Tsunade couldn't refute Hakushi's viewpoint; from this perspective, Hakushi indeed didn't owe Konoha anything.
The medical research data provided by Hakushi saved many Konoha Ninja lives during the war.
So, even if he acted against his former comrades, Hakushi could be cold-hearted and ruthless, no longer swayed by the village to change his will.
This is because it wasn't the Konoha leadership that sheltered Hakushi all along, but the Uchiha Clan.
Ever since the Second Hokage passed away, the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's leadership has been very sour.
Even if there's a desire to mend ties, it is obstructed by those with ulterior motives, making it impossible to reunite with the Uchiha Clan.
"Let's get back on topic. Regarding the original intent of the First Hokage in establishing the Ninja Village, it is indeed an enviable beautiful vision. At the same time, he showed considerable tolerance to the Uchiha Clan, allowing them to integrate into Konoha. As a leader, he had many flaws, but I cannot deny his personal charm, which could influence everything in that era."
This is probably what it means to be truly mythologized.
Regardless of the outcome, a significant figure who opened a new era would always leave an indelible mark on people's hearts, prompting them to follow him involuntarily.
"It's good you know that."
Tsunade's tone softened. This kid finally said a few words of conscience.
If the opposite side constantly used harsh words to insult her grandfather, Tsunade wasn't sure if she could restrain the anger erupting from her heart and resist taking action against Hakushi.
"So, what did you mean earlier when you expressed negative and dismissive thoughts about the national village system? Although several Ninja Realm wars indeed broke out after my grandfather's death, we Konoha have always been striving for peace, being kind to others, and never lightly offending any country or Ninja Village."
In Tsunade's view, it was the inadequacies of her descendants that tarnished her grandfather's ideals.
Otherwise, peace could always have been maintained.
"Tsunade-sensei, this can only represent your personal perspective and cannot represent the current Konoha which would act alongside your will. Because you are not the Hokage."
Sensing Tsunade's emotional fluctuation and knowing that such words were rather harsh, Hakushi didn't delve further into this.
Because within Konoha, there are conservative and radical factions.
The radical faction led by Danzo couldn't be kind to others, backstabbing Hanzou, framing Akatsuki, and manipulating Hidden Rain Village behind the scenes, all of which contradict Tsunade's notion of not offending any country or Ninja Village.
This is also Konoha's biggest problem today.
Putting aside the merits of the policy, Konoha, which can't even unify its opinions, is destined to remain stagnant.
Tsunade clicked her tongue. Even though Hakushi's words were harsh, they were indeed true.
She wasn't the Hokage, and in the shadows of Konoha Village, there were always a few tumors obstructing the village's development.
"Alright, let's return to the question you asked, Tsunade-sensei. Compared to the Warring States Era, what changes do you think the national village system brought to the Ninja Realm, and did the First Hokage really change anything?"
"That's an obvious question. Although the country's open and covert competitions continue, the overall environment tends towards stability, and the average lifespan is higher than during the Warring States Era. This is undeniably my grandfather's contribution."
Tsunade affirmed.
"I don't deny that. But what I'm asking isn't about that, it's about the system."
Hakushi said with a smile.
"The system?"
Tsunade frowned, looking at Hakushi.
"I've said it before, right? Compared to the Land of Demons, all countries today find it difficult to pay attention to the development of livelihoods. Why is that?"
"This isn't something that can be changed overnight. It also took you more than ten years to bring the Land of Demons up."
After all, wanting to pull a small country into the pattern of a great nation within a few years is too far-fetched.
Among great nations, the competition isn't just about military power but also population, territory, and so on.
The Land of Demons, now, can only be called a military power, not a great nation.
In terms of territory and population, they are far from being as powerful as great nations.
"So why, after decades since the establishment of the national village system, have the Five Great Nations not undergone any change?"
Hakushi asked this question.
"How could they not have changed? The emergence of Ninja Villages is a change."
Tsunade continues to hold onto her belief.
"For the great nations, indeed their status has been stabilized."
"With your current status, you shouldn't be saying something like this."
Because the Land of Demons is not a traditional small country anymore.
Its military strength has been recognized by the Five Great Nations, and as long as the Land of Demons continues its development steadily, it will undoubtedly become the sixth great nation shortly.
Since it can't be stopped, the risk should be minimized.
After all, just a few years after the Third Ninja Realm War ended, all nations are recuperating, and the great nations really don't want to start another large-scale war.
"Is that so? But for me, there isn't much difference between great and small nations. It's merely a distinction in the difficulty of reform. You, Tsunade-sensei, believe that the Ninja Village is the foundation of all changes, but in my view, Ninja Villages are not significantly different from the Ninja Clans employed by various Daimyos during the Warring States Era. That's my perspective."
"That only shows you haven't seen through the facts. Now that the Ninja Villages and the national Daimyos have formed a united front, it's far better compared to the Warring States Era."