Chapter 232: Selecting the Council Nations
For years, the Otsutsuki on the moon had been observing the ninja world. The attitude of the first individual to descend—hostile and condescending—made their stance unmistakably clear.
"…"
Onoki furrowed his brows but ultimately accepted this conclusion.
Indeed, relying on others was a futile endeavor.
This was a problem rooted in the ninja world itself. The Otsutsuki had been watching from the heavens for centuries, and hoping for their assistance was a pointless fantasy.
With this in mind, Onoki suddenly recalled something. "Tsunade, you previously mentioned that Hyuga Fuji's eyes are evolving toward his ancestors' Tenseigan. Could the moon deity's attack on the ninja world also be tied to this?"
"It's not impossible," Tsunade nodded. "In the eyes of the Otsutsuki, the Tenseigan is likely second only to their ancestors' divine power."
"So, is it jealousy?" The Fourth Raikage sneered. "Even descendants of a sage can't escape the seven emotions and six desires, can they?"
"In the end, they're still human," Onoki added with a sigh. "But that works to our advantage. If Hyuga Fuji hasn't yet completed the Tenseigan, and the Otsutsuki on the moon are already restless, it means they, too, lack a complete Tenseigan."
"That's probably the only good news," Tsunade said, her eyes glinting. "But it also underscores just how terrifying the Tenseigan's power must be."
"…"
Onoki and the Fourth Raikage nodded in unison.
If the Tenseigan weren't such a formidable force, the Otsutsuki—overseeing the ninja world for millennia from the moon—wouldn't feel compelled to act now. Clearly, they feared Hyuga Fuji reaching the next level.
"Then, our course of action is clear," Tsunade declared. "We must prevent Hyuga Fuji from completing the Tenseigan, research lunar travel, and find ways to counter the Tenseigan's powers."
"…Perhaps I'm overthinking, but could our lunar research inadvertently help Hyuga Fuji?" Onoki asked.
The secrets of the Tenseigan were either with Hyuga Fuji or recorded among the Otsutsuki on the moon. If they could reach the moon and retrieve that knowledge, they would stand a better chance of victory.
But from another perspective, the Otsutsuki and Hyuga Fuji were enemies. A lunar expedition could provoke conflict with the moon's inhabitants, creating unnecessary risks.
Moreover, according to Tsunade, Hyuga Fuji's final evolution into the Tenseigan might involve the moon. Would their research ultimately play into his hands?
"It's good to consider all angles," the Fourth Raikage interjected before Tsunade could respond. "But we have no better options at the moment. Overthinking and hesitating aren't the ways of a true Kage."
"…You have a point."
Onoki nodded, then turned to Tsunade. "Beyond Hyuga Fuji himself, do you have a strategy for dealing with those reanimated ninjas?"
He clearly didn't believe Tsunade's earlier claim at the council meeting—that the only solution was a sealing talisman. It was a statement meant to placate Hyuga Fuji and the smaller nations.
"There is a plan in development, but it's not ready to be disclosed," Tsunade replied, her expression unchanging. "When it's completed, you'll be the first to know."
Onoki stared into Tsunade's bright eyes for a moment, then exchanged a glance with the Fourth Raikage. Both decided not to press further.
The three continued discussing strategies against Hyuga Fuji for a long time. By the time they concluded, the night had grown deep, and the sky outside was pitch black.
As they were about to part ways, the Fourth Raikage spoke in a low voice:
"Tsunade, why are you so convinced that the method to fully evolve the Tenseigan is recorded on the moon?"
"…"
After a long silence, Tsunade smiled wryly. "If we don't believe that, then we won't have even a shred of hope."
"…"
Onoki paused mid-step as he approached the door.
No hope?
For the Hokage to say something like this… Hyuga Fuji truly was terrifying.
---
The ten-day-long conference culminated in a series of agreements that were compiled into the United Nations Charter:
1. The UN's primary mission is to maintain international peace and security, foster friendly relations, and promote social progress and a higher standard of living. Member nations are prohibited from using force or other means to infringe upon the territory of fellow members.
2. Nations will develop education systems to enhance civilians' ability to use chakra, emphasizing the importance of their citizens.
3. Under the premise of honoring existing commitments, the UN will strive to ensure that all nations, regardless of size, can participate in ninja world trade under fair conditions, fostering mutual economic prosperity.
4. …
Member nations pledged to abide by these principles and work together to safeguard peace.
The conference also decided to establish a Security Council, which would include three permanent members and six non-permanent members. This council would be responsible for maintaining international peace and security, including deciding on collective security measures such as economic sanctions or military action.
The three permanent seats naturally belonged to the three great nations, while the six non-permanent seats would be decided by a vote every two years.
This sparked fierce competition among nations, each vying for one of the six coveted spots. Those without the ambition or capability to compete used their votes as bargaining chips to secure benefits for their countries.
To secure a non-permanent seat, a candidate nation needed the support of at least two-thirds of the General Assembly. For some smaller nations, maintaining peaceful relations and leveraging this opportunity to gain developmental resources was the most pragmatic approach.
As the discussions unfolded, five of the six seats were filled:
The Rain Country, the Iron Country, the Waterfall Country, the Grass Country, and the Land of Rice Fields.
The selection of the first three came as no surprise. Despite the Rain losing Hanzo and the Waterfall losing the Seven-Tails, these nations still retained considerable strength. No one wanted to provoke them unnecessarily.
Although the Grass Country had a mixed reputation, it had a significant number of ninjas. Moreover, it housed the specialized ninja prison known as Hozuki Castle, where criminal shinobi were detained. The castle's warden was a formidable user of Fire Release: Heavenly Prison.
The surprise was the Land of Rice Fields securing a seat.
Many representatives frowned, puzzled by the decision, and instinctively turned to Tsunade.
It was clear that the Land of Rice Fields had Fire Country's backing, with Tsunade advocating for its inclusion.
"I heard that during the recent black market operations, the Land of Rice Fields provided substantial assistance to the Leaf. The Fourth Hokage even entrusted them with some rescued kekkei genkai users. With Fire Country's support, their strength is likely underestimated," one representative whispered to another, who nodded in understanding.
So, the Land of Rice Fields had been aligned with Fire Country since the Fourth Hokage's time. No wonder they secured a seat.
With five seats filled, all eyes turned to the last one.
Unlike before, there was no clear frontrunner for the final spot.
(End of Chapter)
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