Konoha.
Hokage Building.
Jiraiya's mind buzzed.
He stared at Qianye sitting across from him, his chest heaving violently.
The vision Qianye had described was too insane.
Use absolute violence to crush all resistance.
Then establish a Unified Empire with no borders and no conflict.
"You're crazy!"
"If we really do as you say."
"The four great ninja villages will resist to the death."
"To suppress them, you'll kill every single opponent!"
"By then, the entire Ninja World will see you as a demon."
"You'll become the most infamous tyrant in Ninja World history!"
"..."
Jiraiya closed his eyes and murmured quietly.
He did not even dare imagine that scene.
Once war began, it would be a massacre that swept across the entire world.
"A tyrant?"
"If bearing that name can bring about a Ninja World free of war."
"Then what does it matter if I become that tyrant?"
"Reputation is something only the weak care about."
"A hundred years from now, those descendants enjoying peace will only praise my achievements."
"As for how many fools unwilling to bow their heads died back then."
"Who would care?"
Qianye leaned back in his chair, watching Jiraiya teeter on the brink of collapse.
His tone was very calm.
So calm that it was suffocating.
Upon hearing this.
Jiraiya's legs gave out, and he nearly collapsed to the floor.
The Will of Fire he had taken such pride in seemed pale and powerless before Qianye.
The Toad Prophecy he had upheld for half his life seemed even more like a colossal joke.
Before this man's absolute power and extreme convictions.
Every one of Jiraiya's defenses had shattered without leaving even a trace.
"I understand."
After a long while.
Jiraiya lowered his head.
His voice was hoarse, as though he had swallowed a handful of