News of the Mist's defeat traveled like wildfire across the elemental nations. The tale of a boy Patriarch wielding fire like a god and shattering the blade of a Seven Swordsman in one blow sent shockwaves through every hidden village.
Atop the Hokage Tower, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, grimly read the report. "The Mist lost an entire fleet… to children?"
"No," came a dry voice behind him. "To monsters."
Tobirama turned. Danzo Shimura, his student and head of Konoha's covert Root faction, stepped forward.
"This Patriarch," Danzo continued, "has already outgrown his age. Our intelligence says his warriors use foreign chakra arts. He's building a power base independent of us."
Tobirama frowned. "He's an Uzumaki. Family. We arranged his marriage to Tsunade to strengthen the bond between our clans."
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "And yet, he's building a hidden village with technology and sealing arts beyond our understanding. I suggest… we visit."
New Uzushiogakure – One Week Later
Danzo's ship arrived under Konoha's banner. He was greeted at the gates by none other than Tsunade, flanked by elite Uzumaki guards.
"You're early," Tsunade said flatly. "The Patriarch is expecting you."
Inside the crimson hall, Danzo sat across from the red-haired boy he had heard so much about. Calm. Composed. Radiating power even as he poured tea.
Danzo broke the silence.
"Konoha is… concerned. You're growing too quickly. You defeated a Seven Swordsman, established a military village, and now the Land of Whirlpools is rallying behind you. What are your intentions?"
The boy smiled slightly. "Survival. Legacy. And independence."
Danzo's eye gleamed. "If you're building a village… it should fall under Konoha's protection. Like a branch family."
Silence. Then:
[System Notice: New Template Available – Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass)]
Skill: Tactical Genius – +100% manipulation, diplomacy, and political counterplay.
Half Power Acquired.
The Patriarch's smile grew colder.
"Konoha didn't protect us when we fell," he said. "Now we protect ourselves."
Danzo frowned. "That sounds like treason."
"It's survival. But if Konoha wishes for alliance, not control… we are willing to cooperate."
Danzo stood. "You'll regret this pride."
The Patriarch tilted his head. "Pride didn't burn your fleet. Power did."
That night, the System delivered a secret prompt.
[New Quest: Founding the Crimson Alliance]
Objective: Invite powerful clans and rogue factions to your banner. Build a neutral superpower.
Reward: Unlock Template – Hashirama Senju (Sage Mode Variant)
The Patriarch stood before a massive map of the continent, marking points of interest: Land of Iron. Snow Country. The Ryūchi Cave. Orphan clans.
It was time to expand the Crimson Village's reach—and reshape the shinobi world.