Uchiha Madara did not refute this.
If it were not for his ideological differences with Senju Hashirama, why would he have left the Village?
“Madara, you should understand this best.”
“Aside from Senju Hashirama, how many people in the entire Konoha Village truly trust you?”
Kiyoi Gen’s words stung Uchiha Madara’s heart.
His younger brother was dead, the Village he wanted to protect did not trust him and did not need his protection, and even the clansmen who had once believed in him no longer followed him.
After all, it was impossible for everyone to be open and honest with one another.
Senju Hashirama was simply an exception.
“Madara, does peace really require people to understand one another?”
Uchiha Madara looked up, turning his gaze back to the smiling Kiyoi Gen.
“In my opinion, it is not necessary.”
“On the contrary, as long as a good environment is established, everything is more likely to develop in a positive direction.”
“Sufficient resources, mutually supportive companions, and good education.”
“Humans are creatures that change according to their environment.”
Kiyoi Gen turned his gaze back to the campfire and said slowly,
“In my view, it is easier to achieve true peace by starting with external conditions, rather than expecting mutual understanding between people.”
Uchiha Madara frowned.
“Then what do you think should be done?”
Kiyoi Gen looked up, meeting Madara’s eyes, but did not answer his question.
“Madara, a child once asked me a question like this.”
“He asked, if a world existed where everyone could be completely satisfied, would it truly be peaceful and happy?”
“I thought about it and did not answer him immediately.”
“Madara, if it were you, what do you think?”
Uchiha Madara did not expect to be asked in return, but he calmed his mind and thought about the question.
“Yes.”
Kiyoi Gen smiled faintly.
“After hearing this question, I imagined another scenario.”
“Madara, if there were an omnipotent god now who told everyone that he could guarantee everyone would live happily, but in exchange, everyone must die at the age of sixty to serve as his nourishment.”
“Do you think we should agree to the god’s request?”
What did this mean?
Uchiha Madara was somewhat confused, but he felt that Kiyoi Gen was hinting at something.
“Then what do you think?”
This time, he mimicked the other person and asked in return.
Kiyoi Gen smiled and expressed his thoughts.
“If I were an ordinary person, I would gladly accept.”
“I cannot guarantee I will live to sixty, nor can I guarantee that life before sixty will be happy.”
“Perhaps I would even live in great pain.”
“Just like those who lost their lives on the battlefield.”
“Everyone wants a happy life.”
“Being able to receive a god’s help in the present, when one is unsure how long they will live, and live happily until sixty, what is there to be dissatisfied with?”
“But the perspective I am in now is that of a ruler.”
“Then I would absolutely not agree to this god’s request.”
Uchiha Madara was puzzled.
“Why?”
Kiyoi Gen used a wooden stick to poke the campfire, sending sparks flying and making the flames burn more vigorously.
“Because this god is depriving us of our potential.”
“From ancient times to the present, humanity has gone through development after development to reach this point today.”
“Was it reliance on happiness?”
“It was the yearning and determination for a happy and beautiful life under intense pressure!”
“And it is because of this determination that we humans have created countless miracles, isn’t that right?”
Uchiha Madara’s expression did not change, but Kiyoi Gen knew he was definitely thinking.
“Let’s return to the previous question.”
“How to achieve true peace.”
Kiyoi Gen looked up and shrugged.
“Well, I don’t know either.”
“I am not a god, so to achieve such a goal, I can only slowly practice and attempt, trying my best to move in that direction.”
“First, unify all nations, using force to deter, laws to regulate, and education to influence.”
“Build a good environment so that everyone does not have to worry about safety and food.”
“Within the scope of my influence, try to suppress crime and violence as much as possible, allowing the vast majority of people to see hope in life.”
“This is the nation I want to build!”
Suddenly, Kiyoi Gen’s somewhat fair hand reached out in front of Uchiha Madara.
Madara looked at the calluses on it from years of holding a pen, lost in thought.
This young man had chosen a path different from his and Senju Hashirama’s.
He had no power, yet like Senju Hashirama, he had gained the trust and help of many, building a Village connected by bonds and ideals.
Moreover, he was practicing his goals step by step.
“Madara, let’s search for the method to true peace together!”
“To unify the world, your power is necessary!”
Uchiha Madara looked up.
At this moment, Kiyoi Gen seemed to radiate a powerful charisma, just like Senju Hashirama.
But he thought again of the records in the Naka Shrine stone tablet regarding the method to achieve true peace.
Should he agree?
Kiyoi Gen saw that Madara’s favorability towards him had increased by another five points, but the other party still hesitated to shake his hand.
It seemed it was still a bit short.
At this moment, Lord Madara was probably thinking about the contents of the stone tablet he had yet to see.
Or perhaps he did not fully trust him yet.
He hoped today’s conversation would influence the future Lord Madara.
“How about this.”
Kiyoi Gen withdrew his right hand.
Instead, he took out an exquisite leather notebook from his backpack.
“Madara, there is no need to give me an answer so quickly.”
“By the way, help me bury this notebook under the ground of this tree.”
Uchiha Madara took the notebook.
There was nothing written on the cover, but it depicted the scenery of the Churi Village Magistrates Office.
Very well, he would do as Kiyoi Gen said.
Thinking of this, Madara quickly formed hand seals.
Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage!
The notebook placed on the grass under the tree slowly sank into the ground, leaving no trace.
“By the way, use Sealing Jutsu to stabilize it, ensuring that only you can take it out.”
Uchiha Madara glanced at Kiyoi Gen.
Was the secret to getting rich written on it?
Why did he have to guard it so tightly?
There were only the two of them here.
Seeing that Lord Madara had used Sealing Jutsu to stabilize it, Kiyoi Gen nodded and said with a smile,
“Later, if you want to know what is written on it, come here and take this notebook out.”
He turned and walked to the campfire, sat down again, and stopped talking about the previous matter, instead beginning to tease Madara.
“Madara, I heard you told the children in school stories about the Sengoku era Ninja.
Why don’t you tell me some too?”
Uchiha Madara’s mouth twitched.
Are you a child too!
However, with the other person’s interruption, the atmosphere eased up quite a bit.
“Tell me about things between you and Senju Hashirama as well.”
“When I was investigating, I only knew about things after you both became clan heads.”
“Fine.”
“But there isn’t much to tell.”
The two chatted somewhat awkwardly by the campfire.
But Kiyoi Gen understood that the relationship between them had taken another step forward.
Chapter 20 Nine-Tailed Kurama.
“Madara, is this your first time in the Land of Lightning?”
“Ah, indeed.”
At this time, Kiyoi Gen and Uchiha Madara were walking in a small town in the eastern part of the Land of Lightning, disguised as tourists.
Madara’s gunbai, which represented the clan head, had also been put away into a sealing scroll.
The civilians in the small town had various skin tones, some darker, some lighter, like a hodgepodge of different races.
In terms of facility construction and foot traffic, it was completely inferior to the towns in the Land of Fire.
“Follow me, I remember there is a shop here that I invested in and opened.”
After speaking, Kiyoi Gen led Madara toward the commercial street.
Soon, the two arrived at a two-story izakaya that was considered large in scale.
“Welcome!”
Just as they entered, a beautiful girl with slightly dark skin wearing a maid outfit looked toward the door with a smile.
These were the first customers this morning.
“Hamoi, long time no see.”
When Kiyoi Gen lowered his hood, the girl immediately jumped up in surprise.
“It’s Lord Gen!”
Hamoi ran up directly and hugged Kiyoi Gen enthusiastically.
“Lord Gen, why didn’t you say anything when you came?
I will immediately ask my parents to prepare a welcome banquet for you.”
“No, no need.
I just came this time to inquire about some things.”
Three minutes later, Kiyoi Gen learned from Hamoi where the recent turmoil had occurred.