Konoha Year 38.
Time passed in the blink of an eye.
Six full years had passed since Uchiha Tobirama returned from the moon.
For Konoha, these six years marked an era of explosive growth.
Walking through the streets of Konoha now, one might even suspect they had stepped into the future. Towering steel skyscrapers pierced the sky, aerial railways weaved seamlessly between buildings, and massive holographic screens broadcast entertainment and news across the city.
Under the relentless drive of "Chief Scientist Orochimaru" and the tireless experimentation of "Research Subject: Edo Tensei Tobirama," combined with the advanced technology of the Land of Snow and chakra-based engineering, Konoha had completed the industrial revolution of the ninja world.
Security units wearing chakra-powered exoskeletons patrolled the skies. Genin squads armed with pulse-based kunai firearms conducted live combat simulations in designated zones.
This was no longer merely a Hidden Village.
This was a steel colossus—an imperial capital standing at the absolute center of the ninja world.
Yet beneath this dazzling prosperity, danger quietly festered.
The other four great nations—Lightning, Earth, Water, and Wind—though forced to sign humiliating submission treaties and pay vast resources and manpower to Konoha each year, had never truly accepted defeat.
The Hidden Cloud Village was secretly developing chakra cannons in an attempt to replicate world-destroying firepower.
In Iwagakure, Kitsuchi was frantically expanding military strength, even overdrawing the lives of ninja through forbidden techniques to forcibly increase combat power.
Like rats lurking in the sewers, they gnawed at the darkness, waiting for an opportunity to strike back.
Recently, attacks on Konoha's border caravans had become increasingly frequent. Though disguised as the actions of rogue ninja, the true masterminds were obvious to anyone with sense.
---
Konoha Core District. Supreme Conference Chamber.
A vast black palace hovered above Konoha itself—a symbol of absolute authority.
Around a massive circular table sat figures whose names alone were enough to make the entire ninja world tremble.
Uchiha Madara.
Senju Hashirama.
Senju Tobirama.
Orochimaru.
Sakumo Hatake.
Jiraiya.
Each was a living legend, capable of deciding the fate of nations.
And seated upon the throne at the head of the table was the ruler of it all—Uchiha Tobirama.
Six years had passed, yet time had left no mark upon him. If anything, his presence had grown deeper, colder, and more unfathomable.
He rested his cheek lazily against one hand, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The crisp sound echoed through the deathly silent chamber, striking against everyone's nerves.
"It's been six years," Tobirama said calmly, his voice low yet oppressive. "Six years I allowed them to struggle on. Six years to reflect."
"But it seems these insects still fail to understand reality."
"The recent movements of the Hidden Cloud and Iwagakure have grown far too frequent."
Uchiha Madara abruptly lifted his head, bloodthirsty light flashing through his Rinnegan.
"Hmph! We should have acted long ago," he snorted. "I've nearly rusted these past six years. If they won't behave, then we wipe them out."
"I agree," Orochimaru added, licking his lips with a sinister smile. "My lord, the biochemical legions and mechanical puppet forces have completed their expansion. They lack only large-scale combat data. The Edo Tensei army is also fully prepared."
Even Jiraiya, once the strongest proponent of peace, remained silent.
After six years of indoctrination and witnessing the vast gap in power, he had come to understand one truth: true peace could only be born from absolute unification.
"Tobirama… must we really go to war?"
Only Edo Tensei Senju Hashirama spoke with hesitation, his expression troubled. "These past six years, aside from minor frictions, things have been relatively peaceful…"
"Shut up, Hashirama," Tobirama said coldly, glancing at him. "Your naïve ideals have already been proven a failure by history."
"Distributing Tailed Beasts? Balancing power? Childish nonsense."
Tobirama rose from his throne, eyes blazing as he scanned the room.
"My patience is exhausted."
"This world does not need dissenting voices. Nor does it need so-called Daimyō."
"From today onward, the ninja world will fly only one banner—Konoha's."
"Gentlemen!"
He raised his hand, his voice thundering through the chamber.
"Let the Third Ninja World War begin!"
"There is only one objective—unification!"
The conference chamber erupted.
Uchiha clan commanders roared with fanatic fervor, their eyes burning with anticipation.
This was their glory—the glory of conquering the world under the guidance of a god.
"Uchiha Madara!"
"Here!" Madara rose, battle intent surging.
"I order you to lead the First Legion—the Uchiha elite—northward. Target: Hidden Cloud Village."
"If they surrender, annex the Land of Lightning. If they resist—kill all who resist."
Madara laughed wildly. "Hahahaha! Don't worry. I'll show them what true power looks like. I'll dance until they despair."
"Senju Hashirama!"
"Huh? I have to go too?" Hashirama scratched his head awkwardly.
"Enough nonsense," Tobirama said icily. "You will lead the Second Legion northwest. Target: Iwagakure."
"If they surrender, accept them. If they resist, eradicate them."
"I want Wood Release forests covering Iwagakure's land. If a single person escapes, I'll send you back to the Pure Land—and you'll never see Madara again."
Hashirama shuddered instantly. "Y-Yes! Hokage! Mission guaranteed! I'll capture the Fourth Tsuchikage personally!"
"Senju Tobirama!"
"Present," the original Second Hokage replied calmly.
"You will lead the Third Legion eastward. Target: Hidden Mist Village."
"It's an island nation—perfect for Water Release. I want the Hidden Mist erased from history."
"Understood."
"Sakumo Hatake. Jiraiya."
"Here!"
"You will command the Fourth Legion westward. Target: Hidden Sand Village and the entire Land of Wind."
"Although the current Kazekage answers to us, eliminate anyone who disobeys."
"Understood!"
The White Fang and Jiraiya knelt on one knee and departed to carry out their orders.
---
When all arrangements were complete, Tobirama walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the brilliant Konoha below.
"Transmit my command."
"Effective immediately, issue a declaration of unification to the entire ninja world."
"Order the four great nations to unconditionally disarm, abolish the title of Kage, and merge into Konoha within twenty-four hours."
"Otherwise—"
A cruel smile curled at the corner of Tobirama's lips.
"When our armies arrive, leave no one alive."
---
Half an hour later.
A broadcast spread across the ninja world at the speed of light through Konoha's most advanced communication and intelligence network.
[Notice to the Entire Ninja World]
[By Order of the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Uchiha Tobirama:]
[For a thousand years, the ninja world has been consumed by endless war, born of division and selfish rule. Today, Konoha follows the mandate of heaven and the will of the people to bring unification.]
[The nations of Lightning, Earth, Water, and Wind, along with all surrounding countries, are hereby ordered to abandon resistance and surrender immediately.]
[Those who submit shall prosper. Those who resist shall perish.]
[Any disobedience will be annihilated.]
One stone stirred a thousand waves.
The entire ninja world erupted.
Hidden Cloud Village, Raikage's Office.
Bang!
The newly appointed Fourth Raikage, Ay, slammed his fist into the desk, lightning chakra raging across his body.
"Arrogant bastard!"
"Uchiha Tobirama! Who do you think you are, trying to swallow the Hidden Cloud?!"
"Give the order! Activate the chakra cannons! Mobilize the entire army!"
"If they want war, then we'll fight them to the death!"
Iwagakure, Tsuchikage Tower.
Kitsuchi's hands trembled as memories of Tobirama's terror resurfaced.
"That madman… he's finally made his move."
"This is extermination! We cannot accept this!"
"Contact every nation immediately—form a united ninja alliance!"
"This is the final battle! Either he dies, or we all do!"
The storm had arrived.
The fragile peace that barely held for six years was shattered in an instant.
Millions of ninja mobilized.
Countless civilians fell into panic.
The Third Ninja World War—
or rather, the Ninja World Unification War—
officially began in the summer of Konoha Year 38.