The secret hut at dusk, the sound of rain outside the window as usual.
"Creak~"
The wooden door was pushed open, moisture rushing in with the night breeze.
Shiroishi gently shook the raindrops from his sleeves and entered the room.
The room wasn't quiet - three pairs of eyes were fixed on him in unison.
"You...?"
Shiroishi paused briefly, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Yahiko showed his usual bright smile, his tone light but unable to conceal his concern.
"Of course we're waiting for you to return. We also want to know about Bulbasaur's condition."
Konan sat to the side, holding an unfinished scarf in her hands, her gaze gentle.
Nagato leaned silently against the wall, his arms empty - that was Bulbasaur's usual spot.
Shiroishi looked at them and nodded. "Don't worry, it's no longer Bulbasaur now."
"Hmm?"
Just then, light footsteps sounded.
A small green figure peeked out from behind Shiroishi, its round eyes sparkling with lively light.
"Bulba!"
Ivysaur landed steadily on the ground, four broad green leaves spreading out, the pink bud on its back swaying slightly, the petals' luster emitting a soft glow in the lamplight.
Compared to before, its form was taller, its aura more stable,
the entire Ninja Beast radiating with vibrant vitality.
Yahiko's eyes widened: "This is... Ivysaur?"
"Correct." Shiroishi reached out to gently stroke Ivysaur's bud, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of relief.
Now, Ivysaur could not only use Rooting and Poison Powder, but had also mastered Sleep Powder and Leech Seed.
It could be said that it now possessed the ability for independent combat and team support.
Nagato immediately stood up.
His expression carried a rare softness as he slowly walked up to Ivysaur.
Seeing its familiar master, Ivysaur immediately let out a cheerful cry,
extending vines that gently wrapped around Nagato's arm, affectionately nuzzling his face.
"Welcome back, Ivysaur."
The atmosphere in the room instantly softened.
Konan covered her mouth as she laughed, Squirtle peeking out from beside her feet,
curiously examining Ivysaur's pink bud.
Charmander also ran out from the corner, the flame on its tail gently dancing in the air,
tilting its head as it looked at Ivysaur, its eyes full of envy, that eager fighting spirit almost overflowing from its Tail Flame.
Shiroishi noticed this scene - clearly Charmander seemed to hope it could evolve soon too.
Yahiko scratched his head and laughed heartily.
"Charmander says it won't lose to Ivysaur."
"Huff~"
Charmander raised its head and spat out a small ball of flame, as if responding to Yahiko's words,
Ivysaur responded with a cry, flicking out several petals in return, the auras of the two Ninja Beasts colliding in the air, actually sparking a faint Chakra Wave.
Konan couldn't help but laugh: "Are they going to compete?"
"Not fighting, but encouraging each other. The growth of Ninja Beasts always needs stimulation from companions."
Yahiko showed an excited expression: "That's right, this way everyone can become stronger!"
As he spoke, he picked up a towel from the table to wipe Charmander's forehead, the light from its tail flame casting a warm glow on his face.
"By the way." Shiroishi suddenly asked, "Where's Teacher Jiraiya?"
"The teacher went out to take care of some business, said he was meeting a friend and won't be back until tomorrow morning."
Yahiko remained silent for a few seconds, his eyes flickering slightly in the lamplight.
He lifted his head, gazing into Shiroishi's calm, nearly unreadable eyes.
"Actually, I've always had a question," he began slowly, with an almost stubborn seriousness. "Shiroishi, how do you view the future of the Land of Rain?"
At that moment, the atmosphere in the room seemed to freeze.
Even the flickering sound of Charmander's tail flame appeared to slow down.
Shiroishi didn't answer immediately.
He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the three people in the room.
After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.
"First of all, Teacher Jiraiya is a ninja from Konoha,"
Shiroishi's voice was steady, yet carried a trace of undeniable coldness.
"His stance cannot be the same as ours. Konoha's peace is built upon the suffering of other nations. He might wish for the Land of Rain to prosper, but Konoha as a whole would never want our country to rise."
This set the tone!
Yahiko was taken aback, his lips twitching slightly.
He didn't want to deny those words, yet his heart instinctively resisted.
That resistance wasn't directed at Shiroishi, but at the powerless rebuttal against reality.
Shiroishi didn't give him a chance to continue arguing.
He walked to the table, gently brushing his hand over the map spread across it—the same one they used to plan food distribution and village layouts.
"The future of the Land of Rain," Shiroishi's tone remained detached, "doesn't lie with Konoha, nor with any outside mentor. It can only be in our hands."
He paused, his gaze falling on the center of the map, his finger pointing directly at Amegakure.
"To change this country, we must first overthrow Hanzo."
"Overthrow... Hanzo?Shiroishi's tone was so calm it bordered on coldness.
"He is this country's ruler. Under his command, Amegakure is merely a mercenary tool for the Shinobi World. He maintains order through war and stabilizes the people through fear. As long as he remains, this country will never know true peace. His methods cannot change the Land of Rain."
Konan pressed her lips together, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of her clothes.
Nagato's expression remained calm, but deep within his Rinnegan, a complex light seemed to flicker.
Yahiko took a deep breath. "But... if we choose to oppose Hanzo, it means plunging the Land of Rain into war again. Can't we do it peacefully? Through negotiation, compromise, or..."
"Peace?"
Shiroishi let out a soft laugh.
"Peace without power is an illusion."
He turned, looking out the window at the ceaseless curtain of falling rain.
"The First Hokage could maintain decades of peace in the Shinobi World because no one could defeat him. What truly maintains peace has never been belief, but power. Only power can make others sit down and listen to you."
Yahiko's expression stiffened.
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
He had always believed in the ideal of peace—that was why he had followed Jiraiya in the first place,
the faith that had supported him through the flames of war and given his life meaning.
But now, every word from Shiroishi felt like cold water, dripping one drop at a time onto his idealistic heart, making him feel an unprecedented weight.
Konan looked at Yahiko and whispered, "Yahiko..."
Yahiko didn't respond, while Nagato lowered his head, silently staring at his own palm.
He knew Shiroishi was right.
Hanzo was the biggest obstacle.
Shiroishi didn't say anything more.
He simply returned to his seat and calmly added:
"Overthrowing Hanzo and seizing the Land of Rain is the first step we must complete. Only then can we begin to discuss change."
The room fell into a prolonged silence.
Raindrops pattered against the window, intermittent like breathing.
Yahiko slowly raised his head, looking at Konan and Nagato.
Neither of them spoke, and from their expressions, they seemed to agree more with Shiroishi's words.