Chapter 302: The Ninja Alliance!
With the Infinite Tsukuyomi dispelled, the Allied Shinobi Forces let out a cheer before fatigue set in, and they began to sit down in groups to rest.
By this time, the sky had gradually begun to brighten.
At the center of the battlefield, the higher-ups of the Allied Shinobi Forces gathered around Sarutobi Asuma.
They had dealt with Ōtsutsuki Kaguya and Uchiha Madara, but now Ōtsutsuki Isshiki had appeared. Onoki and the others felt as if a sword was hanging over their heads, sensing immense danger.
"Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya arrived in the Ninja World together. It's also the custom of the Ōtsutsuki Clan to work in pairs, with Ōtsutsuki Isshiki as the primary and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya as secondary."
"You could say Ōtsutsuki Kaguya was a subordinate of Ōtsutsuki Isshiki..."
Sarutobi Asuma relayed the information: "And as for their objective, you're likely aware of it. They intend to use the Ten-Tails to take root in the earth, transform into the God Tree, absorb the earth's power and Natural Energy, and then bear God Tree fruit, or Chakra fruit. The Ōtsutsuki Clan uses the Chakra fruit to refine it into elixirs for longevity or to gain various powerful abilities."
Senju Hashirama stated, "So, this vast Forbidden Life Zone, and even the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind, weren't solely caused by the great war between the Sage of Six Paths and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya back then, but also by the God Tree."
Sarutobi Asuma nodded and looked at Namikaze Minato. "Brother Minato, the Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku was also involved in the battle between the Sage of Six Paths' brothers and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. Perhaps we could ask him next time to get more detailed information."
Namikaze Minato nodded.
"So, does this mean we not only have to face Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, but also potentially a continuous stream of other Ōtsutsuki Clan members arriving from the distant starry sky?"
Onoki asked, his voice grave, after digesting Sarutobi Asuma's intelligence.
"Not potentially, but definitely!"
Sarutobi Asuma said solemnly, "Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya have been gone for so long, the Ōtsutsuki Clan is bound to send someone."
"Their clan possesses many Ten-Tails, and they search the starry sky for places to plant the God Tree, continually harvesting..."
"Ōtsutsuki Kaguya herself feared the Ōtsutsuki Clan sending people, which is why she used the God Tree to create White Zetsu as an army. The Sage of Six Paths' brothers also fell out with their mother, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, for this reason, ultimately leading to a great war."
Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi's forehead beaded with sweat. "Enemies that even Ōtsutsuki Kaguya feared..."
The thought alone was terrifying!
"If that's the case, then the Allied Shinobi Forces don't need to disband."
General Mifune said.
The Fourth Raikage immediately frowned. "But we have no way of knowing when the Ōtsutsuki Clan will arrive!"
"Are we supposed to be on standby indefinitely?"
He didn't like being ordered around!
Once was enough.
Mifune said gravely, "Raikage, in that case, it would be best to entrust the Jinchuriki to Konoha's care."
"Otherwise, I don't believe Kumogakure can protect the Jinchuriki and the Tailed Beasts when facing the Ōtsutsuki Clan!"
The Fourth Raikage was furious but couldn't refute him, only glaring and panting.
At this moment, Onoki said, "Don't be so hasty, you brat. Regarding this matter, I believe Lord Asuma has already made some considerations, right?"
Everyone turned to look at Sarutobi Asuma.
"Indeed."
Sarutobi Asuma nodded. "It's unrealistic to maintain the Allied Shinobi Forces in a state of perpetual readiness. Although even if we did, I'm confident the Ninja World's economy could support it, it's not the best option."
The Fourth Raikage secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but then Sarutobi Asuma changed his tone. "However, when facing powerful enemies, the Ninja World must unite and stand together if we are to have any chance of confronting the formidable Ōtsutsuki Clan."
"You must all understand that the Ninja World has already exposed itself to the sight of the Ōtsutsuki Clan. The Ninja World is like a fertile piece of land, and the Ōtsutsuki view themselves as the masters of this fertile land, while we are merely the nourishment on it."
"Either we become the nourishment for the Ōtsutsuki Clan's God Tree planting, turning the entire Ninja World into a Forbidden Life Zone like this, or a desert like the Land of Wind."
"Or, we fight them to the bitter end."
The Fourth Raikage impatiently said, "Asuma, just state your idea directly. We all know these principles."
"We are not Uchiha Madara!"
"Nor do we wish to be hung on a tree, have our Chakra drained, and die miserably. We are shinobi; we are born to fight and protect our families. This is our mission!"
In the Fourth Raikage's words, shinobi suddenly sounded noble.
Of course, Sarutobi Asuma wouldn't expose him.
How shinobi were in the past didn't matter.
What mattered was that future shinobi would be as the Fourth Raikage described.
His gaze swept over the Kage, and Sarutobi Asuma said, "Then I will be direct."
"The Allied Shinobi Forces will disband, but the shinobi must be united!"
Onoki's heart sank. "Lord Asuma, if I understand correctly, are you suggesting we unify the entire Ninja World?"
The Fourth Raikage also immediately asked, "I heard Konoha intends to replace the Daimyo's government and directly rule the entire Land of Fire?"
"Furthermore, in the South Sage Continent, those countries are already completely under Konoha's control!"
"Does Konoha intend to unify the Ninja World?"
The Fourth Raikage shouted his final question, causing the atmosphere to become tense.
The Second Mizukage watched the scene, finding it rather uninteresting, and couldn't help but sigh, "Troublesome disputes never seem to end, no matter the era!"
As he spoke, he looked at Senju Hashirama and the Second Hokage, asking, "Lord Hashirama, Second Hokage, do you think the Ninja World should be unified?"
Senju Tobirama stated calmly, "It's the best outcome, isn't it?"
"Without Asuma, without Naruto's Six Paths power, without Uchiha Sasuke's Rinnegan, you have no way to resist the Ōtsutsuki Clan!"
This statement made the Fourth Raikage's expression turn grim, and he let out a low growl.
Meanwhile, Onoki's face was somber, and Mei Terumi frowned.
The Second Hokage's words were arrogant, but they were the truth.
And the truth was undeniably cruel!
At this point, Sarutobi Asuma shook his head and said, "If the goal was to directly unify the Ninja World and integrate all the nations, it wouldn't have taken until now."
"Before Uchiha Madara was revived, I could have done it, and I believe no one could have stopped me!"
"However, I didn't want to do that. I myself stepped onto the battlefield at the age of just over ten. I don't want my descendants to have to fight on the battlefield at such a young age. I don't want to start a war that sweeps across the entire Ninja World."
Onoki and the others remained silent. Even the Fourth Raikage had nothing to say.
The strength Sarutobi Asuma displayed was truly on a different level than theirs.
They could overwhelm him with sheer numbers.
But against Sarutobi Asuma, numbers were useless.
It was like facing Uchiha Madara, where one ninjutsu nearly wiped everyone out.
"So, Lord Asuma, what kind of alliance do you envision for the Ninja World?"
General Mifune asked, "Although we are samurai, we are also members of the Ninja World and have the right to participate!"
"Of course!"
Sarutobi Asuma immediately affirmed, "My vision for a Ninja World alliance is to establish a Ninja Alliance!"
A Ninja Alliance?
Everyone murmured the name.
Mei Terumi asked, "A Ninja Alliance, Lord Asuma, do you mean to put all ninjas into one organization?"
"You can understand it that way!"
Sarutobi Asuma nodded. "From now on, there will only be the Ninja Alliance, and all ninjas in the Ninja World will be members of this alliance."
"There will be no more ninja villages!"
"There will only be branches under the alliance."
"Branches of the Ninja Alliance established in various countries!"
Sarutobi Asuma revealed his ultimate goal.
If he were to directly unify the Ninja World and abolish the major ninja villages, Onoki and the others certainly wouldn't agree immediately.
However, establishing a Ninja Alliance, opening a door, made it much easier to accept.
For a moment, everyone fell into thought.
General Mifune suddenly said, "Lord Asuma, please forgive my presumption."
"The name 'Ninja Alliance' seems to exclude us samurai."
Sarutobi Asuma smiled, "General Mifune, you misunderstand. Samurai are also members of the Ninja World."
"Moreover, samurai also use chakra."
"Therefore, I believe samurai are also ninjas!"
"Just like pure taijutsu specialists such as Might Guy, and in addition, there are many ninjas among ninjas who are skilled in sword techniques."
"Samurai and ninjas are not two separate groups; they simply walk different paths."
General Mifune remained silent.
Senju Tobirama showed a faint smile, thinking to himself, "This Asuma kid is doing a great job. He's not only unifying the Ninja World but also incorporating the samurai group!"
His gaze shifted to Senju Hashirama, and he thought, "Brother, Asuma has far surpassed you!"
At this moment, Senju Hashirama looked at Sarutobi Asuma with eyes full of admiration and comfort.
The silence almost seemed to signify approval.
Having persuaded the wise General Mifune, Sarutobi Asuma turned his gaze to Onoki and the others, saying, "The purpose of establishing the Ninja Alliance is to maintain peace in the Ninja World, promote its development, and jointly resist the invasion of the Ōtsutsuki Clan."
"The Alliance will establish the position of Alliance Leader, serving as the leader who commands all ninjas against the Ōtsutsuki Clan."
"An Elder Council will be established, composed of powerful and prestigious ninjas, responsible for handling the daily affairs of the Great Alliance."
"A Secretariat will be established to serve as the Alliance Leader's secretary, representing the Alliance Leader and handling the daily affairs of the Great Alliance alongside the Elder Council."
...
Onoki and the others immediately understood.
The so-called Grand Alliance means all ninja villages become one, with the Hokage as its leader.
The Elder Council will assist the Hokage.
The Secretariat will consist of the Hokage's aides and secretaries.
And clearly, the Elder Council is meant to be positions prepared for the Kage and leaders of the major ninja villages.
"Then, how will ninja missions be distributed?"
Onoki asked a crucial question.
The economic source for the major ninja villages, apart from the income streams of individual ninja clans, is primarily through commissions obtained from missions.
If mission distribution isn't handled properly, even with the experience of fighting together this time, in time, the ninjas from the original major ninja villages will likely still clash, reigniting old grudges.
Sarutobi Asuma, upon hearing this, smiled and said, "Third Tsuchikage, there's no need to worry about conflicts arising from uneven mission distribution."
"Because for a long time to come, there will only be a shortage of ninjas."
Mei Terumi quickly asked, "What do you mean?"
"This land beneath our feet!"
Sarutobi Asuma pointed, "This Forbidden Life Zone is a region far vaster than the current Ninja World."
"And I will revitalize it, making it a place where people can live!"
What?
Onoki and the others were all shocked.
"This... how is this possible?"
Mei Terumi found it hard to believe.
Onoki said solemnly, "Although I haven't traveled this region, as you said, it's a region vaster than the current Ninja World. How can such a desolate land be brought back to life?"
"The Ten-Tails!"
Namikaze Minato said, "Power similar to the Ten-Tails!"
Sarutobi Asuma nodded, "Brother Minato is correct."
"While I don't have the Ten-Tails, even if I took that young Ten-Tails from Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, it wouldn't be enough to revive this entire region."
"However, I previously cultivated Wood Release to the Kekkei Mōra level and created the Sage Tree."
"As you all should have seen, it's capable of absorbing sunlight and converting it into chakra or life energy."
"Therefore, many years ago, I planted Sage Trees throughout this Forbidden Life Zone."
Gulp!
Mei Terumi swallowed, "Can it really be done?"
The Second Mizukage said, "If it can be done, then even if you want to unify the Ninja World, there will be no problem!"
"I believe it can!"
Sarutobi Asuma said, "Besides the Forbidden Life Zone, I have also planted Sage Trees in every country within the Ninja World."
"And on various islands overseas..."
"These past years, the Sage Trees have been accumulating power."
"And this power was not used much, even during the battles with Uchiha Madara and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya."
"Furthermore, I will first transform the Land of Wind, turning this desert country into a continent of life!"
"Then the Land of Rain, the Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning, and finally this Forbidden Life Zone..."
"By then, we will only have a shortage of ninjas!"
At that time, not just ninjas.
There won't be enough people!
"If that's the case, our Sunagakure agrees to establish the Ninja Alliance!"
Gaara was the first to declare his support.
Sunagakure was already severely weakened, and his relationship with the Daimyo was also quite strained.
Let alone joining the Ninja Alliance, he was currently considering whether he should propose dealing with the Daimyo.
It couldn't be that the land of life created by the ninjas would ultimately be handed over to the Daimyo, could it?
Namikaze Minato also immediately declared, "Konoha also agrees to establish the Ninja Alliance!"
"On behalf of the samurai, I am willing to join the Ninja Alliance!"
General Mifune was the third to declare his support.
Following that, Mei Terumi also stated, "Kirigakure also agrees to establish the Ninja Alliance and jointly resist the invasion of the Ōtsutsuki Clan!"
The tide had turned!
Following this, Onoki and the Fourth Raikage naturally also agreed.
The Five Great Shinobi Villages had reached a consensus.
For smaller villages like Amegakure, there was naturally no other choice.
"Regarding the position of Alliance Leader, Lord Asuma is the most qualified!" Gaara said.
"I also agree that Lord Asuma should become the first leader of the Ninja Alliance!" Mei Terumi said.
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