The headquarters of the Divine Court was a colossal fortress suspended high in the sky.
Forged entirely from black metal, its surface was covered in mysterious runic patterns that no ordinary shinobi could comprehend.
This was the throne from which Uchiha Kai overlooked the entire shinobi world.
Sasuke escorted the three newly acquired Jinchūriki through the vast corridors of the Divine Court before arriving at the Central Hall.
At the far end of the hall stood a towering throne.
Seated upon it was a young man.
Long black hair draped casually over his shoulders.
A simple black robe covered his body.
Yet despite his unassuming appearance, the pressure radiating from him seemed capable of suppressing the entire world.
This was the master of the Divine Court.
Uchiha Kai.
"You're back, Sasuke."
Kai's voice was calm, yet it echoed clearly throughout the hall.
"Divine Lord, the Four-Tails, Seven-Tails, and Eight-Tails Jinchūriki have all been brought here."
Sasuke knelt on one knee respectfully.
Killer B, Roshi, and Fū stood in the center of the hall, restrained by an invisible force.
Roshi and Fū stared nervously at the man on the throne.
The pressure they sensed from him far surpassed that of any Tailed Beast.
Only Killer B remained completely relaxed.
"Yo, yo!
So you're the big boss!
The ruler of the shinobi world!
If ending war is your goal,
Then Killer B gives you his approval, yo!"
A faint smile appeared on Kai's face.
"Interesting."
His gaze settled on Killer B.
"Killer B. Sasuke told me you've been very cooperative."
"Of course, yo!"
Killer B grinned.
"Rather than pointless resistance,
I'd rather help create real peace!
That's my freestyle, yo!"
Kai chuckled softly.
"Good answer."
His gaze shifted toward Roshi and Fū.
"And what about you two?"
Roshi snorted coldly and turned away.
Fū lowered her head silently.
"It seems you still need time to understand your new roles."
Kai wasn't bothered.
"Sasuke. Take them away."
"The Divine Court's medical division will help them better understand their responsibilities."
"Yes."
Sasuke nodded before leading the three Jinchūriki out of the hall.
Silence returned.
Kai leaned back against the throne.
"The next targets are Sunagakure and Iwagakure."
His voice echoed through the chamber.
"These two villages..."
"I'll handle personally."
Sunagakure
The atmosphere inside the Kazekage's office was suffocating.
Gaara sat behind the Kazekage's desk while the village elders argued anxiously before him.
"Kazekage-sama!"
One elder's voice trembled.
"Kumogakure has surrendered!"
"Raikage A has officially acknowledged the Divine Court and handed over the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchūriki!"
The room fell silent.
Even Kankurō looked stunned.
"Even the Raikage surrendered...?"
Temari's expression darkened.
"Rain Village, Grass Village, Waterfall Village... all destroyed."
"Kumo has submitted."
"Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, only we and Iwa remain."
Another elder stood abruptly.
"We cannot win!"
"Uchiha Sasuke destroyed multiple villages by himself!"
"And now Uchiha Kai is coming personally!"
"What exactly can we use to stop him?!"
"Kazekage-sama!"
"Please surrender!"
"For the sake of the village!"
The elders immediately echoed the sentiment.
Kankurō slammed both fists onto the table.
"You cowards!"
"Are you really going to hand over the village without a fight?!"
"Kankurō!"
Temari stopped him.
Yet even she couldn't deny the reality.
Resistance meant destruction.
Surrender meant losing everything they had built.
All eyes turned toward Gaara.
Waiting for his decision.
Gaara slowly stood.
The sand within the gourd on his back stirred softly.
"I will not allow the villagers to die in a meaningless battle."
His calm voice immediately silenced the room.
"But neither will I abandon our home."
"As Kazekage..."
"My duty is to protect this village."
"To protect every person living here."
He looked toward everyone present.
"Transmit my orders."
"Maximum alert."
"All shinobi prepare for battle."
"We will face the enemy."
The elders' expressions filled with despair.
But no one argued further.
The Kazekage had spoken.
Several hours later—
The entire village had mobilized.
Shinobi reinforced defensive barriers.
Civilians were evacuated into underground shelters.
An atmosphere of solemn determination filled Sunagakure.
Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō stood atop the Kazekage Building.
Watching the distant desert.
Then suddenly—
The sky darkened.
Not because of clouds.
But because an enormous shadow spread across the heavens.
"What is that...?"
Kankurō's voice shook.
Everyone looked up.
And froze.
A colossal black fortress floated in the sky.
Like an inverted mountain suspended above the world.
The pressure it emitted was overwhelming.
Panic erupted throughout the village.
Children cried.
Civilians screamed.
Even veteran shinobi turned pale.
Against such power, every defensive measure seemed meaningless.
A hatch opened beneath the floating fortress.
Then—
A black figure stepped out.
And jumped.
No flying technique.
No attempt to slow down.
He simply fell from the heavens.
BOOM!!!
The ground exploded.
Sand blasted in every direction.
When the dust settled—
A lone figure stood there.
Completely unharmed.
Not even a wrinkle marred his clothing.
Uchiha Kai.
His gaze swept across the gathered Sand shinobi.
A faint smile appeared.
"Let the Kazekage come speak with me."
Gaara leapt from the Kazekage Building.
Landing directly before Kai.
Temari and Kankurō immediately followed.
"I am the Kazekage."
"Gaara."
Kai studied him for a moment.
Then he smiled slightly.
"Gaara..."
"I can still sense traces of Shukaku's chakra inside you."
"Tell me."
"How is that noisy tanuki doing these days?"
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> [email protected]/SorenSwiftTL (replace @ with a)