Love and understanding? That's laughable.
Naruto ultimately achieved peace through his and Sasuke's pseudo- Six Paths Level of power, coupled with the later invasion of the Ōtsutsuki.
Under the pressure of external forces, the Shinobi World was forced to unite against the enemy.
Seemingly sensing the disdain in Hoshino's tone, Jiraiya's expression turned extremely ugly.
First it was Yahiko, and now Hoshino; none of them take his ideas seriously.
Their own actions, however, will bring countless pains and bloodshed.
Jiraiya's expression darkened; he wanted to hear what Hoshino's insights might be.
"Wishful thinking? That's because you don't understand the preciousness of peace at all."
Hoshino sneered, "No one wants to live in a peaceful environment, but unfortunately, your methods won't bring peace."
"For example, if I were standing in front of you now, could you know what I'm really thinking?"
Jiraiya frowned. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
" Jiraiya, you say mutual understanding can bring peace? How naively laughable."
Hoshino raised his arm and pointed to his temple.
"The human mind is an opaque black box. You can never truly know what I'm thinking, just as I don't know if you're plotting to ambush me."
Jiraiya and said, "Trust can be established!"
"Trust?" Hoshino interrupted with a cold laugh. "That's nothing more than a compromise when there's a lack of information. Suspicion is like this rain, it seeps into everything."
He pointed to the burning village in the distance.
Look at reality!
" Konoha shouts about peace while deploying defenses on the border, Kumogakure talks about cooperation while stealing technology. Is this what you call 'mutual understanding'?"
Upon hearing this, Deva Path Pain's eyes flickered slightly, seemingly showing interest in the idea.
Hoshino continued, "Unless human thought becomes completely transparent, so-called understanding is nothing but self-deception."
He paused meaningfully for a moment, then continued, "Actually, I have a way to make your plan work."
After pondering for a moment Jiraiya asked, "What method?"
Seeing Jiraiya's confused expression, Hoshino casually remarked, "With the technology of Sunagakure, if they wanted to, they could develop a brain chip in the near future that could monitor the user's behavior in real time."
"Then we'll formulate the corresponding regulations!"
"Over time, even if thoughts are not transparent, people will reach a point of 'mutual understanding' in their behavior."
Isn't this exactly the 'mutual understanding' that Jiraiya wanted?
Using technology to forcibly erase the differences in human nature, creating a cage that appears harmonious on the surface.
By forcibly monitoring behavior through brain chips, any violation of the rules will be immediately detected and punished, thereby achieving order on the surface.
This would lead to a significant decrease in the crime rate.
Because everyone knows their behavior is being monitored in real time, malicious intent cannot be hidden.
Similar to nuclear deterrence, but more precise, relying not on destructive force but on absolute surveillance.
Another benefit is that the ruler can ensure that everyone acts according to the established rules, reducing internal rebellions and power struggles, and making society function more efficiently.
However, this method also has significant drawbacks.
Human thoughts and desires are forcibly suppressed, society becomes a giant prison, and people merely 'perform' peace rather than truly embracing it.
In the long run, it could lead to mental breakdown, extreme rebellion, or a large-scale outbreak of mental illness.
Such a system is inevitably controlled by a minority who can arbitrarily define what is 'correct' behavior, thus forming a dictatorship. Once abused, the consequences will be more terrible than war.
Trust is no longer based on free will, but on forced obedience.
When interpersonal relationships become cold, 'compliance-based' relationships, society loses its vitality.
Another point is that if the chip network is hacked, the entire Shinobi World could be controlled.
This forced peace is essentially no different from Pain's "making the world feel pain"—both use extreme means to force people to obey.
This method is even more terrifying because it not only controls behavior but also attempts to control thoughts.
Upon hearing Hoshino's words, Jiraiya's pupils contracted sharply, and his fingers clenched involuntarily.
He never imagined that his lifelong pursuit of the ideal of peace would be twisted into such a terrible form.
"This isn't understanding! This is a tyranny far worse than war!" Jiraiya's voice trembled with rage. "You're turning all of humanity into puppets!"
Hoshino shook his head and said coldly, "Tyranny? No, it's just the most efficient way to govern society. You idealists always have 'freedom' on your lips, but you can't see the chaos that freedom brings."
At that moment, Deva Path Pain suddenly spoke up, "An interesting point of view."
His eyes were fixed on Hoshino. "But what's the difference between this world and death?"
"The difference is that it's still alive." Hoshino sneered, " Pain, aren't you also using pain to force the world to change? At least that method doesn't kill so many people."
The rain intensified, and the cold rain lashed against everyone.
"Since we're talking about force..." Hoshino's voice suddenly turned icy cold, " Pain, do you think your Rinnegan is the strongest power?"
Snap--
He snapped his fingers, and a dark cloud rose from the distant ruins.
It was a terrifying swarm of hundreds of millions of Kikaichū, swirling in the air and emitting a chilling buzzing sound.
"These Kikaichū, after my modifications, have broken through biological limits. They can even devour Chakra of different attributes and rapidly evolve resistance. Kakuzu and Konan must know this all too well."
"Once I die, or if I loosen the restrictions, these Kikaichū will run rampant like wild horses and devour the Shinobi World within six months."
"So what if you're strong? If you want peace, you need everyone in the Shinobi World to be alive."
"Unlike Kikaichū, these can reproduce rapidly as long as there's one mother worm. They can't be wiped out completely; all that will be left for you is a barren Shinobi World world."
Hoshino wasn't lying. Although the mother insect wasn't very intelligent, it knew how to seek advantage and avoid harm, and knew when to hide and when to go out and cause trouble.
Even someone as powerful as Pain would be utterly helpless in the face of this exponentially growing biological threat.
Unless he's willing to Chibaku Tensei to seal the entire Shinobi World, let's not even talk about whether he can do it.
Jiraiya's Adam's apple bobbed, and cold sweat mixed with rain dripped from his chin.
He never imagined that this young man before him actually held the key to destroying the entire Shinobi World.
"You... you're even more insane than Orochimaru was back then!"
Hoshino shook his head and said, "Crazy? No, I'm just more clear-headed than you. You'll understand what I mean later."
The people in the Shinobi World aren't stupid; their minds are simply imprisoned by the so-called ninjas.
He deliberately leaked the information about the Kikaichū, intending to share it with other ninja villages.
The goal is to break these shackles and force other major ninja villages to join this deadly arms race.
The progress of other ninja villages is unclear, but once the Kumogakure's Chakra Cannon is completed, its destructive power, even if not as great as the mutated Kikaichū, will definitely be close.
At least the Kikaichū couldn't eliminate all the falling meteorites in space like the Chakra Cannon.
In the movie, the Fourth Raikage planned to use the Space-Time Chakra Cannon to destroy the moon, but because Naruto and the others completed their mission in time, the cannon was not actually fired.
This is absolutely outrageous!
Peace will come in a distorted way, not through understanding and trust, but because everyone holds the button that can destroy one another.
Behind this terrifying balance lies a prisoner's dilemma meticulously designed by Hoshino.
Human nature dictates that only when destruction is imminent will humanity truly restrain its greed and ambition.
A brand new era is about to begin.
An absurd era in which peace is maintained through destruction, a dark era in which all ninja villages live under the constant threat of one another.
And this is the 'gift' that Hoshino gave to the Shinobi World, proving in the most extreme way that peace is never achieved through understanding.
Just like the distribution of the Tailed Beast back then, except this time... it's a true mutual deterrence.
After he finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the room, broken only by the dull, oppressive sound of raindrops hitting the ground.
Hoshino looked around and prepared to leave.
Tonight's objective has been partially achieved.
Although the conflict with Akatsuki complicated the situation, it also successfully deterred those forces that coveted Sunagakure's technology.
Deva Path Pain watched Hoshino prepare to leave, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. He would not allow Hoshino to leave him so easily.
Especially after such provocation.
Almost instantly, he raised his right hand, and an invisible repulsive force rapidly spread out from him.
At this critical moment, Jiraiya reacted quickly, standing in front of Hoshino and rapidly Hand Seals.
" Earth Release·Earth Style Wall!"
A thick earthen wall rose from the ground, and the powerful impact caused countless cracks to appear on the surface of the wall instantly, with soil falling off in a flurry.
" Yahiko, are you crazy! Didn't you hear what Hoshino just said?"
Jiraiya roared, rain streaming down his white hair, his eyes filled with anxiety and anger.
"If Hoshino dies, Sunagakure will definitely start a war, and those Kikaichū will get out of control. At that point, the Shinobi World will be on the verge of collapse!"
Deva Path Pain scoffed and said disdainfully, "He's nothing but a puppet. Killing him will make Sunagakure wary, but I'd like to see if they dare to actually start a war."
Jiraiya replied seriously, " The Land of Rain cannot afford the consequences."
Deva Path Pain's eyes flickered.
The Land of Rain has grown stronger under the management of the Akatsuki, but it is not entirely confident of escaping unscathed in the face of the out-of-control Kikaichū and the potential war launched by the Sunagakure.
After a moment's thought, he gritted his teeth, slowly lowered his hand, and his imposing aura subsided somewhat.
Hoshino's lips curled up slightly at the sight, a hint of mockery in his smile.
I knew Jiraiya was coming, so this fight wouldn't break out.
He glanced at Deva Path Pain, then at Jiraiya, and said, "Thank you!"
Before leaving, Hoshino said to Jiraiya.
"Please go back and tell Hiruzen Sarutobi Sunagakure has decided to convene Five Kage... oh, Four Kage Summit in half a month. Let's hold it in the Land of Rain."
"This is a kind of admission ticket for the Land of Rain. If Pain is unwilling, I won't force him; it's just a change of venue."
"As for Asuma... I will release him after the meeting, and Konoha will not need to pay anything!"
After saying that, he ignored everyone and walked away into the rain, eventually disappearing into the darkness.
Jiraiya gazed in the direction Hoshino had left and sighed softly.
Two weeks later, the Four Kage Summit was held in the name of Sunagakure.
This suggests that the Hoshino plans to eliminate the Council of Elders and other traditional forces within half a month, thus completely unifying Sunagakure.
I don't know if his mention of the Four Kage Summit refers to the elimination of Kirigakure or that Sunagakure will no longer have the position of Kage.
However, the Shinobi World will inevitably be plunged into a new round of turmoil over the next two weeks because of this news.
Jiraiya turned to look at Deva Path Pain, and found that the other was also looking in the direction where Hoshino had disappeared, his eyes deep, as if he was thinking about something.
" Yahiko, I hope you will seriously consider Hoshino's proposal. This might be an opportunity for the Land of Rain to change its current situation."
"I'll come back to talk to you properly after I've settled things in Konoha."
Jiraiya then turned and left; he needed to return to Konoha as soon as possible to inform Hiruzen Sarutobi of this important message.
The rain continued to fall softly, washing over the ruins of Falling Rain Town, but it could not erase the traces left by this conflict.
Deva Path Pain stood there, motionless for a long time. The rain soaked his clothes, but it could not cool the anger and turmoil in his heart.
He pondered Hoshino's words and the upcoming Four Kage Summit in his heart.
Is the Land of Rain really going to seize this opportunity to step into the center of power in the Shinobi World?
Outside the Kumogakure, countless ninjas stood in neat rows on the vast wilderness.
Raikage A stood on the high platform at the front of the group, accompanied by Killer B and Yugito Nii, both with equally solemn expressions.
A preliminary attack plan has been finalized.
The Kumogakure set sail, bypassed the Land of Iron, landed in the Land of Waterfalls, then passed through the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain, and directly attacked the mainland of the Land of Wind.
This time, we must make Sunagakure pay the price and teach them that not just anyone can be messed with.
If Darui is truly dead, then Raikage A will surely avenge him, even if it means starting the Fourth Shinobi World War, and the people of Kumogakure have no objection to this.
In the mindset of the Kumogakure, honor and dignity are paramount, and the sacrifices of comrades must never be easily forgotten.
The battle is not just for Darui personally, but also for protecting the village's honor and upholding the justice in their hearts.
Only by making Sunagakure pay a heavy price for its actions can the Shinobi World know that Kumogakure is inviolable.
Every Kumogakure was prepared to dedicate everything to the village.
In their view, war may bring pain and sacrifice, but it is worth it to protect everything they cherish.
If this war cannot be avoided, then we must forge ahead.
With the formidable strength and united will of Kumogakure, we are confident of victory in this potential great war, making Sunagakure and other ill-intentioned forces understand the consequences.
Once the anger of the Kumogakure is ignited, it will be as unstoppable as Thunder.