Because the Land of Fire Daimyo refused to return the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure deployed troops along the Land of Fire's border, leading to frequent small-scale skirmishes.
The shadow of war seemed to once again shroud the Ninja World.
Seven-year-old Itachi stood under the corridor, his arms holding Sasuke, who was crying uneasily.
"Shh... Sasuke, it's alright." Itachi softly comforted his younger brother, his overly precocious eyes, however, lost in thought.
When that tall, familiar figure walked through the courtyard, Itachi immediately rushed over.
"Father!"
Shun stopped, still wearing the formal attire of the Daimyo of the Land of Water, looking travel-worn but still dignified. His gaze softened slightly when he saw Itachi and Sasuke.
"Itachi, Sasuke."
He reached out and gently stroked his youngest son's head, and Sasuke immediately stopped crying, looking up at his father with wide, moist eyes.
Itachi looked up, gazing at his father. "Father, I heard there's going to be another war outside? Why can't everyone live in peace?"
Shun was silent for a moment, then took Itachi's hand and said, "Come inside, it's windy out here."
He led his two sons into the house before slowly speaking, "War stems from the unfair distribution of resources. Some people have too much, others too little. When the disparity is too great, some will try to take what they want by force."
"But taking things is wrong." Itachi immediately retorted, tightening his arms around Sasuke.
Shun nodded slightly. "Sometimes the line between right and wrong isn't that important. Not everyone in the world understands this principle, or even if they do, they choose to ignore it."
Seven-year-old Itachi frowned, asking in a low voice, "Then, how can war be completely stopped?"
A flicker of gratification passed through Shun's eyes.
He looked Itachi directly in the eyes and said, "The Uchiha and Senju clan were once sworn enemies, fighting for a thousand years. But when we let go of our grievances and jointly established Konoha, the war ended."
Itachi's eyes lit up. "So as long as everyone becomes part of one village, there won't be any more wars?"
Shun calmly stated, "Theoretically, yes. If the entire Ninja World were unified into one country, all disputes could be resolved through negotiation, not force."
Itachi eagerly pressed on, his eyes full of admiration. "Then father, why don't you do that? You're so powerful, and you're already the Daimyo of the Land of Water, you could completely unify all the countries."
Shun smiled gently. "Defeating other ninja villages isn't difficult. What's difficult is getting people from different countries and cultures to truly accept each other. Take the reforms I've been implementing in the Land of Water for over two years for example. There are still some who resist them."
He took Sasuke from Itachi's arms and gently rocked him. "So I'm starting with education, letting the new generation accept the same ideals. Only when enough management talent is nurtured can the unification of the Ninja World truly be achieved."
Itachi quietly pondered his father's words, a complex light flickering in his eyes.
After a while, he softly asked, "Will that take a long time?"
A complex light flickered in Shun's eyes as he said, "It will take about 20 years, Itachi. True peace is not conquest by force, but the acceptance of hearts."
At this moment, Itachi looked at his adoptive father, his eyes filled with admiration.
...
After educating the problematic youth, Itachi, Shun had dinner with Mikoto and Itachi, and stayed the night there.
That night, in Princess Mikoto's bedchamber.
Fine beads of sweat constantly seeped from Shun's bronze back. Mikoto's skin was also tinged with a faint pink. Their bodies pressed close, gasps and moans intertwined, and the air was filled with the scent of passion.
As time passed, their passion grew even stronger, as if they wanted to merge into each other's very bones and blood.
...
As the storm of passion subsided, peace returned to the bedchamber, with only the sound of their uncalmed breathing.
Mikoto lay languidly on her husband's firm chest, her slender fingers drawing small circles over his heart.
"I heard there was a big reaction when you changed the marriage age for women from 16 to 18."
A hint of concern was hidden in Mikoto's eyes as she spoke casually.
Shun's large hand gently caressed her smooth back, and he calmly replied, "This is for their own good. Early childbirth is very damaging to a woman's body, and the rates of difficult labor and postpartum complications are very high."
Mikoto raised her head, her eyes looking at him. "I know it's for their good, but aren't you being too hasty? Just over a year ago, you braved the pressure to change the marriage age for women from 14 to 16, and now you're changing it from 16 to 18. I heard from the maids that civilian parents, and some young women eager to be with their lovers sooner, are very resistant to this new law."
Shun, in a steady yet slightly domineering tone, said, "It's fine, the implementation of laws requires a process. Currently, it only stipulates that those under eighteen cannot obtain an official marriage certificate, and thus cannot enjoy the tax deductions and benefits for married couples. It does not punish de facto unions among the populace. This is a form of guidance, not a mandatory prohibition. Time will prove me right."
He knew that reform inevitably came with pain. But unifying ideologies and reforming old customs was far more complex and prolonged than actual combat on the battlefield.
Mikoto looked at his resolute gaze, which held her entire world. She no longer worried about the gossip outside. She only felt that the man before her had a broad mind and cared about the smallest details, which captivated her.
She pressed close to him, her soft lips firmly against his, her voice so alluring it could drip with sweetness. "Darling, you always think so deeply. But now, stop thinking about those policies."
She flipped over, lying on top of him, her black hair cascading down, her eyes filled with desire, a naked longing. "I want you again."
Shun chuckled softly, his eyes flashing with doting affection and fiery passion. His strong arms firmly embraced her slender yet voluptuous body.
With a swift turn, he regained the dominant position.
"Mikoto, the dragon is here."
Their shadows swayed again. Gasps began to rise and passion grew thicker.