Sayuri took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in her heart, and continued to ask, "Shun-sama, how do you plan to achieve this goal? Will you give all countries a buffer period, allowing them more time to consider?"
Shun said, "The three-day period is for countries to consider. After three days, countries willing to submit will send envoys to the Royal Palace of the Land of Water to sign the Unification Alliance Treaty."
"For those unwilling to submit, I will personally lead an army to make you understand through force that division only brings war, and only unification can bring true peace."
Shun's voice carried no hint of a threat, yet it sent a chill down the spine of everyone who heard it.
It was an absolute confidence in his strength, a composure that controlled everything.
The interview ended, and the broadcast screen instantly went dark, leaving a room full of silence and shock.
Shun's declaration of unification was like a giant rock thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves that swept through every corner.
The Daimyos and nobles of various countries urgently convened meetings. In the brightly lit council halls, arguments, roars, and sighs rose and fell.
In contrast to the anxiety of the upper echelons, the ordinary people and lower-level ninjas of the Ninja World were filled with anticipation for Shun's declaration.
The harem area of the Royal Palace of the Land of Water was usually a place of peace and tranquility.
But today, that peace was completely shattered. Figures rushed along the corridor, and low voices of argument and sighing intertwined.
Temari's figure paced back and forth at the entrance of the sleeping quarters. Her delicate brows were tightly furrowed, her amber eyes filled with anxiety, and her face, usually carrying a hint of boldness, was now etched with worry.
The image of her father, Rasa, stumbling backward with blood spilling from his mouth during the broadcast, was branded in her mind, impossible to shake off.
"Sunagakure is my father's life's work. How can we just surrender like this? I must plead with Shun. Even if I have to bow my head and admit fault, I cannot let Sunagakure become a subsidiary."
She suddenly turned and walked toward Shun's study, her skirt sweeping past the flower bushes beneath the corridor, creating a rush of wind.
Just as she reached the corner, she ran into Kurotsuchi, who also had a solemn expression.
Kurotsuchi was wearing a red single-sleeved bodysuit, her hands tightly clasped together, and her black pupils were full of complex emotions.
She could not forget the sight of her grandfather, Ōnoki, wide-eyed with rage, unleashing Dust Release only to have it easily shattered by the golden slash, nor could she forget the look of utter disbelief and despair in her grandfather's eyes at the end.
That was her most beloved grandfather, the pillar of Iwagakure, yet he had been defeated so miserably and now faced the choice of submission.
A sour feeling welled up in her heart, making the tip of her nose sting, but thinking of Shun's resolute gaze and his declaration to unify the Ninja World, she didn't know how to speak.
Caught between her flesh-and-blood grandfather and homeland on one side, and the man she loved and the peace he pursued on the other, she was torn.
"Temari..."
Kurotsuchi called softly, her voice carrying a slight choke.
Temari stopped. Seeing Kurotsuchi's bloodshot eyes, the urgency in her heart eased slightly.
She stepped forward and gently patted Kurotsuchi's shoulder. "I know this is hard for you, Ōnoki..."
The words reached her lips, but she did not know how to offer comfort.
She herself was anxious, let alone Kurotsuchi, whose bond with Ōnoki was so profound.
Kurotsuchi lowered her head, feeling lost. "Grandfather... he has never been so defeated before. But Shun is doing this for the peace of the Ninja World. I don't know what to do."
Just then, Mabui and Yugito walked over side by side.
Mabui wore a pale purple long dress with her hair draped over her shoulders, her face showing gentle worry, and her hands lightly clasped in front of her.
Yugito, dressed in red combat attire, had eyes full of concern but still maintained a degree of composure.
Both of them originated from the Land of Lightning. Seeing the footage of A being severely injured, they naturally worried about their homeland, yet from start to finish, neither had said a single word urging Shun to give up.
Mabui spoke softly, her voice gentle, "Temari, Kurotsuchi, I know you are worried about your relatives, and so are we. The Land of Lightning is our home, and A-sama is the Raikage we respect. Seeing him defeated is painful for us too."
Yugito nodded and added, "But we also believe in Shun's original intention. Wars in the Ninja World have lasted too long, and the people of the Land of Lightning are tired of being displaced. If unification truly brings peace, perhaps... this is not a bad thing."
Temari suddenly looked up, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes. "But are your relatives, your country, willing to submit? A is so proud, he certainly won't compromise easily."
Mabui sighed softly, "It's not that we are willing, but that we understand the price of resistance is too great. Four Kage-level ninjas combined were no match for Shun. If war truly breaks out, only ordinary civilians will suffer. Shun has said he will not slaughter the innocent and will preserve the culture and customs of each country. Perhaps, this is already the best outcome."
Temari wanted to say more, but she heard the sound of steady footsteps approaching from a distance.
Everyone turned to look, only to see Shun, dressed in a black trench coat, walking slowly toward them.
Temari immediately rushed up, her tone urgent. "Shun! Please give Sunagakure another chance. My father... he was just acting on impulse. Sunagakure is willing to submit, but can you please not use a word like 'submission'? Can you give Sunagakure a little more autonomy?"
Her posture was extremely humble, her amber eyes full of pleading, the usual boldness completely gone.
Kurotsuchi also looked up, her eyes full of anticipation, but she ultimately did not speak.
She knew that Shun's decisions were never easily changed, yet she still hoped that her grandfather could retain some dignity.
Shun stopped, his gaze sweeping over the four consorts.
He saw the pleading in Temari's eyes, the conflict in Kurotsuchi's eyes, and the worry and forbearance in the eyes of Mabui and Yugito.
A warmth surged in his heart. He raised his hand and gently stroked Temari's hair, his tone softening slightly. "Temari, I know you are worried about Rasa, and I understand your feelings for Sunagakure."
He turned to look at Kurotsuchi, his eyes carrying a hint of apology. "Kurotsuchi, Ōnoki is your grandfather. I severely injured him, and I have made things difficult for you."
Kurotsuchi shook her head, her voice soft. "I know you have your reasons."
Shun took a deep breath, his gaze becoming resolute, and his tone returned to its usual authority. "But I must tell you, unifying the Ninja World is something I must do."
He raised his hand and pointed toward the distant horizon, his eyes shimmering with the light of conviction. "The old order of the Ninja World is already hopelessly corrupt. Countries attack each other for selfish reasons. How many families are torn apart, and how many ninjas become casualties of war? I have witnessed too many tragedies, and I cannot allow such things to continue."
His voice became heavy, carrying a hint of imperceptible weariness. "I know that asking your relatives and your countries to submit is difficult for you. But I promise you, I am not trying to annex them, but to establish a completely new order. Under this order, there will be no war, no division, all countries can coexist peacefully, and all people can live and work in contentment."