The more principles are discussed, the clearer they become; the more truth is debated, the brighter it shines.
Yahiko had nothing more to say, because with the premise of 'peace lasting as long as possible' added, Otonashi's words were irrefutable. Even taking ten thousand steps back, it was more reliable than his idea of mutual understanding.
Ultimately, the fundamental disagreement between the two lay in 'whether humans can truly understand each other'. As for pain, new order, etc., those were just methods.
Regarding this, Otonashi believed that humans could never truly understand each other.
Different classes, different wealth, different strengths—how could humans, inherently differentiated, possibly understand each other? Would a poor person understand 'not interested in money' and 'setting a small goal'?
As the saying goes, one worries not about scarcity, but about uneven distribution.
Precisely because of unevenness and inequality, mutual understanding is impossible. Or rather, after understanding, the first thought is to plunder others.
He suddenly realized this was a clash between idealism and materialism. Wasn't that 'people understanding each other' just idealism?
Perhaps this world hadn't experienced it, but Otonashi had seen Yahiko's path too many times. Things like 'equal distribution of wealth' and 'great harmony under heaven' had been practiced by people. The ideas were good, but unless one day a 'sacred F2A' (likely a reference to StarCraft's "select all units and attack" command, symbolizing forced unity/control) was created to link everyone, it was all futile.
He didn't want to say profound things like 'productivity determines production relations' or 'economic base determines superstructure'. He just laid the facts before Yahiko, making him understand that peace comes from order.
Abundant military power, reasonable systems—the transformation of the Land of Fire from the Warring States period to the present sufficiently illustrated the point. Even if Konoha had countless faults, weren't the civilians inside relatively peaceful and happy?
History progresses gradually. Since Hashirama's actions weren't wrong, then this path could be replicated and expanded.
The room was silent, save for the rustling sound of rain. Yahiko opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound, because the other's words reminded him of his childhood dream, just that it hadn't hit the core.
"You are right. It seems you have indeed considered more than I have." He quietly switched to using honorifics.
Everyone thought 'God of Shinobi' Senju Hashirama was amazing, but after hearing this discussion today, Yahiko realized his greatest achievement wasn't his power, but creating the 'ninja village' system that ended the chaotic Warring States period.
"No, I'm just standing on the shoulders of giants." Otonashi shook his head gently. His history grades at the Ninja Academy were terrible, but he had been a keyboard warrior for a while in his previous life.
Any Chinese person is very sensitive to history and politics. Just finishing junior high textbooks would make one understand a pattern.
Except for a few oddities, most dynasties could usher in a prosperous era lasting at least a hundred years. Aside from border troubles, the common people could generally live stable lives.
In fact, a comparison shows that the current world is like the Warring States period, while the previous Warring States era was more like the chaotic Spring and Autumn period.
Hundreds of 'feudal lords' fought until now less than ten remain. Even writing systems, weights and measures, languages, and combat power have been unified in advance. It's countless times simpler than the era pioneered by that Ancestral Dragon (Qin Shi Huang).
Crucially, this world has no external threats, and productivity/technology levels are incomparable. Individual strength overrides numbers, and controlling regions is surely better than relying on a post station system.
Perhaps the combat power was too balanced, perhaps the thinking wasn't sufficient; no one had thought of this point until now.
Whether an empire or a federation, the world must advance further based on the foundation of ninja villages!
'Perhaps this is the limitation of people. Let me be this guide.' Otonashi looked at the three, somewhat confused yet seemingly grasping something, and sighed inwardly.
The path to stability under heaven, understood by all Chinese, why is it so difficult here?
The merit of the First Emperor lasts for millennia.
"I somewhat understand." Yahiko, after being silent for a full ten minutes, suddenly raised his head and frowned, "If there were no national borders, small countries wouldn't be trampled by large countries! The Great Ninja Wars wouldn't erupt either!"
"But what if the person who rules all this dies?"
"People die, systems don't. Haven't you seen that after the founders of several ninja villages died, they are still stable now?" Otonashi retorted.
Thinking about it, it's true. Perhaps there would be rebellions, but large-scale internal strife never occurred because people desired stability and felt a sense of belonging to the village.
Otonashi saw them deep in thought again and couldn't help sighing: "Don't think too much. Contradictions will always exist. It's just that different systems make contradictions accumulate at different speeds. It's better than exploding every dozen years like now."
"Also, this is just a general direction. I'm still considering the specific content. At least, ninjas themselves are a problem."
"Ninjas themselves?" Yahiko's thoughts were already drawn in.
"Yes, the primary thing is to change the root cause of ninjas needing to kill to survive. Honestly, those ninjutsu are quite good for construction."
Otonashi, skilled in ninjutsu, had long had wild ideas. Using Earth and Water Release for afforestation would be good. There were also miscellaneous things like confiscating all forbidden techniques, unifying the military, changing education, etc.
How to centralize power, ease the contradiction between established clans and commoners—the previous life had too much experience to draw upon. He just needed to adapt measures to local conditions at a certain time.
"Anything else you want to ask?"
"Do you want to be the king of the new world?" the teenager asked with a determined gaze.
"No, I just want to bring new order to the world. This king could be me, or perhaps someone else."
Yahiko pondered deeply. He really couldn't find any loopholes. Anyway, it sounded more realistic than Master Jiraiya's plan.
From ideology to methods, it was almost a well-tempered system. It would be strange if Yahiko could overthrow historical dialectical materialism.
"Being able to realize this point makes saving your life worthwhile." Otonashi stood up and slowly walked towards the door. "I hope today's words can provide you with a more correct path. But remember, I haven't imposed my will. You choose your own path."
"Wait!" Yahiko called out to stop him, his eyes already changed.
"Is there anything else? Your poison can only be slowly nurtured (healed)." Otonashi stopped, a smile appearing on his face under the mask.
Yahiko didn't speak immediately, but looked at his companions beside him who seemed to understand yet not fully grasp it, and said earnestly, "Could I ask you to stay a while longer?"
Setting aside combat power, this ideology is something a teenager like him might not figure out even in a lifetime.
Every sentence in the books of the previous life was condensed from hundreds of years and millions of lives. This isn't fooling around; it's recounting truth.
"Still haven't thought it through?"
"No, I feel this path is correct, but I still need to think about it more."
Won't turn back until hitting the southern wall?
Otonashi knew from the start this teenager was extremely difficult to persuade verbally. It was impossible to make him bow down in allegiance after just one conversation. That's why he used retreating as a way to advance.
"Alright then, I'll stay a while longer." He considered himself lacking any kingly aura; might as well let society beat them up a few more times.
If they still can't see reality after all that, then those idiots aren't worth having.
"Does that mean we are companions now!" Yahiko excitedly tried to stand up, but fell down again due to weakness. Nagato quickly supported him.
"Tentatively, I suppose." Otonashi still maintained his composure, maintaining the profundity of a philosopher.
"Then we have four people. We should have a formal name." This teenager seemed indifferent to the poison in his body, rubbing his chin, asking as if they were already familiar, "Pain, do you have any ideas?"
Really pushing his luck... (Lit: "Climbing up the pole like a snake")
Otonashi chuckled inwardly, not feeling annoyed. Perhaps it was precisely this affinity that made Yahiko the leader. He paused for a moment, turned his head to look out the window.
The rain that had stretched on for who knows how long had finally stopped. The dawn sun rose from the horizon, casting golden rays through the gaps in the dark clouds.
"Let's just call it 'Akatsuki'."