been fighting wars for years—surely it was only fair he enjoyed himself a little now?
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