Half a month later, inside the Hokage Building of Konoha, the village's upper echelon, Uzumaki Kushina included, filed one after another into a small conference room.
When everyone had taken their seats, Uchiha Gen entered wearing the Hokage's hat and robes, his stride steady and composed.
"Hokage-sama!"
Everyone stood and bowed, everyone except Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose former position placed him on equal footing.
Gen nodded. "Be seated."
Once he sat, the others followed.
He turned toward Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-sensei, what's the current progress on Project C1?"
The "C" referred to Edo Tensei. "1" meant restoring and strengthening the technique as close to its peak as possible.
Orochimaru's lips curved in a confident smile. "It hasn't reached the strengthening stage yet, but full restoration, nearly one hundred percent, is essentially achieved."
Gen nodded with approval. "As expected of you. Your progress aligns perfectly with my plan."
Orochimaru inclined his head. "Kabuto contributed greatly as well."
"Then he'll be credited."
The exchange left several in the room confused, itching for clarification.
Tsunade squinted at Gen. "Hey, what exactly is Project C1?"
He smiled. "You'll see soon enough."
Tsunade clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. "So mysterious… that can't be a good sign."
Gen ignored the complaint, cleared his throat, and his expression sharpened. "The meeting officially begins."
Everyone straightened, eyes fixed on him. Summoning so many high-ranking figures meant today's topic was no small matter.
"More than ten years have passed since the Third Shinobi World War," Gen said. "By now, the Great Nations have recovered, some partially, some completely."
"It's clear the Fourth Shinobi World War isn't far off."
"Other nations have coveted the Land of Fire's territory for a long time. They won't stop."
"In my view, instead of waiting passively, it's better to strike first and remove potential threats before they grow."
Several faces in the room tightened. Those unfamiliar with Gen's worldview or hearing this idea for the first time looked shocked.
Kakashi spoke before Hiruzen or the others could. "Hokage-sama… you intend to initiate war?"
Gen tilted his head, amused. "Why not? The other villages have attacked the Land of Fire more than once. If they may invade us, then we can invade them."
Kakashi's expression turned grave. "I oppose starting a war."
"Konoha's peace was hard-won. Another war will destroy countless lives and homes."
Hiruzen cast Kakashi a pleased glance acknowledging the Will of Fire. Then he looked at Gen with thinly veiled schadenfreude. Appointing Kakashi as Jonin Commander, only for his first act to openly oppose the Hokage, it was almost poetic.
But Hiruzen didn't stop at silent commentary. He voiced his stance, firmly rejecting Gen's proposal.
Homura Mitokado, Utatane Koharu, and Jiraiya voiced their opposition as well.
Orochimaru expressed support.
Uchiha Setsuna, Deputy Head of the Police Force, also supported Gen.
Tsunade, Shikamaru, and others hesitated, visibly conflicted.
Although the majority opposed, none felt victorious. As Hokage, Gen could still move unilaterally. Defying a Hokage's direct order would lead to consequences none of them could afford.
Kakashi subtly gestured to Tsunade and the others, pleading with his eyes. If they joined him, maybe—just maybe—Gen could be dissuaded.
Gen leaned back, smiling slightly. "You misunderstand."
"This war will not resemble previous wars. We won't deploy large armies right away. First, only Konoha's high-end combat power will move. The large forces are only for cleanup."
"My plan is simple: our top combatants will strike directly at the Great Nations, breaking their will with overwhelming strength and forcing their leaders to surrender."
"Once we control their leadership, their armies lose command, lose morale and collapse."
"Then, by using their leaders, our absolute force, and the families within their villages, we apply a three-pronged pressure to make their armies surrender."
"If executed correctly… we could unify the Five Great Shinobi Villages without a single casualty."
Gasps rippled across the room.
Gen's tone remained calm. "To be completely honest with you, I've already dealt with the Hidden Sand Village."
"Sunagakure has agreed to surrender and integrate into Konoha as an affiliate."
"At this moment… the power of Sunagakure is the power of Konoha."
Silence.
Shock froze the room.
Even Hiruzen's voice trembled when he finally spoke. "You… personally used force to make Sunagakure surrender?"
Gen snorted. "If not force, then what? Should we use love, justice, kindness, and mutual understanding to make them bow?"
"The Great Ninja Villages are strong but not as strong as all of you imagine."
Someone swallowed loudly. The sound echoed in the stillness.
The power to force an entire Great Village to surrender… it was beyond comprehension.
Even Hiruzen and Jiraiya could only stare, shaken to the core.
Was the direct method truly the most effective?
Forcing a Great Shinobi Village to surrender and integrate, no previous Hokage had ever accomplished such a thing.
Perhaps the First Hokage could have, but his ideals would never allow it.
Which meant this was unprecedented. If word spread, Gen's prestige would skyrocket beyond anything seen before.
This event alone was enough to reshape the entire world order.
If Sunagakure truly integrated into Konoha and if interests were coordinated to protect both sides and fully utilize Sand's combat strength...
Konoha could simultaneously face three enemy nations without fear.
The world could shift into a bipolar structure. Small villages would have to choose a side; neutrality would no longer be possible. Even forming alliances wouldn't help, no major power would tolerate a faction capable of gaining an advantage.
Such a faction would be eliminated first.
Gen stood, voice steady and absolute. "My resolve to wage war is already set. No one can change it."
"The purpose of this meeting is to unify our thinking, consolidate strength, handle aftermath procedures, and ensure no one drags their feet."
"But words alone seem insufficient."
He rose from the Hokage's seat and started toward the door.
"Come," he said without turning. "I'll show you the power I've prepared, the power that will strike down the Five Great Nations and unify the world."
"Once you see it, any remaining doubts will disappear."
He walked out.
The others exchanged glances, swallowed their turmoil, and quickly stood to follow.
Chairs scraped. Footsteps echoed.
In moments, the conference room was empty.