After Otogakure swept through the various nations with an overwhelming force, the Land of Rice, with Otogakure's consent, officially changed its name to the Land of Heaven, and Otogakure was subsequently renamed Village Of Heaven.
The Land of Heaven, with its absolute power, became the master of all nations. Every country sharing the same continent as the Land of Heaven was subject to its control. They not only had to bow in submission, but also offer tribute and payments.
Every country other than the Land of Heaven was no longer permitted to establish a ninja village. These countries were only allowed to maintain a small military force for public order and stability. The appointment authority for the Daimyo of these countries belonged to the Land of Heaven. For these nations, the Land of Heaven was truly the heavens.
The former Daimyo of the Land of Rice successfully became the Daimyo of the Land of Heaven. He bestowed upon himself the honorary title "Daimyo Emperor." Originally, he also wanted to bestow an honorary title upon the Sound Shadow, but Orochimaru was not interested in this. The Ryun family held a transcendent status, and the Daimyo of the Land of Heaven did not dare presume to assign them any titles either.
The capital of the Land of Heaven was engaged in large scale construction every day, building new high rise buildings. This place was soon to become the world's political center. Simultaneously, this was also the place that would decide the rise, fall, and survival of the various nations.
Compared to the capital of the Land of Heaven, the activity within Otogakure was noticeably much quieter. As long as the buildings of the Sound Shadow's residence and the Shadow Mansion remained unchanged for a day, others did not dare to erect tall buildings surpassing these two places, even though these ninjas each had endless wealth.
Absolute power could easily corrupt people and lead them to decay. Orochimaru made a three point agreement with the Daimyo Emperor. If signs of great chaos in the world truly appeared one day, then Amegakure would intervene to take back all the Daimyo Emperor's authority, and when necessary, would also hold the Daimyo Emperor accountable.
The Daimyo Emperor of the Land of Heaven could control the world, but the Twin Shadows of Amegakure firmly controlled the Daimyo Emperor of the Land of Heaven.
The Daimyo Emperor stated that he was merely a servant managing the world on behalf of the Twin Shadows. He reminded himself every night before sleep who truly owned this world.
After the initial bloody suppression by Amegakure, the world finally ushered in a long awaited peace. All places were recovering from devastation. A series of policies by the Land of Heaven benefiting the people gave the lowest classes of the various nations the confidence to survive. Moreover, this confidence would gradually strengthen over time.
Soon they would realize that being ruled by the Land of Heaven was actually an extremely good thing. Perhaps there would no longer be any overt wars in this world. Amegakure would also not allow the world to have scenes of displaced people and fields littered with the bodies of the starved again.
Ryun remained indifferent to the great changes in the world. Since that battle, he had never taken any action to issue orders regarding the Land of Heaven or even Amegakure.
Yet, although he paid no heed to worldly affairs, the world was moving orderly in the direction he hoped to see. This might be the true meaning of what Taoism calls "governing by non action."
Ryun was busy refining the energy of the Divine Fruit. Apart from that, he was busy making babies with his wife. Through tacit cooperation, the two gradually explored some dual cultivation methods. Kushina also became increasingly powerful under long term nourishment, her strength once stepping into the Six Paths level.
Days passed one by one. The power of the Divine Fruit was either absorbed and refined bit by bit by Ryun's body, or was transferred to his wife as chakra seeds. The violent energy was gradually calming down, and Kushina's belly was also growing bigger day by day.
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, a year had passed.
In the garden of the Shadow Mansion.
Orochimaru and Ryun were playing chess and drinking tea at the stone table, while Kushina, with her big belly, lay comfortably on a rocking chair basking in the sun. Their obedient daughter stood by her side, holding up a shade above her head, blocking the sunlight from shining on her mother's face and eyes.
"You really have the patience to endure loneliness. You haven't gone anywhere all year, just staying at home in closed door cultivation," Orochimaru suddenly sighed with emotion.
Hearing this, Ryun could not help but laugh. "How could I be lonely. My son is about to be born."
Upon hearing this sentence, Orochimaru could not help but be momentarily stunned. He did not quite understand the meaning in Ryun's words. "Is there a direct relationship between your son being about to be born and whether you are lonely or not."
"Of course." Ryun answered without thinking, then even lowered his voice to speak.
"Teacher, you have been single for too long, that's why you feel lonely. I suggest you find a woman you find pleasing to the eye to partner up with and live together. Then you will know that life at home is not dull, nor is it lonely and boring."
Orochimaru glanced at him, finally understanding the meaning in Ryun's words.
"I thought most of your cultivation involved clearing the mind and reducing desires," Orochimaru said indifferently.
"Your guess is correct. My heart has always been very tranquil, with almost no worries. As for desire, it is still autonomously controlled by me. This second child is something the whole family wants to see. Moreover, his existence just happens to help me share part of the power I cannot fully digest."
Ryun proactively revealed some matters. This teacher was one of the few he trusted completely.
"Power that cannot be digested. You are referring to the power of the Divine Tree's fruit. You are trying to emulate Kaguya Otsutsuki." Orochimaru sighed once again. He had already learned about many things, naturally also knowing the stories of the Chakra Fruit and Kaguya Otsutsuki.
"Your body has already become extraordinary. As for that child. Perhaps he will be born as the second Sage of Six Paths."
Ryun's skin now had a crystalline, delicate, moon white hue. Even his hair had changed from its original black purple to a silver white with a faint layer of purple tint.
His hair was very long, fine, and dense. Originally, after eating the fruit, his hair could grow to over three meters long. However, later he autonomously and deliberately controlled the growth of his hair, keeping it at waist length.
Long hair was also one of his deadly weapons, so he did not mind keeping soft, long hair like a woman's.
Ryun's eyes were now normal black. His third eye and the Yang Seal mark were deliberately hidden by him. His power and aura were extremely well concealed. Orochimaru could not sense any power from Ryun at all, but he knew this guy's strength had become even more unfathomable.
"Sage of Six Paths. My child will only be stronger than him." Ryun said in an extremely certain tone.
"Alright. Whether the child is strong or not, I am not too clear yet. I only know your chess skills have become worse and worse." Orochimaru completed his third checkmate against Ryun on the chessboard, and each time was faster than the last.
"Again. Mainly because I haven't practiced, so I've become rusty." Ryun was verbally struck a bit, and his competitive spirit was stirred slightly.
"The world has completely stabilized. I plan to resign from the position of Heaven Shadow, using the work time to study forbidden techniques, and conduct various scientific researches," Orochimaru said while arranging the chess pieces.
Hearing this, Ryun clearly paused for a moment. After a while, he gently nodded. "Have you found a successor."
"Yes. Let Nagato be the second Heaven Shadow. That guy loves peace, and also has the experience and ability to manage a village."
"Nagato. That's fine too. You decide."
Ryun still did not want to interfere with Orochimaru's decisions, because this teacher did everything very well.
Besides, Nagato had also tasted the bitterness of the human world. It was highly likely he would show compassion for the people of the world.
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