The Fire Nation.
No, it should be called the Republic of Fire.
The new Land of Fire, implementing a completely new republican system, has thoroughly shaken off the influence of the Daimyō and the nobles, firmly grasping political and military power in its own hands.
It had become the first nation in the history of the Ninja World where both political and military power were simultaneously held by a ninja village.
Konoha had also successfully ascended from being the ninja village of the nation to its capital.
The original capital of the Land of Fire was no longer the capital. Instead, under Namikaze Mirai's decision, it was gradually being developed into a commercial center.
Namikaze Mirai, the Fifth Hokage, also served as the supreme ruler of the Republic of Fire.
All power in the entire country had been consolidated by Konoha.
Konoha was bustling. In the streets and alleys, villagers were beaming with enthusiastic smiles.
The abolition of the one-country, one-village system initially caught them off guard, but after enjoying the benefits brought by the institutional reform, these villagers felt nothing but deep relief.
Similarly relieved were the ninja clans who had decided to get on board.
The Daimyō's power had been consolidated by Konoha, and with such an enormous amount of authority now centralized, almost all of the ninja clans that participated in the reform received a share of it.
Their power increased greatly, and they now controlled the lifelines of various industries within the Republic of Fire.
At this moment, they were immensely grateful for the choice they had made at the beginning.
To be a ninja clan of a village? Or to be a ninja clan of a nation?
The outcome had already given them the answer.
Among these ninja clans, the only one feeling depressed and indignant was the Sarutobi clan.
This was because, on the eve of the reform, Sarutobi Hiruzen, as the Third Hokage, had forcefully tried to prevent Namikaze Mirai from destroying the system left behind by the First Hokage.
After enduring a severe beating, Hiruzen finally chose to give in and abandon that plan.
However, the consequences were irreversible.
The Sarutobi clan was completely eliminated from the benefits of this reform, not only failing to gain any advantages, even the authority they originally possessed was divided among other ninja clans, relegating them to the position of a marginal ninja clan.
The members of the Sarutobi clan were filled with indignation.
The resentment accumulating in their hearts could only be secretly vented toward their Clan Head, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
If the Sarutobi clan wanted to change and alter their current situation, they would have to eliminate the old forces led by Hiruzen.
Such sentiments quietly spread among the younger generation of the Sarutobi Clan.
…
Hokage Office.
"Mirai-kun, about seventy percent of the noble purge within the Republic of Fire has been completed, and most merchant guilds, after hearing of this reform, have obediently disassociated themselves from the nobles."
Inside the Hokage Office, Orochimaru reported the data in his hand.
His voice carried a hint of joy.
The establishment of the new order had been much easier than he had originally anticipated.
Due to the death of the Daimyō, the noble system of the Land of Fire had completely collapsed.
The remaining nobles within the territory either fled or died. These noble classes, who had wholeheartedly supported the Daimyō's rule, gradually faded into obscurity.
The merchant guilds and companies that had once depended on these nobles, except those directly controlled by them, mostly took the initiative to draw a clear line between themselves and the aristocracy.
For these merchants, protecting their own interests was the most important thing.
As for whether the noble class retreated from the stage of history, it had nothing to do with them.
On the contrary, after the reform of the Land of Fire, new trends were bound to emerge.
At such a time, clinging to Konoha and offering their loyalty might bring them immense benefits.
"A wise decision."
Mirai had originally planned to select a few merchants to make an example of.
But now it seemed he had saved himself a great deal of effort.
With the convergence of merchants from various industries, Konoha could now truly control the economic lifeline of the Republic of Fire.
Konoha no longer needed to rely on taking mission commissions day after day as it had in the past.
Konoha had already seized control of the nation's economic lifeline, and there were even specialized ninjas engaged in production activities.
Rely on the Daimyō to allocate funds?
Wouldn't it be better to simply eliminate the Daimyō and take everything for themselves?
"Mirai-kun, there's one more matter."
Orochimaru's expression tightened slightly.
"The Four Great Nations issued a joint statement half an hour ago. They have decided to form the Four Nation Alliance and impose sanctions on our country economically, militarily, and politically."
"Is that so?"
Mirai felt a trace of interest rise in his heart.
He was not surprised by the Four Great Nations forming an alliance.
The Ninja World now displayed a structure of one superpower and several strong powers, and Konoha's strength had already surpassed the level that any single ninja village could oppose.
It was inevitable that the Four Great Nations would form an alliance.
However, the decision to impose economic sanctions did surprise him slightly.
It seemed those Kage were not complete fools after all.
Orochimaru pondered for a moment before continuing.
"The international situation in the Ninja World has grown increasingly tense. Because of the reform in the Land of Fire, many small countries suffering under the oppression of their Daimyō have seen an entirely new path."
"But they still dare not act due to the deterrence created by the Four Nation Alliance."
"Since the Four Nation Alliance wishes to uphold the rights of the Daimyō, our Republic naturally has to do the opposite."
Mirai sneered.
"Release the news that the Republic of Fire will establish the Fire Federation."
"Countries that dare to kill their Daimyō and carry out national system reforms will all be eligible to join the Fire Federation."
"Once they join the Fire Federation, they will receive Konoha's protection and enjoy the economic mutual assistance rights of Federation members, allowing free trade between member states."
"This…"
Orochimaru was shocked.
"Mirai-kun, won't this be too much?"
Once Mirai issued this declaration, what kind of storm would it stir up across the Ninja World?
Orochimaru could hardly imagine.
Perhaps those small countries that were still hesitating, after receiving Konoha's support, their Daimyō would find their positions extremely precarious.
Mirai's statement was equivalent to placing the necks of every Daimyō in the entire Ninja World beneath a guillotine.
Chaos.
The Ninja World was about to descend into great chaos.
"Orochimaru, the era of bipolar confrontation in the Ninja World is coming. These small countries have no retreat left. They must choose a side."
"This is their only way to survive."
Mirai's azure eyes shined.
With the memories from his previous life, he was not unfamiliar with the current pattern of the Ninja World.
In fact, it could be said that he understood it extremely well.
The rivalry between superpowers. Bipolar confrontation.
The small countries of the Ninja World had no choice.
Continue clinging to the old system and endure exploitation under the Daimyō?
Or rise up in resistance, overthrow the Daimyō, and embrace the new system?
Different choices would determine which camp they joined.
It would also determine the benefits they could obtain in the coming geopolitical struggle.
"Hehe… How interesting. Then so be it, I can't wait to see such a world."
Orochimaru licked his lips, and intense anticipation surged within his golden vertical pupils.
Wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
The decaying Ninja World had finally welcomed a new wind, and now even bigger chaos was coming.
'What kind of transformation would this wind bring to the Ninja World?'
…
Shortly after the news of the Four Nation Alliance spread, another explosive piece of news emerged, instantly plunging the entire Ninja World into a frenzy.
The Republic of Fire issued an official statement.
All countries that overthrow the "one-country, one-village" system and implement a new political system would be eligible to join the Fire Federation and receive the protection of the Republic of Fire.
When the news spread, the entire Ninja World was shaken.
*****
Support me on my Ko-fi page to keep me motivated to continue uploading chapters.
https://ko fi.com/rroy28 (put a "-" between "ko" and "fi")
I have added Uncensored NSFW Illustrations in my Discord server, available only to paid members.
I am working on the following projects:
✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ Bleach: In My Second Reincarnation, I Became The Ninth Kenpachi
✓ To Love-Ru: Spoiler Route [R-18]
✓ Naruto: The Accidental Incubus [R-18]