The Hand of God Creates the Strongest Hidden Mist Village

Chapter 73 A young man full of dreams deserves respect.

"Greetings, Chief! Greetings, Chief! I've heard so much about you!"

Seeing Yahiko approaching, Makoto quickly wiped his hands on his clothes, grabbed Yahiko's hands, and shook them vigorously.

"Your speech just now really...it really touched my heart!"

"My name is Shimizu Makoto. I'm a small-time traveling merchant who runs errands all over the country. I've seen too many tragedies brought about by war."

"You're right. In the end, it's always us ordinary people and low-level ninjas who suffer from all this fighting. If only there were a way to get everyone to sit down and talk things out, so that we could stop using violence to resolve conflicts!"

Yahiko's eyes lit up, as if he had found a kindred spirit.

"It's wonderful that Mr. Cheng understands our philosophy."

"It seems our efforts weren't in vain; there are still people willing to listen and think!"

"I understand, I totally understand!"

Makoto Koji nodded repeatedly, then sighed, a worried look on his face: "However... Chief Yahiko, please forgive my bluntness, but while your idea is good, its realization will be as difficult as climbing to the sky."

He paused at just the right moment, observing Yahiko's reaction.

Yahiko's smile faded slightly, but his eyes remained firm.

"I know the road ahead will be difficult. But it is precisely because it is difficult that we need someone to try and to pave the way. If we don't do it because it's difficult, then peace will forever remain a fantasy."

"That's ambitious!"

Makoto Karatachi gave a thumbs up, but then changed the subject: "However, Chief Yahiko, your organization seems rather small. Relying on just a few of you to promote such ideas throughout the ninja world... I'm afraid..."

Yahiko was not displeased by the questioning; instead, he explained earnestly.

"The Akatsuki organization is indeed limited in size at present, but we believe that the power of ideology is greater than mere numbers."

"We will gradually grow and expand by completing high-quality employment tasks, building reputation and capital, and spreading our ideas to more people. And..."

He glanced at Nagato and Konan, who were standing quietly not far away, as well as the other Akatsuki members dressed in black robes, his tone filled with pride and trust.

"We have trustworthy partners whose strength is enough to meet many challenges!"

"I see."

Following Yahiko's gaze, Makoto Karatachi looked on with a look of realization: "It seems the leader has some good companions. How enviable."

"Partners are the most precious asset!"

Yahiko smiled and nodded, then changed the subject: "Mr. Makoto has traveled all over the world and has seen a lot. Do you have any specific suggestions for our philosophy and practices? Or have you encountered any people or things that impressed you and made you think, 'Perhaps this is a good approach'?"

This is not just a polite formality.

Yahiko genuinely hopes to draw ideas from different people to improve his own concepts and practices.

Gouju secretly praised him, but on his face he showed a thoughtful expression, his fingers rubbing his chin.

"I wouldn't dare offer advice. I'm just a gofer; I don't know anything profound."

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts.

"However, after all these years of running around, I do have some ideas, which may be a bit rough, but Chief Yahiko, just take them with a grain of salt."

"I think your point about 'creating peace through dialogue and understanding' is on the right track. But just talking about it might not be enough."

He pointed to the crowd gradually dispersing from the square.

"For example, these people listened to your speech today, took the eggs, and probably think you are a good person and that what you said makes sense."

"But what about tomorrow? What about the day after?"

"If one day, the people of Iwagakure or Konoha really attack, or if vicious wandering ninjas rob us, will they remember your words and sit down to try to communicate with the other party, or will they instinctively pick up weapons or run for their lives?"

Yahiko's expression turned serious as he listened attentively.

"Your idea is like a seed, very precious. But to make it sprout, grow, and become a big tree that can shelter you from the wind and rain, watering and encouragement alone are not enough."

"It needs soil, it needs fences, it needs... something tangible that makes people feel 'safe' and 'changed'."

Makoto Karimoto's voice wasn't loud, but his words struck Yahiko's heart like hammer blows.

"I've been to some small places where, after the war, people didn't not want peace; they were afraid."

"They only believe that they have a knife, the walls are high enough, and they have enough food. If you talk to them about 'mutual understanding' at this point, they might nod, but what they're really thinking is 'survival first.'"

"So I'm thinking, if the Akatsuki really wants to promote peace, perhaps they could... take a two-step approach?"

Yahiko's eyes widened slightly.

"Two steps?"

"Yes." Makoto Goji nods. "The first step is 'establishing trust'."

"We establish our authority not through killing, but through ability. Just like your current mission to protect the border of the Land of Waterfall, this is demonstrating our ability and building our credibility. It lets those who employ you, as well as those watching from the sidelines, see that the Akatsuki can not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk, and walk the walk very well, and is trustworthy."

"You've already taken this step, and you're doing it well."

"But that alone doesn't constitute true credibility!"

"If Akatsuki can truly establish itself in a war-torn region where various forces are intertwined—it doesn't necessarily have to be a large country, a small country, or even a border buffer zone—not through military conquest, but through the missions you complete, the credibility you build, and by genuinely helping the locals rebuild order, ensure security, and promote trade, you will gain their genuine support and endorsement."

"In that place, try to promote your concept of 'dialogue first, force only for self-defense and protection.' Turn it into a living example, a model of 'how peace can be achieved through non-purely forceful means.'"

"Let those who doubt, those who think peace is just a pipe dream, see with their own eyes another possibility."

Makoto Koji turned his gaze away, looked at Yahiko, and smiled.

"If you can do that, then you've succeeded in your first step, and you've truly established your faith!"

"Of course, this is difficult and will take a long time, facing even greater resistance. We must not only guard against external enemies, but also be wary of internal corruption and changes. And..."

"This is just the first step!"

"And what's the second step?"

Yahiko asked impatiently!

In the years he had spent establishing the Akatsuki organization and lobbying the ninja world, he had never seen anyone speak such words or have such vision.

This Shimizu Makoto is definitely no ordinary person!

"The second step..."

Gouju clicked his tongue and looked into the distance.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the town and the forest, reaching into the wider world of ninjas.

"Then we need the simplest things in the world."

"The simplest things?"

Ah, power.