Chapter 59: A Pact to Change the World
Uchiha Kagami, hearing this, asked with some dejection, "Then is there any way to stop war and violence from happening?"
Yamamoto Ryusei nodded. "There is one way that can bring at least a few hundred years of peace. But it's very difficult!"
Kagami's spirits instantly lifted. As if grasping onto a sliver of hope, he grabbed Ryusei's shoulders and said excitedly, "What is it? What's the method?"
Ryusei thought of the peaceful "Rabbit Country" from his past life. Although it had its flaws, it was the best country in that world. He slowly explained the policies of his past life's nation. "First, you have to unify the entire ninja world. Then, establish laws to restrain people's behavior. After that, solve the problem of food and clothing for the people while popularizing education and spreading the philosophy of humanism. Finally, when the ninja world achieves prosperity, democracy, civilization, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendliness, it will be mostly done. At that time, everyone will have food to eat, everyone will have books to read, and everyone will live in peace, doing what they love. This isn't something one person can do. It requires all the people of the Land of Fire to work together for decades."
Kagami fell silent. The difficulty of this was not just great; it was immense. Just unifying the ninja world, who knew what price would have to be paid, let alone managing such a vast world.
"Then, Ryusei, are you willing to spend decades doing this?" The one who spoke was Akimichi Torifu. He couldn't sleep either and had been eavesdropping for a long time. It was only when he heard Ryusei describe this new world that he couldn't help but step out, his eyes filled with tears. "If you do it, I am willing to use my entire life to help you. I want to change this world. I want to see the future you've described. I don't want to see those girls huddled in a prison cell anymore. I don't want to see children starving to death on the roadside. And I especially don't want to see this endless war. Ryusei, lead us to change the world."
Uchiha Kagami also stepped forward. "That's right, Ryusei. If you are willing to change the world, then I am also willing to support you with my life."
Yamamoto Ryusei was silent for a long, long time. Then, his gaze sharpened. "Have you two thought this through? Once we start this, we will be the enemies of every privileged person in the ninja world. We will face countless assassination attempts and unprecedented resistance. Even your families might not understand you and may want to sever ties with you. You will have to challenge all the rules, break all the rules, and give your lives for the common people. Are you still willing?"
Uchiha Kagami and Akimichi Torifu both nodded. "I am willing!"
Yamamoto Ryusei laughed heartily and extended his hand. "Good... Then let's turn this ninja world upside down!" Kagami and Torifu placed their hands on top of Ryusei's. "Let's bring a new hope to the world!"
Akimichi Torifu was trembling with excitement. "Then what should we do now?"
"First, we accumulate strength," Ryusei said, his brow furrowed. "The difference in individual strength in the ninja world is too great. Without strength, we can do nothing, because no one will listen to the words of an ant. If Teacher Hashirama didn't have the strength to pacify the world, he wouldn't have been able to end the Warring States Period."
"After gaining a certain amount of strength, we must obtain as much influence as possible. It would be best to become the Hokage. Then, we can have the Daimyo vigorously develop education, agriculture, industry, science, and train officials. When all the conditions are ripe, we will invade the other four great nations in one fell swoop, unify the ninja world, and then we can popularize education and spread the philosophy of peace. After a dozen or so years of suppression and integration, once the new generation has grown up, this matter will be considered a success."
After hearing this, Kagami and Torifu looked at each other. Kagami smiled. "It was indeed the right choice to help you. To think you've already thought all this through. We didn't even have a single clue."
Ryusei sighed and murmured in a low, nostalgic voice, "It's because I've experienced it before."
Torifu and Kagami didn't hear him clearly and asked, "What did you just say?"
Ryusei's expression turned serious. "You cannot tell anyone about this matter. Otherwise, the moment word gets out, the few of us will be dead."
Torifu and Kagami nodded repeatedly, clearly understanding the gravity of the situation.
Kagami touched his own eyes and said, "Ryusei, what do you think of the Uchiha clan?"
Ryusei recalled the arrogant appearance of the Guard members in the village. "They seem a bit cold, arrogant, and too rigid when enforcing the law. Not a single smile, which makes them seem unapproachable. But after getting to know them, they seem like good people. Their love for the village is no less than any other clan's."
Kagami was shocked. "So that's the image our Guard has in the village? I thought we were well-loved!"
"Huh?" Torifu complained speechlessly. "Are your Sharingan blind? The villagers are clearly more afraid of the Uchiha. Where does this 'well-loved' come from?"
"But... but..." Kagami argued, "we are so just and impartial when we enforce the law!"
"But your attitude is terrible!"
"You speak with a condescending tone of charity and disgust."
"You cover one eye with your hair, and the one eye that's showing has a very fierce expression."
"You're cold the whole time. Forget the people involved, even the onlookers can't stand it!"
...Yamamoto Ryusei and Akimichi Torifu went back and forth, their words making Kagami's face turn black.
"Alright!" Kagami's face was flushed red from the criticism. "I know all these shortcomings now. So, is there any solution?"
"You know the problem, but you can't find a solution?" Ryusei asked with confusion. "It's simple. When the Guard is enforcing the law, they can be merciless towards criminals, but towards ordinary villagers, they should smile more, have a better attitude, speak in a gentler tone, and propose reasonable solutions instead of giving forceful commands."
"That's the problem!" Kagami said with a pained expression. "Forget having a good attitude, I can't even get my clansmen to smile more!"
"That's because you can't let go of the dignity of a great clan and look down on the common people," Torifu said, patting his stomach. "Look, our Akimichi clan doesn't have such concerns. We can eat with the villagers, chat with them, and laugh at each other. Your Uchiha clan is just too aloof, not down-to-earth at all."
Kagami got a little anxious. "But the Hyuga clan is aloof too!"
Ryusei complained loudly, "The Hyuga clan doesn't hold any official positions in Konoha! They don't have much contact with the villagers, so if they're aloof, they can just be aloof by themselves. It doesn't affect the villagers' lives. The villagers' impression of the Hyuga is just neutral, neither good nor bad. Not like your Uchiha clan, who are always walking around in front of people. The moment a villager does something slightly wrong, you criticize them harshly. They live in fear all day long. If it were you, could you stand it?"
Kagami frowned, troubled. "Then what should I do? If I go and tell my clansmen to handle matters with a smile, I'll probably get beaten up."
Ryusei shrugged helplessly. "Then there's nothing to be done. You can only change the Uchiha clan when you become the clan head."
Kagami nodded with some resignation. "That's right. When I become the clan head, I can change the Uchiha. For now, the most important thing is to increase our strength. Without strength, we can do nothing."
The Next Day
Ryusei and the others sailed their ship to a small town on the coast of the Land of Artisans and docked it at the pier. Komiya Yuki, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Senju Tobirama, and Ito were waiting for them on the beach.
The moment Ryusei and his group got off the ship, they bowed to Tobirama. "Teacher Tobirama, we're back."
Tobirama's tone was as flat as ever. "Are they all dead?"
The three nodded slightly. "All dead. Not a single one was left."
Tobirama nodded. "Good work. Go and rest."
Hiruzen ran up and punched Kagami in the chest. "Why did you guys go kill pirates secretly? Why didn't you call me?"
Kagami teased, "You and Danzo were vomiting like limp shrimps. How could we bring you? To be a burden?"
"Damn it!" Hiruzen wrapped his arm around Kagami's neck and said with mock ferocity, "Even if it's true, you don't have to say it out loud!"
"Are those the women who were captured by the pirates again?" Komiya Yuki asked, looking at the more than thirty beautiful women leaning over the ship's rail.
Ryusei nodded with a heavy expression. "That's right. We found them all in the pirates' nest. We've already asked them. They don't want to go home now. I plan to take them to Konoha and let them start a new life there."
Yuki nodded. "Most of the girls from the other pirate ship, when they returned home, their families didn't want them. Only four who were only children went back. The rest came back with us. Let's take them to Konoha too."
Ryusei nodded. "When the time comes, I'll have them work at the 'Konoha Hotel' in the village."
Shimura Danzo asked with some confusion, "Why aren't they coming down?"
Akimichi Torifu frowned sadly. "Because they're afraid of seeing people. And maybe they're afraid we'll abandon them."
Ryusei walked up to Ito. "Uncle Ito, the things the pirates stole are on our ship. Could you please help me sell them?"
Ito patted his chest. "No problem, leave it to me. By the way, you guys did a great job." He then organized his men to go onto the pirate ship and unload the cargo.
The caravan would be staying here for three days. During these three days, Ryusei and the others were free to do as they pleased.
Ryusei said to his teammates, "Yuki and I will go buy them some daily necessities and some clothes. Hiruzen and Danzo, go and bring the girls from the inn to the ship. It'll be easier to take care of them all together. Kagami and Torifu, you stay here and guard the ship in case anything happens."
The teammates all nodded and went off to do their respective tasks.