God Court Headquarters, Communications Hall.
In Shinju's hands, the chakra communication network had become a tool beyond imagination.
"All nodes locked. The 'Apocalypse' protocol is ready," Shinju said calmly.
"Good. Then begin," Tobirama replied without wasting words.
Shinju pressed the confirm key.
Vast chakra energy was instantly guided and converted, then projected with pinpoint accuracy toward the four great shinobi villages.
Kumogakure, the Raikage's Office.
The Fourth Raikage, A, was handling mountains of paperwork.
He hated this kind of desk work. Compared to that, he preferred straightforward combat—so much so that he almost wished an enemy would barge in right now so he could deal with it himself.
Suddenly, the space inside the office twisted, accompanied by flickering points of light.
Countless motes converged, rapidly forming a clear humanoid outline.
It was Shinju.
"Who are you?! Playing tricks—if you've got the guts, show yourself!" A roared.
Blue-white lightning chakra exploded from his body, forming Raiton Yoroi (Lightning Release Armor), even making his hair stand on end.
He stared hard at the youth formed of light.
That method of appearing felt familiar, and it made him think of a certain blond man.
The Yellow Flash had once used speed to brand an unforgettable humiliation into him.
And the youth in front of him was that man's son.
That feeling—of the situation slipping beyond his control—returned again, all at once.
Kirigakure, the Mizukage's Office.
Mei had just finished a meeting.
She picked up a small mirror and carefully checked her makeup.
As Mizukage, she had to remain flawless at all times.
It wasn't just personal habit—after the Bloody Mist era, it was part of Kirigakure's new posture: open, confident, and reborn.
A ripple in space cut her movement short.
Light gathered before her eyes, sketching the image of a handsome youth.
Unlike the Raikage, she didn't erupt the instant something felt off.
Instead, she studied the unexpected visitor with interest.
"Oh? So this is that legendary lord…" she murmured.
Iwagakure, the Tsuchikage's Office.
Onoki leaned back in his chair while Kurotsuchi, his granddaughter, pounded on his lower back.
The old problem had flared up again. Whenever rainy weather came, the old injury in his waist would act up.
"Grandpa, can you stop making people worry so much? At your age, you should rest more," Kurotsuchi complained as she kept pounding.
"There's too much going on in the village. How am I supposed to stop? Even if I want to, I can't," Onoki huffed, eyes closed, enjoying the brief peace.
Then he sensed an abnormal disturbance in chakra.
A familiar light-shadow was forming.
Onoki instinctively clutched his lower back.
It was that brat.
He would never forget how that youth had once "delivered" something straight to his face in the most brutal way possible.
Ignoring every defensive measure Iwagakure had.
Even now, it remained a blade hanging over the heads of all Iwa's top brass.
"…You again, brat…" Onoki's words were full of helplessness.
Sunagakure, the Kazekage's Office.
Gaara stood by the window, looking down at the thriving village rebuilt with his own hands.
Sunagakure was peaceful.
He understood better than anyone how hard-won that peace was.
And the beginning of it all had come from that man's appearance.
Space rippled behind him. Gaara didn't turn around. He was long used to Shinju contacting him in various ways.
When he saw Shinju's image, Gaara showed not the slightest surprise.
He adjusted his Kazekage robes, stepped forward, and bowed deeply with solemn respect.
"Shinju-sama."
His reverence was sincere.
To him, Shinju wasn't only Sunagakure's ally—he was also the guide who had pulled him out of darkness.
Without Shinju, there would be no Kazekage Gaara of today, and no Sunagakure like this.
At that same moment, four Kage-level shinobi all saw the same image.
Shinju could sense A's fury, Mei's scrutiny, Onoki's wariness, and Gaara's obedience.
"Kage of each village, there's something I'm announcing here: the old era has ended."
"One month from now, in the Land of Iron, I will preside over the Five Kage Summit of the new era."
Shinju continued, and the word he used was "preside."
The weight of that word was something the four rulers understood clearly.
"There will be only one topic: the future of the shinobi world."
"I hope I'll see all of you there. If you don't come, I'll be disappointed. And I won't mind paying a personal visit to ask why."
"This isn't a request. It's a notice."
The communication cut off.
In the Raikage's office, the lightning of A's Raiton Yoroi (Lightning Release Armor) flickered violently.
He slammed a fist into the wall beside him. The solid wall instantly filled with cracks, rubble falling down.
"Bastard!" he bellowed—yet beneath the rage was a deep, crushing sense of powerlessness.
The other party hadn't even given him the chance to argue back.
That feeling of being forcibly dominated was more unbearable than any provocation.
And he still had to go.
If he didn't, it would mean Kumogakure would be completely excluded from the new order.
In the Mizukage's office, Mei picked up her mirror again.
She looked at herself in it and muttered, "A notice? What a domineering man. I like it."
She walked to the window and gazed out over Kirigakure.
The future of the shinobi world…
But if she thought about it another way, this might be Kirigakure's best chance to cast off the past and truly reshape its image.
That youth might bring destruction—or new life. But either way, it would be change.
Kirigakure needed stimulation from the outside now, even if it was the bad kind.
She thought and thought, then decided to gamble. Even if she lost again… how much worse could it get?
In the Tsuchikage's office, Onoki sank back into his chair weakly, and Kurotsuchi hurried to support him.
"Grandpa, are you okay?" Kurotsuchi asked.
Onoki waved his hand.
He stared at the spot where Shinju had vanished, his eyes complicated.
The old era had ended.
To an old man who had lived through three great shinobi wars, those words carried the strongest impact.
He had spent his whole life fighting for Iwagakure's interests—only for a young man to tell him that everything he knew would become the past.
An unprecedented fatigue washed over him.
For the village's sake, he had to go to the Land of Iron and see with his own eyes what that brat was planning.
In the Kazekage's office, Gaara straightened up.
A new-era Five Kage Summit, presided over by Shinju-sama…
That meant the old balance among the five great nations would be completely shattered.
A brand-new order centered on Konoha—or rather, centered on God Court—was about to be established.
For him, and for Sunagakure, this was an opportunity.
He eagerly picked up his pen and began drafting the list of personnel who would accompany him to the Land of Iron.
The direction Shinju pointed to was the direction he would advance.
The highest rulers of the four villages fell into long silence within their respective offices.
Shock, fear, curiosity, anticipation—every emotion tangled together.
The gears of the shinobi world had been pushed toward the unknown by a powerful hand.
(End of Chapter)
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