Watching the Five Kage sign the agreement, Fumori Masaki knew that at least ten years of peace were guaranteed for the future. As for what would happen after that, it would depend on the results of the Chunin Exam system, which was inherently tied to the nature of the ninja world.
In the original story, Sarutobi Hiruzen also adopted a similar approach, and the twenty years of peace after the First Shinobi World War could be understood as a result of the Chunin Exam system.
However, just like the First Hokage's distribution of Tailed Beasts, the Chunin Exam system could not guarantee eternal peace; the Second Shinobi World War twenty years later was proof of this.
And when the original story began, the Chunin Exams, in which the five great nations jointly participated, had clearly not been held for a long time; that particular one only involved the Land of Wind, and it was with ulterior motives.
Fumori Masaki believed that human societal change was dynamic, not static; therefore, eternal peace was impossible.
There would inevitably be a period of upheaval, which could be direct warfare, economic competition, or a cold standoff —
Just as a certain philosopher said, contradictions are ever-present; when one contradiction is resolved, new ones emerge.
The key is how to correctly resolve contradictions, and when necessary, war cannot be refused.
The Chunin Exam system, with its ninja world characteristics, was a simulated military exercise that condensed large-scale warfare into one location.
It could resolve some contradictions, but not all of them.
When it gradually lost its original function, what Fumori Masaki needed to do was analyze the changing situation and, just as the distribution of Tailed Beasts lost its balancing effect and was replaced by the Chunin Exam system, find a new way to replace the Chunin Exam system, and so on.
At this moment, the Five Kage each carefully put away their agreements.
Upon returning to their respective countries, they would present them to their Daimyo, who would then announce them to the entire ninja world.
As representatives, their mission at this conference would also come to an end.
Wakanosuke solemnly expressed his pleasure at seeing the Five Kage harmoniously discuss the future order of the ninja world and hoped that, in his lifetime, he would see this peace not vanish abruptly like it did during the First Hokage's era.
Given Wakanosuke's status as the General of the Land of Iron, even if others felt that the Land of Iron would easily get involved in a ninja war, they couldn't be sure.
If someone were to start a war again while Wakanosuke was still alive, the Land of Iron might assist other countries in sanctioning them, and in that case, even securing one country as an ally might not guarantee victory.
However, this statement could also be exploited; if the Daimyo heard it, they would likely genuinely fear starting a war, providing the ninja villages with an excellent period of recovery.
Next, the Five Kage would exit the room one by one through their original individual passages.
Fumori Masaki and Sarutobi Hiruzen came down from the second floor, and the other guards nodded, as if they had anticipated this.
Sora and the Third Raikage looked at them with some warmth, while Chiyo and Ebizo's gazes were not as friendly.
Compared to the Kumogakure ninja village, which had received help, the Sunagakure ninja village had only been severely taught a lesson by the Konohagakure ninja village, and even Zhenming, who had mastered Magnet Release, had died.
If it weren't for being on the Land of Iron's territory, and the fact that Sunagakure and Konoha currently had to maintain good relations, Chiyo truly felt an urge to attack, but she still held back.
Among the younger generation of Sunagakure ninja village, Chiyo and Ebizo were considered the most outstanding.
The Second Kazekage intended for one of them to become the Kazekage, so he began training them, which helped Chiyo's impetuous nature to temper and prevented her from easily getting angry.
The Second Kazekage gave Fumori Masaki a deep look; this was the person who had killed his student, yet he had no way to deal with him.
The blow Tobirama had dealt him at the time had left severe after-effects, and combined with past hidden injuries, he wouldn't survive the ten-year peace period.
All he could do was watch Fumori Masaki leave the room with Tobirama.
Perhaps this was their last meeting; as the leader of Sunagakure ninja village, he couldn't easily leave the village, and without war, he probably wouldn't see Fumori Masaki appear before him again.
Regardless of what the other Kage in the room were thinking, Fumori Masaki and Sarutobi Hiruzen followed Tobirama through a long corridor, returning to the room they had previously stayed in.
With the conclusion of the Five Kage Summit, they were also about to leave this place.
Although curious about the customs and traditions of the Land of Iron, as envoys from another country, the samurai clearly would not allow them to act freely.
Rather than being followed by samurai like prisoners, it was better to just return home.
"Finally, we can leave this annoying place," Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a big sigh of relief.
"It seems your training isn't enough yet, Monkey," Tobirama shook his head with a smile.
He didn't think there was any problem; he had his own things to do, so let them monitor him if they wanted.
"I can't compare to Sensei," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
"But you still need to adapt; don't forget, you might still have to come here," Tobirama reminded.
"At that time, you might have to face an even more complex situation than now.
I won't be able to see that day; from now on, it's up to you."
"Sensei..." Sarutobi Hiruzen detected a somewhat ominous meaning.
Although he hoped his teacher could live, he had to admit that a ninja like Tobirama, who had experienced the Warring States period and the hardships of the First Shinobi World War, basically couldn't live too long, just like the First Kage of other villages who died from the recurrence of old injuries.
Because the medical system within the ninja villages was not yet very perfect, let alone any methods for maintaining health, Tobirama believed he also wouldn't live past the ten-year mark.
Even if the Senju clan had unique medical secret techniques, they couldn't cure the root cause; at most, they could ensure external health and not affect combat power.
When it was time to die, it was time to die.
"Life and death are fated; don't be sad because of it.
What I leave behind will become nourishment for the village, promoting the growth of those new green leaves.
As long as that happens, I will be satisfied," Tobirama smiled calmly.
Even so, both Fumori Masaki and Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a little unwell.
How could so many years of master-disciple affection be easily dismissed?
"Instead of worrying about this, it's better to think carefully about the future," Tobirama did not dwell on sentimental musings but returned to the main topic.
"Although the other Kage didn't immediately agree, they will at least try to hold a Chunin Exam, so the cultivation of the next generation will be of utmost importance."
"With the end of the war, the pressure of border defense is no longer so great, and you don't need to carry out long-term missions.
Just focus your energy on the Ninja Academy and cultivate the next generation of pillars for the village," Tobirama said to Fumori Masaki.
"Masaki, I've decided to implement the rules you proposed in the Ninja Academy.
Once they bear fruit, you can choose some people from there to teach as students."