After pinning Tsunade's fist to the table, Hyuga Mirai continued, his tone calm yet firm.
"I've told you before—if you think I'm wrong, then argue against me. But if you're planning on solving this with your fists, then don't expect me to hold back."
"Tch." Tsunade clicked her tongue in annoyance but ultimately chose to stay put. Fighting him would only lead to another humiliating defeat. Even if she activated her Sage Mode, she wasn't confident she could take on this White-Eyed brat.
Besides, there was Shizune to consider.
Tsunade glanced at her loyal assistant and sighed inwardly. For Shizune's sake, it wasn't worth escalating things.
With a huff, she poured herself another drink.
"Alright, I'll ask, and you answer, Princess Tsunade."
Mirai poured himself a glass of juice before continuing.
"Do you have a dream of your own? Putting aside the expectations of others, what is it that you truly want?"
"Obviously, to protect the village."
Mirai shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"You should know by now that your Sage Seal makes it impossible for you to lie to me."
"Protecting the village? That's not your personal dream—it's an idea that was imposed on you. It just so happens to align with your own ideals, which is why you've never questioned it. But is it truly what you want?"
"Think back, Tsunade—where did your hemophobia come from? If we're talking about what you actually desire, it's not just protecting the village—it's ending war itself. Because war is what took away the people who mattered most to you."
Tsunade's fingers tightened around her sake cup.
Her gaze wavered, memories threatening to surface.
"You were barely over ten when you first stepped onto the battlefield, weren't you?" Mirai's voice was steady, almost gentle.
"You witnessed countless comrades die—some of them people you held dear. And so, you founded the medical corps, hoping to prevent more deaths. But at the core of it, your real desire isn't just to save lives..."
"It's to rid the world of the very thing that causes those deaths in the first place—war."
Shizune, who had been watching silently, suddenly felt her heart clench with worry.
Tsunade's usually strong and commanding presence seemed to falter.
Her head dipped slightly, her grip on her cup so tight that droplets of sake began to spill over the rim—yet she didn't even notice.
It was clear—her mind was in turmoil.
Mirai leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable.
"When I was younger, I once argued with you about war."
"Back then, I was naive—my words were clumsy. But even now, I still believe this: As long as ninja exist, war will never end."
Tsunade remained silent, her brows furrowed deeply.
"Ninja are inherently a militant class—a group built on violence. And because this class was never properly unified or placed under strict regulation, the shinobi world remains in chaos."
"The so-called 'Great Ninja Wars'? They were sparked by the most ridiculous reasons."
"Think about it, Princess Tsunade—if you truly wish to eradicate war, you must step outside the perspective of a shinobi and see the world for what it really is."
"As long as ninja exist, war will continue."
"At best, we experience short-lived peace, but in the end? Conflict always returns."
"In your lifetime alone, you've already seen three Great Ninja Wars. And mark my words—there will be a fourth… then a fifth… and who knows how many more after that."
"Tell me, Tsunade—how do you plan to change that? With the title of Hokage?"
"The First Hokage had strength beyond imagination."
"The Second had brilliant strategic intelligence."
"The Third is a master of politics."
"Yet despite all of their efforts, the ninja world remains the same. Even if you return to Konoha and become the Fifth Hokage, what could you possibly change?"
Mirai's words were a brutal contrast between idealism and reality.
The "Will of Fire" was a dream—but what Mirai spoke of? That was the truth.
"The 'one nation, one village' system created a temporary peace, but in the long run, it was doomed to fail."
"Why? Because the shinobi villages hold too much power."
"A strong Kage can be equal to a Daimyo. But a weak Daimyo? They have no real control over their village at all."
"A snake cannot function without a head—but a two-headed snake? That's even worse."
"Over time, as ninja villages grow stronger, militaristic factions will always rise."
"Look at the Third Ninja War—on the surface, it began because of the 'disappearance' of the Third Kazekage. But in truth? War was inevitable."
"The moment the villages had recovered their numbers after the Second War, they were bound to clash again."
"The ninja population grew, but missions remained the same. Daimyo weren't willing to increase funding just because ninja villages had more mouths to feed. So what was the only way to ensure growth?"
"By expanding outward. By taking resources from others."
"And since Daimyo have little control over the ninja they hire, it's the Kage who hold the power to start wars whenever they choose."
Mirai exhaled slowly.
"Honestly? Even I don't know what started the battle between Iwagakure and Kirigakure during the First Ninja War. No records explain it properly."
"I even asked Orochimaru about it—but all he could offer was a vague theory."
"Apparently, the Second Mizukage and Second Tsuchikage had some sort of personal grudge. Maybe something from the First Five Kage Summit."
"That's it."
"A petty grudge between two men—and a war broke out."
"This is the reality of the ninja world, Tsunade."
"Unchecked military power is a disaster waiting to happen."
"The 'one nation, one village' system will never bring peace."
"Unless someone with power equivalent to the Sage of Six Paths appears—someone strong enough to force the Five Great Nations into submission—war will always return."
Tsunade finally snapped back to reality, staring at Mirai with narrowed eyes.
"So what? Are you saying you can end war?"
For the first time, uncertainty flickered across her face.
He had stripped away every illusion she held onto, leaving her with a harsh reality she could no longer ignore.
She had spent so much time searching for Mirai—trying to confront him, to demand answers.
But in the end?
He had given her the answers before she could even ask the questions.
And now, for the first time in a long time—
Tsunade had no idea what to do next.
Tsunade had always believed in inheriting the will of those who came before her, protecting Konoha in their stead. But the truth was undeniable—she lacked the sheer strength of the First Hokage, the wisdom of the Second, and even the political savvy of her teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi. If she returned now, she would be nothing more than a caretaker, patching up the village's wounds without ever truly changing anything.
In the end, nothing would change.
"Who else, if not me? Surely, you don't believe in Jiraiya's so-called Child of Prophecy, do you?"
Mirai's voice carried a hint of amusement.
"And as for Orochimaru—he's the smartest of the Three Sannin. Do you really think brute force alone could convince him to join my cause?"
"Why the hell does he get to be the smartest one?" Tsunade retorted, clearly unconvinced.
Mirai merely chuckled. "It's either him or you."
He reached into his pocket and placed a wristwatch on the table in front of her.
"This is the communication device worn by the core members of my organization. Inside, you'll find our plans, resources, and objectives."
His voice was calm yet firm, carrying a weight that seemed to linger in the air.
"Tsunade, if you join us, you won't regret it. This is the path to true peace. And let me be clear—this is the last time I will extend this invitation. I offer it to you out of gratitude, for everything you once taught me. You helped me, selflessly, and I won't forget that. More importantly, your dream aligns with my vision."
"I don't want to be your enemy."
His words echoed in her mind, weaving through her thoughts like a persistent whisper.
Tsunade had always known that dreams and reality rarely aligned. But hearing it spoken so plainly—so mercilessly—by Mirai made her stomach twist.
The truth was, no one remained to convince her otherwise.
There were no more idealists like Nawaki or Dan, willing to carry the same dream she once did.
And so, Mirai's version of reality became easier to accept.
"Lady Tsunade…"
Shizune's voice trembled with worry. She could see it—the shift in Tsunade's demeanor. The hesitation. The way her eyes wavered.
She was seriously considering it.
"Don't let him fool you!" Shizune blurted out, panic seeping into her voice. "Everything he's saying is just to manipulate you into betraying Konoha!"
Mirai's soft chuckle broke through the tension.
"Shizune," he said, amusement lacing his tone. "You've been by Tsunade's side for so long, and yet it seems I understand her better than you do."
"I'm not forcing her—I'm simply offering her a choice. Between dreams and reality."
Shizune clenched her fists. "If it weren't for you—"
"Shizune!"
Tsunade's voice cut through the room, sharp and commanding.
Shizune fell silent, but her eyes were still pleading.
"Lady Tsunade… please think of the dreams of those who came before you."
Tsunade sighed. There was still a faint flush from the alcohol on her face, but her eyes were clearer than ever when she responded.
"It's because of their dreams that I left Konoha in the first place, Shizune."
Shizune froze.
Tsunade met her gaze, her expression unreadable.
"If there was truly a way to achieve peace… wouldn't you at least consider it?"
Shizune hesitated. She wanted to protest—to tell Tsunade to come back, to hold onto the beliefs they had always shared.
But when she looked into Tsunade's eyes, filled with a hope she hadn't seen in years, she found herself unable to lie.
"If it were me…" Shizune swallowed. "I suppose… I would give it a chance."
That was all Tsunade needed to hear.
She let out a small laugh, reaching for a bottle of juice, downing it in one go before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
"See? That's exactly my point. Now, about that sake—I told you two bottles wouldn't be enough. Since when have I ever gotten drunk off just two?"
Mirai scoffed. "Spare me. Every time you drink, it's someone else who has to deal with the aftermath."
For the first time, Shizune felt an odd sense of relief.
It was strange—hearing Mirai scold Tsunade like that, almost like an old friend.
Maybe… he wasn't as terrible as she thought.
Tsunade eyed the wristwatch on the table and raised an eyebrow.
"This thing is huge. Got anything smaller?"
Mirai smirked. "Don't underestimate Uzumaki Trade Association's tech. The watch is just a form—it can be adjusted. Necklace, earrings, a ring, even an ankle bracelet if that's your thing."
He studied her for a moment before deciding. "A ring, then."
With a tap of his finger against the watch, the device melted like liquid metal, shifting and reshaping itself. Within seconds, it had transformed into a sleek, silver ring.
Tsunade and Shizune watched in silent astonishment.
Mirai pushed it toward her.
"Put it on. Once you do, someone will guide you through how it works. And from that moment on—"
"You'll see an entirely new world."
(End of Chapter)
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