December 20th, Year 20 of the Red Calendar, Year 48 of Konoha...
This year's heavy snow arrived a little later than usual. Although the ninja villages and nations were still in a tense situation, everyone could feel the violent storm hidden beneath this calm. So...
Everyone was waiting for Konoha's method of handling things, searching for a future suitable for them.
But...
All of this had nothing to do with the Land of Whirlpools.
This year was about to pass again. Most of the citizens had started preparing the goods needed for the New Year's celebration. So, at this time, the Land of Whirlpools could be described as full of laughter and joy.
Various kinds of meat, drinks, clothes, food...
This period could also be said to be the happiest time for children. Following their parents out every day to prepare for the New Year, it was lively and crowded. They ran around in the major shopping malls of the Land of Whirlpools, touching this, asking about that. Even when they saw something they liked, they would suck their fingers and look at their parents...
And most parents would choose to buy it at this time.
Moreover...
To welcome the upcoming New Year, major shopping malls and shops would decorate in advance...
Decorating with lanterns and streamers, a scene of bustling prosperity.
And the New Year's Eve party had gradually spread to the Red Alliance Nations. All nations were following the footsteps of the Land of Whirlpools. Especially when they saw the ninja village nations still seeking change, they felt even more fortunate inwardly. While other countries were stagnant, any progress in their own country was something to be of.
Everyone knew...
The longer time dragged on, the greater the gap between them would become. So, compared to the lively scene in the Red Alliance Nations, the ninja village nations fell into silence...
After all, this period could be said to be very dangerous. Taking one wrong step could lead to utter ruin.
"Minato, relax, don't be nervous." Jiraiya looked at Minato, who had been frowning, his eyes red as he stared at documents, sighed, and said, "We will definitely find a way to break the current situation."
At this time...
The Land of Whirlpools should be preparing for the New Year, right.
His heart was filled with melancholy. It seemed he wouldn't have a chance to join the fun again this year.
With a serious and solemn tone...
"No matter what decision you make in the end, we support you."
"Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei." Hearing Jiraiya's words, Minato showed a bitter smile, shook his head, looked up at Jiraiya, and said, "But..."
"Konoha can't wait any longer."
Peace, peace, peace...
This was what he had always pursued. If the Daimyo of the Land of Fire had the strength and breadth of mind like the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, then what would it matter even if Konoha disbanded and submitted to the Daimyo's administration?
But...
This was impossible...
Once Konoha disbanded, this group of ninja who had once protected the Land of Fire and were now despised by the Land of Fire would definitely face. At that time...
Who could know how many of the Konoha ninja would survive?
Moreover...
Other ninja villages could quietly wait for Konoha's method, but they...
Could not.
When the Daimyo of the Land of Fire ordered the Twelve Guardian Ninja to attack Konoha, it became impossible for the Land of Fire and Konoha to continue coexisting peacefully.
Thinking of this, Minato inwardly wished he could smash the Daimyo of the Land of Fire's dog head...
They went to the Daimyo's palace for a meeting to discuss the future path, but damn it, you actually couldn't wait, so eager for Konoha to be finished.
If Jiraiya-sensei and the others hadn't arrived in time, the consequences would have been simply unimaginable.
If the Raimen Rai technique had truly succeeded, even if Konoha wasn't destroyed, the consequences would not be something he, the Fourth Hokage, could bear. What's more...
That bastard also wanted to release the Nine-Tails.
So, now...
Minato was even less willing to completely hand over Konoha to the Daimyo's administration. Otherwise, who knew what would happen to Konoha in the future?
"Change." Jiraiya sighed upon hearing Minato's words, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and said, "Sensei can no longer see clearly what will happen to Konoha and the ninja world in the future."
He shook his head...
"Sensei has read so many years of, ahem, books, and also knows that the Land of Whirlpools' method might suit Konoha, but..."
A bitter smile appeared on his face...
"It would require many people to die."
He looked up at Minato with a serious expression...
"So, what the future of Konoha becomes depends on you, the Fourth Hokage..."
His eyes narrowed...
"Minato."
"Thank you for your trust, Jiraiya-sensei. I know too." Minato nodded, sighed helplessly, and said, "During my time in the Land of Whirlpools, I also carefully studied the changes, policies, and laws of the Land of Whirlpools..."
He looked up at Jiraiya...
"But the success of the Land of Whirlpools was due to many factors. For other countries, revolution..."
His face showed helplessness...
"None are achieved without bloodshed."
Just as that book said, all revolutions are forged from blood. Any change is bound to threaten the interests of some people. So...
This is unavoidable.
But how to find a path with less bloodshed, more suitable for Konoha, on this road filled with blood...
That is the duty of him, the Fourth Hokage.
Otherwise, if the Daimyo's way of thinking does not change, even if Konoha compromises, hatred will inevitably extend into the future.
"Jiraiya-sensei, don't worry." Minato shook his head and said, "I will be fine."
Weak productivity, education not yet universal, low standard of living for the people, liberating the productive forces of the ninja...
These are all things the Land of Fire must change in the future.
If the Daimyo of the Land of Fire only wants to destroy Konoha and control the power of the ninja, without thinking about changing the entire country...
Then the future Land of Fire will inevitably be caught up by the countries behind it, and even gradually decline.
And at this moment...
"Fool."
A cold voice came from the doorway...
Orochimaru stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe, looking at Jiraiya and Minato who had turned their heads. His expression was calm as he said, "If it really doesn't work, we just replace the Daimyo with one friendly to Konoha, and then find a way."
This kind of thing wasn't something ninja hadn't done before. Every year, when assigned to Daimyo guard duty, it wasn't unheard of for ninja villages to assassinate their own country's Daimyo.
You must know...
No matter how the future changes, it is still the era of the ninja.
"If the other ninja villages are waiting to see Konoha's joke, let them wait like this slowly."
How could such a good thing exist, waiting for others to find a solution and then picking up the ready-made result?
Orochimaru licked his lips, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned...
"Let's see if those ninja villages and countries will continue to watch from the sidelines then."
However...
"No." Minato shook his head without even thinking, his expression serious as he said, "Even if we change to a Daimyo who can continue to support Konoha, what about the next one? Do we keep changing like this?"
Moreover, if Konoha really took action and failed...
Konoha would truly be destroyed.
"The Hokage is appointed by gaining everyone's recognition, and then approved by the Daimyo."
His tone turned solemn...
"If even Konoha, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, breaks the rules, the ninja world will surely be plunged into terrible chaos."
Even more terrible chaos.
Saying this, Minato sighed melancholically and murmured, "Hokage, Daimyo, Hokage, Daimyo..."
A large part of the reason the Land of Whirlpools' reforms proceeded so smoothly was that Uzumaki Jun inherited both the position of leader of Uzushiogakure and the position of Daimyo.
But for the Land of Fire, this was absolutely impossible to achieve.
"The division of power between the Hokage and the Daimyo..."
The corners of his mouth slightly upturned...
"Perhaps..."
I have found the answer I was looking for.