"Lord Mirai, there are four thousand seven hundred twenty-nine people in total. If there are no further instructions, I'll take them all away."
A member of the Federal Administration reported to Hyuga Mirai. Aside from the Fourth Raikage, Mabui, and a few others who were severely injured and needed treatment, almost everyone else was physically intact. Once sent to the Federation's southwestern mines, they would make perfect workers.
As for whether they would cooperate—there was nothing to worry about. No matter how tough a shinobi was, they all broke once they were sent into the mines.
Hyuga Mirai asked the administration staff to wait, then pulled up the list of Konoha shinobi. He turned to Nara Shikaku.
"Shikaku-san, among these people, who do you think can still be released? If they're sent to the southwestern mines, the earliest they can leave is five years from now."
Shikaku felt immediate pressure. He forced a stiff smile.
"I'll take a look. I'll try my best to persuade those who can still be reasoned with."
But this was troublesome for him. Every shinobi Tsunade had brought was chosen from a list carefully evaluated by Kabuto. As the captain of the Jonin squads and head of the Nara clan, Shikaku could tell at a glance who might be convinced—and who wouldn't.
Those with a bit of hope and no deep political backing, he'd try to talk to. As for the others—even if persuasion was possible, he had no intention of opening that door.
Anyone too closely tied to the Sarutobi clan was a risk. If they returned to Konoha and suddenly defected or caused damage, half the blame would fall on him.
After careful consideration, Shikaku pulled out roughly two hundred Konoha shinobi he believed could still be worked on.
"We'll go with your choices," Mirai said. "Persuading them is your responsibility."
He marked their names, and their chakra chains immediately unlocked and dropped to the ground.
Sasori had fitted every chain with a self-destruct and smart-control system. He didn't like the request, but after a little flattery toward Mirai, he added both features anyway.
Once thrown into the southwestern mines, these people had no options other than labor.
Shikaku, Inoichi, and the rest of the Ino–Shika–Cho trio went to persuade the released Konoha shinobi. The others were escorted away. The Raikage, Onoki, Hiruzen, and the rest were still unconscious. Tsunade's monstrous punch had done heavy damage— the Federal Administration could only promise to try its best.
The next focus was absorbing the territory of the Land of Fire. With Konoha's cooperation, this was easy.
Pakura continued leading the forces flattening the Land of Water. Mirai checked the battlefield: Uchiha Tekka and Pakura were slaughtering enemies on the sea.
A hundred-meter Susanoo split the ocean in half, then a freezing storm sealed the waves for a kilometer. After that came relentless Scorch Release fireballs. No one could stop the two of them. Nearly three thousand shinobi of the Allied Mist forces collapsed in full retreat.
Kirigakure's main forces and their Mizukage were practically wiped out. From here, the war would be simple. Even if the village still had a former master-level elder left, he had no forces capable of resisting the Federation.
With Kado Shipping still controlling supplies, who would sacrifice themselves for Kirigakure on an empty stomach?
Even if someone had the resolve, what about their families? Very few Kirigakure shinobi had stable families left—most who would die for the village had already been wiped out during the Blood Mist era.
Satisfied with the situation there, Mirai headed toward Tsunade. Kushina was introducing Naruto to her, but Naruto refused to believe this "young oneesan" was almost sixty years old. Kushina smacked him on the head.
Against Naruto, Kushina's punches had the effect of monstrous strength.
As Mirai approached, Naruto immediately forgot the bump on his head.
"Uncle Mirai, how did the first round go? Can I still go back and participate?"
Mirai crushed his hopes without hesitation.
"Forget it, Naruto. They're already in the third round. Unless something unexpected happens, the champion will likely be Nakamura Yoko."
"Then who won between Naruto and Sasuke?" Tsunade shoved Naruto aside and asked anxiously.
"They were both simulation androids. I set Naruto to win."
Tsunade's face went pale. It was as if her soul was drifting out of her mouth.
"Too many people bet on Uchiha Sasuke. If he won, the payout would be over twenty billion ryō. Bets on Naruto were under fifty million."
Seeing her expression, Mirai laughed.
"Tsunade, you bet again? And lost again? I told you— you have no talent for gambling."
"So you were the one running the house!"
Tsunade lunged at Mirai's throat. She had mortgaged her ancestral home, only to lose everything because someone manipulated the odds. How could she accept that!?
"I plan to visit the Federation. I want to familiarize myself with its systems."
"When you lie, stop tilting your head." Mirai sighed. She didn't even last two days before getting lazy. Clearly she realized how much work awaited her and was planning to hide at Kushina's place.
"Five days. If you don't show up, trouble will pile up fast."
Tsunade's eyes widened as she immediately haggled upward.
"One month."
"Seven days. Push me again and I'll drag you back myself."
"Seven it is."
Tsunade agreed instantly. With unlimited shochu and casinos in Sand Federation, she was eager for a tour.
Her temporary absence wouldn't cause issues. With Shikaku's loyalty secured, Mirai sent Android 18 to dispatch a few robots to help Konoha execute temporary reform plans and coordinate the invasion of the Land of Fire.
Drafting plans and assigning personnel would take about a week—perfect to drag Tsunade back afterward.
No one slacked off under Mirai's watch.
Shikaku's persuasion worked well. The Third Hokage was carried away, the Fifth Hokage now belonged to the Federation, and any neutral or loosely aligned Sarutobi supporters knew exactly which choice ensured survival.
Mirai told Shikaku that collaborators were already inside Konoha, then let him lead his people home.
Konoha had departed with fifteen hundred shinobi. Fewer than three hundred returned. Shikaku and Inoichi exchanged looks, sighed helplessly, and marched home.
As for their children living safely in the Federation—they weren't worried. Since they themselves had submitted, the Federation wouldn't harm them. Shikamaru and Ino probably thought they had participated in a normal Chunin Exam.
"Lord Danzo, ten kilometers until Konoha."
A Root operative addressed Danzo. Danzo nodded, glancing at the group behind him, unable to contain his excitement.
He forced himself to calm down. He would celebrate after he became Hokage.
At the Daimyo's residence, he had found an opportunity to replace the Daimyo and his servants with substitutes he had trained. With Obito's help, the operation was so swift no one noticed—not even the guards.
It had been one of Obito's conditions in their transaction—little more than transportation to him.
Now Danzo was leading five Edo Tensei resurrected bodies disguised as Root operatives, the real Daimyo, officials of the Land of Fire, and the Daimyo's elite guards to Konoha to announce his ascension as Hokage.
The Edo Tensei bodies were Kato Dan, Sakumo Hatake, Uchiha Kagami, and two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Danzo wanted to summon the First and Second Hokage, but he knew his teacher's strength well. If the Second Hokage broke free, it would cause major trouble.
As for previous Kage from other villages, Root lacked the strength to capture remains beyond the Land of Fire. For now, these five would do. Once he became Hokage, he planned to build an Edo Tensei army.
Soon, the procession reached Konoha. A group of over a hundred approaching was noticed quickly, and the village was already alerted.
By the time Danzo's group reached Konoha's gate, it was shut.
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane frowned at the massive group.
"Who are you? State your business in Konoha!"
Someone stepped forward from a carriage.
"The Daimyo is here. Have Konoha's leadership come greet him."
The Daimyo?
Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged confused looks. A Daimyo visit would always be announced ahead of time—they had received no such notice.
But the formation, the officials' attire, the luxurious carriages—it looked genuine.
"I'll notify the higher-ups. You stay here and keep watch," Izumo said to Kotetsu, then shouted,
"Please wait. Konoha has received the message. The village leadership will arrive shortly."
(End of chapter)