Chapter 17: A Gamble

Chapter 17: A Gamble

"Because everyone in Konoha is living a happy life!" Naruto Uzumaki blurted out without hesitation.

"Happy?" Hashirama Senju, the Emperor of the Empire, gently reminded him. "Are they as happy as the civilians of the Empire? Ask your heart, and then recall what you just saw and heard."

"This..." Naruto was stunned.

He recalled the fashionable and attractive men and women he had just seen on the street, their faces lit up with smiles and brimming with vitality. The tall and beautiful houses, the items and food in the shops—Naruto had to admit that the standard of living for the average person in the Empire far surpassed that of Konoha.

"Even if the average person in the Empire lives well," Yamato interjected, "this is not our home. Konoha is. Forced conquest will only bring war and destruction."

"This way of thinking is so similar to ours in the past..." Tsunade, the Empire's Tsunde, sighed softly.

"It's the narrow-mindedness of the people from the shinobi villages," added Jiraiya, the Empire's Jiraiya, with a bitter smile. "People always like to linger in the domains they are familiar with and find it hard to accept new things."

"Hmph, isn't this the stupidity unique to humans?" Orochimaru, the Empire's Orochimaru, snorted. "It's thanks to Emperor Shinwu that we were saved from that ignorant and stupid era."

Orochimaru licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with fervor as he looked at the figure on the throne. "Only those who have lived in the Empire for a period of time can truly understand the greatness of Emperor Shinwu and the Empire as a whole. So... little Naruto, why not live here for a while and then make your decision?"

"No! I don't want to stay here! You bunch of despicable guys!" Naruto glared at the group from the Empire, labeling them all as villains with ill intentions.

"How selfish of you, Naruto Uzumaki... Is this what the shinobi village has taught you?" At this moment, the figure on the throne, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, spoke once more.

Naruto flew into a rage at these words. "Despicable? You want to invade Konoha, and you don't even allow us to resist?"

"Naruto Uzumaki, you are only an individual and do not represent anyone," Hagoromo continued. "Knowing that siding with the Empire could bring a better life to everyone, yet refusing to do so—if that's not selfish, then what is? In your narrow-minded heart, there is only Konoha and the teachings of the shinobi village. You fail to see the future where people thrive in unity after the unification."

"Your Majesty, I believe that everyone in Konoha loves that land, where our ancestors have lived for generations," Naruto argued. "It is impossible for us to leave or submit to anyone. The people of Konoha are like scattered leaves, generation after generation, thriving and growing actively. If Your Majesty is kind, you should not attempt to conquer the world and Konoha. Waging war and dragging everyone into chaos is not what a kind person should do."

Yamato's words were solemn and earnest.

"Captain Yamato is right," Sakura added, her expression filled with worry. "Great Emperor Shinwu... You already possess this world. Isn't that enough to satisfy you?"

The Shinwu Empire was just too powerful! The shinobi world stood no chance in a direct confrontation.

Hearing the words of Yamato and Sakura, the group from the Empire wore amused smiles. Were these people feigning ignorance, or were they truly this naive?

"Satisfaction? The desires of humans are endless; who would reject having more?" Orochimaru countered. "Moreover, Emperor Shinwu is doing this to save the pitiful people of the shinobi villages.

"You rebels, ignorant of His Majesty's greatness! You all deserve to be put to death!"

Centipede An Lushan needed no prompting from the Empire's people and shouted out on his own accord.

"You despicable man! How can you say such things when you're also from our world?" Naruto Uzumaki glared at him, his fists clenched tight with veins popping out.

"I just want to live in a more civilized and advanced world. Take a whiff...ah, the air here is so sweet and captivating! This is what civilization and freedom smell like!"

Centipede took a deep breath, his face filled with intoxication.

His appearance disgusted the Naruto quartet.

"In contrast, that useless world ruled by a feudal lord is extremely stupid and backward! The very air is filled with a putrid, nauseating stench! That world...it needs to change!" Centipede concluded passionately.

"You jerk! I..." Naruto began to retort.

"Naruto Uzumaki, Yamato, Sakura Haruno, Sai." Senju Tianren's voice, calm and majestic, interrupted. "Let's make a wager. If you win, I can give up on conquering Konoha, or even your entire world. But if you lose, you must unconditionally surrender and comply. What do you say?"

"A wager?" Naruto asked cautiously.

"Do we even have the right to refuse?" Yamato forced a bitter smile.

"It's simple. When our people enter your world, we'll invite a hundred ordinary people to experience the lives of ordinary citizens here. Let them decide whether to join us or reject our offer."

"That's a brilliant idea, Your Majesty! As expected, you've come up with a great solution! Let a hundred ordinary people experience our way of life and let them decide their path. This way, we respect everyone's will and avoid the outbreak of war."

Empire's Minato Namikaze's eyes lit up with excitement. "Ah, the mighty Emperor Shinwu! Possessing the power to conquer all yet showing such benevolence! You fools, why aren't you thanking him?"

Centipede glared at the Naruto quartet, awaiting their response.

Naruto hesitated for a moment.

"What's the matter? Can't even agree to this condition? It seems that people from the age of the ninja villages are all selfish and hypocritical, hiding behind lofty pretexts... Your hearts only care for yourselves." Empire's Sasuke Uchiha provoked.

"Damn it! Fine, let's take that bet! I trust the people of Konoha!" Naruto shouted angrily.

Yamato, standing beside him, could only force a bitter smile. They really had no right to refuse.

"Then it's decided," Senju Tianren declared. "Minato, Kushina, please take care of our guests from another world. Also, send them to the Imperial Capital's middle school to learn martial arts."

"What? Learn martial arts?" The Naruto quartet was taken aback but soon lit up with joy.

Martial arts were a powerful force distinct from chakra, and they had witnessed its might firsthand. If they could learn this... Their strength would soar!

But... Could these people, who were about to invade the ninja world, really be so kind?

"Your Majesty! They haven't sincerely pledged their allegiance to the Empire yet. Teaching them martial arts might be a bit..." Hinata Hyuga, who had been quiet until now, spoke up.

Several others also showed concern.

Empire's Sasuke, however, had a gleam in his eyes. "What's the matter, Head of the Hyuga clan? Are you worried that teaching people from another world our martial arts will pose a threat to us? Don't forget the words of His Majesty."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end