Discussion

Hashirama and his companion pondered quickly, only to discover a major problem: "If it comes to that, what about the existing daimyo and nobles? If there is only one country, who among them gets to be the daimyo?"

Bai Sui was taken aback by the question; it was something he truly hadn't considered. After all, the idea that "kings, nobles, generals, and ministers are not born to their stations" was firmly rooted in his mind, so he hadn't given those people a second thought. "If that's what you're asking, then I have a question for you: how do your ninja clans choose their leaders? Is it always the leader's son who takes over, or do you choose the strongest in the clan?"

Madara took over the conversation: "It isn't necessarily the strongest, but rather the one who can lead the clan to prosperity. It just so happens that such people are often the strongest in the clan."

Bai Sui smiled: "Doesn't that make it simple? Since the position of clan leader is earned through ability, the position of daimyo should naturally be earned through ability as well."

"However, a daimyo's duty is not combat, so they should be evaluated on their ability to manage the country. Whoever demonstrates the highest level of administrative skill should be the one to serve as daimyo. As for the other nobles, ninja clans have their periods of decline and even extinction; if those nobles have talent, they can hold positions in the state, but if they are merely good-for-nothings, then let them fade away."

"But," Hashirama hesitated again, "if you want to unify, it will inevitably trigger a brutal war. After all, this would mean turning the ninja clans into subordinates, which will surely invite a fierce backlash."

Bai Sui's expression turned serious: "Indeed. How can there be great change without bloodshed? Have you not heard: 'We love peace, but if we seek peace through struggle, peace will survive; if we seek peace through compromise, peace will perish.'"

"Peace is the goal, while struggle is the means to achieve it. Peace is relative, while struggle is absolute. Only through struggle can there be true peace. Peace is not something to be begged for; it is something to be fought for and won. At any time, whether with enemies or friends, only the strong can earn respect."

Upon hearing the words of this great man, both were shocked. Although they had never heard these words before, the more they thought about them, the more logical and profound they seemed.

Yet, they were still children after all. Even with their great strength, they remained children, holding onto the purest goodness and noble kindness in their hearts.

"But this will still result in too many deaths, causing countless families to lose their loved ones. I don't want more people to experience that feeling, even if this is the correct path," Hashirama said, his mood sinking.

Madara, however, had a different perspective. He believed Bai Sui was right. Even if they had to take ruthless action to clear out half the population of the Ninja World, it would be worth it if it could buy lasting peace. Even if it weren't eternal, but only lasted a century, the number of people who would die in wars over that century would far exceed the casualties of this single great slaughter.

Seeing their different expressions, Bai Sui offered no judgment and continued: "If you feel the price of unification is too high, there is another method of governance: 'small state, few people,' a path of non-action where everything is accomplished."

"However, that is also extremely difficult to achieve, and the turmoil it causes might not be any less than that of a great unification, as this method primarily targets all those in power..."

After the three talked for a while, Hashirama and Madara left. Since they had snuck out, they couldn't delay too long, so they agreed to meet again later.

The two returned to their respective clan lands, no longer carrying their usual demeanor; both appeared heavy-hearted, which naturally did not escape the eyes of others.

For instance, their younger brothers, Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama, noticed something wrong with their brothers. Unlike Izuna, who deeply respected his brother, Tobirama had a mind of his own. He had long since discovered that Hashirama was sneaking out, and now he was determined to find out why.

After all, he understood Hashirama very well; if there was something Hashirama didn't want to say, asking him directly wouldn't work. Tobirama would have to find his own way.

In the days that followed, the two often came to see Bai Sui, though they no longer discussed future plans, as both had their own ideas and were not easily swayed.

Instead, they wanted Bai Sui to help them improve their strength. After all, ninjas were a profession that valued power above all else; any problem that couldn't be solved could be attempted with force.

Bai Sui, having wiped out many ninja clans in the past, had naturally gained quite a lot, so he rummaged through his storage jade pendant and found many collected scrolls.

Although Bai Sui couldn't use them, these items were valuable goods. Combined with his research into the Dragon Talisman, he had kept them all.

It had to be said that the chakra system allowed for rapid growth in combat power. Under the nourishment of this knowledge, the strength of the two improved significantly.

However, since both Madara and Hashirama were hiding their identities, they didn't reveal any signature techniques, though both had their suspicions about the other.

One day, as the three gathered in the small wooden hut as usual, Bai Sui sensed something different through his divine sense.

"Oh? Madara, Hashirama, it seems your brothers are very concerned about you. They've actually snuck over here following you."

The two froze, their expressions changing instantly.

Bai Sui continued: "Don't worry, they have already left. They only took a look from far away, at a great distance." After all, Bai Sui didn't have any strange habits; he wouldn't keep his divine sense open 24 hours a day to observe his surroundings. If he hadn't felt their gazes directed at him, he wouldn't have noticed the two children at all, as they posed no threat to him.

After a moment of silence, Hashirama and Madara resumed their activities as usual, though this time they were extremely earnest and focused. Before leaving, the two sat on the treetops, chatting for a long time in the sunset, laughing and playing recklessly.

Bai Sui knew they were saying goodbye, in their own way.

Sure enough, the next day, the two did not come to the wooden hut, but went to the riverbank where they had first met. They stood on opposite sides of the river, as if to bring an end to things right there.

Madara gripped a pebble in his hand and suggested: "Let's start like we always do, with a game of skipping stones to say hello."

Hashirama did the same, taking a pebble he had prepared in advance from his pocket and skipping it across the water as usual.

However, while their stones usually landed near the bank, this time they were thrown directly at each other.

Catching the incoming pebbles, they found messages inscribed on them: "It's a trap, leave" and "Run fast."

"Hashirama, I'm sorry I can't play today. I just remembered I have something to take care of," Madara said, waving his hand before turning to leave.