Chapter 140: Chapter 140: A New Era
"Damn you!" The Fourth Raikage's face twisted with fury, and he seemed on the verge of leaping from his seat. Similar expressions of anger and defiance filled the faces of the other ninjas. Only a few Akatsuki and Hidden Mist Village members sat calmly while everyone else appeared ready for action.
With a sigh, Shin snapped his fingers gently. Instantly, everyone in the room froze in their seats as if bound by invisible restraints.
"Knowing this is a genjutsu, you still think fighting will solve anything? Use your brains," Shin remarked, unimpressed.
In fact, most of them had already tried various methods to escape but found they couldn't break free from the genjutsu. Some even doubted if Shin had used a space-time jutsu, wondering if they were still in the real world. But after Shin's snap immobilized them, any remaining delusions of control vanished.
"Alright, now that everyone's calm, listen to what I have to say." Shin smirked, his pride evident as he explained his masterpiece: the virtual world.
"What did you say? How is that even possible?"
"A second world where everything is exactly like reality? And you can communicate instantly, no matter the distance?"
"Ninjutsu practiced here has the same effect in the real world?"
"Memory and chakra can be transferred across spaces? Even tools we envision can be manifested?"
"We can stretch time, potentially reaching up to tenfold depending on mental strength?"
As Shin outlined the capabilities of the virtual space, he snapped his fingers once more, releasing everyone's restraints. The conference room erupted into noise.
"Whether you believe me or not is up to you. I've given you the information," Shin said, his voice indifferent. "This is a chance for everyone in the world, an unavoidable wave of progress. Those who refuse to adapt will be crushed by the wheels of the new era."
"I'm telling you this now to minimize chaos, but if you can't steer this new age with the notice I've given, then it only proves you're unfit to lead."
"There's no shortage of people who want to be leaders in this world. If you're not up to the task, others will rise to take your place."
"Thinking the Five Great Shinobi Villages, which have only existed for a few decades, are invincible? History shows that nothing is permanent."
"What exactly are your intentions?" Onoki, frowning, couldn't stay silent. As one of the oldest and most conservative among the village leaders, he felt a creeping sense of dread about the changes Shin described.
"What's in it for you? Aren't you afraid of inciting a ninja war?"
Shin looked at him with a mocking smile. "A war? The virtual space is monitored. Any conflict will be confined here, safely away from the real world."
"As for my motives, it's simple: from now on, all matters concerning you will be discussed here in the Akatsuki's conference room through negotiation."
"In other words," he continued with a sly grin, "every future kage-level ninja will join the Akatsuki."
The room burst into chaos as soon as Shin finished speaking.
"You think you can rule the world?"
"I'd never join this organization, not even on my deathbed!"
"You're delusional. Do you think everything can be resolved by talking?"
"This is only a genjutsu! You'd do well to rein yourself in!"
"If you tell us the secrets of this genjutsu, I might consider allowing you a high-ranking position in our village."
Some leaders remained silent, particularly those from the Cloud, Mist, and Leaf Villages. Shin had already subdued these three, and especially in the case of the Mist, were essentially under Akatsuki's thumb.
Terumi Mei's heart filled with a strange relief. Though she didn't entirely trust Shin's words, if what he claimed about the virtual space was true, Shin would be the uncrowned king of the ninja world.
While several present were vocal in their opposition, most were simply testing him. Even in the Stone and Sand Villages, the loudest were those with the least status, who were leaving room for retreat.
Why test him? Because there was always a chance that, like Hashirama Senju, the wielder of such power might be swayed.
Shin understood these leaders all too well. They respected only power and were unlikely to bend to a benevolent leader. Hashirama had offered his goodwill, only to see them turn on Konoha the moment he was gone.
For that reason, Shin had prepared to make his authority known.
With supreme control over the virtual space, he could have manipulated everyone with the Kotoamatsukami technique if he wished. However, enslaving the minds of such a large group, even if feasible, would breed distrust and paranoia.
Luckily, the virtual world provided more subtle tools than mind control.
Once more, Shin snapped his fingers. A few of the most unruly ninjas felt their vision blur and then collapsed onto the floor, unconscious.
"What did you just do?" demanded one of the leaders, panic creeping into his voice.
"What happened?"
The usually composed backers couldn't stay calm. Onoki tried to float from his seat, only to find himself rooted in place, red-faced and struggling. While Rasa glared with visible fury, leaders from Leaf and Cloud Villages exchanged knowing looks as if anticipating Shin's ruthlessness.
"Nothing much," Shin replied casually. "I simply accelerated their perception of time. They're experiencing a sensation where a single microsecond stretches into hundreds of years, though even I can't calculate the exact ratio."
Accelerating time perception might sound harmless, but without enhanced reaction speed, the effect was akin to trapping them in an endless, frozen moment, unable to move a millimeter. Time passed in agonizing silence.
The experience was a mental prison, leaving them feeling immobilized and isolated, with no external stimuli. Measured in years, even the most stubborn ninja would soon be reduced to a mere shell.
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