After a moment, a young voice spoke up. "I miss the clan head and the others so much."
"Miss the clan head?"
Someone beside him immediately snapped back, their tone sharp.
"If they had defended the village, would we have ended up like this?"
The words were like a stone thrown into still water, immediately stirring up waves.
"How can you say that?!"
An older man frowned.
"The clan head and the others fought to the death. So many people died in the Land of Whirlpools!
Do you think they wanted this to happen?"
"So what? They still lost, didn't they?
We've been hiding everywhere, living like rats!"
"It was the Four Kage joining forces! Who could have held them off?!"
"I don't care! All I know is that now we—"
"Enough!"
The argument grew louder and louder, on the verge of spiraling out of control.
Just then, an aged voice came from the direction of the wooden house.
"Be quiet, all of you."
Everyone turned their heads at once.
An elderly man with graying hair stood at the door of the wooden house, leaning on a cane as his gaze slowly swept across every person present.
His body was somewhat stooped, but his eyes held an unquestionable authority.
The two people arguing immediately lowered their heads, not daring to make another sound.
The clearing fell silent. Even the children had their mouths covered by their mothers.
The elder slowly walked over, and the crowd automatically made way for him.
He stopped in the center, then looked over the people around him again—exhausted, lost, uneasy, and those with resentment hidden in their eyes.
He remained silent for a long time.
"I called you here today..."
He finally spoke, his voice old yet clear. "Because there is something important I need