Chapter 263: Final Meeting
(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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Love knows no boundaries, neither geography nor distance.
Colt had now gained his own experience in keeping the peace with his women.
He knew that as long as he continued to show them love, there would be no room for anger, and problems would fade away.
Sure enough, by the next morning, both Shion and Koyuki had returned to their gentle selves, clinging to him with every moment.
However, the two understood the gravity of today's meeting.
Koyuki stayed behind in the dormitory, while Shion accompanied Colt to the designated meeting room.
It was a large, empty chamber, prepared specifically for this gathering.
The room's focal point was a high throne at the front, with rows of tables and chairs arranged below it. Despite the presence of over twenty people, the room felt vast and barren, a testament to the exclusivity of the meeting.
This was a gathering of the most elite individuals in the ninja world.
Every known Kage-level powerhouse and the leaders of each village were present.
Even Konan and the infamous art duo had arrived.
The atmosphere was tense.
The representatives from the other villages wore grim expressions as they realized how Konoha's strength had outpaced them.
Colt had requested the presence of each village's Kage-level fighters, and the comparison was stark.
Konoha boasted more powerhouses than all four other great villages combined.
Naruto alone was a formidable force, as such the gap was undeniable.
When the gathered shinobi noticed Shion by Colt's side, confusion spread.
Though she was a priestess, many doubted her qualification to attend such a meeting.
Sensing their curiosity, Colt seated himself on the throne and addressed the crowd.
"Shion possesses the power of the priestess lineage and wields certain powers from the Land of Demons. Her true strength is on par with a Kage-level fighter."
This modest introduction masked the full extent of Shion's power.
If she fully mastered the power within her, even Jiraiya might struggle to match her.
Another rising star of Konoha… the other villages could only sigh in unison, realizing how much wider the gap had become.
Without wasting more time, Colt jumped straight to the matter at hand.
"I believe everyone knows why we're here. Today, we'll discuss the future of the ninja world."
Silence filled the room.
Onoki, the Tsuchikage, could barely contain his thoughts. Colt's phrasing, calling this a "discussion," was generous.
Casually resting his arm on the throne, Colt exuded an air of casual dominance.
Since the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, his demeanor had relaxed, yet no one dared to criticize it.
Instead, they praised it as the style of a true leader—unconcerned with formalities.
"Let me share my vision with you," Colt continued, his voice carrying across the room.
"From this day forward, all the nations of the ninja world will be dissolved. We will merge into one unified country."
He raised a hand, and with a flicker of chakra, flames appeared in the air, forming words that hung over the assembly.
The Land of Shinobi.
"Regardless of where you were born or whether you were a wandering ninja, everyone will now fall under the jurisdiction of this new nation."
The Fourth Raikage clenched his fists.
The worst had happened. Still, he couldn't help but ask.
"And what about our villages? Will they all be absorbed into Konoha?"
Uchiha Madara scoffed, his voice cold.
"Consider yourselves lucky. Colt has chosen not to wipe you all out, but to give you a chance. What more could you possibly complain about?"
Raikage's anger flared, and for a moment, it looked like he might attack.
But seeing the overwhelming strength around him, he begrudgingly sat back down.
Colt couldn't help but admire Madara's directness.
If Madara had become the Hokage, the ninja world wouldn't have lingered in chaos for so long. Madara's approach was the opposite of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
Their ideals were entirely different.
Hashirama: "For the sake of peace, I will bow to you."
Madara: "For the sake of peace, you will bow to me."
And then there was Tobirama, who probably sided more with Madara in this regard, but wouldn't outright say it.
Colt smiled wryly and raised his hand to silence Madara before things got more heated.
"It's not as extreme as he made it sound. The five great ninja villages will continue to exist. You'll keep your names, but all village administrations will move near Konoha."
He sipped his tea casually.
"The current ninja structure will remain. New recruits, however, will join villages based on their affinities and preferences. For example, someone born in the Land of Lightning can join Kirigakure or Konoha if they choose."
Colt's gaze shifted to the silent faces around the room.
"As for the leaders present, all Kage-level fighters and village leaders will join the council I've established. Each Kage-level fighter will have one vote, and extraordinary shinobis like Naruto and Hashirama will have three votes each."
Colt paused, letting his words sink in.
The future of the ninja world was clear in his mind, and he was shaping it before their eyes.
"So, what happens with mission distribution and finances?" Onoki asked, cutting through the silence.
"Maintaining a village requires funds, and tasks are essential to our economy."
Since resistance was futile, Onoki had shifted to damage control.
He was already thinking of how to secure Iwagakure's interests under the new system.
"All missions will be distributed equally, selecting the most suitable ninja for each task," Colt explained.
"In the future, the ninja world will prioritize quality over quantity. Only those worthy will be promoted to Chūnin or higher. We won't recruit just anyone into our ranks."
As the room digested this new information, Naruto quietly raised his hand.
"Colt, I have three votes. What about you?"
Everyone's attention turned to Colt, curious about the answer.
Colt smiled calmly.
"Me? I have a veto."