"Isn't that simple?It's been almost ten years since the end of the First Shinobi World War," Jiraiya said casually, raising his wine glass.
Tsunade and Orochimaru, who were standing nearby, also watched Hatake Kaede with great interest, curious to see what interesting insights he might offer.
Kaede Hatake took another bite of meat and then finished the juice in his glass in one gulp.
Kaede Hatake ordered another glass of juice and then said to Jiraiya, "The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha, with their great power, ended the Warring States period and established the 'one village per country' system.Ninja heroes from other countries followed suit and established their own ninja villages in their respective countries."
"The establishment of ninja villages did bring a certain degree of peace to the ninja world.However, on the other hand, the establishment of ninja villages also expanded the scale of war."
"Lord Jiraiya, when the First Hokage was still alive, the nations maintained peace for a period of time because they were intimidated by his power.However, after the First Hokage passed away, the First Shinobi World War broke out."
"In this Fourth Shinobi World War, the Second Tsuchikage Mu and the Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki perished together.Later in the war, the Second Hokage Tobirama and the Second Raikage A were also forced to fall, and the Third Hokage was appointed Hokage in a time of crisis."
"Kid, why are you saying all this?It has nothing to do with what we were talking about!" Jiraiya asked, looking puzzled.
"Lord Jiraiya, please don't be in such a hurry!" Kaede Hatake took a sip of his freshly served juice and continued, "It's been almost ten years since the end of the First Shinobi World War.During these years, the major ninja villages have been recuperating and building up their strength.The strength of the major ninja villages has gradually recovered."
"Lord Jiraiya, with a weapon in your heart, your killing intent will naturally arise.The ninja world is now in turmoil, and all the major ninja villages are waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity to plunder others."
"Clap clap clap!" Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya from the side, his disdain undisguised.
"As expected of Sakumo-senpai's child, he is much better than some others."
Upon hearing Orochimaru's sarcastic remarks, Jiraiya immediately jumped up in anger.
"Arrogant Orochimaru, I.I already knew, but this was just a test for him, a test for a junior."
Orochimaru completely ignored Jiraiya, which made Jiraiya even more furious.Just as he was about to challenge Orochimaru to a duel, he was intimidated by Tsunade's piercing gaze.
Tsunade's eyes twitched, and she cracked her fists."Jiraiya, if you're itching for a beating, I can help you relax."
Orochimaru, his eyes brimming with curiosity, asked Hatake Kaede, "But Kaede-kun, I have a question too.Where did you get this information?I'm guessing you're still a student at the Ninja Academy.You shouldn't have access to this kind of thing, right?"
Kaede Hatake looked silently into Orochimaru's eyes, then suddenly laughed: "Of course my father told me.How would a ninja academy student like me know these things?"
Orochimaru paused slightly, his curious expression momentarily frozen, upon hearing Hatake Kaede's words, before smiling and saying, "Is that so!"
Tsunade was suppressing Jiraiya, who was also smiling and begging for mercy.Neither of them noticed Orochimaru and Hatake's subtle actions.This became an unspoken secret between Orochimaru and Hatake.
[Interesting, Maple-kun, have you also noticed the darkness in the village?]
...
The casual dinner between Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, three close friends, had come to an end.Kaede Hatake and Orochimaru each helped a drunkard home.
The drunken Tsunade was wildly aggressive, and Kaede Hatake's small body couldn't catch her at all.
[Damn it, a drunk Tsunade is harder to catch than a pig during Chinese New Year!This tiger girl's drinking manners are really terrible.]
"Come on.come on.let's keep drinking!Jiraiya, Orochimaru, let's keep drinking!" Tsunade shouted, shaking an empty bottle at the deserted street.
"Lady Tsunade, please stop drinking.Lord Orochimaru and Lord Jiraiya have already left."
"Left.Uh~ Hahahaha.Little brat, come on, drink some wine.You're not a real man if you don't drink."
"Ugh~" Suddenly, Tsunade bent over and vomited.
Kaede Hatake quickly stepped forward and gently patted Tsunade's back to help her vomit more easily.
After vomiting, Tsunade staggered as she walked, and Kaede Hatake quickly went to support her.Tsunade's entire body weight rested on Kaede's small frame.Kaede dragged the drunken Tsunade slowly towards the Senju ancestral home in Konoha.
Supporting a tasteless, unscrupulous female drunkard, Kaede Hatake was speechless, wishing he could thoroughly slap this drunken tigress's buttocks until they were swollen.
They finally arrived at the Senju ancestral home.Although most of the Senju clan members had been integrated into Konoha as commoners under the arrangement of the Second Hokage, Tobirama, Mito Uzumaki was still quite healthy at the moment, and many members remained at the ancestral home.
Nawaki and his old servant came out to greet them.The old servant took the drunk Tsunade, while Nawaki welcomed Kaede Hatake into the living room.
Here, Kaede Hatake met Mito Uzumaki, the "pillar of stability" of Konoha Village, for the first time.
Kaede Hatake immediately bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Lord Mito."
Mito Uzumaki looked at Kaede Hatake with a kind expression: "You can just call me Grandma, no need to be so formal.Tsuna, thank you for your help today."
"Yes, Grandma Mito.I studied medical ninjutsu under Lady Tsunade.Although we don't have a formal master-disciple relationship, Lady Tsunade has shown me great kindness in teaching me.This is nothing!"
Mito Uzumaki quietly looked at Kaede Hatake, then asked, "What do you think of Konoha right now?"
Kaede Hatake had expected Mito Uzumaki to have a casual chat, but Mito's words completely bewildered him.[Could this be.]Is this just the daily chatter of old people during the Warring States period?
Kaede Hatake quickly said seriously, "Konoha is thriving now, with great development potential and a bright future."
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Mito Uzumaki's eyes.As the first Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and possessing the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan, Mito could easily discern the truthfulness of a person's words, thanks to the Nine-Tails' chakra and the Uzumaki clan's Kagura Mind's Eye.
Mito Uzumaki easily sensed the disappointment and confidence in Kaede Hatake's heart, with confidence outweighing disappointment.
[Disappointment, it seems this child is troubled by the future of Konoha.Confidence, it seems this child is confident in solving these problems.Monkeys~ what did you all do to disappoint this child?]
"Mito, this kid is quite interesting!" The Nine-Tails inside Mito Uzumaki said seriously.
"Yes, Nine-Tails!I also sensed something strange about this kid."
"The eyes appear to be human-shaped, but in terms of chakra perception, they are a ball of lightning.Heh, Mito Uzumaki, your Konoha Village has produced a freak!Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"