"It's not impossible, actually."
Kawaki thought for a moment, rhythmically tapping a single finger on the desk.
"We think so too, but we haven't figured out what to do next."
Nagato's face brightened—good, their teacher wasn't going to scold them.
"Let me think."
Tsunade and Shouta remained quiet, not interrupting Kawaki's thoughts.
In the meantime, everyone received a slug.
Through Katsuyu Sage's Visual Sharing ability, they were essentially holding a virtual meeting.
"Deciding what to do about the Tailed Beasts won't happen overnight."
"Whatever happens next, whether or not Cloud Ninja Village gives you the Two-Tails, just agree to the Wartime Alliance."
"If the sky of the Ninja World is changing, we should at least prepare early."
Kawaki could sense Cloud Ninja Village's current urgency.
Rather than dragging things out endlessly, it was better to make an early decision.
"Understood, Teacher."
Yahiko nodded. His expression looked anything but comfortable.
"You're letting Konan stick that slug on your face again? Why don't you take it off?"
Kawaki gave Yahiko a look full of disappointment, as if looking at iron that refused to be shaped properly—he knew exactly how it felt to have a slug stuck on your skin.
"Cough cough~"
"If Cloud Ninja Village is willing to give away even their Tailed Beast, then war isn't far away."
Shouta covered his laughter with a cough. This henpecked teacher had the nerve to look down on others?
How about showing some backbone for once?!
"That's absolutely right, sir."
"Even if they don't give us the Tailed Beast, peace won't last much longer either."
Nagato first agreed with Shouta's view before sighing involuntarily.
They had all become orphans because of war, and deep in their hearts, they all despised it.
"Enough. The coming of war is something we can't change."
"As long as ambition keeps growing, true peace will never come to the Ninja World."
Kawaki left something unsaid—peace was always forged from blood and lives.
"So how do you believe real peace can be achieved in the Ninja World, Teacher?"
Looking up at Kawaki—through the small slug's perspective—was Yahiko.
"Don't be too greedy. It's already great if you can protect your own peace."
Kawaki smiled, unwilling to dwell further on such a profound topic.
Although he personally believed in peace through military unification, this wasn't something he could say aloud.
He'd worked hard enough adjusting these three kids' worldviews—he couldn't afford to mess them up now.
"Yeah, I guess."
The three of them nodded, satisfied with simply managing their own little corner of the world.
Only Nonou kept staring at Kawaki strangely. She sensed he was deliberately avoiding something.
"Shouta, go gather the higher-ups for a meeting."
After finishing business, Tsunade sent Shouta off to work.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Too lazy to watch them catch up, Shouta returned his small slug and turned to leave.
"How have you all been lately?"
As Tsunade greeted them warmly, the conversation quickly warmed up.
It was mostly gossip and daily trivia, with laughter flowing freely on both sides.
Except for Nonou, who took the opportunity to ask Tsunade several questions about Medical Ninjutsu—the diligent child made use of her time.
After all, she didn't get to study directly under their teacher, and self-teaching was definitely less effective.
Most likely to give them time to catch up, Shouta had been gone for quite some time, and the Katsuyu Sage was beginning to grow impatient.
"I won't even bring up the intelligence sharing," she muttered.
"But isn't it at least a bit rude to use my clone technique as your personal chat tool?"
Seizing the lull in the conversation, Katsuyu voiced her dissatisfaction. Did the Katsuyu Sage have no dignity to uphold or something?
...
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