"What you say, Monk Genjo, is perfectly correct. Such a course would indeed run contrary to my original intention."
Shinichi turned toward Genjo; the boldness in his expression noticeably subsided as he said in a deep voice, "But some truths cannot be conveyed through words alone, because some people are too ignorant; they refuse to shed tears until they see the coffin."
"Rather than continuing to argue with them, it's better to let them witness with their own eyes just how horrifying a war without limits truly is. Once they have seen it for themselves, they will naturally understand the value of returning to this table and talking things through properly."
At this point, Shinichi let out a light breath. "As for sin... There is a saying: if I do not enter hell, who will? If it can ensure that the Shinobi World no longer plunges lightly into war, and that warfare is bound by at least some measure of restraint, then what does it matter if I must bear a measure of infamy and karmic retribution?"
Hearing this, Genjo fell silent for a moment before pressing his palms together and lowering his gaze slightly. "Benefactor Shinichi Higashino truly is a remarkable figure of this age. To possess such profound insight into the Buddhist principle of fearless giving is no small thing. As the saying goes, until hell is empty, I shall not become a Buddha. Benefactor Shinichi Higashino, by willingly entering hell yourself, indeed possesses the heart of a Bodhisattva."
After a brief pause, however, his tone shifted. "That said, benefactor, your reasoning is sound, and this humble monk understands your painstaking intentions. Yet once certain bottom lines are torn apart, mending them again becomes extraordinarily difficult. Once the gates of slaughter are thrown open, wherever the winds of karma sweep, those drawn into them may not be limited to you alone."
"It will become nothing more than an endless cycle of vengeance; that is Avici Hell. A benefactor wishes to exchange the burden of one person's sins for peace lasting ten thousand generations. Such sincerity shines as brightly as the sun and moon. Yet human strength is ultimately finite, and the future cannot be foretold. If unrestricted warfare begins today, tomorrow even more inhumane taboos may be broken. When that day comes, what will you use to bring everything back under control?"
As his words fell, the conference hall once again descended into silence.
This time, even Shinichi did not answer immediately. He lowered his eyes slightly, as though contemplating the deeper meaning behind Genjo's words.
After a long time, Genjo turned to face the representatives of the other Four Great Ninja Villages, pressed his palms together, and spoke calmly.
"Honored benefactors, you have all witnessed Benefactor Shinichi Higashino's determination with your own eyes. This humble monk also believes that, aside from Konoha, each of your villages possesses its own foundations and methods. If everyone were truly to fight without restraint, no one could say with certainty that one village would be weaker than another."
"But this humble monk dares to ask one question. Are your villages truly prepared? Are you truly prepared to hand over your compatriots, students, teachers, and loved ones to an unrestricted war with no bottom line?"
The representatives of the Four Great Ninja Villages exchanged subtle glances, but no one answered.
"If you are not prepared, then why not take today's opportunity to each take a step back? Since no one is willing to fight an unrestricted war, that alone proves that restrictions have a reason to exist. Since both sides fear the other completely throwing off all restraints, then let this convention become the restriction that protects everyone. What do you think?"
The representatives of the Four Great Ninja Villages looked at one another. Though each had already been moved, none was willing to be the first to speak.
At that moment, seeing that the timing was right, General Mifune finally spoke in a clear voice.
"Monk Genjo speaks wisely. Since you have all chosen to attend this conference, I trust you have come with at least a measure of sincerity. If, in the end, this only serves to escalate the intensity of war further and causes even greater sacrifices among your fellow villagers, then this conference will have achieved precisely the opposite of its purpose. You are all outstanding figures of your respective villages. Surely you all understand this."
After a brief pause, he emphasized his next words.
"Furthermore, as representatives of the Five Great Ninja Villages, under the witness of so many eyes, you should set an example. If today you can reach a consensus on these fundamental limits, then you will establish a benchmark for the entire Shinobi World. Moreover, this humanitarian convention is not a ceasefire agreement. It merely draws a bottom line for warfare, ensuring that war does not descend into slaughter without rules. Fight if you must, but the bottom line remains the bottom line."
"This convention restrains not only Konoha, but every one of you present as well. Mutual restraint is mutual protection."
Seeing that everyone had begun to waver, General Mifune immediately ordered a new round table to be brought in and, after much persuasion, managed to get everyone seated once more.
After everyone had taken their seats again, although the atmosphere remained as taut as a drawn bowstring, it was vastly better than the suffocating tension that had threatened to erupt moments earlier.
At the very least, everyone was sitting down again, and that alone was a gesture.
Shinichi was the first to speak, his tone straightforward.
"Since everyone is willing to sit down again, I assume you've all given it proper thought. I won't waste time on unnecessary words. Let's get straight to the main topic."
"Hmph."
A Yotsuki snorted coldly while folding his arms without replying, but he also made no move to leave.
Shinichi paid it no mind and calmly turned his gaze toward the next representative.
When Pakura saw him looking at her, she said coldly, "Kid, since you're the one who proposed this convention, you should be the one to begin."
"Very well."
Shinichi nodded and gestured to the person beside him.
Shikaku Nara immediately rose to his feet, took several prepared documents from inside his robe, and began distributing them while speaking steadily.
"This is our preliminary draft of the Rinkai City Convention..."
"We object."
Before he could finish speaking, Yagura interrupted him, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Without changing his expression, Yagura said calmly, "Since this convention is intended for every country and ninja village in the entire Shinobi World, naming it after a city within the Land of Fire is hardly impartial. It is quite inappropriate. Those who don't know better might think this is a decree issued unilaterally by the Land of Fire and Konoha."
The more important reason, however, was that the battle of Rinkai City had been a crushing defeat for the Village Hidden in the Mist, and one personally commanded by Yagura himself.
If that name were officially adopted, then every time people mentioned this convention, the battle of Rinkai City would inevitably be brought up as well.
By then, Village Hidden in the Mist, and Yagura in particular, would be forever nailed to the pillar of historical shame.
That was something he absolutely could not allow.