Naruto: Starting with Creating a Genius Persona

Chapter 201 The Shinichi Meeting (Part 2)

"Gentlemen, why are you all so serious?"

Seeing nearly a thousand people stand up in unison, their eyes focused, the atmosphere instantly becoming as solemn as a rally. Shinichi seemed to be taken aback by the scene, and then a gentle smile of helplessness and amusement appeared on his face.

"I've noticed you haven't moved for a while. Is it because my cooking doesn't suit your tastes? Or...?"

He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.

Among those present were members of the Shinichi Battalion who had shared life and death with him, medical ninjas and logistics personnel who had served under him on the southwestern front, comrades who graduated at the same time, and many colleagues from other units with whom he had fought or worked before. Familiar or unfamiliar faces alike looked at him with different expressions.

Before he could finish speaking, he was met with a burst of good-natured laughter and a cacophony of responses: "How could that be! Captain Shinichi, you're a top-tier chef who won the Land of Fire's Culinary Competition!"

"Exactly! The author of 'Cooking Master Boy' is cooking himself! Who wouldn't be envious of that treatment?"

"We'd be thrilled to eat a meal cooked by Captain Shinichi himself!"

"Hurry up and serve the food, Captain! We're practically drooling!"

Laughter and shouts eased the slightly formal atmosphere, and the scene became relaxed and lively again.

Shinichi smiled and waved his hand, his gaze sweeping gently across the room once more before he finally said in a clear voice, "Then I'm relieved."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

"Dinner's ready!"

The sounds of activity resumed, but this time they were filled with eager excitement. Everyone quickly sat back down, and their chopsticks and spoons, which had been waiting impatiently, immediately reached for the dazzling array of fragrant dishes on the table.

Laughter, conversation, the clinking of dishes, and exclamations of praise for the delicious food instantly filled the restaurant, creating a lively atmosphere.

At another table a little further away on the first floor, Obito Uchiha watched with immense envy the scene that had unfolded so perfectly, all driven by a single person. That young figure seemed to possess an invisible gravitational pull, easily influencing the actions of everyone present.

Although he is not yet fully aware of the political implications behind complex terms such as connections, networks, and influence, he can instinctively feel the glory and weight of being spontaneously recognized, respected, and even followed by everyone.

"Now everyone approves of Shinichi so much..."

'

Obito Uchiha had this thought in his mind and felt extremely envious.

"One day, I will also gain everyone's recognition, just like Shinichi!"

Obito Uchiha clenched his fist tightly, a familiar, defiant flame burning in his eyes. His lifelong dream was to become Hokage, gain everyone's recognition, and protect his important comrades.

But then, the fighting spirit that had been burning on his face suddenly froze, as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water, and his expression suddenly became conflicted and frustrated.

"It's all over, it ......"

"7

He blurted it out almost without thinking, his voice rising several decibels with emotion: "With Shinichi around, he's so outstanding, a genius, strong, and popular, everyone will definitely recognize him more! How am I supposed to become Hokage in the future?! The competition is just too fierce!"

Perhaps due to his excited state of mind, his self-talk in the second half of the sentence became even louder, drawing the attention of his classmates at the same table, including Might Guy, Takashi Ishizuka, Asuma Sarutobi, and Genma Shiranui.

"idiot."

Kakashi, sitting next to him, didn't even lift his eyelids, but uttered two words in a cool and indifferent tone, which precisely struck a nerve with Obito.

"You bastard Kakashi! Who are you calling an idiot!?" Obito Uchiha's face instantly turned red, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and he instinctively wanted to slam his fist on the table and argue.

"Alright, alright, everyone, let's eat!"

Sitting next to him, Nohara Rin quickly reached out and grabbed his arm, gently advising, "Shinichi went to so much trouble to prepare all this delicious food, we can't waste his efforts! Besides, Obito, it's a good thing you want to become Hokage, so let's all work hard to improve together, right? Why think so much now? Eating is the most important thing!"

Rin's words were like a spring breeze, slightly calming Obito's anxiety. He looked at Rin's concerned eyes, then glanced at Kakashi's "I can't be bothered with you" look, and finally sat back down angrily.

"Hmph!" He grabbed his chopsticks, turning his grief and anger into a desire to eat, and launched an attack on the plate of glistening red oil and fragrant Mapo Tofu in front of him.

"Wow! It's so delicious! As expected of Shinichi!"

After taking two large bites, Obito Uchiha's eyes lit up instantly. All his previous thoughts were instantly replaced by the ultimate enjoyment that exploded on his taste buds, and he unconsciously quickened the pace of his chopsticks.

Lin is right! Why think so much! Nothing is more important than eating! Right now, delicious food is king!

At the other end, the main table.

The atmosphere was completely different from the warm banter at the children's table, appearing exceptionally unrestrained and free-spirited.

Jiraiya was laughing heartily, his arm around Kurenai Yuhi's shoulder, his other hand holding a wine glass, insisting on having a drinking contest with this elite Jonin who was known for her genjutsu and had a relatively reserved personality.

"Come on, come on! Shin-hong! Our Vice-Captain of the First Battalion! I've heard all about what you guys did in the Land of Lightning! Four times in and out of Kumogakure, smashing up the Raikage's building, and even bringing that old bastard Danzo back from the encirclement of a massive army! That was awesome! Absolutely awesome! We have to have another drink together!"

"This is all thanks to Shinichi."

Kurenai Yuhi's face showed a hint of helplessness and unease at being forced into such enthusiasm, but she couldn't refuse the face of one of the famous Sannin, so she could only hold her wine glass and respond somewhat stiffly.

Jiraiya hadn't even left the village to return to the southwestern front yet. Upon hearing that Shinichi was going to hold this grand thank-you banquet, he used Shinichi's former superior from the southwestern battlefield as an excuse to show up uninvited and casually sit at the head table.

Shinichi naturally welcomed this warmly. In fact, after hearing that Jiraiya was still in the village, he had planned to invite him. However, when he visited Jiraiya's residence, he found it empty. The elusive writer had apparently gone off somewhere to gather material.

Zhenyi thought he would probably miss this person at the banquet, but unexpectedly the other party showed up right on time, saving him a lot of trouble.

Time passed by, and the atmosphere at the main table and nearby became increasingly lively under Jiraiya's influence. People clashed over drinks, laughed constantly, and after a few rounds of drinks, many people had a flushed, tipsy look on their faces.

After Jiraiya downed another large drink, his gaze naturally fell on the figure who had remained relatively quiet throughout the meal.

With a gentle and polite smile on his face, Shinichi calmly responded to the endless stream of colleagues, seniors, and subordinates who came to toast him, express their admiration, or offer their blessings by offering tea instead of wine.

He was a man of few words, and most of the time he would just listen quietly to others talking or reminiscing about the battlefield. Occasionally he would interject with a well-timed comment or a response, which would elicit a burst of approving laughter.

The more Jiraiya looked, the stronger the thought that had already sprouted in his heart became. He put down his wine glass, looked directly at the boy, restrained his usual carefree and unruly manner, and said in a serious and solemn tone, "Shinichi, I... have a question I want to ask you."

"Lord Jiraiya, please speak." Shinichi put down his teacup, sat up straight, and calmly met Jiraiya's gaze.

"I've read your analysis reports before; the insights they contained were profound and deeply moved me. So now I'd like to ask you..."

Jiraiya paused, his voice softening. Some of the people near the main table seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, and their conversations unconsciously subsided.

"Shinichi, regarding how to prevent war and achieve world peace, do you have a possible answer in your mind? Or rather, a direction for your thinking?"

The moment he posed this weighty, mountain-like question with such solemnity, the lively atmosphere at the head table froze.

As if infected by an invisible force, this sudden silence spread rapidly like ripples.

The nearby tables, which had been chatting noisily, gradually noticed the unusual activity and stopped talking, turning their attention to the main table. Soon after, the noise throughout the three floors of the restaurant subsided as quickly as the tide receded.

"Ugh, this is so delicious..." Not far away, Obito Uchiha was having a contest with Might Guy, Takashi Ishizuka, and the others to see who could eat the fastest. He was engrossed in his eating and didn't notice the subtle change in the atmosphere. He looked up blankly, with half a piece of meat still in his mouth.

"Does Lord Jiraiya have his own answer in his heart?" Shinichi did not give an immediate answer, but asked softly in return.

Jiraiya was silent for a moment, then nodded and said in a low voice, "I think... if one day, people can truly understand each other and connect with each other, perhaps war will never break out again? The chain of hatred might be broken."

"Is this Jiraiya-sama's answer?" Shinichi remained noncommittal. He looked at the other ninjas who had quieted down and were gradually turning their gazes to the area and asked, "Well then, before answering Jiraiya-sama's question, I would like to ask everyone here a question first."

"Gentlemen, can you tell me what the true nature of a ninja is in your opinion?"

This question caused a brief silence, after which different answers began to emerge: "Ninjas are the bulwark and the blade protecting the village!"

"Ninjas are the nameless guardians of peace in the darkness!"

"A ninja is someone who will complete a mission even at the cost of their life!" That's Kakashi's motto.

"A ninja is someone who burns with passion, lives life to the fullest, and protects what they cherish!" This is Might Guy.

"A ninja is someone who protects their comrades and follows their own path!" This is Kurenai Yuhi's motto.

"Ninjas are beings who heal the wounded, alleviate pain, and give support and hope to their comrades." This is Shizune.

The answers varied, but they all came from the heart.

After listening to everyone's answers, Jiraiya remained silent for a moment before finally speaking slowly: "In my opinion, a ninja is someone who can endure, endure pain, endure separation, endure loneliness, find meaning in endurance, and protect what is worth protecting."

"You're all right."

Shinichi listened quietly to all the answers, then slowly nodded and then slowly shook his head.

"But none of them are correct. Forgive my bluntness, but these answers may describe a part of the ninja's responsibilities, beliefs, and pursuits, or even a very important part of them, but they do not touch on the most fundamental core."

He surveyed the crowd and spoke clearly, word by word: "In my view, stripping away all the veneer of ideals and beliefs, from the purest perspective of social function and professional role, the essence of a ninja is that of a professional executor and recipient of violence, serving power and interests, accepting commissions, and using force to achieve specific goals, especially violent ones!"

To put it more simply and directly...

At this point, Shinichi's gaze met Jiraiya's complex and indescribable expression.

"Ninjas are just killing machines!"

tool.

Murder weapon.

Simple, cold, but undeniable!

silence.

Dead silence.

The air, which had just been filled with passion, conviction, and ideals, seemed to freeze instantly. Many people's expressions froze, their mouths slightly open, but no sound came out.

Jiraiya's mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only sighed and fell into a deeper silence.

So, what do you all think?

Shinichi's voice rang out again, breaking the almost suffocating silence, and his gaze slowly swept across the entire room.

Is this normal?

The people present looked at each other, and no one responded for a moment.

After a long silence, a special Jonin at the nearby table finally spoke hesitantly, "Captain Shinichi, even if... even if it doesn't sound pleasant, this is the fate of ninjas, isn't it? Since the Sage of Six Paths founded Ninshu and established the ninja system, the social standing of ninjas has never been..."

'

As he said this, his voice carried a sense of resigned helplessness.

"It's always been this way, hasn't it?"

"Just because it's always been this way, does that mean it's right?"

Seven characters.

There was no impassioned tone, no waving arms, just an extremely calm rhetorical question, yet it struck like a thunderclap in the hearts of everyone present.

Does that mean it's always been this way?

"Are the paths and destinies we take for granted, the paths we consider self-evident, the paths or destinies prescribed by history and tradition... necessarily correct? Unchangeable? Must be followed forever?"

Shinichi's gaze fell on the special Jonin, then slowly shifted, looking at each face in the hall, some weathered, some worn.

Faces that were either confused or thoughtful.

"Is our fate as tools destined to be passed down from generation to generation, never to be changed?"

"Can't we think about it? Question it? Or even try to change this situation that has always been the way it is?"

"Besides!"

At this point, Shinichi's tone suddenly became a notch higher: "Is it really always been like this?!"

The special ninja, his forehead slightly damp with sweat, stammered, "Captain, isn't that right?"

"Of course not!" Shinichi interrupted him decisively, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Can anyone tell me, what was the identity of the Sage of Six Paths, the originator of us ninjas and known as the progenitor of ninjas, before he founded Ninja Sect?"

This question surprised many people.

Before the Ninja Sect? That was practically mythical.

Not everyone is as fond of reading as Shinichi, who is known for his profound knowledge of both ancient and modern times.

Jiraiya, who had been listening silently, suddenly brightened up, as if he had grasped a key point, and replied in a deep voice, "It's a monk! Before the Sage of Six Paths founded the Ninja Sect, he was a compassionate monk who traveled the world in search of a way to save humanity!"

"That's right! A monk!" Shinichi affirmed emphatically. "A monk who values ​​compassion, seeks mutual understanding, and aims to explore the truth and the path to peace in the world! So, after a long period of travel and contemplation, did this monk, whose ideal is to save the world, establish the Ninja Sect? Did he spread the chakra system? Was his initial purpose simply to create a more sophisticated and efficient killing tool?!"

"If the Sage of Six Paths' initial intention in founding the Ninja Sect was simply to create more efficient killing tools, then he wouldn't be revered as a savior or creator god! Instead, he would be feared and called the God of Destruction or Annihilation!"

"Sir, everyone!" Shinichi raised his hands slightly and said loudly, "It has never been like that!"

"Ninjas, from the very beginning, should not have been tools for killing!"

"Chakra, created and spread throughout the world by the Sage of Six Paths, is fundamentally about connection! It's about connecting the hearts and minds of people! It's about enabling people to better understand, communicate with, and cooperate with each other! It's about creating a world without war, where everyone can live in peace and prosper together!"

"This is the true nature of us ninjas! This is the original and most sacred destiny of this profession!"

"We're not changing! We're returning! Returning to the path that ninjas were born on! Returning to the purest and noblest aspirations and principles that you held when the Sage of Six Paths founded Ninshu and spread chakra!"

Shinichi knew that at this juncture, it was not appropriate to talk about revolution or overthrowing the old system, as this would attract enormous resistance and turmoil.

The best approach is to package all the technological and scientific visions as a return to and revival of ancient traditions.

Raising the banner of the Sage of Six Paths and using the slogan of returning to the essence is far more acceptable and morally justifiable than subverting tradition.

Do the Six Classics interpret me? I interpret the Six Classics!

As soon as he finished speaking, a profound silence fell over the room.

A moment later, Jiraiya was so excited he almost jumped up, his eyes fixed intently on Shinichi, his voice filled with an eagerness and anticipation he had never shown before: "Shinichi, what do you mean? What's your answer?"

"That's right!"

Shinichi met his gaze, his voice firm, like a declaration, like a call to action, clearly resounding throughout the silent hall: "Ninjas should not be tools for killing!"

"Liberate ninjas from the cruel fate of endless killing and being reduced to tools, return them to the original essence and destiny bestowed upon them, and follow the original wish of our common ancestor, the Sage of Six Paths!"

"This should be the direction I, Shinichi Higashino, strive for!"

"And it should also be the goal that you, every ambitious person present, should strive for together!"

"Moreover, it should be that all Konoha ninjas who harbor goodwill and yearn for peace, and indeed all ninjas of the entire ninja clan, should strive to pursue and achieve this in the future..."

97

"The true path of the ninja!"

The moment the words fell, in a dimension beyond the perception of mortals.

Deep within the Yellow Pure Land and in a mysterious, unknowable place on the moon, there is an aged, ethereal figure dressed in simple white robes and holding a tin staff, and a figure dressed in a white robe with six black magatama-shaped patterns in front of his mouth.

The two of them shuddered almost simultaneously, then opened their eyes at the same time, looking towards the ninja village, towards the Land of Fire, and towards the location of Konoha Village.