Compromise Is Impossible for Peace

It's unclear how much time had passed.

As if hearing some commotion, Madara slowly opened his eyes again and stretched lazily.

Ever since he'd been on break, he felt something was missing, and even sleeping felt uncomfortable.

And this nap today...

It was probably the most comfortable sleep he'd had all year!

If he hadn't sensed something, he might have just kept sleeping.

Madara looked up at the White Zetsu Main Body that had returned.

Before he could even speak, The White Zetsu, in its original form, grinned and asked, "Is Lord Madara awake?"

"Yes!" Madara nodded expressionlessly, looking at the White Zetsu hontai before him, then glancing at the Spiral White Zetsu drawing nearby, he said indifferently, "What information did you gather on this outing?"

"Well, since the war just ended not too long ago, the ninja world is generally at peace, but..." The White Zetsu's true form sighed with emotion, "In many places... small countries are still caught in endless warfare."

This time, he had indeed secretly gone out with Black Zetsu to investigate.

Although Lord Madara had asked them to act discreetly for now, and absolutely not to reveal themselves until the time for peace arrived, they still had to... pay attention to the [direction] of the ninja world.

After all, only endless warfare, after making Lord Madara despair, would his ideals become even firmer.

With a look of loss and regret, he said, "The actions of the ninjas from Iwagakure and Kumogakure are unusual. Although the war just ended, they seem to be making some preparations. Honestly! Can't everyone just live happily? When Lord Madara so desperately craves peace."

After he spoke.

Madara's pale eyebrows twitched slightly, and a cold smile touched his lips as he said indifferently, "As expected, Hashirama's method was wrong. Only my ideals are correct."

Creating peace through the Ninja Village system?

Distributing the Tailed Beasts to make the Five Great Ninja Villages compromise with each other?

How laughable!

And the result?

There was no change at all. After that fool died, there was still endless war.

"Peace is not compromise, nor is it a banquet! Peace cannot be achieved through negotiation. Blind compromise will never bring peace. Peace obtained through pure compromise can only be temporary. Only by being strong oneself can one achieve lasting peace."

"We must remember the reasons for history to strengthen our ideals. Hashirama he..." He let out a long sigh, "was wrong! Terribly wrong!"

"...Lord Madara is right!"

Although he felt that what Lord Madara said made sense, he felt something was off, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was...

The White Zetsu's main body stared blankly at Lord Madara, who was spouting so many principles today.

Normally... Lord Madara would just snort, and at most add, "That fool Hashirama!"

Arrogant and conceited!

Unlike now... he could actually explain so many grand principles and even inspire them to firm up their ideals?

He had only been out for one winter, what exactly happened here?

But hearing what Lord Madara said, it didn't seem problematic!

He didn't say anything more, scratching his head, and said, "As for Lord Madara's eyes..."

After thinking for a moment, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over.

"Although we came from the Land of Rain to the Land of Grass, there haven't been many changes. Oh, right, Madara, he has already started learning ninjutsu. Although Kusagakure is just a small Ninja Village, the strength of the leader of the Grass Ninja is quite good, and there are no problems teaching that child. And that child's academic performance is also good..."

Originally, this information should have been handled by the Spiral White Zetsu, but that guy... unless he was under strict orders and being supervised, he was really unreliable!

As he spoke, Madara was also reading.

It read...

[Uzumaki Nagato Academic Performance Report:] All subjects passed with A! And there was a teacher's comment below: [Nagato is an excellent and polite child. He politely greets teachers when going to and from school. He is always willing to help his classmates at school and is well-liked by everyone in his class. He also has great observation skills and patience, and is willing to think when encountering problems.] At the very bottom should be what White Zetsu's main body himself added. [He has a good relationship with Yahiko and Konan. He respects the leader of the Land of Grass—Kusana and Kana Uzumaki. Along with his mother, these five people can be considered important bonds.]

Although according to Lord Madara's request, they should not interfere with his growth, as long as his eyes were there.

That child was just a vessel for Lord Madara's eyes.

And now was indeed not the time for the Rinnegan to awaken. After all, Lord Madara still needed the Divine Tree's husk to maintain his life. Once awakened, if the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was summoned... wouldn't Lord Madara ascend to heaven?

But some investigation was still necessary.

After a while.

Madara seemed to have finished reading and said indifferently, "It seems his grades are good. He has not disgraced my eyes!"

"???"

The White Zetsu's main body froze, feeling something was off again, but at this moment... Madara slowly closed his eyes and said faintly, "If there's no important information, I'm going to sleep."

"...Is Lord Madara tired? Then I won't disturb Lord Madara." The White Zetsu snapped back to attention and said with a grin, "Lord Madara, if you need anything, just tell me."

A tool should know its place, so despite his curiosity, he didn't ask further. Besides... he didn't know where to even begin asking.

However, as he turned his head, he seemed to notice something, his face freezing as he looked at a few thin sticks casually discarded on the ground.

Toothpicks?

When did these things appear here?

And there are several more?

Where did they come from?!

Meanwhile.

Kusana, who was unaware that he had been added to Nagato's important bonds list, arrived at the conference room after a brief tour of the academy.

Today.

It was the Land of Grass's first meeting of the spring.

Therefore, it was also a very important meeting!

Except for one person who was still squatting, all the high-ranking officials of the Land of Grass had to attend.

After re-emphasizing that "development is the hard truth" and further refining the five-year construction plan proposed at the first meeting, Under everyone's gaze, Kusana clasped his hands in front of his chin, his face serious as he stated the other important topic of the meeting.

"We're out of money!"

As soon as he spoke, Everyone froze, looking at their serious leader with shock.

Out of money so quickly?

They had just brought back the wealth hidden in the Land of Eddies when they went to the Land of Soup, and now they were out of money so soon?

But then they thought about it. After so long, with all the expenditures of the Land of Grass... they were indeed running out of money now.

After all, rebuilding and developing the Land of Grass all required money.

In fact...

It was somewhat incredible that the Land of Grass had managed to sustain itself for so long without selling information!

But what should they do now?

At this moment.

Just as Kusana was about to see if anyone had any ideas, An old Grass Ninja tremblingly raised his hand and proposed the old, tried-and-true method of making money for the Kusagakure.

"How about selling information!"

Upon hearing this, "That's right, our Land of Grass should still sell information!"

"We're experts at selling information!"

"Is the Land of Grass still the Land of Grass if it doesn't sell information?"

"..."

Seeing the old Grass Ninjas propose selling information again, Kusana was filled with helplessness.

Mujie is gone, why do these guys still only have this one method?!