Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Ninja Alliance
Ninjas from every corner of the ninja world set aside their tasks. Even those in the midst of missions halted involuntarily, fixating on the light screen before them with rapt attention.
Under the collective gaze of all, the imagery on the screen began to shift slowly, the silver text growing clearer.
[Have you heard the cries of children? Have you felt the fragmentation of our ninja villages? Have you overlooked the sinister laughter of those who plot against us? Have you ever pondered... when friends become foes and home loses its warmth?]
[Suffering, war, famine, poverty, and the arrogance that lays waste to all. The greatness Yamato embodies and the equality we strive for pale in comparison to the impending calamity.]
[The world is in peril!]
[Only by uniting can we face this threat.]
[Prepare to confront the divine.]
In a dark cave, Pain and the mysterious masked man were momentarily stunned by the words on the light screen.
"Um..." Pain hesitated, his brow furrowing in thought. "Could the disaster mentioned on the light screen be referring to... our Akatsuki organization?"
As the stage for confrontation with the gods was mentioned, it was likely directed at him.
"Perhaps," Obito replied calmly, quickly regaining his composure. "Our Akatsuki's ultimate goal is to capture tailed beasts and use them to wield power over the world. Since tailed beasts are coveted by all major ninja villages, in a way, we are indeed in conflict with the entire ninja world."
However, deep down, Obito believed that the disaster mentioned on the light screen extended beyond mere capture of tailed beasts. It likely referred to the resurrection of the Ten Tails and the activation of the Infinite Tsukuyomi—a catastrophe of monumental proportions that would engulf the entire ninja world.
Black Zetsu, however, had a different interpretation.
He pondered. The light curtain seemed to allude to a disaster—perhaps his success in saving his mother and facilitating the return of the ancestor of Chakra, the Rabbit goddess, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, to the ninja world. This event seemed to correspond with the phrase "standing on the stage of confronting the gods."
As they strategized, the words on the light screen shifted once more.
[Ding! Relevant personnel are loaded.]
[Viewing system is on! The Ninja World Combat Ranking is open!]
[The system will collect the current public information of each country, score the resources, wealth, area, and comprehensive strength of the Ninja Village of all countries, and convert it into a more intuitive combat power value.]
[Precautions:]
[1. The current ranking does not represent the final ranking.]
[2. Hidden combat power and future combat power will not be counted into the current combat power before the viewing video is exposed.]
[3. All viewers can consume a certain amount of Chakra to send barrages. The amount of Chakra consumed is proportional to the number of barrages sent in a short period of time.]
[4. During the movie viewing, open the Ninja Q&A and ask questions at any time. The first person to answer the correct answer will receive generous rewards.]
The text appeared directly on everyone's retina, leaving them stunned.
"Is this for real?"
"Could it be an illusion?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, taking a drag from his pipe upon hearing Kakashi's report, remained shrouded in smoke, his expression obscured.
"Wait a moment," he said, motioning for Kakashi to hold off on sending any barrages. His voice, seasoned with age, resonated in the Hokage's office. "It's best not to act hastily until we confirm whether it poses any danger."
The Kage from the other major ninja villages adopted a similar cautious stance.
After all...
No one had encountered anything quite like this before.
Even after confirming that the light curtain wasn't an illusion, no one wanted to be the first to take action. They all waited for someone else to lead the way—human nature at its finest.
But in this world, there were always those willing to dive into the unknown for the sake of science.
Orochimaru: "Hey, testing, testing. Can anyone see what I posted?"
Orochimaru: "Well... sending one barrage consumes the Chakra of a B-level ninjutsu, and sending two consecutive barrages consumes the Chakra of an A-level ninjutsu. At this rate, even I don't dare to continue. Your barrage tone is too aggressive."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Orochimaru! You treacherous scoundrel, have you no shame?!"
Orochimaru: "Ah! Isn't this Mr. Sarutobi? So, my previous barrage can be seen in Konoha too? Fascinating! I must study this carefully."
Jiraiya: "Long time no see, Orochimaru."
Jiraiya: "By the way, my new book 'Intimate Paradise' is coming out soon. Please show your support!"
Tsunade: "..."
Ohnoki: "Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade... Hahaha, Sarutobi Hiruzen, are you hosting a reunion?"
As tensions eased and Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen provided personal demonstrations, the Kages of the major ninja villages began speaking more freely.
Fourth Raikage: "You masters and disciples should settle your disputes in private. What do you make of the impending disaster and 'confronting the gods' as mentioned by the light curtain earlier?"
Ohnoki: "I'll just sit back and watch."
Rasa: "Then I'll lie down and watch. After all, if the sky falls, you tall guys will be the ones holding it up."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Hey, you can't say that."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Based on the information displayed on the light screen, this is a massive disaster affecting the entire ninja world. Our enemy is a so-called god. No one can face this alone. Only through unity and cooperation can we navigate through this safely."
Mifune: "As leader of a neutral country, I'd like to add a few words."
Mifune: "As the Third Hokage stated, this disaster affects the whole ninja world. Ignoring it could mean catastrophe even for the Iron Country."
Mifune: "But fortune favors the bold. Now that we're all here, why not capitalize on this moment? Let's convene the Five Kage Conference and attempt to form the first ninja alliance."
Fourth Raikage: "A Ninja Alliance?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "It's a sound proposal. The situation is dire, and forming an alliance is imperative."
Ohnoki: "Then the question arises: who should lead this coalition?"
Mifune: "This is indeed a difficult matter. As a neutral country, please respect our stance and hear my humble suggestion. Isn't it time to reveal the ranking of the ninja world's combat power? Why not let the top-ranked country take the lead? Any objections?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "I see no issue with that."
Fourth Raikage: "Sounds fair, and I have no objections. After all, the Land of Lightning must be number one!"
Rasa: "Hmm..."
Rasa: "Do you truly believe what the light curtain says? Are you not concerned this could be a trap or an illusion?"
Fourth Raikage: "Haha, have you ever encountered a genjutsu capable of enveloping the entire ninja world?"
Ohnoki: "As for traps, that seems highly improbable. Whoever created this light screen may rival the legendary ninja god Senju Hashirama. If they wish to rule the ninja world, why resort to deception? They could simply assert their dominance."
Fourth Raikage: "We've agreed to convene the Five Kage Conference. Where's that Yagura fellow? Why isn't he speaking up?"
"Hmph! Ignorance is bliss."
In Kirigakure, a country under Obito's control through the Sharingan, Yagura smirked inwardly.
He lightly tapped the armrest of his seat with his right hand.
It wasn't as if there were no illusions capable of covering the entire ninja world.
For instance, the Infinite Tsukuyomi!
The main reason he remained silent was his uncertainty about the name displayed when he sent a barrage in this state—whether it would appear as Yagura or Uchiha Obito.
In the worst-case scenario, if the name shown was Uchiha Obito, all the preparations and schemes he had meticulously laid out over the years would be jeopardized.
Thus, erring on the side of caution, Yagura chose to observe silently, refraining from speaking up.
Just as discussions were underway across the ninja world about forming a ninja coalition, a list appeared in the upper right corner of the screen:
[Ninja World Combat Power Ranking:]
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone