Chapter 51: Return
The plan that Mochizuki Hui and Sarutobi Hiruzen came up with for Jiraiya was a success.
This incident left a lasting impression on Jiraiya, forcing him to truly recognize the importance of strength and the fundamental qualities of being a ninja. It made him understand what it meant to be a ninja.
After all, it was a lesson learned from almost losing a companion, a lesson that would be deeply etched into his memory.
From that point forward, Jiraiya became serious.
He never wanted to experience that feeling of helplessness and despair again.
He wanted to one day stand shoulder to shoulder with Mochizuki Hui, rather than relying on Hui to risk his life to cover for him.
This time, Mochizuki Hui was only "seriously injured," but what about next time?
Next time, it might not only be Mochizuki Hui; it could be his other friends too.
Next time, it might not just be an injury but death.
The thought of such a possibility weighed heavily on Jiraiya's heart.
He didn't want to be a burden anymore.
The next time they faced a situation like this, he wanted to be the one left behind.
It was a transformation of the heart. While it couldn't change Jiraiya overnight, his newfound focus and determination were visible to the naked eye.
This shift in Jiraiya brought great relief to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
In private, Sarutobi even expressed his gratitude to Mochizuki Hui.
Meanwhile, Mochizuki Hui took advantage of the opportunity during this "performance" and enjoyed his time resting in Konoha Hospital, indulging in good food and relaxation for days on end.
In fact, he was so comfortable that Tobirama Senju himself could no longer tolerate it.
In the Hokage's office, Tobirama Senju sat at his desk, his eyes flashing with a cold gleam as he read through the latest intelligence reports.
Four years had passed since the last war ended. Four years were enough time for many people to forget certain memories.
But as the Hokage, the leader of Konoha, Tobirama could never forget the issues that surfaced during the last Shinobi World War.
For example, the surrounding small countries!
While the previous Shinobi World War had primarily been a battle between the five great villages, numerous small villages either actively participated or were dragged into the conflict, with almost all of them getting involved.
These small villages weren't necessarily the most dangerous—after all, their individual power was negligible in the larger conflict.
But the real threat came from those who remained neutral.
During the height of the war, when the great villages were evenly matched and the battlefield was in a delicate balance, the decisions of these neutral villages could tip the scales. They were the hidden dangers of war!
If Tobirama hadn't dispatched the ANBU for large-scale assassination operations during the last conflict, the outcome of the war might have been very different.
Tobirama kept this in mind.
In his view, these small villages were unnecessary.
Or rather, only a few of them were necessary.
Tobirama recalled a conversation he had with Mochizuki Hui some time ago, where Hui had said: "No one knows when the next war might break out. It's best to have a buffer zone between the great nations."
Tobirama had wholeheartedly agreed with that statement.
Having direct borders between great nations increased the chances of conflict, making it hard to maintain peace along their frontiers.
It was far better to have one or two small nations act as a buffer zone, a neutral space where conflict could unfold in times of peace.
When war did break out, these small countries could become the battlefield, keeping the violence away from the homelands of the great nations.
Even though people might feel a sense of guilt for allowing the destruction to happen on foreign soil, humans are inherently selfish. As long as it's not happening to them, most people wouldn't care enough to intervene.
So, these small nations did serve a purpose.
But the rest… in the future, the Shinobi world wouldn't need so many small countries!
Tobirama had waited four long years. Four years was enough time for these smaller nations to lower their guard and forget their fear of the Land of Fire and Konoha.
It was also enough time for Konoha to recover from the war and train a new generation of highly skilled ANBU operatives.
Tobirama planned to use the ANBU to eliminate these small nations one by one.
Of course, openly attacking other nations during peacetime wouldn't look good—it would seem like an act of tyranny.
And it wouldn't reflect well on Konoha's image.
If it's something dishonorable, then it's better to let the people in the shadows do it.
The ANBU were nameless, faceless agents of the dark. When they wiped out these small nations, what would that have to do with Konoha?
As for getting caught, all of the five great villages had their own ANBU divisions. Who could prove it was Konoha's doing? No proof, no case!
"Notify Mochizuki Hui. He is to report back to the ANBU tomorrow. Also, I'm promoting him to captain of the First Unit, Fourth Squad."
Tobirama's voice cut through the quiet room.
"And transfer those two promising rookies to his squad."
"Yes!" a voice responded from the shadows—a hidden ANBU operative.
Tobirama picked up a dossier from his desk. It detailed all the information he had on Mochizuki Hui.
"Hui, if you want to become Hokage, you'll need to show a ruthless determination.
"Your strength, your mind, everything about you, makes you a great candidate for Hokage.
"But if you lack the courage to face the darkness and make the hard decisions, then you'll never be more than just an exceptional ninja.
"This is your test. Don't disappoint me."
Tobirama stared at the picture of Mochizuki Hui, speaking quietly to himself.
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