5

The world awakens.

The Infinite Tsukuyomi is gone, but peace does not return.

Naruto, Sasuke, and the others gather the Kage, the strongest shinobi, and the leaders of the world. They explain everything.

Kaguya's revival.Her unstoppable army.The one hundred perfected Ten-Tails.And most terrifying of all—her final words.

"Everyone on my home planet can do what I can."

The reactions are instant.

Tsunade clenches her fists. "If that's true… then we were never strong enough to stop her in the first place."

Onoki's face is grim. "We've spent our lives thinking we were at the top of the world. But if Kaguya was telling the truth…" He exhales. "Then we're nothing but ants compared to what's out there."

Even Mei, usually confident, is pale. "We got lucky. That's all. If she wanted to, she could have wiped us out."

The room is silent, heavy with fear and uncertainty.

But it's the previous Kage, the ones who should have passed on, who look the most troubled.

Hiruzen rubs his temples. "Hagoromo, you've been in contact with her before, haven't you? Tell me—was she lying?"

The Sage of Six Paths closes his eyes, face unreadable. "…I do not know."

Tobirama clicks his tongue. "That means we must assume it's the truth."

Hashirama, the man known as the God of Shinobi, looks around at everyone and speaks for the first time in a while.

"We need to prepare."

They all turn to him.

"If there are more Ōtsutsuki out there," Hashirama says, his tone unusually serious, "then Kaguya's warning might not have been a lie. And if another like her comes to this world, we cannot rely on luck again."

His words sink in.

Then, Hashirama moves to a section of the room—and places his hand against the wall.

With a surge of chakra, a hidden door reveals itself, deep within the meeting hall.

Everyone stares.

"A secret room?" Minato asks, raising an eyebrow.

Hashirama sighs. "I built this long ago, in case we ever needed a place to discuss the survival of the world." His expression hardens. "Now… it's time to use it."

One by one, the strongest ninja in history step inside.

And the door closes behind them.

The future of the shinobi world will be decided here.