After they had completely left the house, Konan turned to Gojo, confusion evident in her eyes.
"You saw it too—that family can barely afford to eat. Why did you still take their food?"
"Why take their food?"
"We saved them. That little bit is our payment."
"If we didn't take anything, they'd think we had other intentions and worry even more."
Gojo explained calmly,
"So taking that small portion isn't just a reward for us—it also reassures them."
"So it was to put them at ease…"
Konan thought it over carefully and quickly realized that Gojo's approach made perfect sense.
"I never expected that even Hanzo's subordinates would start looting civilians."
"They used to just be bandits. Now with ninja involved, life for the common people will only get worse."
Recalling what had just happened, Konan's expression grew somber.
She herself had become a wanderer after her parents were killed by bandits, only surviving because she met Yahiko and Nagato.
Seeing that family's suffering stirred something deep within her.
"So—we must change the Land of Rain."
Gojo spoke firmly.
"If we want the civilians to live better lives, we have to free this land from Hanzo's control!"
"Mm… we have to free it from Hanzo first."
Konan nodded seriously.
If she had once considered cooperation with Hanzo, now she understood—
There was only one path left: overthrow him.
"But… with our current strength, can we really defeat him?"
"He's called a demigod…"
At the mention of Hanzo's power, Konan couldn't help but feel discouraged.
After all, his strength had been fully displayed during the Second Great Ninja War.
In the current ninja world, aside from the Five Kage—
Hanzo was among the strongest.
"Our strength isn't enough now—but that doesn't mean it won't be in the future."
Gojo replied quickly.
"After all, Nagato possesses the Sage's Eyes."
If even Konan lost confidence, the rest of them would stand no chance.
"That's true…"
"But Gojo—you're a genius too."
"In just a few days, you've learned all of our techniques."
Smiling, Konan reached out and ruffled his hair.
"My talent is only slightly better than average. It doesn't really count as being a genius."
Gojo replied modestly.
"How are you not a genius? That ninja earlier said he was a Chunin."
"You took him down instantly—what else would you call that?"
"Honestly, you might already be the strongest in the organization."
Thinking back to the defeated Chunin, Konan couldn't help but marvel.
Just two years ago, he had been someone she pulled out from among the dead—
And now, he had grown into the strongest member of their group.
That kind of progress was beyond imagination.
"If I were truly strong enough…"
"I'd go straight to Amegakure right now, kill Hanzo, and have the Akatsuki take control of the Land of Rain."
Gojo said with a faint smile.
"Have the Akatsuki rule the Land of Rain, huh…"
Konan glanced at him.
"If that day really comes, what would you want to do next?"
"Anything you'd want to accomplish first?"
"What would I do first…"
Gojo paused.
"Probably… bring peace to the ninja world."
There was one thought he didn't voice aloud—
If true peace was the goal, then only unity could achieve it.
As long as the ninja world remained divided among the Five Great Nations, peace would never truly exist.
Even someone as powerful as Hashirama Senju—who once suppressed the entire world—
Could not prevent war from breaking out after his death.
Without that overwhelming force to maintain balance, conflict was inevitable.
So in Gojo's view—
Division would never work.
Only unification could truly end the cycle.
"Peace in the ninja world… that really is our goal."
Konan nodded firmly.
As they continued forward, they soon arrived before a small village.
Gojo narrowed his eyes slightly.
This—
Was their destination.
A bandit stronghold.
In this world, whether in the prosperous Land of Fire or the barren Land of Wind, bandits were everywhere.
Most were made up of ordinary people and samurai, but some groups even included rogue ninja.
According to Konan's intelligence, this particular group had already destroyed no fewer than five villages.
They were notorious even within the Land of Rain.
As Gojo and Konan approached, they quickly reached the outskirts of the stronghold.
Inside the central building—
The bandit leader, who appeared imposing to his subordinates, was now kneeling on the ground, bowing deeply, not daring to lift his head.
"How is it that the money you brought this time is only half of what it should be?"
The ninja sitting in the chair glanced at the ledger in his hand and spoke coldly.
"My lord! We've already done everything we can!"
"We had to plunder five villages just to gather this much!"
The bandit leader trembled as he hastily explained.
"Five villages?"
"If you can plunder five, why not ten? Twenty?"
"With such a small amount, how am I supposed to answer to Lord Hanzo?"
The ninja snorted and flung the ledger at the bandit leader's head.
"My lord… it's mainly because our strength is limited…"
"And that Akatsuki…"
The bandit leader spoke cautiously, his voice shaking.
Plundering five villages was already pushing his luck.
If the Akatsuki still existed openly, he wouldn't have dared attack even two.
Those people truly upheld justice.
If bandits like him fell into their hands, they'd die a hundred times over.
"The Akatsuki? Hmph!"
"Lord Hanzo has already forced them to disband. You have nothing to worry about!"
"Your only task now is to gather money for Lord Hanzo!"
"If five villages aren't enough, then ten! If ten aren't enough, then twenty!"
"As long as the number is high enough, you'll get what you need!"
The ninja looked down at him coldly.
"Understood?"
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