Ten days later, the day of reckoning finally arrived.
In just over a week, the Fire Country's great clans and wealthy merchants had gathered in what was once a quiet settlement — the Konoha Alliance. Seven families, united under one banner. In the Warring States era, that was the equivalent of a miracle... or a declaration of war.
Every shinobi in the Fire Country understood what this meant. A coalition this large, if it held together, could rival the so-called super clans — names like Senju and Uchiha that made even hardened warriors grit their teeth. Whether out of curiosity or fear for their future, the other clans came to witness it.
When they arrived and saw the sprawling settlement — over twenty thousand people — their composure cracked. Ordinary civilians, wandering ninjas, craftsmen, even orphans… all living, training, and organizing under one system. It was no longer just an alliance. It was the embryo of a nation.
And that ninja school everyone had whispered about? The one that trained even commoners to become shinobi? For the established clans, it was poison disguised as progress. They had built their power by hoarding jutsu and knowledge. But now, one school promised to give that same power to the masses.
A school that could change fate itself.
No clan in the Warring States had ever dared such a thing. Every jutsu, every technique, every ounce of chakra training was family-bound and secret. Yet here, in Konoha, anyone could learn to mold chakra, perform hand signs, and fight like a shinobi. The old guard seethed but could only watch.
When dawn broke on the tenth day, drums echoed through the settlement. Flags of the seven families fluttered in the wind. People poured into the square — shinobi and civilians alike. The founding ceremony of the Konoha Alliance had begun.
By noon, envoys from every major family had arrived, each holding an invitation marked with the new alliance's insignia — the Leaf.
In the center of the vast plaza stood seven patriarchs, seated before seven scrolls laid upon a long table. Raizen — Amamiya Raizen — sat among them, expression calm but eyes sharp.
Each scroll bore the covenant of the Alliance. One by one, the clan heads examined it. The terms were simple but revolutionary.
First: Every clan retained full independence. Lands, wealth, and missions remained under their own control. Konoha was an alliance, not a merger. Strength still had to be earned, not handed down.
The patriarchs nodded at that.
Second: Mutual defense. Should one clan be attacked, the others were bound by honor and blood to aid them.
The smaller families especially lit up at that clause — protection under a greater banner was more than they'd ever hoped for.
Third: Unified military action. When the Alliance launched a campaign, participating clans would fight together under a single command. No more fragmented forces. No hidden agendas.
That one, no one dared to object to. Strength through unity — that was the very purpose of Konoha.
Fourth: Division of spoils would depend on contribution. Larger clans would gain more, smaller clans less. Unfair? Maybe. But at least now, even the smallest family could eat at the same table.
The rest were smaller clauses: every clan must send children to the Ninja School; each must contribute shinobi to the Alliance Guard to maintain internal order. Obligations, but reasonable ones.
When the seven patriarchs finished reading, they signed and pressed their fingerprints upon the covenant.
The Seven Families had become one.
Raizen rose, holding the covenant high for all to see.
"From this day forward, the Konoha Alliance stands united!"
A thunderous cheer tore through the plaza. "Long live the Konoha Alliance!"
Tens of thousands of voices roared as one, echoing through the valley. The flags of the seven clans danced in the wind, and for the first time, something resembling peace felt possible.
The shinobi from rival clans didn't cheer. Their expressions hardened. They understood what had just happened — a new power had emerged in the Fire Country, one that threatened to rewrite the entire order of the Warring States.
Raizen, standing before the crowd, forced himself to breathe evenly. This was the moment he had fought, bled, and schemed for. His pulse raced with quiet triumph.
He raised a hand, motioning the crowd to silence.
"From today onward," he declared, his voice cutting across the square, "the Konoha Alliance opens its gates to all. Great clans, wandering shinobi, civilians — anyone seeking a home may find one here. Any who join us may live in safety and learn in our Ninja School. Here, even a child born in the mud can rise through skill and will."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"We will also form a Joint Ninja Council — a system to distribute missions, coordinate efforts, and reward those who fight for this alliance. Wanderers can join our Guard or our reserve forces, earning both coin and honor!"
The cheering resumed, louder than before, echoing across the valley like a storm of voices.
While other clans bristled at the sight, Raizen only smiled faintly. Let them glare. The future had already started moving — and it wore the Leaf upon its forehead.