This willpower will not be defeated by any hardship or difficulty.
Hanzou felt somewhat dazed.
In the past, he was also full of spirit like this.
He once had such unwavering eyes.
He once had a dream that would not yield to anyone.
He once swore to bring peace to this country, to this world, fought against evil parties, shed blood, had a body that was tough and resilient, with youthful fervor, believing he could single-handedly change the world.
Now, the world has changed him.
"Is there something you need?"
Hanzou did not like Yahiko's kind of look.
Fearful, self-abasing, disgusted.
"I want to ask Lord Hanzou to give up on fighting with Hidden Sand. Doing so will only lead to unnecessary sacrifices."
Yahiko expressed his thoughts.
"The current era is no longer one that can be decided by an old man like me. This is the will of the entire Hidden Rain."
Hanzou shook his head.
"I know, which is why I want to seek Lord Hanzou's assistance. With your reputation, you can get Konoha and Hidden Sand to sit down and negotiate properly, ending the hostilities. The results of war are too painful."
Yahiko sincerely said this.
It was not easy to get close to Hanzou; he had to convey his peaceful ideology to him.
Only in this way can the Land of Rain avoid further harm.
"Hidden Sand has killed many innocent civilians in the Land of Rain, this is a war of revenge!"
Hanzou answered.
"Hatred only breeds more hatred. If this continues, the Land of Rain will never know peace. Moreover, according to our investigation by Akatsuki, the massacre event over a year ago was already suspicious. I suspect some conspirators are secretly plotting, dragging Hidden Rain into this."
Yahiko also firmly held on to his view.
"Already dragged into this. Now, it's not about finding the truth; it's about defeating Hidden Sand for the Land of Rain to recover its livelihood as quickly as possible."
"But that will require sacrificing many people."
"Isn't it normal for people to die in war?"
"That's why I want to resolve the war through negotiation! I believe that as long as everyone can sit down together, mutual understanding can be achieved!"
Yes.
This is Yahiko's idea.
But he did not have such reputation and strength, so Konoha and Hidden Sand rejected him outright.
But Hanzou is different; he is the leader of Hidden Rain and a demigod who shone brilliantly during the Second Great Ninja War.
As long as he obtains Hanzou's cooperation, the people from Hidden Sand and Konoha will surely give Hanzou face and have a proper discussion.
This is the reputation and strength of the demigod.
Making it impossible for Konoha and Hidden Sand to ignore his influence in the Land of Rain.
As long as Akatsuki seizes this opportunity, the Land of Rain can attain peace.
No need to win through war, which would cause many deaths.
Yahiko does not wish to see more people become victims of war.
This country has sacrificed enough already.
He wants to awaken the conscience of those great nations, or rather, the justice they have discarded.
Then, by doing so, this ideology can be spread worldwide, allowing all countries in the world to stop waging wars, so everyone can grow happily and carefree in peace.
Such a beautiful and pure ideal is the ultimate purpose of Akatsuki.
After listening to Yahiko, Hanzou suddenly realized that this young man before him was different from his past self.
Because in the past, he was naïve, but not to this extent.
Originally, he intended to teach Yahiko a lesson, but after hearing his supposedly 'genius' idea... Hanzou felt a bit reluctant to reprimand this innocent young man.
Who exactly taught this stupid ninja?
Hanzou was utterly unprepared to find such a naïve ninja existing in the Land of Rain.
He wanted to laugh but couldn't, the corners of his mouth bitter.
There was sadness, heartache.
If the young ninjas of Hidden Rain Village were like this, how would they survive in the Ninja Realm in the future.
Hanzou felt a dark future looming for Hidden Rain Village.
If negotiations alone could resolve wars, would the Land of Rain be in such a state?
"Lord Hanzou, are you not speaking because you agree with my thoughts?"
Yahiko looked at Hanzou with eyes full of hope.
Hanzou did not speak. He approached Yahiko, brushing past him, and slowly spoke:
"Hold onto that naïve idea in a coffin. I wasted a moment of my time listening to your boring speech, how embarrassing."
If as a demigod he discarded his past ninja beliefs, then this young man named Yahiko had deviated from the ninja beliefs right from the start.
He is not suited for the Ninja Realm.
In this world of either maniacs or killers, those holding such naïve ideas are doomed to die, not only that, but they will take others along with them.
Yahiko's smile stiffened.
Hanzou left the cliff, stepping down the mountain path back to camp.
Halfway down the mountain, Hanzou suddenly heard footsteps approaching from behind.
He turned around, thinking it was the young man named Yahiko, but it was another red-haired male.
His hair in front could cover his eyes.
"You are Yahiko's companion, right? Is there anything else? My words earlier were clear, you Akatsuki are not suited for the battlefield, better to return to the village and receive protection."
Hanzou gave a sincere opinion.
This was still considering they were ninjas from Hidden Rain Village.
"Lord Hanzou, my name is Nagato. Did you just deny Yahiko's idea?"
Nagato asked.
"Yes."
"Yahiko's idea is a bit naïve...but is it really impossible to realize?"
Did not want to answer this question.
Because Hanzou was very annoyed with these stubborn people.
But at this moment, he sensed a very special feeling from Nagato.
He was not questioning, but seemed to be seeking some kind of answer.
Hanzou sighed and said, "I don't know why that man named Yahiko holds such naïve beliefs... There had been people like him in the past."
"In the past?"
"God of Ninja — Senju Hashirama!"
Hanzou spoke a name known by everyone.
Nagato's expression shifted.
"In the past, Senju Hashirama advocated similar ideals, using negotiations to end wars... But that was based on his invincible power in the world. Otherwise, no matter how broad-minded he was, he wouldn't be viewed differently."
"But I heard during the era when the God of Ninja existed, indeed no wars broke out."
"And then?"
Hanzou's question left Nagato silent.
After that?
Such a question does not need discussion, the answer is clear.
Because Nagato himself was one of the experiencers.
"The God of Ninja died, the First Great Ninja War quickly broke out, his younger brother the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama died in the war, then the Second Great Ninja War erupted, and now there's the Third... In a dozen years or so, there will be a Fourth Great Ninja War. It looks like he changed something, but nothing actually changed. Young people, the dream should wake up, or else your future will certainly be dim."
Hanzou shook his head, not wanting to continue.
"...Do you mean as long as the so-called 'invincible' power exists, eternal peace can be guaranteed?"
Nagato suddenly asked this question softly.
Hanzou's body stiffened, he did not expect Nagato to further ask this question.
The wide-open pupils were filled with astonishment.
He saw Nagato facing him, lifting his head.
And beneath the red hair blown by the wind... a pair of eyes.
Rinnegan!?