"In our eyes, these people were nothing but expendable supplies and cannon fodder from beginning to end."
The third of the Five Elders gazed out at the vast world beyond, his eyes dark and his tone cold and vicious.
"If the Sage of Six Paths wants them, let him have them."
"Let these so-called expendables live and multiply in this world, maintain order, and govern the common people."
"When Lord Imu and we return someday, whatever this world has become will be ours to harvest at leisure."
Curiosity filled the fourth Elder's eyes as he sighed softly.
"I'm truly curious."
"Once we withdraw completely and disappear from sight..."
"With a world order propped up by these slaves and the Sage of Six Paths' naive ideals..."
"What will this Shinobi World ultimately become?"
The last Elder sneered outright, his voice dripping with undisguised mockery.
"Naive. Far too naive."
"Does he really think these people, enslaved and trampled upon for generations, will genuinely sympathize with the common people at the bottom?"
"What an utter joke!"
"Those who spend years kneeling at the feet of the powerful either become utterly numb and twisted, or oppress others even more brutally the moment they gain power."
"However much they suffered, the ordinary people at the bottom will suffer twice as much in the future!"
The others nodded, having long since seen through it all.
"These matters no longer concern us."
"From this day forward, let them deal with this world's strife, chaos, internal conflict, and bloodshed themselves."
"All we need to do is lie low and quietly await our return."
The Five Elders exchanged glances, their eyes utterly indifferent.
They would not contend, seize, obstruct, or intervene.
They would simply watch the Sage of Six Paths' ideals take root, watch slaves take power, and watch