Chapter 137: Please Be Sure to Include Us Too
Everyone began discussing the matter again.
This time, they were genuinely expressing their own thoughts and opinions.
What was interesting, however, was that figures as high-ranking as Rasa and Yagura—leaders of entire villages—along with Konoha's elite jonin, all seemed to share an oddly unanimous attitude.
Everyone agreed that since those smaller nations and minor shinobi villages were being ungrateful and insisting on going against the Land of Fire—planning to ally with the Lands of Lightning and Earth to stir up trouble—they should be given a little lesson.
Using military force to suppress them was seen as the most suitable response.
Rasa even voiced a rather shocking opinion.
"Fourth Hokage-sama, I'll be blunt—based on your current abilities, you could basically walk all over the shinobi world without a problem. Your strength is already on a completely different level from the vast majority of ordinary people like us."
"So the simplest and most straightforward method is to use force to make those countries submit."
"Just like what you did with the Land of Wind and Sunagakure. At least we submitted to you—and we did it sincerely. Isn't that right?"
Rasa said these words not only casually but also with an air of complete confidence.
As if submitting to the Land of Fire and compromising with Uchiha Dali wasn't something shameful—in fact, it was something to be proud of.
Yagura followed up with essentially the same stance.
Seeing that everyone had agreed to resolve the issue with force, Uchiha Dali nodded.
"I understand."
"But…"
"I refuse."
Uchiha Dali's decision left everyone completely stunned.
They all looked at one another in confusion.
So he had asked for their opinions not to use as a reference?
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Uchiha Dali chuckled lightly. "There have been three great ninja wars in the shinobi world up to now. Each one resulted in massive casualties and long-term animosity between nations and villages, with no end in sight."
"Now tell me, what lessons have you learned from all of that?"
Faced with this question, everyone once again looked at each other in silence.
Though they had a guess as to the answer.
Still, no one spoke up this time.
Because they knew Uchiha Dali certainly wasn't done speaking.
Sure enough, after a moment, Uchiha Dali continued, "We have to admit that force is the most direct, effective, and least intellectually demanding method of solving problems."
"But if we always resort to force as our first option, then the peace we claim to seek is nothing more than an illusion."
"Great power can compel submission, but it also breeds resentment and even hatred. You all know the saying—extremes will meet their opposites."
"It's precisely because our shinobi world has always relied on force to resolve conflicts, no matter what happens, that we've ended up with repeated wars."
"Now ask yourselves—isn't that the truth?"
With that, Uchiha Dali crossed his arms and calmly looked around at everyone.
No one had a response.
They all knew the answer in their hearts.
But they didn't know what other effective method existed besides the use of force.
"Does the Fourth Hokage have any brilliant solutions?"
"We are willing to listen to your insights," Rasa said.
"Just wait."
"Those small countries will come to us for cooperation soon enough."
Uchiha Dali smiled with confidence.
Hearing that, everyone looked at one another again, completely unsure of what he was planning.
"Now let's talk about something else."
Uchiha Dali didn't dwell on the topic but instead turned his gaze to Rasa and Yagura.
The moment he looked at them, both men immediately sat up straight, ready to listen.
"I've opened a large number of ninja schools within the Land of Fire and started developing the economy. You two must have heard about it, right?"
"If you have any thoughts, now's the time to speak."
Uchiha Dali smiled.
Yagura was the first to raise his hand.
Rasa followed right after.
The two exchanged a glance, and in a show of tacit understanding, Rasa withdrew his hand, allowing Yagura to speak first. Yagura then said to Uchiha Dali, "In fact, one of the reasons we came here was exactly this, Fourth Hokage-sama."
"Since you've said we're now one united group with no distinctions between us—"
"Could you include the Land of Water in your economic development efforts as well? I know this request might be difficult, but please, we sincerely ask to be included…"
As he spoke, Yagura stood up and bowed deeply to Uchiha Dali.
Seeing this, the surrounding Konoha shinobi all looked troubled.
Akimichi Chōza couldn't hold back.
Looking at Yagura, he said, "Lord Fourth Mizukage, you should understand this better than anyone—after all, you're both the daimyo and the Mizukage of the Land of Water!"
Yagura immediately turned serious and looked at him.
The other shinobi also turned their attention to the two.
Chōza continued, "Your Land of Water is located overseas, and even the nearest landmass is quite far. If we want to include you in economic development, we'd have to invest heavily in maritime shipping."
"That would require us to put in a massive amount of funding—and under the current circumstances, that's not going to be easy."
"Besides, sea transport has plenty of its own complications…"
Chōza listed off several points in one breath.
Each one hit the mark with precision.
Even Uchiha Dali was impressed upon hearing him.
But considering Chōza's family was in business—having practically cornered Konoha's entire barbecued meat market—it made sense that he could approach things from a merchant's perspective.
In that light, what he said wasn't surprising at all.
After hearing this, Yagura nodded in agreement. "Yes, I'm aware of all these challenges. That's exactly why I had no choice but to bring this request to the Fourth Hokage."
"If it's you, I'm certain you'll find a way to overcome them…"
"Of course, rest assured—this concerns the future of the Land of Water. As its daimyo, I will take full responsibility. In terms of manpower, resources, funding—whatever can be mobilized—I'll provide every possible support."
"So please, help us, Fourth Hokage-sama!"
Yagura bowed deeply to Uchiha Dali again.
Rasa, hearing all this, couldn't stay calm any longer.
After hesitating a few times, he also stood up and earnestly said to Uchiha Dali, "Although this might not be the best time to say it—especially since the Lands of Lightning, Earth, and other nations haven't yet joined our alliance—"
"But if the Land of Fire is going to seriously develop its economy, then please include the Land of Wind as well. I'm begging you, Fourth Hokage-sama!"
As he spoke, Rasa followed Yagura's example and bowed deeply to Uchiha Dali.
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