I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

Itachi first went to Nagasawa’s house and happened to meet Kabuto, who had just returned home. However, Nagasawa was away, so Kabuto suggested that Itachi check the Hokage building.

After bidding farewell to Kabuto, Itachi quickly reached the Hokage building and found Nagasawa’s office.

Knock, knock! Itachi knocked on the office door.

”Come in,” came Nagasawa’s voice from inside.

Hearing Nagasawa’s voice, Itachi opened the door and entered the office. Once inside, he looked around; he had never been to Nagasawa’s office before, and this was his first time visiting the Hokage building.

Fortunately, the Chunin Exam had made him somewhat famous in Konoha. Otherwise, he might have been suspected of being a lost child.

”Oh, Itachi, you’re already out of the hospital?” Nagasawa looked up from his documents and was surprised to see Itachi.

”Yes, I’m fully recovered,” Itachi nodded.

”Did you need something?” Nagasawa put down the document and sipped the tea on his desk.

”You said before that after the Chunin Exam, you would help us fulfill a wish. I’ve thought of my wish,” Itachi explained his purpose.

”Oh, that. Go ahead, as long as it’s within my ability and reasonable, I’ll help you,” Nagasawa smiled.

Itachi approached Nagasawa with a serious expression, bowed, and said, ”Please teach me how to end wars and achieve world peace.”

Itachi had asked Nagasawa many questions, like whether the war would ever end, how to achieve world peace, and why wars occur. Nagasawa rarely avoided his questions and usually answered them in ways Itachi hadn’t considered.

For instance, when Itachi asked why wars happen, some said it was because other countries attacked. Konoha had to retaliate, while others said it was to gain more significant benefits. Nagasawa’s answer was more complex, involving social and economic factors and contradictions in production modes, which were hard for Itachi to grasp fully.

However, Nagasawa had never given a concrete answer on how to achieve peace. He only advised Itachi to become stronger, saying that strength gave one more voice and a better chance to realize their ideals.

”That’s a very fitting wish for you, Itachi,” Nagasawa said, rubbing his chin.

However, solving this problem could not be done with just political maneuvering.

”What is your definition of peace? Does it mean no conflict at all, or simply no wars between nations or regions?” Nagasawa asked.

”No wars between nations or regions,” Itachi replied after some thought. Even as an idealist, he couldn’t imagine a world completely free of conflict.

Even someone as good-natured as Itachi sometimes got upset, like when Izumi would pretend to share her sweets with him, only to pull them away at the last moment. This showed how unrealistic it was to eliminate all conflict. Itachi just hoped for a world where people didn’t have to fight to the death on battlefields.

”And how long do you want this peace to last? A certain period or forever?” Nagasawa asked again.

”Forever,” Itachi answered without hesitation. If he aimed to eliminate war, he wanted it to be for good. Temporary peace was not enough; he wanted to ensure no one had to experience the horrors of war again.

”In this regard, Itachi, you’re surprisingly persistent,” Nagasawa sighed.

Itachi looked at Nagasawa with hopeful eyes, wishing for an answer.

Unfortunately, not everything in life goes as planned. ”I’m sorry, Itachi. If you wanted temporary peace, I could tell you that your ideal is close to being realized. But if you want everlasting peace, I’m afraid I can’t help you,” Nagasawa said, shaking his head.

If temporary peace were the goal, Nagasawa could maintain it with his overwhelming strength until his death. But as for everlasting peace, he couldn’t guarantee it.

Even if he had some ability to live long, Nagasawa couldn’t ensure permanent peace. Future external threats like aliens or other Otsutsuki could arise.

”Itachi, do you truly understand what conflict and war are? Let me ask you, what caused the Second Shinobi World War?” Nagasawa questioned.

Itachi momentarily thought, then replied, ”Because the Hidden Rain Village grew in power, Hanzo was dissatisfied with the existing order and wanted equal status with the Five Great Shinobi Nations.”

”Is the true cause Hanzo’s ambition?”

”No, the fundamental reason is the conflict of economic interests and contradictions in social production relationships.”

”Oh, and why do these contradictions exist?”

”Because...because...” Itachi struggled to find an answer, realizing he didn’t fully understand the concepts.

Seeing Itachi’s struggle, Nagasawa smiled and touched his shoulder. ”You still have a lot to learn, Itachi. Let me explain...”

The world of shinobi is strange. Despite the advancement of productivity, the system remains feudal due to the existence of chakra and ninjas. No matter how brilliant one’s theories are, a skilled ninja can overpower them with sheer force.

In such a world, achieving peace takes work.

”If you travel through the shinobi world, seeing it firsthand, you might gain new insights. My words can never fully capture reality,” Nagasawa suggested.

Seeing factories and rural areas firsthand could provide a better understanding of progress and conflict.

”Travel and see the world?” Itachi murmured, intrigued by the idea. He had never had the opportunity to leave Konoha, except for a visit to the battlefield with his father, which showed him the horrors of war.

”I want to go now, but only within the Land of Fire,” Itachi proposed.

Nagasawa rubbed his forehead. Itachi’s decisiveness was admirable but concerning. ”Have you really thought this through?” he asked.

”Yes, I have. I will discuss it with my parents,” Itachi insisted.

”Alright, but participate in the special forces exam first. After that, you can use the mission as an excuse for your journey,” Nagasawa said, not wanting Itachi to rush.

”Understood,” Itachi agreed, willing to wait a bit longer.

”Are you sure about this? I won’t arrange for any ninja to protect you within the Land of Fire,” Nagasawa asked again.

”I’ve decided. My strength is enough to protect myself within the Land of Fire,” Itachi affirmed.

”Alright then,” Nagasawa nodded, planning to keep an eye on Itachi secretly. The risk of danger was low, but better safe than sorry.

Nagasawa intended to let Itachi face potential challenges alone, hoping this would push him to unlock his full potential. If Itachi couldn’t handle it, Nagasawa would intervene.

Unaware of Nagasawa’s plans, Itachi believed he was being warned about the dangers. He couldn’t imagine his revered teacher subtly ”scheming” to test him.

Kabuto might have suspected something, but Itachi, still a child, did not.