Chapter 54: What is a Ninja? What is a Shinobi Village?

He had arrived in this world by a twist of fate.

What drove him to return to Konoha this time was none other than this very question.

He truly wanted to know how Konoha's Fourth Hokage, his biological father, Minato Namikaze, viewed ninjas and shinobi villages.

In his own opinion, ninjas were an aberration of the era. Uninvolved in production, living by missions, their lives intertwined with slaughter—if ninjas did not change, they would eventually be phased out by the times.

Among the many evaluations of Minato Namikaze in Konoha, one particularly stuck in his memory to this day—the Fourth Hokage was a Hokage who loved peace.

Although the Minato Namikaze of this world was not the one from his own, they were both 'similar flowers.' Their convergent ways of thinking held high reference value for him.

When one lives long enough, one begins to ponder all sorts of miscellaneous things. Whether it's benefiting the country and its people, or bringing disaster upon them; whether it's retreating to a secluded mountain, or making a grand appearance before the world…

Under the effects of the Dragon Heritage's divine power, he had died and revived time and time again. He had long grown numb to death.

Consequently, and quite naturally, he had developed some alternative ideas regarding spiritual permanence. Could he, through his own strength, do something within his power for this chaotic world, for those suffering in poverty?

But these were currently just vague notions, a seed buried deep within the soil. He needed to seek nourishment to help it sprout.

He was deeply grateful to Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki; they had given him life, allowing him to once again experience its brilliance. Therefore, he was eager to know their perspectives on this world.

After two months together, he had come to understand his mother Kushina Uzumaki's thoughts—they were very simple. The destruction of her childhood home, the Land of Whirlpools, the turbulent wars, and the pain of losing her country and family had profoundly shaped her worldview: she yearned for a peaceful and stable environment, a settled life, and for her family to live out their lives in happiness.

To become Hokage, Minato Namikaze naturally possessed a way of thinking—the 'Kage's perspective'—that set him apart from ordinary people. Naruto was very keen to know how he pursued peace.

"Ninja? Shinobi villages?" Minato Namikaze met Naruto's gaze for a long moment, seeming to understand his intent. After a period of contemplation, he said, "Ninjas are a product of the Warring States Period. Shinobi villages are the result of ninjas forming pacts with one another."

"The daimyos of various countries, feudal lords, nobles, and commoners, in order to achieve certain objectives, pay fees to issue missions to shinobi villages. Ninjas, whether for survival, honor, or other reasons, accept and complete these tasks."

"A sorrowful, yet realistic, vicious cycle."

"Then what are your thoughts on peace?" Naruto nodded, then asked.

"Peace," Minato sighed, "is a beautiful vision that requires everyone to strive for. The number of ninjas will not stop growing, but the number of available missions is finite."

"For these limited missions, the rapidly increasing ninja population resort to killing each other, fighting desperately. The seeds of hatred are thus sown."

"Once hatred is born, it never ceases. If a Konoha ninja kills a Sunagakure ninja, the Sunagakure ninja will retaliate against Konoha's ninjas, and Konoha's ninjas will do the same. This continues, forming an endless cycle."

"To break this cycle, individual effort is not enough. It requires everyone in the shinobi world to work together."

"I understand," Naruto nodded.

Minato Namikaze had indeed seriously contemplated how peace might be achieved. But only by truly delving into it does one comprehend the sheer weight of those two words; only by truly pondering it does one discover just how immensely difficult it is to realize.

To this day, he still lacked a feasible plan, or even a concrete idea, on how to achieve peace.

The next day.

Naruto tendered his farewells to Minato and Kushina. He had already stayed here for a long time. Their meeting had been a stroke of good fortune; to overstay would mar its beauty.

"Where will you go after leaving here?" Kushina Uzumaki asked softly, her fingers gently touching the corner of her eye. She knew that every meeting was destined for a parting. Though she had long foreseen this day, when the moment truly arrived, she couldn't help but feel sorrowful and shed tears.

"To verify some things, meet some strong individuals, climb one mountain after another, and witness one beautiful sight after another," Naruto chuckled lightly.

"You make yourself sound like a wandering poet," Kushina Uzumaki said, a smile breaking through her tears.

"Haha, perhaps the next time we meet, my identity will indeed be that of a traveling minstrel, who knows," Naruto laughed.

"Let me see you off," Minato said, seeing that the goodbyes were more or less concluded.

"I'll have to trouble you."

Naruto gave him a slight nod. Although he had lived in Konoha for two months, the fact remained unchanged: he was an undocumented resident.

The Flying Thunder God Technique—a space-time ninjutsu developed by the Second Hokage and popularized by Minato Namikaze. A powerful ninjutsu enabling free travel between different points in space-time via specific technique markers.

Minato placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder, and in an instant, both their figures vanished from the spot.

Kushina Uzumaki stared blankly at the place where they had disappeared.

Outside Konoha village, in a forest to the northwest, two figures abruptly materialized, startling the nearby birds into flight from the branches.

"This is the outskirts of Konoha. I trust you're familiar with it," Minato said. "Since I don't know your upcoming itinerary, this is as far as I can take you."

"This is more than enough. Thank you," Naruto replied with a slight nod, glancing around.

"…Naruto." After a moment's hesitation, Minato called out to him.

Naruto looked at him, puzzled.

"Have you ever thought about returning to Konoha? I can see that your heart also yearns for peace," Minato said slowly. "Your identity is special. As long as you're willing to come back, I believe Lady Tsunade and the others will accept you again."

"Konoha desires peace. Returning to Konoha, I believe, would better help you pursue your ideals."

"There's no going back. A broken mirror cannot be made whole," Naruto shook his head. "Once a crack appears, it can never truly be healed."

"If I told you that, at the very beginning, I actually had no intention of leaving Konoha, but that it was their various actions that pushed me towards forming that idea, would you believe me?"

Minato gazed at him for a long while, then sighed softly. "I understand."

"I'm sorry for saying so many things that might have hurt you, but I genuinely hope you can accept Konoha again."

"I accepted Konoha several times, but Konoha never accepted me," Naruto refused. Years of ostracization, coldness, and surveillance—how could these be changed by mere words?

"Furthermore, I haven't seen this so-called consciousness of seeking peace that you speak of from Konoha."

"I can only say this: all my current views on Konoha were gradually formed through one event and experience after another."

"Nothing is inevitable. What you sow, you shall reap."

"Having not experienced your suffering, I truly have no right to say these things," Minato said with a self-deprecating smile, shaking his head.

"Farewell," Naruto nodded slightly, then turned and departed.