CHAPTER 31: PRELUDE TO THE THIRD SHINOBI WORLD WAR

It has been a day since I had my sparring matches. Currently I was sitting in the balcony of my palace with Kaguya. We were having a discussion on what to do in the upcoming future.

" What do you think Kaguya? Are the commanders at the levels where they can fight Otsutsukis head on in a 1v1 battle.?" I asked

" Hmm. That would be difficult. I can take on an otsutsuki on the level of Isshiki alone but I doubt that with Hashirama and Mito. While Hashirama is very adapt in ninjutsu and his own wood release he can atleast confront someone in base state and defeat them effortlessly. But if an otsutsuki starts to use his eyes or any other special techniques then it might prove a little difficult. I would suggest Hashirama to enter into atleast mid to high six paths level before even thinking about taking on the likes of Isshiki. Mito on the other hand is a wild card. With her seals and vitality she can be a threat to even me but the problem with her fighting style is that she is too dependant on seals. It requires someone to be around her to protect her when she applies a complex seal. I think Hashirama and Mito together would be a great combination against any Otsutsuki level threat. Hashirama can engage in physical combat while Mito restricts the opponent with her shield. 

Next is Odin and Hela. Odin is strong. Incredibly so. And not only that he has a lot of battle experience and wisdom. His clever tactics and clam mind can be a dangerous weapon. In our sparring match I felt he did the best out of all of us. I would definitely put him at the level of Isshiki or even Higher. and as a shadow he doesn't have the fear of death, so that's a plus.

Next is Hela. She too is strong and has various weapons in her arsenal. Immense battle experience and a firm control of her abilities. Her ability of widespread destruction and her necromancer skill is a good weapon against any otsutsuki. She will hold a upper hand in the beginning of the battle due to her ferocity and perseverance, but if the opponent gets used to her tactics then she will become predictable and easy to fight. But overall definitely a worthy opponent.

And as for Kushina, She still has a long way to go before reaching even the lowest of the six paths realm. I would suggest her to learn to harness natural energy for her to reach new levels." She concluded.

" Good deduction. I am pleased to see that you have eased into your position of the head of the army. As the First commander you will be in charge of the entire army." Pausing I continued, " Anyway its time for the meeting to begin. Let's make our way to the meeting room."

Thirty Minutes Later :-

I was sitting in the meeting room . The rest of the people were coming in to attend the meeting. Finally When every one was gathered it was time for the meeting to start.

" All of you please settle down. In front of each of you there are some pieces of paper. The first paper is the suggestions on where you can improve and where your weakness lays. please go though it after the end of the meeting. I along with Kaguya have prepared those documents. If you have any questions or require help, feel free to visit me." I said.

"Now then onto the next topic of discussion. I have decided on something that I want your opinion on." I paused and looked at all of them before continuing. " I think it is time for us to stop hiding. I think it is time for us to take an active part in the next war."

Hashirama was the first one to speak, " But I thought you did not want to interfere with the elemental nations. Were we not preparing ourselves to defend humanity against the Otsutsuki clan? Participating in the war will only lead to the spreading of violence and slaughter of innocents. I do not think this is the correct choice." he said in a firm voice.

" I too agree with Hashirama. Participating in a war will be going against our principles. If all the forces of this room is dispatched I believe that the entire elemental nations can be conquered within a week. But that is not why we chose to join you is it?" Mito added. 

" I understand your concerns. But do let me clarify why I want to take part in this war. It is many because of a the only thing that we all desire. Peace. If we don't interfere with the way the world is progressing and watch from the sidelines then we will witness humanity destroy itself. war after war, people will continue to slaughter each other. The cycle of hatred continues on and on. Son taking revenge for his fathers death, his son for his father's and so on. People kill each other on the whims of guys who call themselves Kages. Have you thought why we go to war. we either go to war to take out our rage and frustration or to satisfy our ego. The common people are like puppets being controlled by egoistical bastards who do not give a damm about who dies in their dirty game. and until we take out those power hungry fools peace will never exist. I understand many of you want to establish peace through trust and understanding. But guys, Wake up to reality. For there to be trust people need to let go of their hatred. For their to be understanding people need to feel emotions other than revenge and rage. For their to be peace there needs to be war. 

This war is not about conquering the elemental nations. No, I don't need your help to do that if I wanted to . This war is about unifying the elemental nations. we will ensure that this war will be the last one. It will be the last time that a mother loses a son , a wife loses a husband and a child loses a parent. This war will erase the boundaries of the nations. There will be no more Konoha Iwa Kumo Kiri or Suna Ninjas. There will only be Shinobi. Shinobi of the Elemental Nations. No matter where you are form you will be protected by all who bears the title of shinobi. This war is to unify all the Nations so that it would be ready to face any dangers in the future. This war will be the beginning of a new era of peace." 

" I support your Idea." Jiraiya said.

" Huh? Jiraiya? why do you seek more violence?" Hashirama asked

" I do not want violence. I want peace. I too believe in creating peace through trust and understanding, But what he said is correct. For there to be trust people need to let go of their hatred. If people cannot let go of their hate they can never trust or love any other person. Unifying the elemental nations will be the first step in erasing that hate. That is why I think Lucifer's idea was valid." Jiraiya concluded.

" I too agree with Jiraiya and Lucifer Sama." Ashina said.

" Your reason ?" Mito asked

" Mito Sama. Did you forget what happened to us?" He questioned and continued " We were a peaceful clan living on a separate Island. We have never caused any harm to any person and yet we were hunted down like animal. Why? Because the attackers feared our sealing prowess. They feared if they let us grow then eventually we would become strong and attack them. If they viewed us as not as the uzumaki clan but as a fellow shinobi of the elemental nations then perhaps we would not have faced the threat we did. People's fear was manipulated by the Hokage to kill us off. That is the current world we live in."

" I too agree with this decision" Tobirama stated.

" You too Tobirama?" Hashirama said

" Brother did you forget the first kage summit. Each of the kages were fighting for what they want and the others were putting a price tag on it. We were bargaining with essential necessities that were necessary for people of that land to survive. we distributed the tailed beasts as a sigh of trust and what did we get? we got the First world war. The division of the world and the greed of the ones in power has made it impossible to achieve peace in a peaceful way. If a war is what we need to establish peace that shall last then so be it. I would prefer the younger generation to grow up in peace than growing up in the current world we live in."

" I see." Hashirama said.

" Why don't we take a vote on it. All of you who feel that we should participate in this war raise your hand" 

Slowly hands started to rise. Tobirama, Ashina, Jiraiya, Hela. Kaguya. Kushina. Fugaku, Mikoto, Odin, Thor.

"All who do not want war raise your hand, " Hashirama, Mito, Sakumo, Minato and Tsunade raised their hands. 

" Well 11 to 5. The decision has been made. We will participate in this war to unify the elemental nations. For those who do not wish to participate, I will not force you to. If you don't want to take part in this war then you don't have to."

All the people nodded their heads at that. 

" We will announce our goal to the entire world and let them decide. If they decide to oppose to join us in unifying the elemental nations, There will be war." 

" Now then this meeting is over. Go through the documents and improve on the places that I have mentioned." Getting up I exited the room. " Well let's go visit Nat. I haven't seen her since yesterday."