The coronation ceremony ended smoothly, and everyone left the venue with a lingering sense of excitement.
From this day onward, they would all be citizens of the Divine Nation.
There would be no more hunger… and no more war…
Inside a mine cafeteria.
Even after the images on the television disappeared, thousands of miners remained seated, staring blankly ahead.
The scenes on the screen had been prosperous, warm, and grand—so different from their reality that it felt like an entirely separate world.
Especially the area where the Konoha citizens had been seated—every single person wore fine clothes, glowing with health, their faces filled with happy smiles.
If they had remained in Konoha, they would probably be just as happy.
That's right.
These people were all former residents of Konoha.
Because they had rejected the Uchiha clan, once Uchiha Yuzuru took power, they were exiled to various places to perform heavy labor.
Compared to the well-fed and prosperous Konoha citizens of today, these people woke up before dawn every day to work, only getting a bit of rest at night.
In the dark, sunless mines, their skin had long since become rough and dark. Thick calluses covered their hands, and dirt filled the gaps under their nails.
They ate greasy-less meals from large pots every day, and if they slacked off even slightly, they would be whipped by overseers…
At a time when nearly everyone else was living a prosperous life, they had become the only group reduced to a state even worse than before—prisoners.
After a long silence, someone let out a quiet sigh.
"If I had known things would turn out like this, I would never have opposed the Uchiha clan."
The moment he spoke, others immediately agreed.
"That's right. Ending up like this… it's because we were short-sighted. We brought this on ourselves."
Someone angrily said, "It's all because of those thieves Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo! If they hadn't stirred us up against the Uchiha, why would we have targeted them for no reason?"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone refuted him.
"Stop lying to yourself. When we were kicking the Uchiha while they were down, we were genuinely happy."
"If we made a mistake, then we have to admit it!"
The cafeteria fell silent for a moment.
Then, gradually, the sound of sobbing filled the air. Some even started slapping themselves across the face.
"I regret it so much… My family has lived in Konoha since my grandfather's generation, and now I've ended up like this."
"Who hasn't? When Konoha was first established, my great-grandfather even contributed to its founding!"
"I was wrong! I was wrong! I only ask Lord Yuzuru to forgive me. I really don't want to live in this dark hell any longer!"
"Wuuu… wuuu…"
Grief spread like a plague.
For a time, the entire cafeteria echoed with the sounds of regret and crying.
If they were given another chance, they would treat the Uchiha clan like their ancestors—worshipping them with utmost reverence.
Instead of ending up like now, where just a bit of meat in their food made them lick their plates cleaner than their own faces…
————
————
Hokage Building.
Uchiha Yuzuru sat at the main seat, leisurely sipping hot tea.
Although the coronation ceremony had ended and there was still much follow-up work to handle, none of it required his personal attention.
Uchiha Fugaku spoke excitedly, "Yuzuru, now our Uchiha clan is unquestionably the number one noble clan in the ninja world."
"You have no idea—when our clansmen walk outside, their chins are practically raised to the sky. They look at people through their noses when they talk."
"The most important thing is, even like that, people are still lining up endlessly to befriend them."
"I think it's about time we place some restraints on our clan members."
Hearing this, Uchiha Yuzuru let out a light chuckle and said calmly, "Everyone has lived through the darkness of Sarutobi Hiruzen's rule. Being a little arrogant now isn't a big deal—as long as they don't abuse their power or take lives recklessly."
Fugaku nodded, then continued, "Speaking of Sarutobi Hiruzen… those former Konoha residents are still mining in various locations. More and more of them have been dying over the years. Should we improve their treatment a bit?"
"At least let them have enough to eat…"
Yuzuru let out a faint snort.
"If they die, they die. What's the big deal?"
"If they had won back then, our Uchiha clan would have been wiped out."
"Letting them live is already mercy."
"And remember this…" Yuzuru said indifferently, "When they can't fill their stomachs, they only have one need—to eat."
"But once you let them eat their fill, they'll start wanting more."
For these ingrates, Yuzuru had no intention of showing mercy.
It had always been a life-and-death struggle. Sparing them was already an act of generosity on his part.
If this were a world without extraordinary powers, these people would have been completely eradicated from the very beginning.
"I understand."
"I'll go handle the banquet preparations."
After saying that, Fugaku turned and left the Hokage's office.
Once he was gone, only Orochimaru and the three figures he had summoned with Impure World Reincarnation—Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and Uchiha Madara—remained in the room.
"Madara, we meet again."
Yuzuru looked at Madara and greeted him with a smile.
Madara spoke slowly, "Yuzuru, I have many things I want to ask you. I hope you can give me some answers."
"Why didn't you carry out my plan, and instead chose to unify the ninja world through force?"
Yuzuru replied calmly, "Because this is better."
"Under my rule, there is no longer any division between nations. Resources across different regions can be coordinated uniformly."
"A single able-bodied worker can support a family of five. No one will starve to death on the streets anymore…"
"Didn't you see the genuine smiles on people's faces today?"
"Hmph!"
Madara let out a cold snort.
"That's just an illusion. Wherever there is light, darkness will inevitably grow."
"My plan is the only way to achieve true peace. Otherwise, do you think I didn't have the power to accomplish what you've done?"
"You really couldn't." Yuzuru smiled faintly. "You couldn't even defeat Senju Hashirama. How could you possibly unify the entire ninja world like I have?"
Madara was momentarily speechless, unable to find any rebuttal.
After all, he had fought Hashirama countless times—and never once defeated him…
"Even so, your way is still wrong."
"Where there is light, there will be darkness. Where there are victors, there will be losers. Where there are geniuses, there will be failures…"
"I've long since seen through human nature. True equality can never exist in the real world."
"Only my Eye of the Moon Plan can allow everyone to live in their own dreams, granting each person a life where all their wishes come true."
Seeing Madara about to launch into a long speech, Yuzuru waved his hand.
"It's late. I have a banquet to attend. We'll talk about this tomorrow."
Watching Yuzuru disappear, Madara paused, then muttered, "Why is that brat just like Hashirama?"
Hashirama frowned. "Like me in what way?"
Madara snorted.
"Annoying."