Chapter 494: Epilogue

Allow goods to cross the border, but not allow ninjas to cross the border.

This is the purpose of the trade measures proposed by Dong Shilang.

This statement mainly concerns the relationship between border management and war.

A special policy that allows goods to pass through the border for trade and material circulation, but prohibits ninjas from crossing the border.

The purpose of this policy is to reduce the occurrence of war and avoid casualties.

On one hand, allowing goods to cross the border can promote international trade and economic development, maintaining regional peace and stability. This makes trade between different countries more convenient and safe, thereby promoting economic development in the Ninja World.

At the same time, it can also reduce social problems and conflicts caused by personnel movement, maintaining regional peace and stability.

On the other hand, not allowing ninjas to cross the border can reduce the risk of military conflict and casualties. This can avoid personnel loss and destruction caused by war or conflict, protecting life, property safety, and national interests.

Furthermore, when this economic benefit becomes sufficiently large.

If conflict breaks out between the two countries, these merchants, nobles, commoners, and even ninjas who profit from bilateral trade.

will form an invisible resistance that, from the bottom up, prevents the conflict from continuing to expand.

"In order for this trade to proceed normally and to quickly handle any incidents that arise, we major nations should also mutually dispatch envoys to reside permanently, facilitating communication between the Kages of each village."

Since it is trade, disputes are inevitably accompanied.

Moreover, it may also touch upon some people's interests; therefore, dispatching envoys to reside permanently between countries is a matter of course.

"Dispatching envoys to reside permanently… this won't do!"

No sooner had Dong Shilang's words fallen than Old Dayemu jumped out to oppose.

"These people claim to be envoys, but that's merely another way of saying they are spies."

"How could we possibly allow a spy to stay in the village, and moreover to reside permanently? That is absolutely impossible."

If there were ninjas from another village openly staying in our own village, how could we still guarantee the village's secrets?

This point was not only opposed by Dayemu; even several other Kages at this time furrowed their brows, clearly not in favor of Dong Shilang's proposal.

"I know that everyone has the practice of mutually sending spies; this cannot be changed."

Their reaction was not beyond Dong Shilang's expectation; he merely said calmly:

"Since everyone disagrees with these envoys staying in the village, let them stay outside the village."

"In the towns near the village, finding them a place to stay should not be difficult."

"We just need to ensure they can contact the Kages of each village at any time."

"Since you say staying inside the village could allow these envoys to steal the village's confidential information, then we simply won't let them stay inside the village."

"Moreover, since we are all ninjas, using these envoys to play a game among ninjas is also not unacceptable."

Seeing these people still undecided, Dong Shilang curled the corner of his mouth slightly and spoke provocatively.

"Since these people becoming spies is inevitable, we might as well openly play a game of cat and mouse."

"We can dispatch the elite from our villages to monitor these envoys at any time; once we discover the other side's weakness, we will then discuss how to handle them."

"We can even grant them certain privileges; provided the other side does not cause loss of life, we can merely expel them without harming their lives."

The ninjas of this world are prone to fighting and killing at the drop of a hat; this is not a good habit and must be changed.

Since we are all ninjas, we might as well have a good play, see whose methods are superior; even if we fail, as long as we don't make it bloody, letting them live is fine.

At worst, after we go back, we can reflect on the pain, then win back later.

"Furthermore, since international trade has been launched, there will inevitably be some related case disputes."

"Specifically handle these cases involving foreigners that occur within our country's borders."

With international trade, there naturally come international disputes, involving interests; the ensuing fraudsters, murderers and thieves, etc., are certainly not few.

"For the sake of fairness, I propose that everyone jointly contribute personnel to form this team, which can operate within the borders of all countries."

"Of course, its rules also need to be approved by all of you."

"This also facilitates mutual exchange between our respective villages."

"..."

Seeing that the people present had no reaction for a moment, Dong Shilang was not surprised either.

Everyone used to be mortal enemies; now they are suddenly expected to unite and form a mixed-nation ninja squad, which some find hard to accept at first, and that is understandable.

Furthermore, everyone jointly establishing an institution to handle some international disputes also brings a problem similar to that of envoys.

Will these people become spies?

Will they come to investigate some of our country's information?

These things are all possible.

This is more troublesome than agreeing to the earlier compensation principle, trade zone, and dispatching envoys.

After all, these people have to go to other countries to conduct business; every aspect involved must be handled with care.

"I think handling international disputes should not be this troublesome~"

"Simply put, whoever's territory the incident occurs on, that person should finally be responsible for it."

The first to speak was Raikage Ai.

Regarding Dong Shilang's proposal, he is still fairly in agreement, except for the last item, which he thinks is completely unnecessary.

Yes, the Hokage's proposal, for each village, the risk is still too high.

Just thinking about foreign ninjas running amok in our own country makes Dayemu feel a bit headache.

As an old man, I really cannot imagine a day when Leaf Village, Cloud Ninja, or Mist Ninja would sway back and forth before my eyes. Whether he can control his hot temper and not directly strike down the opponent.

Not only Ai and Dayemu, but even Rosas beside them also felt this was somewhat unnecessary.

His gaze swept over the Kages present; aside from Mei Terumi not expressing an opinion, the other three Kages clearly opposed.

All this seems to be about to become a settled conclusion.

"I know that, all along, everyone has mutually distrusted each other."

Looking at everyone present, Dong Shilang had no intention of giving up, and then he spoke:

"After so many years of war, both sides have stained their hands with each other's blood; wanting to let go of prejudices now is almost impossible."

"But, I think..." he said, and Dong Shilang's eyes grew clear. "We need to take this step."

"Everyone stands at the pinnacle of the ninja world."

"If we refuse to take the first step toward cooperation and do not move toward peace, then this world can never have peace and stability."

Facing Dong Shilang's seemingly glowing eyes, everyone present held their breath and quietly listened to his words.

"Although the risk of doing this is great, perhaps everyone still cannot accept it now."

"But I hope that, as time passes, everyone can gradually accept this change."

"We don't need to rush; we can try step by step, for trust is gradually accumulated."

"If everyone feels this special institution is unsuitable, we can completely abolish it."

Dong Shilang insists, partly because, if there is no fair place to handle these disputes,

The scale of trade will definitely be affected; to him, that is somewhat regrettable.

"Moreover, I hope that in ten or twenty years, the various villages can frequently interact with each other."

"The topics can be related to economics, agriculture, or education; everyone can exchange ninja school students and intermarry."

"Rather than now, where any slight provocation leads to conspiracy, deceit, and slaughter."

"This..."

Dong Shilang's words left the meeting hall utterly silent.

"Is this the breadth of mind of the Hokage?"

Tilting his head slightly, Itachi Uchiha stared blankly at the eloquent Dong Shilang, his heart in turmoil.

He never expected that his family elder, Yuzhibo Dongshilang, would still harbor such hopes.

Foreign students appear at the ninja school, and the various villages intermarry.

Could such a thing really happen in the ninja world?

He did not know.

"We should uphold the principle of peace in handling relations between nations, rather than constantly guarding against neighboring enemies as before."

"Let us, the ninja of the villages, the children, everyone can have a hopeful future."

"Rather than before, sending their young ones early onto the battlefield."

This is indeed Dong Shilang's true thought: students at ninja schools who have not yet graduated, who are not even tall enough for a ninja blade, are already adept at killing or being killed—this is truly twisted.

Having become the Hokage, one must bring a different future to this world.

"Everyone, regarding what the Hokage said, I think you should consider it more carefully."

"Although we don't know the final outcome, we can try it, just as the Hokage said."

"This is merely a trial; if everyone finds it unsuitable, we can still abolish this institution."

After Dong Shilang's words fell, Zhao Mei Ming stared for a moment; his gaze toward Dong Shilang also gained a hint of admiration, and then he spoke to advise.

Upon hearing Zhao Mei Ming's words, the several shadows present had their eyes begin to flicker.

They neither voiced agreement nor opposition, but began to consider the gains and losses.

"This time, the Hokage's words were shocking to the deaf and blind; I think..."

Seeing everyone begin to fall silent, San Chuan felt it was time to speak.

"General, please rest today; let everyone discuss thoroughly tonight, and continue deliberations tomorrow?"

As the General of the Iron Country, San Chuan is not someone who doesn't understand politics.

Although the Hokage's suggestion is good, it is obviously impossible to get the shadows of the major nations to agree so readily.

They must have a buffer time to consider the pros and cons.