"This country has long been ravaged by the flames of war. It has been weeping, and we have sensed its sorrow."
"We want to save this country, to end the endless wars and turmoil, so that the dawn of peace can shine upon this scarred land."
"This is the reason for the Akatsuki organization's existence, and it is the shared wish of all of us. As long as like-minded individuals who love peace continue to join us, I believe the wish for peace can surely be realized. The Land of Rain will inevitably usher in a rebirth."
In the warm room, Nagato was passionately explaining to Ryun the original intention and mission behind the Akatsuki organization's establishment. The comrades listening to his speech around him all showed varying degrees of fervor on their faces.
"Peace. A heavy yet yearning topic."
After hearing Nagato's speech, Ryun could not help but sigh with emotion.
"Heavy?"
"Brother Ryun, I can understand you saying peace is something to yearn for, but it shouldn't be described with the word 'heavy'. As long as everyone desires peace in their hearts, then peace is no longer unattainable. As long as someone takes the lead in gathering the 'sparks' of those who love peace, the dawn of peace will surely be able to illuminate this land, and even… illuminate the entire ninja world."
"Nagato is the spokesperson for peace."
An Akatsuki member refuted Ryun's statement, even taking the opportunity to big up their leader.
Ryun was currently using the alias Ryun. When they first heard this name, the Nagato trio immediately asked about the name 'Lily', but Ryun clearly stated that he had no connection whatsoever to the so-called Lily… and that he also did not share the surname…
"You think peace isn't heavy? You think peace is within easy reach? Heh…"
Ryun spoke and could not help but laugh. He did not believe Nagato could bear the weight of peace. This so-called 'spokesperson for peace', though his belief was firm enough and his speeches moving enough, his strength was ultimately far too weak.
"Brother Ryun, what are you laughing at? If you have insights regarding peace, feel free to speak your mind…"
Ryun's laughter was somewhat grating. Nagato was, after all, still young and could not help but voice his question now.
And it wasn't just him; the surrounding Akatsuki members also felt more or less displeased. They felt this laughter seemed to be mocking them.
And in fact, it was exactly that…
"If peace were truly as simple as you say, then the land beneath our feet, and even the entire ninja world, would not be constantly embroiled in war…"
"Do you think it's because no one is taking the lead? Or that there aren't enough people who love peace? That they aren't working hard enough? Or aren't excellent enough? That this is why peace has been so long in coming?"
Ryun turned towards that Akatsuki member and posed several soul-searching questions.
"Is that not the case…"
The Akatsuki member retorted, but his tone clearly lacked confidence.
Hearing this, Ryun shook his head and smiled dismissively. In his view, this group was just a bunch of ignorant and weak idealists.
He did not answer this person's question. Instead, he began to tell everyone about the life, deeds, and original beliefs of a fallen hero, a figure a hundred times more outstanding than Nagato.
"You're talking about the Half-God, right? Who in the whole Land of Rain doesn't know of his deeds…" Konan slightly pursed her lips and muttered under her breath.
In fact, everyone present had already guessed that the person Ryun was talking about was Hanzō of the Salamander.
"So you all know him… Then, may I ask, did he achieve peace? The mighty 'Half-God' renowned throughout the ninja world couldn't even pacify the turmoil in his own country. Was he not excellent enough? Or were his followers too few? Or did he lack the firm resolve to achieve peace?"
Ryun's words struck like a great bell, directly hitting the hearts of these idealists, even shaking their beliefs.
"Don't you dare slander the Half-God like that!"
"What right do you have to evaluate the Half-God? Arrogant man!!!"
Finally, someone could not help but shout reprimands. Others also seemed to be getting heated, and even Nagato's expression was very unpleasant.
Facing the few who were getting angry, Ryun's face remained a calm, light smile.
"Apologies, I take back my previous statement…"
As the saying goes, when you eat someone's food, your words are short. He had just finished a delicious meal at Hanzō's house, and turning around to use him as a 'failure example' was indeed somewhat ungracious…
"Everyone, don't be agitated. I believe Ryun meant no malice…" Seeing everyone's emotions was somewhat agitated and Ryun had apologized, Konan quickly spoke up to play the peacemaker.
"Ryun, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Nagato quickly adjusted his mindset and asked with a serious expression.
"Well… I want to say that peace is hard-won. No one can easily obtain it just by moving their lips. Seizing peace requires force, and maintaining peace requires force even more…"
"Bastard, are you saying we only know how to move our lips?"
Before Ryun could finish his sentence, someone angrily interrupted his speech. They felt this blind man was far too arrogant. Saying this now was clearly subtly targeting them.
"Force cannot solve all problems. Peace cannot be obtained solely through force either." Nagato raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet, then stared at Ryun and said seriously.
"Force cannot solve all problems, but force can solve any existence that creates problems."
Ryun calmly stated this sentence. Everyone who heard it could not help but take a deep breath.
"If, as you say, we rely solely on force to solve problems, then wouldn't that be equivalent to 'using war to solve war'? Bullying the weak with strength is the root of the world's turmoil, isn't it?"
Nagato resisted the impulse to rebuke him, and even more so resisted the impulse to bring up the Five Great Ninja Nations.
After all, this was just a stranger. Even if they weren't on the same path, there was no need to easily offend him.
"You're not entirely wrong to say that… Peace is originally fought out through war. You must understand, where there are people, there will be contradictions. Where there are contradictions, there will be war. So-called long-lasting peace does not exist. It can only be maintained as much as possible. To maintain peace, one can only rely on war, rely on force…"
Ryun rarely expressed his own views on peace. Unfortunately, the people present could not accept his words.
Nagato shook his head and said no more. Everyone present was even more unwilling to argue, or even communicate, with this blind man.
When ideas differ, even half a sentence is too many!
"It seems this is not a suitable place to take shelter from the rain. I should be going…"
As he spoke, Ryun got up to leave. Konan quickly came forward and urged him to stay.
"The rain outside is still heavy. Your eyes cannot see. Don't rush to leave yet…"
Facing Konan's kindness, Ryun looked at her and could not help but chuckle. "I am not blind, Miss Konan. You worry too much…"
"!!!"
Everyone present was clearly stunned. If he wasn't blind, why cover his eyes with black cloth? Did he have some special quirk???
"What a strange guy…"
Watching the retreating figure in the pouring rain, the Akatsuki members all had the same thought. Only Nagato stared at that figure for a long time, not withdrawing his gaze.
In his heart, he somewhat agreed with this person's views on peace. But he felt the other party's purpose in coming here to say these things was not simple, because he always felt the other party seemed to have come for him…
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