The group walked quickly.
The further they went, the heavier the mood became for these children who had never left their home.
Naturally, to avoid exposing them to anything too grim, Ren also led them to rest.
"Father, I will work hard to become stronger, stronger than you," Yuki declared.
The other children looked at her with admiration.
In the Land of Whirlpools, Ren's name meant absolute strength.
A wise king, almost every positive word could describe him.
"I look forward to it," Ren said, looking in a direction. "After observing us for so long, why haven't you come out yet?"
"Truly worthy of being ranked alongside Lord Hashirama," Danzo Shimura stepped out from the shadows.
His ROOT was not yet established, and many matters required his personal attention.
"What does Konoha want with me?"
"Just to understand Lord Ren's stance," Danzo said cautiously.
Having witnessed Hashirama's true strength before, he was extremely wary of Ren.
"Don't worry. I'm just bringing the children out to see the world. Or do you need me to visit Konoha?" Ren narrowed his eyes at the person before him, the shadow from the original story.
Danzo said nothing and left.
While Ren was present, Konoha had no intention of continuing the war actively.
At first, everyone thought it was merely a trap from Konoha, until the ninja from Sunagakure arrived.
"Lord Ren."
"Chiyo?"
"It is an honor to be recognized by you, Lord Ren," Chiyo said with a smile.
"So, why have you come?"
"Sunagakure wishes to know the Land of Whirlpools' stance—whether it will give up its neutrality."
Chiyo was cautious but, knowing Ren's strength, decided to ask directly.
She had witnessed Uchiha Madara before and knew the temperament of the truly powerful.
"I am just bringing the children out to see the world."
"I see. But Lord Ren, you are truly young," Chiyo said, and then she disappeared.
Sunagakure's stance mirrored Konoha's.
They, too, decided to wait until Ren returned to the Land of Whirlpools before participating in the war.
The news of Ren's appearance spread like a storm, instantly sweeping across the major nations.
"Hey, Shikaku, you're smart. What do those people want with Brother Ren?" Kushina asked, noticing that the Iwa nin had also arrived. She was curious.
The others also gathered around Shikaku, hoping he could explain. To clear up their friends' doubts, Shikaku began to explain.
"Ah, according to what my father told me, Lord Ren lived in the same era as Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. Their personal strength alone could influence the entire ninja world, and Lord Ren was the strongest and youngest among them."
Hearing this, Yuki was extremely excited. This was her father—what a boost to his daughter's pride. As for Yuto, his emotions were already written all over his face.
"Brother Ren is amazing," Kushina said bluntly.
"Now, there's only one living legend left. Just the mention of Lord Ren's name is enough to make the nations of the ninja world think twice. No village could withstand the wrath of the Land of Whirlpools," Shikaku briefly explained Ren's current status in the ninja world.
After sending the Iwa nin away, the Third Mizukage came before Ren.
"Ren…"
"Do as you wish. The Land of Whirlpools will not intervene," Ren said with a yawn. He repeated the same words four times, growing a little tired of it.
The Third Mizukage understood Ren's attitude and didn't press further. He instantly left.
"Everyone, you've seen the whole situation. Why do you think this happened?" Ren asked patiently, speaking to the kids.
"Father," Yuki raised her hand first.
"Hmm, speak."
"It's because Father's strength and his past experience in defeating Kumogakure make them hesitate," Yuki said confidently. The school's history had not been distorted.
"Correct. Everyone, only true strength earns the respect of others, and knowledge can make a village strong and prosperous," Ren nodded.
Shikaku, the smartest boy here, quickly understood Ren's underlying message.
"Shikaku, it seems you understand. Explain it to them."
"Yes, Lord Ren."
Yuki looked at Shikaku curiously. Was there another meaning behind this? The others wondered the same thing. Kushina, being carefree, didn't care at all.
Shikaku thought for a moment and guessed, "I've heard that Hashirama of Konoha was an idealist idiot, and Konoha developed very differently from our country. What Lord Ren means is that strength alone isn't enough. Knowledge is equally important."
"That's right. You must read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles. Next, I will take you all to continue exploring the ninja world," Ren said. With that, he led the boys and girls onward.
In a certain cave, a middle-aged man looked up at the ceiling.
"Still so young, Uzumaki Ren… though I am unwilling, this era belongs to you," Uchiha Madara murmured. He was gradually aging now, weakened from his battles with Hashirama.
He had already fused with Hashirama's cells and mastered Wood Release, but he no longer acted impulsively. For the Moon Eye Plan, he could not reveal himself.
Thinking of Uzumaki Ren, Madara sighed helplessly. He had fought all his life, yet now he had to wait until Ren's death. It was a lifelong shame.
At this time, the ninja world seemed to have pressed pause. No village provoked war, and even minor conflicts disappeared. Naturally, everyone feared Ren and dreaded his involvement.
But Ren had no such intention. He genuinely wanted the children of the Land of Whirlpools to witness war.
In the Land of Earth, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, finished reading the intelligence report.
"Uzumaki Ren… that guy is still so young," he said. He had lived through the Warring States period and knew the power of Hashirama, Madara, and Ren.
"Kitsuchi, the Rock Ninja will not start another war."
"Yes."
"Uzumaki Ren is only thirty. It seems we'll have to wait a long time." The Third Tsuchikage spoke cautiously, unwilling to provoke the Land of Whirlpools. After all, besides Ren, they controlled the Nine Tailed Beasts.
This scene repeated across various lands. Among them, the three who had earned the title of Konoha's Sannin withdrew immediately.
"A living legend," Orochimaru said with great interest. After all, the only remaining legend from the Warring States period was now Ren.
"Uzumaki Ren," Tsunade clenched her fists.
"I really want to visit the Land of Whirlpools, but the barrier is impenetrable," Jiraiya said casually. He had tried before, but approaching it drew the attention of the Hyuga clan.
He found it strange. Konoha also had Hyuga, but its history made no record of this. He wanted to know the difference between the two villages' Hyuga.
"That man is truly a ninjutsu expert," Orochimaru said softly.
"By the way, why did we retreat?" Jiraiya asked in confusion.
"Because Uzumaki Ren has appeared," Tsunade said, clenching her fists.
The thought reminded her of her brother, who had died in war. She had tried everything but could not save him.
Yet Ren, merely by reputation, could stop a war. She realized the power of deterrence.
If Konoha's strength were equal to that of the Land of Whirlpools, would other nations dare to provoke it? The answer was obvious.
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