"Everyone ready?"
"Ready!"
"Alright then—come on, everybody smile! Say cheeseeeee!"
Click!
The flash lit up, then disappeared instantly.
A massive group photo of the heroes of the ninja world was captured forever.
The image froze into eternity, becoming the historic symbol of the First Ninja World Congress.
At the very center stood the leader of the ninja world—
Uzumaki Naruto.
A bright smile spread across his face.
Just like a child's.
Before anyone realized it, five years had passed.
The unified ninja world had entered an unprecedented era of prosperity and peace.
That peace had spread into every corner of the world.
There were no wars.
No ambitious tyrants suddenly appearing to shake the world.
The masterminds hiding in the shadows had also vanished.
Well…
Not entirely.
Some former masterminds and conspirators still existed.
Inside the newly built capital city of the Ninja Republic, two men dressed as sanitation workers were quietly sweeping the streets.
Every so often, they dumped garbage into a small three-wheeled cart beside them.
The man with scars covering half his face finally finished sweeping one section of the road. He straightened up, wiped away his sweat, and revealed a peaceful smile.
"Zetsu, hurry it up already. Morning rush hour's about to start."
"Obito, aren't you tired of this? We've been sweeping streets for five straight years."
"Stop complaining. It's just street cleaning. Besides, we only got sentenced to ten years of labor. In another five years, we'll finally be free—real citizens of the ninja world. Isn't that nice?"
Obito leaned against the tricycle and watched people gradually filling the streets.
His expression had become calm and serene.
Black Zetsu, on the other hand, still looked resentful.
He violently swung the broom and sent leaves flying everywhere.
Both of them had long since been sealed with punishment marks.
Every single day, they had to complete enough sanitation work to suppress the punishment effects of those seals.
Trying to slack off was impossible.
After enduring this life for five years, Black Zetsu remained bitter and angry.
At this point, even Kaguya herself had become someone he complained about constantly.
But Obito had completely changed during these five years.
The entire person had been reborn.
He had finally realized the sins he committed in the past.
So even though sweeping streets every day was repetitive and boring—
He accepted it willingly.
To him, this was punishment.
And also redemption.
Besides…
Once work was finished, he still had free time.
And there was one thing waiting for him every day.
"Rin… wait for me. I'll be there soon."
Just thinking about the lifelike figure waiting for him inside the virtual world made Obito's heart burn with anticipation.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan—
The dream he once pursued obsessively, even at the cost of countless innocent lives—
Had failed.
Completely.
But the virtual world created by Uchiha Madara and perfected by Uchiha Itachi had achieved something different.
It turned infinite dreams into reality.
Inside that virtual world—
Everything was endlessly beautiful.
Earlier this year, Itachi had even added a new feature that allowed users to create fully personalized fantasy worlds.
Inside those private worlds, the creator became absolute master.
They could design landscapes, characters, stories, scenarios—
Anything they wanted.
The moment that update launched, Obito immediately created his own world.
There were mountains.
Rivers.
And Rin.
That world became his salvation.
Grinding his teeth, Black Zetsu finally finished his own work.
The two climbed onto the little tricycle and hurried toward the sanitation headquarters.
The sky gradually brightened.
A brand-new day had arrived.
Suddenly—
Loud firecrackers exploded somewhere in the distance.
Even from more than ten streets away, the smell of gunpowder could still be sensed.
The two stopped and looked toward the source of the sound.
Even Black Zetsu fell silent.
"So… it's finally starting?"
"Man… that's the real winner in life. I'm jealous."
After the first wave of firecrackers exploded outside the Red Sun Hotel in the capital, the ceremony officially began.
At that moment, countless major figures from across the ninja world had gathered there as honored guests and ceremonial representatives.
The atmosphere was lively and joyful.
Even more guests continued arriving nonstop.
The streets around the hotel were completely packed with vehicles.
Traffic jams stretched everywhere.
"Whoa! That's Ai—the governor of Cloud Shinobi City in the Northeast Region! And beside him is the superstar Killer Bee and Deputy Governor Samui!"
"I saw my idol! Ahhhh! Lord Gaara from Sand Shinobi City is so handsome!"
"That's Councilman Yagura, the former Fourth Mizukage! I can't believe he still looks like a little kid after all these years!"
"Even the retired Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, came personally! And beside him is his granddaughter Kurotsuchi, the current deputy governor of Stone Shinobi City. She's gorgeous!"
People crowded the nearby rooftops holding cameras and phones, taking pictures of the important figures constantly arriving below.
They couldn't stop marveling at the scene.
Aside from the original Ninja World Congress—
Only today could so many legendary figures gather together again.
Because today—
Was the wedding ceremony of Uzumaki Naruto, leader of the ninja world.
Twenty-year-old Uzumaki Naruto and Hyūga Hinata, the eldest daughter of the Hyūga Clan, were finally getting married.
Officially becoming husband and wife.
This was a historic event for the entire ninja world.
Almost every major power and influential figure personally traveled to the capital to offer their blessings.
Those unable to attend still sent incredibly valuable gifts.
"This is wonderful… truly wonderful…"
Inside the hotel's largest ceremonial hall, guests packed every corner of the room.
Minato and Kushina sat together beside Hiashi and his wife, all four smiling so hard their faces almost hurt.
Jiraiya and Tsunade acted as the ceremony hosts, surprisingly serious for once.
Naruto walked along the red carpet somewhat stiffly.
Clearly uncomfortable.
Hinata held his hand tightly.
Wearing a beautiful white wedding dress, she smiled with pure happiness.
Behind them walked the bridesmaids and groomsmen, all smiling warmly.
Flowers.
Red carpets.
Soft music.
The cameras captured every smiling face.
Joy filled every frame.
Even through a screen, people could feel the overwhelming happiness radiating outward.
The wedding celebration lasted for three entire days.
And the entire ninja world celebrated along with it.
Even weeks later, people were still discussing the ceremony nonstop.
Their leader had gotten married.
That meant peace would become even more stable.
Even more secure.
Because their leader had truly matured now.
As long as Naruto existed—
Nobody in the ninja world dared act recklessly.
"Did you hear? The President's term only lasts five years. According to parliament rules, a president can only serve two consecutive terms."
"Don't listen to that nonsense. Rules are rules, but President Uzumaki's different. As the first president, he could stay in office forever if he wanted to. Nobody would oppose it."
"Honestly, hearing that makes me feel relieved. As long as the Chief is around, I feel safe. Now that he's married too, the ninja world will become even more peaceful."
"If they have a child in a year or two, things will probably become even more stable!"
While the world continued discussing them enthusiastically—
The newly married couple themselves were traveling across the ninja world on their honeymoon.
"So this is Hokage Rock now? It turned into a tourist attraction."
"I never imagined Konoha would become the capital of the Republic. It's so lively now."
"Of course it is. This is our hometown. Besides, I heard First Hokage-sama and Uchiha Madara-sama both chose to retire here. Tons of tourists come hoping to see them."
"Father brought Hanabi back to Konoha too. Is he preparing to retire?"
"No. Father said he wants to spread the new martial arts system from here. Since this is the ancestral home of the Hyūga Clan, he wants to honor the ancestors properly."
Naruto and Hinata rode together in a flying pumpkin carriage, circling above Konoha before eventually leaving.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion echoed through the sky.
The two looked down.
Far below, inside a massive martial arts arena, countless ninjas had gathered in a circle while watching two men battle fiercely in the center.
"Kakashi! If you keep holding back, I'm finally going to win our 3,656th match!"
"Guy, calm down already. It's just a sparring match."
"Youth means going all out!"
The two middle-aged men fought like excited teenagers.
Every collision between them shook the arena violently.
Each possessed power at the Six Paths level.
Terrifyingly strong.
Fortunately, Naruto had personally reinforced this arena.
Otherwise, the shockwaves alone might have torn apart the surrounding landscape.
Naruto had personally built twenty-four arenas like this throughout the ninja world.
All specifically designed to withstand Six Paths-level battles.
As for smaller venues, those were handled locally.
Between the virtual world and these real combat arenas, ninjas could fully enjoy battle without causing destruction elsewhere.
Outside designated battle zones, fighting and large-scale damage were strictly forbidden.
"This is… Rain Village?"
"How did it become like this?"
Hinata leaned out of the pumpkin carriage in shock.
Bright sunlight shined across the city below.
The entire place looked dry and warm.
People below even shouted dramatically:
"Why isn't it raining?! I'm gonna dry up into salted fish!"
Rain Village without rain—
The sight honestly felt surreal.
"Tsk. I just helped them remove the mountains blocking the weather patterns. Didn't expect it'd turn everyone into salted fish."
Naruto looked down with amusement.
Nagato, once full of fiery passion, now lazily laid on a bench sunbathing like a retired old man.
Konan sat nearby under the shade while handling paperwork, occasionally glancing at Nagato helplessly.
As for Yahiko—
He was still insanely busy, running around nonstop.
"This used to be Sunagakure…"
"I can't believe it changed this much in only five years."
"Of course it changed. Naruto-kun, this is all because of you. The puppet masters shifted into toy manufacturing and design. Their craftsmanship became so famous they practically monopolized the toy market across the ninja world."
"They also recruited huge numbers of ninjas, opened water channels from the old River Country, irrigated the desert, and started massive reforestation projects. The entire Land of Wind changed."
Hinata looked at Naruto with admiration and affection.
The Sand ninjas did the actual labor.
But Naruto had been the one guiding them forward.
Showing them the path.
Keeping them moving in the right direction.
Below them, what used to be endless desert had transformed into a lush green city.
A place once known for harsh conditions had become vibrant and livable.
Naruto smiled proudly.
He wasn't modest enough to deny credit that genuinely belonged to him.
The two traveled across the entire ninja world together.
And everywhere they looked—
The hatred and distortion that once consumed the world had vanished.
Crime still existed occasionally.
But the ninja police and peacekeeping forces immediately dealt with it.
Protecting justice.
Resolving disputes.
Healing wounds.
Countless people had worked together to create this peaceful age.
And now—
The ninja world finally possessed the foundation needed for lasting peace.
As the supreme leader of the world, Naruto himself rarely needed to personally intervene anymore.
A mascot?
A spiritual symbol?
Naruto laughed softly and shook his head.
"Hinata…"
"Hm? What is it, Naruto-kun?"
"Do you think this ninja world has become too peaceful?"
"Then do whatever you want to do."
"I'll always support you."
Naruto's heart trembled slightly.
He never expected Hinata to see through the thoughts he had hidden deepest inside himself.
The ninja world really had become too small for him.
Too fragile.
Even the mighty Ōtsutsuki Clan meant nothing to him now.
With a single finger, he could crush them effortlessly.
There was no challenge left.
No excitement.
No worthy opponents.
If not for his friends and family—
Naruto would've left this world long ago.
"Then let's go together."
"I'll take you beyond this world with me."
Naruto and Hinata returned to Konoha once more.
They spent several days with Minato and Kushina.
Then visited the Hyūga household for several more days.
After that, they spent another half-month meeting and saying goodbye to friends and loved ones.
Finally—
Naruto stood beside Hinata and looked back at the ninja world one last time.
Then the two stepped into the void itself—
And vanished completely.
"The Chief is gone…"
"I know. Time to prepare for the election of the Second President."
"You already knew?"
"The Chief said goodbye to us some time ago. I figured this day was coming."
"But where could he even go? The ninja world's only been unified for five years. Things just stabilized. If he's gone, won't everything fall apart?"
"Don't worry."
"The ninja world today won't collapse that easily."
Uchiha Sasuke stared silently at the sky.
After a long while, he finally turned away.
His expression became firm.
Then he began walking forward with determination.
The Second President.
That position belonged to him.
Inside the virtual world, countless users gathered in the massive public plaza.
Everyone stared blankly at the news displayed across the giant screens.
The First President had resigned.
Elections for the Second President had begun.
This earth-shattering announcement instantly shook the entire ninja world.
Even the virtual world itself became chaotic.
People couldn't even focus on their favorite games anymore.
Everyone looked anxious and worried.
Suddenly—
Snowflake static flickered across the giant screen.
Then—
A familiar figure appeared.
A massive silhouette.
So enormous it seemed to cover the entire world.
His eyes were deep and wise, as though they could see through everything.
"Power."
"Fame."
"Wealth."
"People of the ninja world…"
"I left everything in this world behind."
"If you want it…"
"Go find it!"
The gigantic voice echoed throughout the virtual world—
And across the entire ninja world itself.
Golden streaks of light suddenly shot across the sky.
They fell toward countless planets inside the virtual universe before vanishing.
The massive figure disappeared afterward.
Silence lasted for only a moment.
Then—
The entire virtual world erupted into earth-shaking cheers.
Countless people screamed excitedly.
Dancing wildly.
Filled with endless anticipation.
They might doubt others.
But they would never doubt him.
And thus—
The magnificent era of the Great Ninja World officially began.
[END]
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