Mifune, who was standing next to Ichiryu, nodded and walked down from the dais. "Master, I believe it is necessary for you to personally visit Konoha Village. Konoha Village's various advanced inventions have been recognized by almost the entire world. Should we samurai be the only ones who cannot enjoy such convenience?"
"If this continues, we will completely disconnect from the world and become 'barbarians' in the eyes of the Ninja. After all, the Ninja are all playing with mobile phones and using all sorts of advanced electronics, while we samurai live a life virtually unchanged, like wild people."
The other samurai nodded repeatedly upon hearing Mifune's words. They weren't people with stagnant minds. Upon hearing Mifune's descriptions of the beautiful outside world, they could no longer tolerate their current coarse lifestyle. What they wanted was not just the lifting of seclusion, but to also maintain the habit of not contacting any other nation. They wanted to engage in cooperation with other nations, allowing this country, which was clearly showing signs of decline and backwardness, to climb back up. Otherwise, even if the seclusion order was lifted, who would know? Who would care? After all, they didn't even have an ally or partner.
Mifune continued, "If we continue down this path, the Way of the Samurai is bound to decline further. We must admit that Ninja are somewhat stronger than samurai. Ninja use all sorts of advanced electronics, while we still draw our own water for bathing. Tell me, what will the children of the future choose to study?"
Although these words sounded a bit treasonous, they were nonetheless true. The reason the Samurai lineage was dwindling was that Ninjutsu was relatively easy to learn. As long as one had talent, they could become a Ninja, and their power was somewhat stronger than a samurai's. This led to a large number of samurai transitioning to become Ninja, and the Samurai lineage gradually faded. But looking at the current situation, anyone would agree that becoming a Ninja is the best choice. Who would still choose to endure more than ten years of hardship only to become a mediocre samurai in the end?
"The samurai way of life needs to change, and the method of training needs to change even more. We cannot use the methods of the older generation to train samurai. Instead, we must learn the Ninja's systematic cultivation method."
This statement was another shocker, further complicating Ichiryu's dilemma. Everything his disciple said after going out to broaden his horizons was different from before. Had the outside world influenced him that much? Should he go and see the outside world for himself?
"Systematic cultivation? Tell me more." Ichiryu wasn't an old stick-in-the-mud; he was willing to listen to his disciple's perspective.
"The cultivation of a samurai cannot rely solely on self-realization. To be honest, those who can truly grasp the Way of the Samurai are few. Most are merely making up the numbers and wasting time."
"So, why not establish a set of systematic samurai training protocols, allowing them to slowly grasp the true meaning of the samurai path while learning the various samurai techniques, instead of just enduring hardship in search of the so-called Bushido?"
This proposal was completely contrary to the traditional samurai training, which required realizing one's path before beginning the practice of techniques. Mifune proposed immediately practicing techniques and slowly comprehending one's path during the training process. This was something no one had ever dared to bring up before, as it would be met with collective opposition from the older generation of samurai.
Even the other samurai in the room were surprised to hear Mifune's comments. But upon careful reflection, they realized that changing the method could indeed provide a goal for many confused people who were struggling to find direction.
"Mifune, it seems the outside world has changed you a lot. Your thinking has expanded significantly. Is Konoha Village truly that magical?"
Mifune nodded at his master's question. "Konoha Village is currently the largest village in the Ninja World, and it is the source of all the external electronics. The Hokage calls it Technology."
"Konoha Village is the birthplace of Technology, and its Hokage is the strongest Ninja in the world today, reverently called the God of Shinobi. I observed his Ninjutsu up close. I say this with all respect, Master, but even you would not withstand a single strike from the Hokage."
Ichiryu's heart seemed to skip a beat. After so many years of seclusion, he thought his strength was still top-tier in the Ninja World. Although he might not be comparable to the late Senju Hashirama, he could contend with his brother. But he had forgotten that this was no longer the era of Hashirama and Tobirama.
"The world is producing new generations of strong individuals, but our Land of Iron is stagnant..." Ichiryu sighed, seemingly having made a decision.
"Mifune, prepare a generous gift. In half a month, come with me to Konoha Village. I want to see with my own eyes what this era has truly become." Ichiryu was around sixty years old, about twenty years younger than Hashirama and his contemporaries, but he could roughly be considered part of that same generation. To be honest, Ichiryu had never met Senju Hashirama and had only heard his name. He was the Ninja who caused the decline of the Way of the Samurai, single-handedly ushering in the golden age of the Ninja. But this was all just hearsay.
Since his birth, Ichiryu had stayed in the Land of Iron, never leaving the country. He had strictly adhered to the rules of the Way of the Samurai, never allowing a moment of slack. It wasn't until the last invasion by Hanzō that he realized only one person in this vast nation had stood up. Ichiryu then understood that the Land of Iron was facing a major problem.
"Yes, Master! I will go and prepare immediately! I will ensure that Konoha Village feels the sincerity of the Land of Iron." Mifune was about to turn and leave, but Ichiryu called him back. "What's the hurry, my boy? I'm not finished yet."
"How does the Hokage's cooperation work again? Are we trading our country's ores for their electronics?"
Mifune nodded. "That's right, it's an equal exchange, based on the normal market prices circulating in the world right now, which we can easily verify with other nations."
"Furthermore, Konoha Village is also responsible for all the power plants and wiring."
Ichiryu simply nodded. He didn't quite understand the complexities. After all, the Land of Iron's current method of lighting was still oil lamps. Electronics were still too distant from his reality.
"Master, if we stay in the same apartment as last time for this trip to Konoha Village, you will be able to enjoy the convenience that Technology brings."
Ichiryu looked at his disciple's beaming face, feeling immensely relieved. He could sense that Mifune's various proposals and his efforts to promote cooperation between the Land of Iron and Konoha Village were sincerely intended to help the Land of Iron develop again. Ichiryu felt he had made the right choice in taking him as a disciple.