Tsunade, at this moment, was genuinely intrigued.
Even Kakashi, standing nearby, perked up instantly at the question.
As for the matter itself…
Uchiha Jin set down the scroll in his hand, looked at the two curiosity-filled faces, pondered a moment, then slowly spoke.
"Since you're so eager to know, there's no harm in telling you."
"Simply put—what is happiness?"
"When people can't fill their stomachs, all they think about is how to get food; once fed, they want better clothes; once well-dressed, they want a fine house; once housed, they crave still more wealth."
"Human desire has no end."
"Do you really believe the Ninja and civilians in our Village live that well?"
"To me, it's mediocre at best."
"So why are they so content? Because they're comparing."
"Old Konoha suffered terribly; by comparison, their lot feels pretty good, doesn't it?"
"That's the first reason. The second: I intend to inherit a Konoha as intact as possible."
"In my view, human nature is inherently base."
"This isn't praise or insult—merely description."
"I could have acted two years ago, but it would've meant slaughter. Even confident I could wipe out figures like Hiruzen Sarutobi, would the villagers have accepted me?"
"Frankly—hardly."
"My rise would've been stained; the stereotype of Uchiha persists. I could've crushed dissent and forced obedience, yes."
"Yet a Village without cohesion offers me no benefit."
"I couldn't focus outward; even while defending the border I'd worry about unrest back home—plots, rebellions."
"Too troublesome."
"Justice, though intangible, is sometimes vital."
"Had we fought two years ago—whether Hiruzen struck first or I did—the title of Hokage would have been tainted."
"Foes might lose on the battlefield, but they'd magnify that stain without end."
"So the timing wasn't right."
"Since I refuse to rule by terror, stepping back was best."
"Withdrawing under treaty, founding a new Village with Uchiha as its core, severing ties with Old Konoha—this dissolved the rift between villagers and Uchiha, cleanly and legally."
"Everything proper, everything procedural."
"Bias in the heart is an immovable mountain; within Old Konoha's long hostility, even a Uchiha Hokage could not uproot it."
"Now, things are different."
"In today's new Village, do you see any hatred toward Uchiha?"
Even newcomers from Old Konoha shed their enmity; they cooperate on missions as true comrades."
"Hence, Old Konoha's existence is—paradoxically—valuable."
"Jiraiya can't seize real power; Old Konoha remains Hiruzen's domain."
"Once, villagers saw no alternative; now, with New Konoha before them, they compare."
"All I need do—is wait."
"Wait for Hiruzen to squander his last goodwill, for Old Konoha's people to despair—and only then will the two Villages merge."
"And now, the opportunity arrives."
"You know Kumogakure Ninja—would they quietly sign a peace treaty?"
"Heh—I think not."
"They covet bloodline limits; when Konoha was strong they still targeted Kushina. Facing a crippled Old Konoha, would they pass up the chance?"
"Never."
"A dog can't stop eating excrement; I'm certain Kumogakure plots something."
"Use your heads: the Land of Fire now hosts two Konohas. A treaty signed only with the old one is worthless."
"Without our approval, that parchment is void."
"Alas—"
"Hiruzen, dazzled by dreams of peace, exhausted from covert clashes with us, yearns for any 'success' to let Old Konoha breathe."
"This treaty is his lifeline."
"So—we wait."
"Wait for Hiruzen's blunder, for him to sound Old Konoha's death-knell."
Uchiha Jin's voice turned ice-cold.
Indeed!
That step back had a price—taken to gain far more.
And now—
harvest time had come.
Tsunade: "…"
Kakashi: "…"
Listening to Jin, both felt their scalps tingle.
Damn…
A chill ran deep in their bones.
They finally understood why Jin had yielded years ago, why he hadn't contested the Fifth Hokage seat. Now, they could only pity Hiruzen.
A blade that kills the body is mercy; this was a blade that killed the soul.
Yet…
They had to admit: Jin's approach worked.
Look at thriving New Konoha, then at the decaying old one—comparison gave them the verdict.
No wonder Jin built the new Village right beside the old—so the two populations would contrast daily.
"Uchiha Jin… you…"
"You're scarcely an Uchiha at all—no Nara has a mind like yours."
"Today, every citizen of New Konoha believes in our future; even I, Tsunade, can't escape the tide."
"I once held a shred of nostalgia for the old place—now I feel nothing but disgust."
"Kakashi, how about you?"
Tsunade sighed and turned to Kakashi.
Yes…
She had to concede Jin was right—she herself had been swayed.
Once she believed the Village embodied her grandfathers' dreams; reluctantly, Jiraiya dragged her back.
Partly…
because Jiraiya wouldn't leave her be.
But mostly…
deep down, she still loved Konoha.
Now?
She felt nothing for that rotting neighbor.
Even if it were razed, her heart wouldn't stir.