Hearing Uchiha Gen's words, Tsunade's resistance slowly faded.
Yes… this too was a kind of blessing, a kind of happiness.
Just like when she reunited with Nawaki and Dan, a weight she had carried for years loosened. Regrets she could never bury were eased once more, letting her walk forward without those chains.
Orochimaru clicked his tongue at Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Honestly, sensei, you're so rigid. Look at Gen, he's the one actually making sense."
"What nonsense? I am the Ninja World's Dream Weaver!"
That ridiculous title, "Ninja World's Dream Weaver," was something Gen had jokingly suggested to Orochimaru, who then shamelessly adopted it.
"Besides, we're not using living people as sacrifices," Orochimaru added, shrugging, "just White Zetsu. Why get worked up?"
"Putting on a show, that's all…"
Even after all these years, Orochimaru and Hiruzen's relationship was still terrible, utterly irreparable.
Hiruzen grew angrier, and Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu rushed to steady him, whispering attempts at calm.
Those without enough strength, rank, or seniority quickly lowered their heads, pretending they hadn't heard Orochimaru's provocation.
"Ahem… Orochimaru, stop."
Jiraiya's voice turned firm after two coughs.
"Heh…"
Orochimaru chuckled, shot Jiraiya a sideways glance, and let the matter drop.
Gen clapped his hands lightly. "Alright, back to the main topic."
"Besides the two Hokage, some of you may have already guessed who the third person is."
He paused for dramatic effect.
"That's right. Uchiha Madara, the man who pacified an era of chaos and founded Konoha alongside the First Hokage."
A ripple of surprise moved through the crowd, though noticeably muted.
After everything today, they had long passed their limit for shock.
"These three Edo Tensei bodies were personally crafted by Orochimaru-sensei. He put in tremendous effort, and each one can unleash ninety-nine percent of its original strength."
"In fact, Orochimaru-sensei could summon the predecessors of other villages as well."
"But there's no need. Summoning them would only trigger hostility from the other great nations."
"And our current strength is already more than enough to sweep the entire Ninja World."
"Besides the Second Hokage, either the First Hokage or Uchiha Madara alone had the power to unify the world by force."
"It's just that their ideals differed. And the First Hokage was slightly stronger, which is why Madara never pursued unification himself."
Gen began pacing slowly, voice steady and resonant.
"Since the establishment of the one-country, one-village system, every period of peace was simply the major villages stockpiling power behind the scenes."
"And the moment timing aligned, another war began."
Everyone's eyes followed him, complex emotions flickering in their expressions.
"What do I mean by timing?" Gen continued.
"The First Ninja War began shortly after the First Hokage's death.
The Second Ninja War erupted not long after the Second Hokage's death."
"As for the Third Ninja War, the fuse wasn't even Konoha, it was the disappearance and death of the Third Kazekage."
"I'm a young Hokage. I only experienced the Third Ninja War, and only around a third of it."
"Some of you lived through one war… some through two… and some through all three. Your understanding is deeper than mine."
"But facts prove the First Hokage's ideals were too idealistic. They can't work.
At least.... not in this era."
The room go tense. Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Tsunade couldn't refute him.
"The causes of war? Hatred is just a surface-level excuse.
The high-ranking officials of each nation all know this."
"Those who don't understand this are either naive or foolish."
A few people, Jiraiya included, looked awkward.
"The real reason is the deep imbalance of resources between the nations. The Land of Fire is simply too wealthy."
"So wealthy that everyone else feels resentment simmering in their hearts."
"Combine that with internal pressures and their need to divert conflict outward… it'd be strange not to start a war."
"If I were them, I'd invade the Land of Fire too."
"To solve the root cause, the uneven distribution, you need unification."
"After unification, resources can be officially allocated, relieving the imbalance."
"After unification, wars would end. The new nation could put everything into development, science, ninjutsu research, food production, and environmental improvement."
"For example, using new methods to grow food, researching techniques to plant forests in deserts, and so on."
"If the Lands of Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water could each one day receive even half, no, a third, of the Land of Fire's resources, they'd calm down."
"Who would fight to the death when they can eat well, live well, and survive without risking everything?"
Tsunade and Kushina both stared at Gen with outright admiration.
Many others, though less obvious, were clearly convinced.
"You must hold this belief," Gen said calmly.
"We aren't invading them. We are helping them. And establishing a Greater Ninja World Co-Prosperity Sphere."
…Why did that phrase sound suspiciously familiar?
"What needed to be shown, I've shown. What needed to be said, I've said."
"Is anyone else opposed to going to war?"
He scanned the room.
Silence.
"I'll give you one more chance. Speak now, or I will consider silence consent."
People exchanged glances, but no one made a sound.
"Good. Then it's settled."
"This operation is classified as Konoha's highest secret.
If anyone leaks a single word....
they and their entire clan will be executed without mercy."
He turned. "We return to Konoha immediately. We'll discuss the next steps and division of labor there."
With a wave of his hand, the Four Jinchuriki bowed and vanished.
Orochimaru summoned three coffins, placed Hashirama, Tobirama, and Madara inside, and sank them into the ground—
"Wait."
Tsunade stepped forward. "I want to meet my grandfather and great-uncle after the meeting."
"Ahem… I'd also like to meet the First and my own teacher," Hiruzen said, trying to sound casual.
Gen shot him a sharp look. "What next? Invite them to sit in on the meeting and then share a meal?"
"The reunion can wait. Once the situation stabilizes, you'll have plenty of opportunities."
"Know what the priority is."
"Ridiculous!" Hiruzen sputtered.
Gen ignored him entirely, jumped into the treetops, and disappeared.
Orochimaru finished sinking the coffins and followed Kakashi and the others.
Jiraiya, Homura, and Koharu comforted Hiruzen before leaving together.
"He's not targeting you," Kushina said gently.
"You can talk to him later. He won't refuse."
Tsunade nodded. "I know."
"After everything settles, we'll meet them properly. There'll be time."
She exhaled softly. "I think Gen's vision might actually work. What do you think?"
"I think so too," Kushina said warmly.
Earlier, both were too distracted to notice each other's expressions.
"Let's go," Tsunade said.
"Mm."
The two strongest kunoichi of Konoha leaped upward, vanishing into the shimmering green canopy…