Chapter 120: The March for Uruk

The throne room of Uruk was bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. Gilgamesh sat upon his extravagant throne, legs crossed, and his golden goblet in hand, as though the weight of ruling a kingdom was a mere afterthought. Before him stood the assembled leaders of Uruk's newly fortified system: Nagato, Yahiko, Konan, Hiruko, Shinno, and the other notable talents he had gathered.

"Now that Uruk has proven itself capable of handling internal matters," Gilgamesh said, his voice carrying the same weight as a king delivering a proclamation to his subjects. His eyes gleamed with excitement, "It is time to show the world that Uruk is not just a kingdom, but the kingdom."

The room went still, each person waiting with bated breath for the next word from their king.

Gilgamesh stood, raising his arms dramatically as his cape billowed out behind him, despite there being no breeze in the enclosed space. "Assemble the army! MARCH FOR URUK!"

The First Steps of Expansion

The call to arms spread through Uruk like wildfire. The streets bustled with activity as citizens prepared for the grand march. Warriors sharpened their weapons, blacksmiths worked around the clock, and even the children could feel the tension of what was to come. The mighty king had decreed that Uruk would expand, and no one dared question his will.

Gilgamesh had called for a grand assembly in the town square. Hundreds of soldiers, both men and women, stood at attention. The air buzzed with anticipation. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan stood on a raised platform beside Gilgamesh, each clad in their battle gear, ready for the king's orders.

Gilgamesh, towering over the assembled army, surveyed his forces with satisfaction. He raised his hand, and instantly, silence fell over the crowd. Even the birds seemed to stop chirping.

"My people!" Gilgamesh's voice echoed across the square. "For too long, the world has lived under the illusion that they are free to govern themselves. For too long, they have been ruled by weaklings who cling to power through deception and treachery. But no more!" His voice was like thunder, reverberating through the hearts of everyone present.

The crowd stood captivated, hanging onto every word as Gilgamesh continued. "We march not for conquest, but to liberate these fools from their own ignorance! We will show them what true rulership is! We will show them the might of Uruk!"

Nagato, ever the stoic, gave a small nod of approval, his mind already working through the strategies they would need. Yahiko, full of energy and passion, grinned widely, while Konan's face remained unreadable, her paper wings flickering in the wind.

The Planning Begins

As the soldiers began preparations, Gilgamesh and his trusted advisors retreated to the war room. A large map of the world was laid out before them, showing the various countries, their borders, and the resources each controlled. Gilgamesh's eyes scanned the map, fixating on the surrounding nations like a predator stalking its prey.

"We'll start here," he said, pointing to a nearby territory. "The Land of Rivers. Small enough to conquer quickly but significant enough to send a message."

Konan stepped forward, analyzing the map. "They have ties to the Land of Fire, and their shinobi forces, while not as powerful as Konoha's, could put up some resistance."

Gilgamesh smirked. "Resistance? It will be an honor for them to fall at my feet."

Yahiko chuckled. "Gilgamesh, you've really got a way with words. I'm sure they'll appreciate that."

Nagato, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. "What of the other nations? They won't sit idly by while we expand."

Gilgamesh's eyes flashed dangerously. "Let them try. Every battle will only serve to glorify my reign."

Hiruko, who had been silent up until now, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We mustn't underestimate them. The Land of Fire, in particular, may become an issue."

Gilgamesh waved off the concern with a flick of his wrist. "The Land of Fire will fall in due time. First, we must gather momentum. Once we have conquered a few neighboring nations, the rest will kneel before me."

Shinno, eager to test his newfound loyalty to Uruk, clenched his fists. "Let me lead the first charge. I'll prove my worth."

Gilgamesh turned his gaze to Shinno, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Very well. Prove yourself, and your place in Uruk will be secured."

The March Begins

The day had come. The grand army of Uruk stood ready to march. Rows upon rows of soldiers, armored and armed, stretched out as far as the eye could see. Banners bearing the sigil of Uruk—an intricate design of golden lions and ancient symbols—flapped in the wind.

Gilgamesh, atop his magnificent steed, raised his arm once more. "Onward!" he bellowed. "To glory!"

The army began its march, the sound of synchronized footsteps echoing through the valleys and across the plains. Yahiko, ever the motivational speaker, rallied the troops with his own passionate speeches as they marched. "Remember, we fight not just for conquest, but for the future of Uruk! Under Gilgamesh, we'll bring order to this chaotic world!"

Konan, flying above the army, ensured that scouts were deployed to prevent ambushes, while Nagato strategized in silence, ever calculating the moves of potential enemies.

Meanwhile, in the towns they passed, rumors spread like wildfire. Word of Uruk's unstoppable army reached the ears of many. Some feared it, while others saw it as an opportunity to join a new world order. The common folk whispered in taverns, speculating about the man called Gilgamesh—the king who claimed he was born to rule the world.

Problems on the Horizon

As the army advanced, whispers of rebellion and sabotage began to surface. The Daimyo of nearby nations, enraged by Gilgamesh's arrogance and declarations, were not idle. In secret, they had begun to sow the seeds of discord within Uruk's own ranks.

Saboteurs from the Land of Rivers attempted to infiltrate the army, spreading false rumors about Gilgamesh's leadership. "He's nothing more than a tyrant!" they hissed to anyone who would listen. "He'll bring ruin upon you all!"

But Gilgamesh remained unfazed.

One evening, as the army set up camp, Yahiko approached Gilgamesh. "We've received reports of spies within the ranks. What should we do?"

Gilgamesh merely laughed. "Spies? Let them come. They are of no consequence."

Yahiko frowned. "But they could spread lies, cause unrest."

"Do you think any of these men would believe a mere whisper over their king?" Gilgamesh asked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Those who follow me know my greatness. Let the spies waste their breath."

Konan nodded in agreement. "Besides, any fool who dares betray us won't live long enough to regret it."

Nagato stepped forward, his Rinnegan eyes piercing through the shadows of the tent. "I'll handle the spies. Let's make an example of them."

Trouble Within

Despite Gilgamesh's calm demeanor, the unrest within the army grew. Minor skirmishes broke out between soldiers who had fallen for the lies of the enemy and those who remained loyal. Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan were each tasked with leading separate groups to quell the unrest, and each handled the situation in their own way.

Yahiko took to the frontlines, rallying the soldiers with impassioned speeches, reminding them of the glory that awaited them under Gilgamesh's rule. His charisma brought many back into the fold, reigniting their loyalty.

Konan, ever the efficient and calm leader, took a more tactical approach. She had her paper clones infiltrate the rebellious groups, exposing their leaders and swiftly dealing with them. Her methods were silent but effective, and soon, the pockets of rebellion were snuffed out.

Nagato, with his overwhelming presence and power, simply stood as a symbol of fear and control. No one dared oppose him. His Rinnegan eyes saw through every plot, and with the simple extension of his hand, those who dared rebel were brought to their knees.

Gilgamesh's Triumph

As the dust settled and the chaos was brought to an end, Gilgamesh stood tall, watching over his kingdom. Despite the attempts to undermine him, Uruk remained strong—stronger, in fact, than before.

"The world can plot against me all they want," Gilgamesh said, his voice filled with unshakable confidence. "In the end, they are mere mortals, while I am a god among men. No amount of sabotage or rebellion can change that."

His golden eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he surveyed his kingdom. "Uruk will not fall. It will rise, and with it, the world will kneel."

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan stood beside him, their loyalty unwavering. They had proven themselves time and time again, and now, they would march alongside their king to conquer the world.

---

As the night fell, the army camped beneath the stars. The fires crackled, and the soldiers shared stories of their victories. Yahiko, feeling lighthearted after the day's work, plopped down beside Gilgamesh.

"You know," Yahiko grinned, "for someone so busy being an all-powerful king, you've got a lot of time to shine that armor of yours. It's like a mirror."

Gilgamesh chuckled, raising his goblet. "A king must always look his best, Yahiko. My radiance is as much a weapon as my sword."

Konan, sitting nearby, deadpanned, "At this point, your armor's blinding half the enemy before we even get close."

Nagato, ever the serious one, added dryly, "It's a tactic, clearly. Who needs strategy when you can just dazzle them?"

Gilgamesh took a sip of his wine, smirking. "Exactly. Let them bask in my glory. It's the closest they'll ever get to being in the presence of a god."

The group shared a rare moment of laughter as the fires burned bright into the night. Even as the world plotted against them, within the walls of Uruk, camaraderie and confidence reigned supreme.