Chapter 201: Between Life and Death

Naruto looked up.

The candle flames on the ceiling burned brightly.

After his time in the Soul Society, he began to realize just how strange this world really was.

Clearly, more advanced technology existed.

Yet people clung to ancient, primitive ways of living.

Those in power especially loved their luxurious lifestyles, built on the backs of others.

The daimyo were the most extreme examples.

Oil lamps flickered, lighting up the room brightly.

The light fell on the five of them, so intense that even the pores on their skin were visible.

Compared to their well-lit position, where Naruto now stood was only dimly illuminated by natural light.

The daimyo were terrified.

They ran!

Their last hope, after muttering a few words, just took off.

Without a second thought.

He didn't even care about them—these so-called "high and mighty daimyo."

As Naruto took a step forward, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire cried out in terror, frantically scrambling backward, "Don't come any closer!"

"Damn Madara Uchiha," cursed the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning.

The Daimyo of the Land of Earth, though just as terrified, managed to speak, his voice trembling, "What do you want? We can negotiate. Before you stand the supreme daimyo of the Five Great Nations."

"We can satisfy your every demand…"

Naruto smiled faintly. "Daimyo, huh."

"Still clinging to that title, even now."

"What use is it?"

The daimyo were stunned, their mouths gaping, unable to find the words to respond.

Sasuke smirked with disdain, raising his sword.

"Do you want to kill us?" screamed the Daimyo of the Land of Water. "You'd better think about the consequences!"

"If you do this, you'll completely offend the Five Great Ninja Villages."

Naruto looked at him calmly. "Even facing death, you still cling to such naive fantasies."

"Don't you understand what's happening?"

The daimyo lowered their heads.

At this point, they understood. But deep down, they refused to accept it.

No matter how much they resisted the truth, they had to face the reality that the title of "Daimyo" meant nothing to the ninja.

Would the Five Great Ninja Villages seek revenge for their deaths?

Probably not.

In fact, after their deaths, those hesitant, wavering ninja would likely rush to the front lines, becoming the main force in "breaking the ninja system."

"I was deceived!" shouted the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, his eyes wide with anger. "It was that man, Obito Uchiha, and those cursed ninja who deceived us!"

"You… you betrayed us!"

He was both enraged and utterly desperate.

Originally, everything had been under his control.

But suddenly, it all crumbled to dust.

Now he understood.

Why the Konoha ninja had the courage to refuse to serve him, yet still allowed themselves to be manipulated by the "Kage."

The reason was simple...

They chose the safest "outcome."

The thousand-year-old "ninja system" was ingrained in their blood.

They didn't dare to break it easily and lacked the courage to face the uncertainties of the future.

Most importantly, they didn't need to break it themselves.

This group of daimyo had already declared war on Naruto Uzumaki. Regardless of who won, there would be a result.

If, by some chance, the daimyo won and even Naruto Uzumaki couldn't break the "ninja system," then they had no reason to continue, and maintaining the status quo would suffice—clans would remain powerful.

But if Naruto Uzumaki won, and the "ninja system" was broken, they would be the direct beneficiaries.

Losing the title of "Kage" would be a small price to pay for the tangible benefits they would gain.

"My eyes were clouded."

Naruto raised his hand.

"And yet you blame others."

"As the Daimyo of a nation, you've grown soft and pampered."

White light flashed from his fingertips.

"Hadō #4: Byakurai (白雷, Pale Lightning)."

A beam of lightning pierced the Daimyo of the Land of Fire's forehead, creating a small hole from which blood gushed.

The other four daimyo's faces twisted with fear, some losing control of their bodily functions, the stench of urine filling the air.

But Naruto showed no mercy.

One by one, they met the same fate, dying violently in their seats.

Outside the room, cautious murmurs could be heard.

It was those ninja who had followed them all the way but didn't dare to attack.

The sudden change inside the room caused an uproar among them, spreading fear and confusion.

The emotional turmoil seemed to summon a strong wind, driving these ninja toward the building.

The oil lamps on the ceiling extinguished at that moment.

With the death of the daimyo, a new era was declared.

"The ninja system ends here," Sasuke said quietly as he sheathed his sword.

Naruto looked at him. "Will it end just because the daimyo are dead?"

Sasuke froze.

"What if a new daimyo arises?" Naruto asked him.

Sasuke pursed his lips.

He looked confused and uncertain.

After a moment, he shook his head, his voice filled with doubt. "I don't know."

"If you want to make a change, then go ahead and do it." Naruto raised his hand and gently pushed him forward. "Make this world a better place under your leadership."

Sasuke, however, seemed even more lost. "I don't know how to do that."

"Who does?" Naruto looked at him and smiled.

At first, Naruto had considered offering Sasuke another world's "system" as a reference.

But this was a completely different society, a completely different era.

In the society of the "Living World," there was no space for "superhumans" to exist.

Even those with Fullbring abilities lived on the fringes of ordinary society.

Trying to force such a system here could lead to unforeseen consequences.

As long as someone has the will to act, the world will gradually improve.

Sasuke met Naruto's gaze.

"So, Naruto, is the world you want to change the world of the dead?" Sasuke asked quietly, deep in thought.

Naruto shook his head without saying a word.

Sasuke gripped his sword. "I understand."

"I'll do it my way."

"To prove we are right, to prove they were wrong."

He walked toward the door.

The ninja cautiously surrounded them.

"Sasuke and Naruto, you two really are remarkable," Orochimaru commented softly. "At the age when we were just trying to become good ninja, you've already brought such great changes to the world."

"However…"

Naruto smiled. "Let's not talk about that now."

"Maybe we should discuss something else."

"For example, Kabuto and Madara?"

Orochimaru licked his lips. "Naruto, you really are impressive. I thought I had done a flawless job."

"How did you find out?"

Naruto tilted his head at him. "Even if everything you said was true, trying to hide a fact is a completely different attitude than not having anything to hide at all."

This was something he had learned from Aizen.

However, in this regard, Orochimaru was less cunning than Aizen.

At least that man would quickly realize this and choose a new approach.

"Is that so?" Orochimaru murmured, lost in thought.

Naruto walked up to him and whispered, "But you understand, don't you?"

"That resistance is futile."

Orochimaru said nothing.

"I know what you're thinking," Naruto continued. "I know what you want."

"You don't want to be bound or imprisoned by me."

"But I can't allow that."

Orochimaru instinctively licked his lips.

Naruto raised his hand. "Orochimaru, you are a genius."

"A genius in research."

"You are someone who can rival the greatest geniuses in my mind."

Orochimaru softly replied, "Naruto, do you know other scientists besides me?"

Naruto didn't answer that question and continued. "For people like you, the laws of the world or valuable research projects are more important than anything."

"Human morality, social norms, and even…"

"Self-awareness might not be able to restrain you."

"So, people like you, who lack self-awareness, need external supervision."

Orochimaru smirked. "You make me sound like an immature child."

"Aren't you?" Naruto smiled and asked him.

With that, he stepped outside.

Orochimaru followed.

"No matter how many times you try these little escape tricks, I'm always ready to play along," Naruto said, looking back at Orochimaru with a half-smile. "But are you prepared to face the consequences of failure each time?"

At that moment, Naruto suddenly understood Captain-Commander Yamamoto's mindset.

So this is how it feels...

The perspective and attitude he had when dealing with young, disobedient people like Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

Orochimaru took a deep breath, his pupils dilating.

It wasn't physical or mental oppression.

It was a threat that triggered a primal survival instinct.

He lowered his head and said nothing.

"Where is Madara now?" Naruto asked him.

Orochimaru's voice was much softer than before. "I don't know."

"I really don't know."

"Kabuto and Madara headed toward the Land of Rain after leaving the Land of Iron, but suddenly, they vanished without a trace."

"In this world, there's no sign of their presence."

"Even reverse summoning doesn't work."

Naruto appeared deep in thought.

In a hidden space, Kabuto surveyed the surroundings, a faint smile on his face, though inwardly he was frowning.

What is this place where no communication techniques can reach the outside?

"First time here? Surprising, isn't it?" Madara Uchiha said. "But give up on contacting the outside world. Without my permission, you won't be able to do it here."

Kabuto smiled slyly at him. "Madara, you speak as if you expect me to betray you."

"Even though I've contributed so much."

"Still, I'm really curious."

"Where is this place?"

Madara Uchiha spoke softly. "This is the space between life and death."

~~~

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