Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

"Shall we just sit and watch idly?" 

Yahiko's fist hardened.

In his view, Kyōichi completely did not understand the suffering of small countries, standing from a large country's perspective and pointing fingers, which he deeply despised.

Kyōichi shook his head, not dwelling on the topic: "You say you're trying to achieve peace, what is your method?"

"The struggles of large countries leave us small countries with no place to settle. With the strength of Ame, if we gather the power of small villages, we can form a force to persuade large countries to stop fighting," Yahiko said.

"On what basis?"

"What?"

"On what basis would small countries listen to you, on what basis would Hanzo listen to you, on what basis would large countries listen to you?" Kyōichi spread his hands.

Naive.

The Akatsuki was a revolution, and with just these few guns, they wanted to intimidate large countries through alliance and coordination...

The idea was good.

Unfortunately.

It could probably only be realized in dreams, or if Yahiko, Pain, and Konan were as powerful as Hashirama and Madara.

But then again.

With that kind of strength, what support from small countries or Hanzo would they need?

A swift strike would suffice.

"This would benefit small countries, so why..." Yahiko said half a sentence and paused, unable to continue.

Halfway through the answer, he realized something was wrong.

"You think it's beneficial, but does everyone think the same? For example, the Takigakure Village."

"This..."

Yahiko was stunned.

Takigakure had been given a tailed beast back then.

If among small countries, besides Ame Village, who was the strongest, it would definitely be Takigakure.

But.

Would Takigakure listen to him?

Those small countries affiliated with large countries receive considerable support each year, and with a ninja village, they can maintain a certain peace.

Even.

Each small village might be harboring thoughts of accumulating strength to develop and one day rise above large countries, like Takigakure.

Everyone's thoughts are complex. How could they unite?

He was speechless.

"Let me ask you another question. After forming an alliance of small countries, who would be in charge? Hanzo or you? It's clear that you don't seem to be on the same side as that demi-god."

"..."

Yahiko was stumped again.

Who would lead?

Himself?

Following Kyōichi's train of thought, obviously impossible, because small countries would not agree.

But.

Without cooperation, how could they confront large countries?

"Do you know what other small countries want? Look, you haven't even clearly seen who are potential partners and who are enemies, yet you believe you can achieve peace. Give it a rest; this will only harm others and yourself."

Kyōichi said this and put away the Thunder God Sword.

Minato was momentarily speechless.

Kyōichi's words...

Were shocking!

Even he was questioned, let alone Yahiko and the others.

"I've said my piece. As for this kid, Minato, you handle it. I'm just a newly promoted jonin and don't know how to deal with such matters."

Kyōichi's figure immediately dissolved into mist.

The familiar body flicker technique.

Minato fell silent.

You unleashed a barrage of words and then directly ran away.

And me?

I'm just a shadow clone!

He looked at Nagato and Konan, fortunately, neither showed any intention of fighting.

"Wait!" Yahiko suddenly realized.

Kyōichi had left too quickly.

When he reacted, the person before him was already gone.

He looked at Minato, then at Konan and the unconscious Nagato in the distance, and after careful consideration, gritted his teeth and said: "Minato-senpai, could you let Konan take Nagato away? I'll go with you! I want to seek further guidance from this jonin."

"This..."

Minato was somewhat conflicted.

Kyōichi's questions were too profound, raising many contradictions that could not be resolved in a few words, otherwise, the ninja world would not be in such chaos.

Moreover.

He momentarily did not know how to handle Nagato.

But thinking about it, Nagato seemed to have a special ability, and Konan's paper combined with exploding tags posed a greater threat to the children. It would be better to bring Nagato back.

Because he was rational enough.

Yahiko clearly knew what could be done and what could not be done—except for wanting to use the strength of small countries to confront large countries.

Though naive, Minato was clear that peace was the dream of Jiraiya, them, and even himself. He had no clue at the moment, but Yahiko and the others had at least started to take action.

There was nothing to mock.

He believed that Kyōichi's intention was not to mock.

"I know, I was excited before, thinking my efforts could bring peace to the ninja world, but now I'm confused..."

Yahiko sighed.

Peace?

Forget the ninja world, according to kyōichi, he probably couldn't even handle Hanzo.

Although Nagato and his subordinates trusted him, it was precisely this trust that prevented him from making such hasty decisions—especially after someone pointed out the flaws in his plan.

Minato was pondering that if not for Kyōichi's team arriving, he would not have been able to pursue them, and Nagato and the others would naturally have missed each other.

So.

The current situation was truly a chain reaction.

Kyōichi's team executing a mission, discovering fleeing bandits, and interrogating that there were ninja troops in the Land of Rivers.

Coming to support, they discovered Yahiko.

Minato sorted out his thoughts, scratched his head, momentarily looking worried.

Kyōichi had brought him a difficult problem and then ran away quickly.

"Fine, come with me. Konan, take him back, so your people won't worry."

Minato thought.

Less trouble is better, currently, Konoha lacks the ability to provoke Ame Village and does not have enough strength to eliminate these ninjas.

Moreover.

Nagato and the others hadn't done anything, so there was no necessity to eliminate them.

"Thank you!"

Yahiko bowed deeply.

He knew.

This had put Minato in a difficult position, especially now asking Minato to take him back...

But.

Minato still agreed, which made him pleasantly surprised.

"Yahiko, this..."

"Konan, take Nagato back. Don't worry about me, I'll be back soon."

Yahiko comforted Konan.

"Be careful."

Konan's mood was complex.

Unlike Nagato, she didn't think so much. She just wanted to live well with Nagato and Yahiko, but Yahiko had his own pursuit—peace.

Born from childhood experiences, nurtured by Jiraiya's teachings.

The Akatsuki itself was created for this reason.

But.

Kyōichi's few words had almost completely overturned Yahiko's ideas.

Konan couldn't provide an answer and could only let Nagato find his own way. 

Moreover, she knew that this action of Akatsuki would need to be explained to the Konoha side.

Otherwise, perhaps as Kyōichi said, Hanzo would take action to eliminate Dawn.

She wrapped Nagato in paper and watched Yahiko leave with Minato.

...

Kyōichi left that side and quickly headed towards Asuma and the others.

From far away, he heard sounds.

However.

The fighting should have ended, with more sounds of begging.

Minato had only sent a shadow clone, but he wasn't worried about this side. 

After all, Minato was the future Yellow Flash of Konoha, and if he couldn't handle these bandits, it would be truly embarrassing.

"Sensei is back!" 

Kurenai sensed Kyōichi approaching and her face instantly lit up.

Although Minato took good care of them, without sensei present, something always felt off.