Chapter 47: The Limitations of the Era
"If one can let go of all the complex attachments and become free of desire, one can naturally be liberated and obtain an enlightened perspective equal to yours."
"But in an era like this, a person's vision is forced to be locked onto the trivial matters right in front of them. Even if it makes one's spirit small, it must be done."
"Survive. Help those close to you survive. And if life can be a little easier after that, even better. People who are already using all their strength just to think about these things have no obligation to understand others."
"Do you think 'understanding' is an 'obligation'?"
After Hiiro Rinko finished speaking, Bunpuku asked calmly. "To understand, to feel, to love... these should be a person's abilities. That is what this old monk believes."
"Of course, of course. But abilities can also degenerate, can't they?"
"Like our hands. In order to become more adept at gripping tools, didn't their original function as 'weapons' also atrophy?"
Hiiro Rinko held out his hand, closing and opening his fingers. "In the grand scheme of our evolution, this was undoubtedly a success, because we who mastered tools now have far more convenient weapons."
"The ability to 'understand' is the same, Master Bunpuku."
"As a part of society, understanding and compromising with others is a necessary part of life."
He steepled his fingers in front of him, stating calmly, "But as human relationships become more complex, 'understanding' just becomes a basic social nicety to make one's own life more comfortable."
"Isn't that common? Those who don't follow the unspoken rules get ostracized."
"Following the social atmosphere, fitting in... if everyone is doing it, even the cruelest acts can be committed easily. That also happens. To put it more extremely, 'understanding' is just blind obedience."
"But it's not right to call this simple apathy. If you pull the view back, it becomes even more obvious at the level of nations and villages. Even if someone truly embraces the ideal of peace and lays down their weapons, the other nations will never trust them."
"Because no one can afford the price of misplaced trust. That being the case, they all remain armed. Fighting, killing, fighting, killing... it's like a long-distance race where you don't dare stop running, even as you're coughing up blood."
"Not until everyone else has completely fallen. Or until a new enemy appears, one that can completely destroy the old order. Only then will the victor relax and enjoy peace, and only then will the weak, fearing their own extinction, join forces."
"The root cause is that this world has only just emerged from the Warring States Era. Without an external force, it's impossible for nations and villages to clearly draw a line between 'you' and 'me'..."
Speaking here, Rinko suddenly paused.
He had been about to say that if Senju Hashirama had lived longer, he might have been able to promote further exchange between the nations, slowly forming a more stable alliance. After all, even if Hashirama had no systematic training in governing, his existence alone was valuable enough.
But then Rinko remembered: Shukaku could probably hear everything he was saying to Bunpuku. Even if this beast was in the Land of Wind from the start and had never been beaten up by Hashirama, he probably didn't want to hear the name of the man who dribbled the other Tailed Beasts like basketballs.
It might even trigger some kind of Senju-related trauma. As a basic rule of communication, it was better to just drop it.
"Mhm... worrying more about acquaintances than strangers, more about friends than acquaintances, more about family than friends… A person's social circle isn't so black and white, but in that radiating network, limited concern will, of course, be prioritized for the closest people."
The vast experience he'd gained from soliciting funding from 'investors' who asked idiotic questions in his past life kicked in. He cleared his throat, pretending to gather his thoughts, and continued.
"To see this most basic affection as a 'degeneration' or 'flaw' seems a bit too cold-hearted. So from this angle, rather than saying the ability to 'understand others' has degenerated, I'd say this world just hasn't evolved to a point where people have the luxury of easily trusting others."
"I am not trying to completely deny your philosophy. But I imagine that even you, Master, must have spent a great deal of effort to build such a friendly relationship with Shukaku."
"To try and pacify a long-standing chaotic world with 'love'… the order itself is wrong. Only by first bringing stability to this turbulent world, by creating an environment where 'enlightenment' can last, can 'love' and 'enlightenment' have any meaning."
"...It is as you say."
Unable to deny Rinko's words, Bunpuku pressed his palms together, silent.
It was strange for an eight or nine-year-old boy to be pontificating on such subjects, but how could a high monk of Bunpuku's level judge another's mind by their age?
Precocious, enlightened... this world was not lacking for such geniuses. Even if he had humbly said his own eyes couldn't see so much, Bunpuku was certain that the emotion in Hiiro Rinko's words was not false.
This was the conclusion he had reached through his own experience and thought.
Besides, before Shukaku was sealed into him, and before he was imprisoned by the Suna high command, Bunpuku had also witnessed the chaos of the outside world.
It was precisely because it had taken him decades to connect with Shukaku that he had to admit Hii.ro Rinko's argument was the correct one.
"It must be hard on you, young man."
And because of this, Bunpuku's gaze toward Rinko held a bit more pity.
The old monk did not expect the young man before him to be the one to realize that ideal world. To have such insight at this age, he must have already endured countless hardships.
Since there is still a bright light in your eyes, then at least live for your own happiness.
Just as Hiiro Rinko had said, in this era, that was not a sin, and certainly not selfish.
"Me? I'm actually doing okay. I received a family's love, I've made some friends... I'm busy as hell, but overall, things are moving in a good direction. I'm already very satisfied~"
Rinko, guessing what Bunpuku was referring to, smiled and scratched his hair.
'But, to allow me to continue my research in peace, I first have to crush all the annoying obstacles.'
...That, he did not say out loud.
In any case, that had nothing to do with this old monk.