"You want to unify the entire Shinobi World?"
Nagato hadn't expected Menma to harbor such an ambition.
But this path was incredibly difficult—far more difficult than using Tailed Beast weapons to enforce constraint. Of course, the difficulty wasn't in conquest, but in the subsequent management and stability.
Powerful shinobi simply weren't suited for administration or development. Otherwise, the Shinobi World wouldn't have settled into the current system of one nation, one village, one administrative body, and one military force.
But that wasn't the most crucial point. It was about will and faith.
Thinking this, Nagato's expression hardened. "I believe you're fully capable of achieving that with your strength, but it would only be a false peace. A fragile peace."
He gestured weakly from his wheelchair. "Every nation, every village has its own beliefs, its own will, its own culture. While they might submit to you out of fear, forced assimilation only leads to larger, more acute conflicts."
Nagato's eyes darkened. "Take Amegakure alone. We had factions and men who disobeyed Hanzo. We, in our youth, easily instigated a rebellion against the then-powerful Hanzo. And Konoha—where you were born—is even more turbulent. Ulterior motives, hypocrisy, even massacres."
He leaned forward slightly. "You see? Even within a small village, there are endless conflicts, hatreds, and strife. In a Shinobi World under your authoritarian rule—a world many times larger than a village—the situation would only be worse. Peace would be just a facade, maintained by your intimidation. Underneath, different ideologies and cultures would fight to the death."
Nagato's breathing grew labored. "Once you grow old, your strength declines, or you pass away—your powerful authority loses its support, and your unification crumbles. The Shinobi World will witness a war far more terrifying than anything we've seen. Long-suppressed contradictions and hatreds will sweep across the entire world, dragging everyone down into the mire. I don't need to describe it; you can imagine the brutal struggle."
He coughed violently, a spray of blood hitting his hand. "This long-suppressed backlash could even lead to the extinction of humanity—cough, cough, cough!"
"Nagato, you're too agitated," Konan stepped forward quickly, wiping the blood from his mouth.
After calming himself, Nagato looked at the thoughtful Menma. "That's why I devised the plan to use Tailed Beast weapons to fund the various nations—bringing them suffering. Only after experiencing pain, accepting pain, contemplating pain, and understanding pain will the villages dare not easily engage in conflict. Even if I die, the worst outcome will only be a return to the current chaotic war."
He held Menma's gaze. "This is the perfect plan I devised to bring decades, even centuries, of peace with minimal cost."
Although Nagato harbored thoughts of avenging Yahiko, he also genuinely wanted to find peace and become the shinobi who would bring change, as Jiraiya had described. Therefore, he didn't resurrect Yahiko—that overly idealistic pacifist. Instead, he chose to preserve his strength to fulfill the dreams of Yahiko, his friends, and Jiraiya. After all, resurrecting Yahiko would be pointless. The overly idealistic Yahiko, living in this world, would only follow the same old path and die again. It would only leave them to suffer.
Hearing Nagato's theory, everyone present fell silent, deep in thought. Even Kakashi and Zabuza's six companions behind Menma watched with a mixture of admiration and regret—admiration for Nagato's character, and regret that this plan might actually be effective. Unfortunately, the process was too dark and dirty, destined to be unappreciated and incomprehensible.
Menma glanced at the expressions of those behind him, then a disdainful smile curled his lips.
"Is this what you've always insisted on? Is this your understanding of the world, of peace? Truly narrow-minded and shallow. Pathetically so."
Menma didn't give Nagato a chance to speak. Instead, he spoke with absolute dominance.
"I don't deny the possibilities you mentioned, but those are merely the results of my inaction. Besides, the struggles between different ideologies are quite easy to resolve."
Menma's voice cut through the silence. "Simply unify culture, education, and standards. Make written language, cart axles, wheels, and currency all equal in value. Then burn all the cultures inherited by those who resist—burn everything from the stubborn ones. Let their descendants only inherit my culture, and call themselves my descendants. Within three generations, they'll be completely assimilated. No more intense struggles and conflicts due to cultural differences."
Nagato's eyes widened in shock. "Standardize weights and measures… eradicate the lineages of ninja clans and villages… assimilate their descendants…" He had never imagined such a thing could be done! He felt he could never reach such a level of courage and thinking.
Before he could ask questions, Menma's voice rang out again.
"As for the idea that my death will lead to fragmentation and renewed war—that's unavoidable. But if you say this path is wrong, you're sorely mistaken. The world's balance of power always cycles through division and unification. No nation can exist forever, but a unified nation always enjoys a longer period of peace."
Menma's eyes gleamed with cold calculation. "Furthermore, with cultural assimilation, my unification will be etched in the hearts of future generations, becoming their goal. I'll then tell them: 'Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?' Then, vying for supremacy in the Shinobi World and becoming a unified ruler will become everyone's dream. Peace will continuously descend."
He paced slowly. "Moreover, whenever a nation's ruling class becomes corrupt and decadent, there will be popular uprisings, followed by war and reunification. Isn't this much more effective than your so-called threats against other nations? Of course, this only refers to what happens after I die."
A dark, amused smile touched his lips. "But that's practically impossible."
With the system, I might have a chance to exchange for Kaguya. Then I'd be immortal.
Nagato, his eyes wide, ignored Menma's final line, completely absorbed in the future he described.
"Are kings and generals born with a special destiny…? A struggle for supremacy and unification… Excellent!" If his description was true, this model was ten—no, a hundred times better than the current fragmented states! This was the true policy for eternal peace!
Moreover, without conflict, most ninjas would become useless, eventually merging into infrastructure, production, and research. Take, for example, the high-yield rice from Menma's company—a beneficial jutsu for the people! Not only would there be peace, but material life would also improve!
Thinking of this, Nagato couldn't contain his excitement. He tried to kneel before Menma, but being confined to his wheelchair, he couldn't get down. Instead, he humbly lowered his head.
"Boss, I am willing to join the Four-Star Village and complete your great cause!"
Not only Nagato, but Kakashi, Zabuza, and the other six behind Menma were also filled with excitement. Even though they had never considered world peace before, they were now captivated by the future described by Menma. They all seemed to have gained faith, respectfully bowing their heads in salute.
"Menma/Boss/Menma Uzumaki/Lord, I am also willing to help you complete your great cause!"
Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, it was interrupted by Tsunade's voice suddenly coming from the sky.
"Akatsuki! I have finally found you!!!"
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