Psychological Issues

After Kabuto returned, he reported the results to Ren.

After the researchers learned the truth, many developed mental health issues, and several even requested to withdraw and seal away their related memories.

Even the normal researchers experienced varying degrees of psychological problems.

Although they had participated in the experiment, they were each responsible for a part and did not participate in the whole process, so their understanding was only superficial.

With the heavy workload and no time for detailed analysis, no one has yet figured out the truth.

Now that they've been informed by Dou, and recalling their own part of the work, the facts are undeniable, leaving them no choice but to believe it.

However, this also meant that it was impossible to accept it immediately.

Ren was taken aback when he heard this. These researchers were all ninjas before, so why were their mental fortitude so poor?

Looking at Orochimaru and Kabuto, who seemed completely unaffected, Ren was somewhat puzzled.

"Ren, to be honest, I still can't accept it, but I had to give up thinking about it in order to complete your mission!"

Kabuto noticed Ren's confusion and explained from the side.

"That's right, Ren- kun. Even if I had some guesses before it started, I had to readjust my understanding once I was truly certain."

Hearing Orochimaru say the same thing, Ren couldn't help but take it seriously, wondering if he had been oversimplifying things.

As Ren who had watched countless anime, Yuuki had seen it all. Moreover, from the very first day of his training, Chakra sensed that something was wrong with his Ren.

After hearing the results today, I accepted them quite naturally.

But these native inhabitants of the Shinobi World are different; they were born and raised in the Shinobi World.

Orochimaru and Kabuto, among others, have different worldviews from Ren.

Because of his knowledge from his previous life, Ren knew that the universe possessed four fundamental forces. After transmigrating to the Shinobi World, he gained a peculiar type of Chakra.

What Ren finds most unacceptable is not the existence of Chakra, but the transmigration itself.

However, for all the original inhabitants of the Shinobi World, after the Sage of Six Paths created Chakra...

There are five fundamental forces that constitute the world, and Chakra is one of them. The Sage of Six Paths has always been a legend, the creator of the Shinobi World, like a creator god.

Getting them to accept this is like telling scientists from a past life that the great god Pangu really existed.

The four fundamental forces that constitute the universe are all appearances, illusions; in essence, they are just a few lines of code typed by the great god Pangu.

If those scientists from Ren's past life had proven the above things, most of them would probably have gone insane.

The reason why only a few of the researchers under Ren's command have run into problems is truly thanks to their original ninja training, a militarized training.

After adopting the perspective of the native inhabitants of the Shinobi World, Ren realized he had misunderstood.

No wonder that in my past life, every technological revolution was preceded by a period of intellectual enlightenment.

It's clearly impossible for Ren to change the public's mind and reshape their worldview in a short period of time.

Fortunately, Ren doesn't need to change everyone's mind in the Shinobi World; he only needs to solve the psychological problems of his subordinates.

Ren was relieved that he had always placed great importance on publicity, so solving this problem wasn't too difficult.

"Let's go see them. Kabuto, you lead the way."

"Yes, Ren."

After Ren, Orochimaru, and Kabuto arrived at the room where the group of researchers were gathered together.

Ren saw was a group of guys who were questioning the meaning of life.

His face was ashen, his eyes lifeless, and he wore a few strange, ambiguous expressions that seemed to be neither a smile nor a frown.

However, Ren's arrival still brought about changes in them.

"Lord Hokage!"

Upon seeing Ren, they perked up, stood up straight, and greeted him in a somewhat disorderly manner.

The Kage, the symbol of the village, the pillar in the hearts of all ninjas.

Not to mention Ren, whose reputation was at its peak; they believed in the truth, but that didn't stop them from being Konoha ninjas.

"I've heard that many of you have lost your faith. Can anyone tell me why?"

After Ren asked the question, many people looked at each other in bewilderment.

Since no specific person was designated to answer, all the researchers waited.

After about ten seconds of silence, a researcher who looked to be around the same age as Ren stepped forward and spoke.

"Lord Hokage, what Chief Pharmacist said is too unbelievable. It makes me feel that the world is unreal, and the history of ninjas seems to have lost its meaning."

Sure enough, those smart guys like to think about all sorts of nonsense. What does it matter to you whether ninjas have any meaning?

Are you married?

Ren asked the man.

"Uh, no, Lord Hokage!"

The man was surprised that Ren would ask such a private question, but he still answered honestly.

"So, do you have a girlfriend?"

"Have!"

After hearing his answer, Ren spoke up.

"Let me answer your previous question. You asked me if the history of ninjas is meaningful. Well, I'll tell you, it's meaningless. The past no longer exists; it only exists in everyone's memories. If it has any meaning, it's what you yourselves have given it!"

"We don't live for the past, but for the future. You can doubt everything from the past, or even choose to escape, but the truth is always there; it just depends on whether you have the courage to face it!"

"Now that you understand the falsity of Chakra, you can choose to seal your memories and escape. But since the problem exists, aren't you worried that your girlfriend will pay the price in the future because of your escape?"

After asking his last question, Ren ignored the man and turned his gaze to all the researchers in the room.

Do you know why you got involved in this project?

Without waiting for their reply, Ren continued.

"As some of you may know, this project began several years ago, shortly after I became the head of the Uchiha Clan!"

"You're not the first to know the truth. I sensed the problem with Chakra first time I refined it. Unfortunately, in a battle, none of you can match me, but when it comes to research, I can't compare to any of you!"

After Ren finished speaking, many people puffed out their chests slightly. The Lord Hokage, who was almost deified, actually said in front of everyone that he was inferior to them, even in terms of research. This made them feel proud.

"Only after I became the Uchiha Clan Head could I mobilize enough resources to figure out exactly what the problem with my Chakra was."

"Fortunately, hard work pays off, and today we have finally achieved a breakthrough!"

Then Ren changed the subject and continued.

"But that's far from enough. Even if we discover the truth, we're still relying on other people's power. You're all ninjas. Just imagine what it means if Konoha needs all of its Explosive Tag to be provided by Hidden Sand Village."

"Therefore, Konoha must truly master Chakra and create a new system for ninjas. And you, as the pioneers, may well become the Sage of Six Paths in the new era of the Shinobi World."