... In short, ninja villages can only be maintained with the funds and resources provided by the Daimyo.
Itachi's impression of Bai Mo was quite good now, thanks to Bai Mo's help to Sasuke.
Even when he heard Bai Mo instigating Kisame to assassinate the Daimyo, he didn't express any dissatisfaction but instead began to explain the Daimyo's role to Bai Mo.
"Itachi, you are wrong."
After listening to Itachi's arguments, Bai Mo shook his head.
"I heard there's a saying in Konoha: it's not by becoming Hokage that one gains everyone's recognition, but by gaining everyone's recognition that one becomes Hokage.
It's the same with the 'Daimyo' identity.
It's not the Daimyo who provides resources and feeds everyone, but the farmers and workers who feed the Daimyo, the merchants who handle circulation, and the ninja villages who provide security.
If the Daimyo had sufficient management capabilities, then so be it.
But the current Daimyo, everyone, honestly ask yourselves, do they have that capability?
They are merely a group of parasites who have inherited power through hereditary succession, clinging to the country and sucking its blood.
It's not the Daimyo who can bring people happiness and peace, but only those who can bring people happiness and peace are qualified to be the leaders of a country.
Since we are already preparing to launch a revolution and get rid of the Bloody Mist tradition, why not solve all the past mistakes as much as possible at once?
Even if the people of Kirigakure truly had this idea, it would be difficult for them to act.
The concept of the Daimyo system has persisted for a long time; if they wanted to act, it would best be a bloodless revolution to avoid chaos.
However, a bloodless revolution also brings huge hidden dangers; once the Daimyo, who have lost their blood-sucking qualifications, try to reclaim power, a new round of destruction will occur.
But if blood is shed, it will inevitably incur hatred, and those who have long knelt and mindlessly pledged allegiance to the Daimyo will directly incite chaos..."
"So the best way is for Kisame, as a rogue ninja, to do this.
To bear the hatred and the so-called sins upon himself.
Kisame, you wouldn't mind, would you?"
Everyone looked at Kisame.
"I don't mind, thank you, Strategist. This matter has shown me a new path, and my life has meaning again."
Kisame gave a decisive answer, his heart somewhat moved at this moment.
Compared to Kisame, one person was even more deeply touched.
That was Itachi.
Bai Mo's words completely struck a chord with Itachi.
First, a classic phrase full of the Will of Fire, "it's not by becoming Hokage that one gains everyone's recognition, but by gaining everyone's recognition that one becomes Hokage," then extending this idea to the backwardness and decay of the Daimyo system.
Then, Bai Mo said that Kisame, as a rogue ninja, should bear the hatred and sins to contribute to Kirigakure.
This was full of a sense of déjà vu.
"Indeed, I was wrong, Strategist. Your magnanimity astounds me."
Uchiha Itachi frankly admitted the error of his thinking.
In the original work, after his Edo Tensei, he realized the error in how he had treated Sasuke before.
He should have trusted the power of others, instead of unilaterally setting paths and trying to control everything.
Itachi was actually very capable of admitting mistakes and correcting them.
The problem was that no one had ever told Itachi that he was wrong, and why he was wrong.
The only one qualified and capable of correcting Itachi, the Third Hokage, not only didn't correct this mistake but praised Itachi for having "Hokage thinking" at such a young age, thereby solidifying Itachi's belief.
This ultimately led to a situation where people couldn't teach people, and only events could teach people.
After this brief time together during the Land of Waves mission, Itachi had begun to believe that Bai Mo was a ninja outside of Konoha Village, one who possessed the "Will of Fire," and had the ability and magnanimity to change the ninja world.
Just as he trusted Naruto so much in the original work.
For this, Itachi felt that as long as he continued down this path, even if he was used by Bai Mo, it would be acceptable.
In his conversation with Sasuke just now, Bai Mo mentioned the Uchiha clan's stone tablet, and also the awakening and advancement of the Sharingan, and even the ultimate advancement method that Itachi himself didn't know.
However, he did not mention how the Mangekyō Sharingan reached the second to last step, obtaining eternal light for its eyes.
—by exchanging eyes with a blood brother.
Itachi didn't believe that Bai Mo, who knew the entire process, wouldn't know this.
Bai Mo's earlier question about whether he was willing to make a sacrifice probably didn't just refer to giving up harming Sasuke, but rather a further contribution of his eyes.
"Oh, right, Itachi, there was something I didn't mention just now, about the Eternal Mangekyō."
Just as Itachi was lost in his thoughts, Bai Mo's sudden words brought him back to reality.
"What?"
Itachi was somewhat startled.
Originally, matters concerning the eyes were best left unsaid, understood implicitly.
Bai Mo actually brought it up proactively?
Was he not afraid that Itachi would realize he was about to lose his eyes and back out?
"Activating the Eternal Mangekyō requires the eyes of a blood brother, merging their ocular power. I didn't tell Sasuke this because I was afraid he would overthink things all day and end up going down the wrong path."
Bai Mo continued.
"You are right."
Itachi nodded in agreement.
"Itachi, you are also a major fighting force in the organization; losing your eyes won't do.
Anyway, the Sharingan is hot-swappable; if you replace them with another pair, your combat power might decrease a bit, but it will still be enough.
Moreover, Susanoo, even if you lose your eyes, as long as you have enough chakra, you can still activate it with one eye or no eyes at all."
"No matter, we can discuss this later."
Itachi smiled knowingly at Bai Mo's consideration for him and proactively cut off the discussion.
If possible, he would, of course, want to continue contributing his strength.
But Itachi knew that his seriously ill body could only last for as long as it could.
He wasn't sure if Susanoo could be activated without eyes, but he certainly couldn't activate it himself.
Even if he did, his gravely ill body wouldn't be able to sustain Susanoo for long.
However, Bai Mo mentioning this did make Itachi think of something.
Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan.
One was in his hand, and the other was in Danzo's hand.
If there was an opportunity, he could use this reason to try and retrieve Shisui's eye from Danzo.
To prevent Danzo from doing anything bad with Kotoamatsukami.
"Strategist, I also have something I want to tell you."
Itachi raised his hand and pointed to Bai Mo's chest, "You want to gather everyone's strength, which is a very good idea, but don't neglect your own strength."
Itachi saw that Bai Mo was young and had remarkable talent, and he didn't want Bai Mo to put all his energy into strategy.
"My own strength, you ask? Of course I know that, but sometimes taking a detour is the shortcut. It's not that I don't want to cultivate, but it's not the right time yet."
Bai Mo grabbed Itachi's wrist, and a surge of power transmitted through.
Itachi felt his wrist go numb, and his pupils immediately constricted: "Sage Mode chakra? No, what exactly is this...?"
"No wonder."
"You are right, I was overthinking it."
"Indeed, how could a strategist who can think of so much not pay attention to his own situation?"
Itachi didn't have a deep understanding of Sage Mode, but he understood the meaning behind Bai Mo's words.
"Alright, then once the mission here is over, Kisame and I will go deal with that damned Daimyo!"
Zabuza clenched his fists.
....
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