Chapter 258: Threat

(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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Colt's voice echoed in the sky, resonating in everyone's ears.

One minute. Two minutes…

Silence enveloped them.

Just when Colt feared his ideals were too complex for these elders to grasp, a scarred ninja suddenly yelled.

"I agree!"

That single word acted like a fuse igniting a powder keg.

"We recognize your dream!" the crowd echoed loudly.

"Colt-sama, we are willing to follow you!"

The crowd roared like a tidal wave, calming even several Kage-level powerhouses.

"Hahaha," Hashirama laughed, his neck flushed with excitement as he patted Tobirama on the back.

"Brother, do you see? This is the essence of our Konoha's Village Hokage!"

Tears glistened in Hashirama's eyes; he felt that Colt's vision was monumental compared to his own.

"Big brother, I feel like something isn't right. Let's not get too excited..." Senju Tobirama cautioned, crossing his arms.

He sensed that Colt's mind was sharp, with schemes far deeper than the surface ideas he was showing.

Even Kakashi, familiar with Colt, displayed no emotional response.

"He doesn't tend to say so much; it's bound to backfire."

Colt raised both hands, gradually calming the crowd.

"To achieve my dream, I've outlined two steps!"

"First, to ease your burdens, I've invited a like-minded person to eliminate all the Daimyos of every nation!"

With a wave of his hand, Colt summoned a Wood Clone with Hoshigaki Kisame.

"I present Hoshigaki Kisame, a hero who has abandoned darkness for the light!" Colt declared proudly.

"As we fought, Kisame-san fought his own battle!"

Silence fell over the crowd as the gravity of his words sank in.

Even Kisame's false smile faded; he felt awkward under the scrutiny.

Terumi Mei's expression shifted.

"What about Chojuro and the others? How are they?"

Kirigakure lacked high-level combat power, and losing Chojuro would devastate their future prospects.

"I merely drained their Chakra; I didn't kill them," Kisame explained, striving to project loyalty to the cause.

Hearing this, Terumi Mei relaxed a bit, but her thoughts returned to the Daimyo's doom.

"Colt, how is this any different from Uchiha Madara?" Onoki's voice trembled with concern.

"Do you wish to oppose the entire ninja world?"

Colt smiled.

"The entire ninja world? I want to see who will stand beside you in this."

Onoki glanced back at the other Kages.

The Mizukage and Raikage stood firmly behind him, while Gaara hesitated before also stepping forward.

He held some grievances against the Wind Country's Daimyo, who often undermined the Sand Shinobi Village.

But he didn't agree with killing them.

"Gaara..." Temari, who was following Hinata and others, clenched her fists, worry evident on her face.

"Trust Colt; he won't harm him," Hinata reassured, holding Temari back to prevent her from rushing out.

On the other side, Hashirama was taken aback.

How could Colt propose a world free of strife while planning to eliminate the leaders of the other nations?

"No, wait. You haven't even spared your own Daimyo!" Hashirama protested.

"Hashirama, this is how I define a true Hokage! Besides... We older folks should stay out of this," Uchiha Madara chuckled, clearly amused by Colt's audacious approach.

"Yes," Hashirama conceded, but worry still clouded his brow.

"Brother!" Senju Tobirama interrupted.

"We are ninjas of Konoha now, not Hokages Let's not interfere in this!"

His eyes sparkled with anticipation for the chaos that might unfold.

Colt sighed, turning to the four Kages.

"Gaara, Onoki, Terumi Mei, and Raikage…"

"Look at your subordinates; do they still have the will to fight?"

Silence enveloped them.

The fatigue was palpable, etched on the faces of their warriors.

After enduring numerous wars, the fighting spirit of their people had greatly diminished.

With a swift slash, Colt unleashed a sword strike with his [Susanoo], cleaving peaks around them and forming an enormous meteorite that hung ominously above.

The gathering was awestruck, left speechless by the display of power.

"In this world, power speaks volumes. Your continuous disputes stem from the simple fact that there are just too many who are evenly matched and vying for supremacy."

"It is precisely because of that hope, that you'll end up as the best nation and strongest, that you wage wars under the pretense of a greater good."

Colt's eyes were cold, as if he was a deity surveying the realm.

"Rejoice! Rejoice that I have arrived, for the balance of the ninja world has been irrevocably altered; your dark thoughts of ruling the world should disperse from now on. You'd all wish to gain more resources at the expense of war, but your ultimate goal is to be the leader of the ninja villages, the strongest, but now that I am here, I will take that position"

"Since Senju Hashirama and the Sage of Six Paths are deemed gods by you, it is not impossible for me to also be called one. I can beat them both!"

"If you disagree, then step forth now…"

A chill settled in the hearts of countless ninjas, uncertainty lingering in the air.

However, someone who would dare fight Colt after what he had shown would just be a fool or even worse than that.

"My idea of peace requires no divisions into nations,"

Colt raised his hand, gesturing to the massive meteorite above.

"I'll give you one week to resolve all the post-war matters."

"In a week, I expect all the Kage-level people to convene and discuss with me the future of the ninja world."

"If you do not come..."

The meteorite swayed very slightly, but still ended up creating a gust of wind that left many struggling to keep their eyes open.

"Then be cautious in your slumber, for you won't know when this meteorite may crash upon your village."

His words finally transitioned into a full-blown threat.

He had great power, and he would be a fool to not use it to its fullest.