After the battle concluded, Shun had the video of the fight broadcast live.
The Earth Daimyo, Lightning Daimyo, and the Wind Daimyo soon learned the outcome of the battle.
The Earth Daimyo, dressed in luxurious court robes, paced anxiously. He had already received an urgent report of Ōnoki's defeat but still harbored a sliver of hope.
Several core nobles sat around a long table, some whispering, some frowning deeply, and a stifling atmosphere permeated the air.
The screen in the center of the long table lit up, and the brutal scenes from the border battlefield instantly captivated everyone's attention.
When they saw Ōnoki, with hair and beard bristling, roaring as he activated Dust Release, only to be easily restrained by Shun's clone, they were surprised.
Then, Shun's main body descended, severely wounding four Kage-level ninjas with a single strike.
The council hall fell into a dead silence.
"Is… is that Ōnoki?"
A corpulent noble suddenly sprang from his seat, the fat on his face jiggling with fear.
"So many people teamed up, and yet… they were defeated so thoroughly?"
The Earth Daimyo stared intently at the golden Susanoo on the screen.
His breathing became heavy, his face gradually turned from pale to ashen, and his teeth ground together.
"He's demanding our submission within three days. This is clearly an attempt to annex the Land of Earth! He wants to make us, Iwagakure, prisoners!"
Panic spread like a plague in the council hall. Some instinctively took a step back, others wiped cold sweat from their foreheads.
No one dared to imagine how long the Land of Earth's meager resources could last if war truly broke out.
Inside the Royal Palace of the Land of Lightning, the atmosphere was equally tense.
The council hall, built of hard obsidian, exuded a cold, murderous aura.
The tall Lightning Daimyo, dressed in black court robes with gold trim, sat on the main seat, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.
When the screen lit up, they saw A, enveloped in blue Lightning Chakra, charging towards Shun like a bolt of lightning, only to be easily struck down by a golden slash, falling heavily to the ground with blood spilling from his mouth.
He slammed his hand on the table, and a fine crack instantly appeared on the hard obsidian surface.
"A… was easily defeated."
The Lightning Daimyo's face showed uncontrollable anger and despair, his eyes bloodshot.
"He couldn't even block a single move? How strong is Shun?"
The nobles behind him erupted into a clamor.
"It's terrifying. That golden slash can easily tear through Lightning Chakra shields."
"The ninjas of the Land of Lightning are known for close combat and speed, but in the face of absolute power, these are useless."
"Are we really going to surrender to the Land of Water? What about the dignity of our Land of Lightning then?"
"Dignity? If we lose our lives, what dignity is there to speak of?"
Arguments, sighs, and fearful whispers intertwined, throwing the entire council hall into disarray.
In the desert castle of the Land of Wind, dry wind seeped through window cracks, swirling fine sand on the floor.
The Wind Daimyo sat on a fur-covered chair, his face already sallow from years of drought, now completely devoid of color.
"Rasa's Magnet Release was so vulnerable…"
His voice was dry and hoarse, tinged with a hint of bewilderment.
The military advisor beside him, dressed in gray robes, tapped his fingers rapidly on the table. "Daimyo-sama, Shun's strength has exceeded our comprehension. The three-day deadline is imminent, and we must make a decision quickly. To fight, to surrender, or to unite with other countries to resist—if we delay any longer, we will truly lose our chance."
The nobles split into two factions, arguing incessantly.
Those advocating resistance pounded the table and roared, their faces full of indignation.
Those advocating surrender bowed their heads, their voices filled with helplessness and fear.
Others wavered, their eyes flickering, unsure how to choose.
The expressions on the faces of everyone in the council hall changed frequently, mirroring their conflicted feelings.
Just as this panic reached its peak and the council halls of various countries descended into chaos, the screen suddenly switched scenes.
It was no longer the brutal battlefield, but a simple yet grand room.
The walls of the room were light blue, adorned with a scroll depicting mountains and rivers, and a few pots of lush green plants were placed in the corners, exuding a serene atmosphere.
In the center of the room, Shun leaned casually on a sofa, his posture composed.
Opposite him sat a woman of exquisite beauty, none other than Sayuri.
Sayuri wore a light pink long dress, her face adorned with elegant makeup, and she held a special Chakra microphone in her hand.
A hint of nervousness was barely concealed in her eyes. Her fingers subtly tightened, but she maintained a professional smile on her face.
"Shun-sama, thank you for accepting my interview during your busy schedule. First, on behalf of everyone in the Ninja World, I would like to ask a question. Does your demand for the Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Akatsuki to submit to the Land of Water mean that you are about to launch a war and annex these countries?"
This question struck at the core, and everyone in the Ninja World watching the broadcast held their breath.
The Daimyos of the Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning, and the Land of Wind stared intently at the screen, even their breathing becoming cautious.
Shun's gaze pierced through the broadcasting device, seemingly penetrating time and space to every corner of the Ninja World.
"I am not going to launch a war, nor am I going to annex any country."
The Daimyo of each country visibly relaxed. They instinctively straightened their bodies, and some of the panic on their faces receded.
New doubts arose in Sayuri, and she continued to ask, "Then why do you demand that all countries submit? Is it merely to display your strength?"
Shun's gaze became distant, having experienced too much of the weariness and heaviness of war.
"The Ninja World has been divided for too long, and wars have never ceased. Countries have attacked each other for territory, resources, and Tailed Beasts. How many ninjas have died on the battlefield, their bones unable to return home? How many families have been torn apart, children losing parents, wives losing husbands?"
"I have personally witnessed the despair in the eyes of children who lost their parents, seen the desolate landscapes of villages burned by war, and seen ninjas abandon their lives for so-called 'missions,' ultimately becoming sacrifices of war. I am tired of such a Ninja World."
His tone became incredibly firm, carrying an unwavering conviction. "I want to unify the Ninja World, to establish a Ninja World without war, without division, where everyone is equal."
"All countries will no longer be hostile to each other, ninjas will no longer sacrifice themselves for meaningless battles, and the common people will be able to live in peace and work happily, without worrying that the flames of war will reach their homes."
"Unify the Ninja World… Is that possible? The countries of the Ninja World have harbored grievances for too long, remaining divided for hundreds of years. Unification will likely face countless objections."
Sayuri's lips parted, her face filled with shock, even the microphone in her hand trembling slightly.
Shun's eyes sharpened, his voice carrying an undeniable authority. "I will not kill indiscriminately, but I will make the dissenters understand that unification is the only way out for the Ninja World."
"For countries willing to submit, I will preserve their unique cultures and customs, respect local traditions, and only unify political and military coordination, jointly resist external threats, and share resources and technology, so that the people of all countries can live good lives."
"As for those forces that insist on provoking war and obstructing unification, I will not be lenient."
These words exploded like thunder throughout the Ninja World, instantly shattering the last vestiges of hope for the Daimyos of each country.
Their panic was immediately replaced by tension, and their faces showed incredulous expressions.
Shun's ambition was far greater than they had imagined. What he wanted was not simple submission, but the grand unification of the entire Ninja World.
The Daimyo of the Land of Earth's face turned ashen, and he suddenly stood up from his seat, roaring, "Arrogant! Utterly arrogant! Who does he think he is? A God? He thinks he can unify the Ninja World by himself? Dream on!"
His chest heaved violently, his eyes filled with anger and indignation.
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, meanwhile, fell into contemplation, his fingers gently tapping the table.
"Unifying the Ninja World… If peace can truly be achieved, perhaps it's not a bad thing. But will Shun's rule truly bring peace? Will he become the next dictator?"
In the council hall of the Land of Wind, the arguments grew even more intense.
A white-haired old noble pounded the table, shouting, "We cannot yield! The dignity of the Land of Wind must not be trampled! Even if we die in battle, we must defend our homeland!"
Another young noble retorted, "Die in battle? What do we fight with? Four Kage-level ninjas are no match for him. If we go up there, it will just be a futile sacrifice!"
***
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