Hanzo of the Salamander smiled faintly.
"If you want that answer, you must first understand the nature of war."
The nature of war?
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan all focused intently on him.
In their eyes, war was complicated—its causes varied, sometimes even irrational and incomprehensible.
They wanted to hear Hanzo's perspective.
Hanzo didn't keep them in suspense.
"No matter the reason or excuse, at its core, war is nothing more than a struggle for – interests.?!"
"Yes. Interests."
He continued:
"Have you ever observed how animals behave in the wild?"
Yahiko looked confused.
"…What's that?"
Hanzo paused—realizing he had spoken too casually—then corrected himself:
"A book about animal behavior."
Yahiko shook his head.
"We've never heard of it."
Hanzo smiled.
"It's not widely read. Few people care about animals."
"But humans… are just more complex animals."
"By observing animals, you can understand many problems of human society."
"War included."
He paused briefly, then continued:
"On a vast grassland, predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas coexist."
"They all feed on herbivores like cattle and sheep."
"They compete. They fight."
"And if they encounter each other's young, they will kill them without hesitation."
"Even within the same species, they attack offspring that aren't their own."
"This has been the case for thousands of years."
"Do you know why?"
Yahiko frowned, sensing the answer—but unable to grasp it fully.
Nagato spoke hesitantly:
"…Because of benefits? Interests?"
"Exactly."
Hanzo nodded.
"The grass on that land is finite."
"So the number of herbivores it can sustain is also finite."
"And if herbivores are limited, then so are predators."
"If there were no conflict, predators would multiply endlessly—until they devoured everything and collapsed."
"So they fight."
"They kill competitors' offspring."
"All to reduce competition and ensure survival for themselves and their lineage."
"That is how balance is maintained."
He looked at them.
"Now imagine the world as that grassland."
"Resources are the herbivores."
"Nations are the predators."
"War becomes easy to understand."
"Even the Second Great Ninja War I initiated…"
"…was ultimately just me fighting for the interests of the Land of Rain."
Yahiko and the others turned pale.
For the first time—
They saw war clearly.
And that clarity shook them.
If war is tied to survival—
Then it cannot be avoided.
Even if people understand each other—
What then?
Starve together?
Die together?
Impossible.
Beasts fight to survive.
Humans—driven by greed and desire—
Would never stop.
If conflict is inevitable—
Then where does true peace exist?
Their efforts…
Seemed meaningless.
"Understanding leads to peace"—
Felt like an empty phrase.
Hanzo observed their reactions and chuckled.
"Reality hitting hard?"
Yahiko forced a bitter smile.
"…It's just… difficult to accept."
Hanzo continued calmly:
"But once you understand the problem—solutions become easier."
The three of them looked up immediately.
"Hanzo-sama, you've found a solution?" Yahiko asked eagerly.
Hanzo nodded.
"Given time, you might find your own path."
"But before that…"
"Would you like to hear mine?"
"Of course!"
All three answered without hesitation.
Hanzo paused slightly.
"…Before that, allow me to properly introduce myself."
His eyes suddenly turned crimson.
His expression became blank.
From the shadows behind him—
A figure stepped forward.
Facing their shocked gazes, he spoke:
"I am Uchiha Ren."
"Nice to meet you."
"Y-you…!"
Yahiko was so shocked he couldn't even form a sentence.
He tried to stand—
But found himself completely immobilized.
Nagato and Konan, however, remained more composed.
Konan was naturally calm.
Nagato… had already sensed something.
"No need to panic. I mean you no harm."
Uchiha Ren smiled gently, then looked at Nagato.
"You noticed it earlier, didn't you?"
"Nagato?!"
Yahiko and Konan turned to him in surprise.
Nagato hesitated, then revealed his eyes—
The Rennegan.
"I saw abnormal chakra in Hanzo-sama's brain."
"But I couldn't identify it, so I didn't act rashly."
He spoke cautiously—
But in truth, he had been wary of Ren's strength.
He also revealed his Rennegan because he knew Ren had already noticed.
More importantly—
He hadn't sensed hostility.
"A remarkable pair of eyes," Ren said calmly.
"But don't rely on them too much."
Then Yahiko asked:
"Who are you? What did you do to Hanzo-sama?"
"I only placed him under a genjutsu."
Ren replied.
"And strictly speaking… I saved your lives."
"Saved us?" Yahiko frowned.
Ren pointed at their bandages.
"You've noticed the recent changes on the battlefield, haven't you?"
"And you've already been caught in it."
Yahiko nodded.
"You mean the escalating conflict between Konoha and Iwagakure?"
Ren confirmed:
"A new force has intervened."
"Danzō Shimura."
"He wants to prolong the war for greaterinterests."
"I came to stop him."
"I spoke with Hanzo—"
"But he chose to cooperate with Danzō."
"So I had no choice."
Yahiko couldn't understand.
"Why would Hanzo-sama do that? Wouldn't ending the war benefit the Land of Rain?"
Ren shook his head.
"You're still too naïve."
"After the Second War, there was peace for a time."
"Did the Land of Rain develop?"
Yahiko froze.
It hadn't.
Nothing had changed.
Ren explained:
"In peacetime, the great nations suppress smaller ones like the Land of Rain."
"But in war—"
"They're too busy fighting each other."
"That creates opportunities."
"Even if it comes at the cost of civilian suffering."
"For someone like Hanzo—"
"Sacrificing some to strengthen the whole is acceptable."
"Just like animals abandoning weaker offspring."
Yahiko stood frozen.
Reality was far harsher than he imagined.
Konan asked instead:
"You said you saved us. Why?"
Ren pointed at Nagato.
"Because of him."
"Me?" Nagato was confused.
"Your eyes are exposed."
"Danzō wants them."
"He plans to use you as leverage in his alliance with Hanzo."
"If nothing changes—"
"Akatsuki will be sacrificed."
The three of them immediately thought of the ambush from the previous day.
A chill ran through them.
"…How could this be…"
Yahiko muttered.
Ren continued:
"If you doubt me, stay."
"Danzō will arrive soon."
"You can see for yourselves."
They exchanged glances—
Then nodded.
Some truths—
Had to be witnessed personally.
Konan then asked:
"…Why are you helping us?"
Ren smiled.
"There are several reasons."
"Someone asked me to look after you."
"And I genuinely admire you."
"You don't just dream—you act."
"That's rare."
Yahiko's eyes lit up.
"Is it Jiraiya-sensei?"
Ren shook his head.
"No."
"It's another of his students—Minato Namikaze."
"You can consider him your senior."
"He heard about you and asked me to take care of you."
The three were stunned.
They knew of Minato—
But never expected such concern from someone they'd never met.
That sense of shared lineage—
Warmed their hearts.
"Since you're Minato-senpai's friend… I'll call you Ren-san."
Yahiko said.
Their guard had clearly lowered.
"Of course," Ren replied with a smile.
Yahiko leaned forward slightly.
"Ren-san… putting Hanzo and Danzō aside for now—"
"Can you tell me your solution to conflict?"