Outside Konoha

As the largest village in the Ninja World, Konoha had an environment and climate exceptionally suited for living. From the moment they passed through Konoha's gates, the outskirts were filled with dense, towering trees. It was said that the forests outside Konoha had been created by the First Hokage using Wood Release, but Neji knew that was very likely more than just a rumor.

After passing through the forest, an expansive green plain spread out before them.

"The surroundings of Konoha always make people feel at ease," Tsunade murmured. Her gaze swept across the vast land, and a trace of contentment flashed through her eyes.

Konoha's prosperity was not reflected solely in the strength of its ninja, but also in the people living on this land. They had no worries about food or clothing, lived comfortably, and wore happy smiles on their faces.

"That's because Konoha has an excellent geographical location. It is protected by mountains and forests on all sides, and it has fertile land for cultivation," Neji explained, his tone carrying a hint of calm analysis. "Konoha's prosperity comes not only from the strength of its ninja, but also from the richness of this land."

"You're right." Shizune nodded, her gaze falling on the distant fields, where farmers were hard at work and children's cheerful laughter rang out. "The people of Konoha live very happily."

However, as they gradually moved farther away from Konoha, the surroundings began to change. Signs of human habitation grew scarcer, and the land became increasingly barren. They passed one small village after another, where the people no longer possessed the comfort and peace of Konoha's residents. Instead, their faces were shadowed by hunger, poverty, and disease.

"How... can this place be so poor?" Xiao Xi's voice carried a trace of shock as she looked at the dilapidated village before her, her eyes filled with confusion. As a girl who had grown up in the Hyuga Main Estate, what she saw was beyond her understanding.

"This is reality, Sister Xiao Xi," Neji said softly, a complicated emotion flashing through his eyes.

"The farther one gets from Konoha, the scarcer the resources become and the harder life gets. The prosperity of the Ninja World belongs to only a few places, while most regions struggle just to survive."

Tsunade watched it all in silence, her brows slightly furrowed. As an experienced ninja, she knew the true face of the Ninja World well, yet seeing the suffering of these people still left her at a loss. The Ninja Training Manual had never taught her how to deal with such things. After all, Konoha was only a semi-militarized organization.

"Why is the Ninja World like this?" Shizune could not help asking. "Why is the gap between wealthy places and poor places so enormous?"

"This is where the Ninja World's problem lies." Neji's voice was calm and composed. "Its problems are not limited to war. They also lie in the unequal distribution of wealth and resources. Konoha is prosperous because it has gathered a great deal of talent and resources, while other places have been neglected."

Tsunade's gaze settled on Neji. She had never expected a child to possess such a deep understanding of the Ninja World's problems. In a low voice, she asked, "Neji, how do you think the Ninja World should change this situation?"

Neji smiled faintly, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "Teacher Tsunade, I think the Ninja World's problems are not just about war. They also stem from insufficient economic development and productivity. Ninja power is too concentrated in individuals, without truly driving social progress. Systems, class structures, the ninja system... these factors influence one another, resulting in resources being distributed irrationally and economic growth remaining insufficient."

Tsunade's brows lifted slightly. She had never considered the Ninja World's problems from that angle. "You mean the Ninja World needs a revolution?"

"Yes." Neji nodded. "The Ninja World needs a true revolution. Either one nation unifies the entire Ninja World and achieves a rational distribution of resources, or a powerful figure emerges, someone strong enough to dominate an era and change the current state of affairs."

Tsunade fell into deep thought. She had never imagined that a child could have such profound insight. Neji's words were like lightning, illuminating the confusion that had long lingered in her heart. She realized that the Ninja World's problems were not merely about war, but about the underlying structure of society itself.

"Neji, your ideas astonish me," Tsunade said quietly, with sincere admiration in her voice. "You've shown me another side of the Ninja World's problems."

"But you should understand what revolution means..." Tsunade's tone was desolate.

"What does it mean?" Shizune asked curiously, while Xiao Xi beside her also looked at Neji with curiosity.

"It means war!"

Neji looked at the two girls, who both resembled obedient little children, and continued with a smile. "It means endless killing, death, and hatred..."

"Ah! Why would it be like that? Is there no way to make everyone happy?"

Neji looked at the two innocent girls, then smiled and shook his head. "People's hearts are changeable. The most difficult thing in the world to grasp is the human heart. Environment, upbringing, unexpected events, and countless other things can all change a person's thoughts. One person says only their world is right, another says the future they create is peace. If there are even more people like that, who are you supposed to listen to?"

Neji continued, "These people firmly believe that only their path is right, and they will not sit down to negotiate. So in the end, whoever has the bigger fist gets to be heard. Well, it doesn't really matter. The lives of ordinary people could hardly get any worse than this."

Neji seemed to think of something, then shook his head and smiled.

"Young Master, do you also want to change the world?" Xiao Xi asked curiously.

"Perhaps... But as for me, I'm naturally not part of any revolutionary camp," Neji said with a laugh.

"Why?" Tsunade and Shizune both looked at him.

"Because revolution has to come either from the bottom up, or from the very top down. And I belong to neither," Neji answered them with a smile.

"Enough of this. Thinking too much about it is depressing. We don't have the ability to change anything right now, and those who aren't in a position of authority shouldn't concern themselves with its affairs. Let the important people worry about these things! By the way, what should we eat tonight? Roast rabbit? Grilled frog?" Neji said, looking at the evening glow on the horizon as he changed the subject.

"Neither. We want miso soup!" the two girls said together, shaking their heads.

"Then miso soup it is." Neji shrugged helplessly.

Ever since the others had tasted his disastrous cooking, they had rejected every one of his suggestions. Yet he had clearly tried his best. He even activated his Byakugan while grilling meat to observe the changes in its texture. Unfortunately, it was either undercooked or burnt every time, which dealt Neji a severe blow.

If cooking also required talent, then Neji clearly had none.

Night fell quickly. The group did not reach a village or town where they could stay, so they had no choice but to camp in the wilderness.

Neji set up the tents for everyone. Tsunade and Shizune shared one, while he and Xiao Xi shared another. Watching everyone bustle about, a long-lost happy smile appeared on Neji's face. Even the pain from his fractured ribs no longer seemed so bad.

So I still couldn't abandon these so-called bonds after all? Then I won't abandon them.