"Perhaps the Third Kazekage was right," the thought lingered. "Even peace shouldn't be built on Sunagakure's sacrifice."
But realistically, what choice did they have?
If peace truly arrived, who would willingly remain in a harsh environment like Sunagakure?
Naturally, everyone would seek out places with better living conditions.
And Konoha...
It would inevitably become the primary destination.
Among the five great ninja villages, Konoha held a unique advantage. The others were either geographically remote or simply less desirable to live in.
Konoha's prime location naturally drew people in, and in this world, people were the key to growth.
A larger population would inevitably lead to rapid development.
Of course, competent leadership was also crucial.
And Konoha's leadership, with Naruto at its center, was clearly intelligent and knew what needed to be done.
"Fifth Kazekage, this is your era. Will you continue to uphold the policy of peace?"
Hearing the Third Kazekage's question echo again, Gaara fell silent this time.
Meanwhile, in Kirigakure, the Fourth and Third Mizukage had also appeared.
The rebellion of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had been resolved before Haku, the Sixth Mizukage, returned.
However, new problems had emerged. Both the Third and Fourth Mizukage voiced strong dissatisfaction with the Sixth Mizukage's policies.
The peace policy disproportionately benefited Konoha, while the other villages faced the prospect of gradual assimilation. It was only a matter of time.
In Iwagakure, Kurotsuchi was already the Fourth Tsuchikage, though the Third Tsuchikage was still alive. The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, had yet to make an appearance.
But Iwagakure's current leadership was deeply troubled by the reappearance of the former Jinchuriki, Roshi and Han.
In Kumogakure, the Third Raikage had returned.
His reappearance caused an immediate uproar, as he believed the Fifth Raikage was leading Kumogakure to ruin.
The already elderly Fourth Raikage lay terminally ill, unable to witness his father's return.
Across all the villages, former Kage were resurfacing one after another.
They were largely opposed to the current peace policy.
These Kage, who had risen to power during times of war, fundamentally disagreed with the concept of this so-called peace.
In truth, the peace policy itself wasn't inherently flawed.
If they were in Konoha's position, they would undoubtedly embrace such an approach.
But unfortunately for them, their villages weren't Konoha. Their underlying motivation was to establish dominance centered around their own territories.
Furthermore, even with genuine peace, could conflict truly be eradicated?
These Kage, hardened by war, had already grasped the fundamental truth.
War was merely a symptom; the real issue lay in the nature of human interaction.
Unless only a single person remained in the world...
Even with just two people, absolute fairness and absolute peace were unattainable.
Peace, in their eyes, was simply one person yielding to another – a temporary truce, not a true absence of conflict.
Wherever people existed, conflict would inevitably follow.
While Naruto explained the current situation to the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and Ashura,
And received their support, with them offering to help send everyone who didn't belong to this era back to their own time,
Naruto felt a surge of relief.
But he remained unaware that the ninja world was already undergoing significant transformations at that very moment.
And just then, Sasuke returned to Konoha, accompanied by Indra and Madara.
They were back in Konoha Village.
Madara gazed at the village before him, marveling at its drastic changes.
"Is this the Konoha Village of this era?" he asked.
Sasuke nodded. "Yeah."
Indra, standing beside them, was filled with curiosity, particularly about the lightning train speeding by.
Such a contraption was beyond anything he could have imagined in his time.
A vehicle...
Built like this, traveling at such speed.
It was truly unbelievable.
And the prosperity of Konoha greatly impressed Indra.
At that very moment, within Konoha Park,
Sarada found herself surrounded by Boruto.
"That's so cool, Sarada! Your dad is incredibly strong! I've decided, I'm going to ask him to be my master!"
"Huh?" Sarada looked at Boruto, who was acting strangely again.
Mitsuki smiled beside them. "Lord Itachi is indeed very strong. I told you this a long time ago, Boruto, but you didn't believe me then!"
Hearing this, Boruto scratched his head sheepishly.
"Well, what can I say? Mr. Itachi usually keeps a low profile. Nobody would have guessed that an unassuming uncle who just posts missions would be so powerful!"
"He's actually the strongest person under the Hokage, and Mr. Itachi's moves are so awesome!"
"Unbelievably cool! I definitely want to ask him to be my master!"
Sarada sighed inwardly. Her dad seemed to be attracting too much attention lately.
Everywhere she went, she overheard people talking about him!
It was starting to make Sarada a little uncomfortable.
"I think if you're looking for a master, you'd be better off choosing Sarada's uncle!" Mitsuki suggested.
"Uchiha Sasuke, an all-around ninja proficient in all five nature transformations. His combat power isn't any weaker than the Hokage's!"
Hearing this, Boruto was taken aback. "Yeah! But... Mr. Sasuke seems quite young!"
"You're mistaken, Boruto! According to my information, Sasuke is actually the same age as your father, Naruto. He just appears younger now due to certain circumstances!"
"Well, that's definitely something to consider!"
Just as Boruto was pondering this, the sky suddenly darkened.
At the same moment, the wind grew noticeably colder.
At the entrance of Konoha Village,
Sasuke looked at the two figures who had suddenly appeared before him.
He sighed, not surprised.
"Madara and Indra have both appeared. Sure enough, these two have arrived as well!"
The two figures who had suddenly appeared were none other than...
Naturally, it was Hashirama and Ashura, who had sensed their chakra.
Naruto followed closely behind.
"Sasuke, you're back!"
Naruto didn't seem to notice the slightly tense atmosphere.
And the ninjas at the village gate looked at the seemingly opposing sides, a sense of unease in the air.
The scene looked rather strange.
Weren't Uchiha Sasuke and the Hokage allies?
Why did the people on both sides seem so on edge?
"Brother!"
Ashura spoke first, wanting to say something.
However, Indra remembered what Sasuke had told him – that he had lost his duel with his younger brother.
And he still couldn't accept that outcome.
How could he have lost to Ashura? Impossible, absolutely impossible.
"Ashura, come with me!"
With that, Indra turned and walked out of the village. Ashura paused for a moment, seeming to understand Indra's unspoken meaning.
He sighed helplessly and followed.
At that moment, Madara also stared intently at Hashirama.
"Hashirama! I never expected we'd meet again in this future."
"It seems this is perhaps fate!"
Hashirama looked at Madara's current appearance and sensed that something was amiss. "Madara! Now isn't the time for personal vendettas. We have a more important mission."
Hearing this, Madara abruptly waved his hand dismissively. "I don't care about your nonsense. All I want to know is, what makes you think you can beat me?!"
"Come on! Enough talk!"
"Whether you fight here or somewhere else, it makes no difference to me!"
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