"Is it no longer a war between the hidden villages?"
Jiraiya murmured the words, his heart growing heavier.
"This is a strange era. First, extraordinary powers like the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha appeared, then an evolved form of the Byakugan emerged, possessing power beyond comprehension. After that, even the legendary Rinnegan appeared. The future is bound to grow even more terrifying. Perhaps someone with power as frightening as the Sage of Six Paths, able to create or destroy the world, will appear.
"All of this points to a major upheaval in the future. It might even usher in an era more centralized than the Ninja Country Era."
Tamura Hiroshi nodded, his expression grave as he showed both wariness and anticipation for the future.
"If that kind of era really comes, your Kumogakure would probably be the most likely to unify the Ninja World."
Jiraiya remained wary of Kumogakure. The village was simply too powerful. In recent years, it had occupied territory in both the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, giving it half the land in the world. Its population was larger, too, and its potential was the greatest.
"We'd like to have the last laugh, too, but the Ninja World isn't what it used to be. The future will be decided by the strongest individuals. Numbers mean nothing in the face of those godlike powerhouses.
"In that respect, your Konoha has the advantage. Shimura Danzō's showing back then still gives us chills.
"Madara Uchiha came from your Konoha, too. Your village really does produce one remarkable talent after another."
Tamura Hiroshi retorted. Konoha's potential couldn't be underestimated. Its most promising talents now were Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.
"So you think we might become allies in the future?"
Minato Namikaze interrupted their exchange, steering the conversation