Fugaku walked into the Command Headquarters and sat down. The three others looked at him in confusion, unsure what mistake he meant when he spoke of the First Hokage.
"The First Hokage's greatest mistake was placing too much faith in the Great Ninja Villages' resolve to maintain peace—and underestimating how powerfully self-interest could tempt people."
The three nodded. Jin said, "Perhaps the first Kage of each village still cared about peace in the Shinobi World. By the Second Generation and Third Generation, they'd all been blinded by their interests.
"Once that happened, letting them keep the Tailed Beasts no longer served to hold them in check. It only gave them weapons to wage war on one another for gain."
Fugaku nodded. "Exactly. The Shinobi World doesn't need a balance of power. Even the strongest balance can be broken one day. Lasting peace is only possible when one village stands above the rest, with the strength to keep the other Four Great Ninja Villages in check.
"And to put an end to their ambitions, these treaties are the best way to weaken every side."
Matsudaira came in. "Clan Head, we've released the Raikage. He's speaking with Killer B now, with a large number of Ninja guarding the area."
"Good," Fugaku said. "The Raikage is a smart man. He knows what to do and what not to do."
"Clan Head, the war in the Land of Grass is still going on," Jin said. "Ōnoki doesn't seem like the sort of man who would accept a treaty.
"What should we do if he fights to the death when the time comes?
"Dust Release is a real problem. That Kekkei Tōta combines three types of Chakra. Even we have to be wary of it."
"Heh. I already have a way to deal with Dust