The Game Merchant Who Started from the Ninja World

Chapter 29: I Don't Know the Answer to Peace Either

Konan's gaze was firm.

Though she hadn't fully believed the mysterious merchant, his overwhelming power and mystique clearly surpassed anyone in the Akatsuki.

Yahiko—the one with a gentle heart and a light like the sun—was already dead.

He had believed that everyone could understand one another and had died on the path toward peace, a path cut off in its infancy.

Nagato, the friend left behind, inherited Yahiko's will.

With the Rinnegan, he sought to use overwhelming force to rebuild the world through pain.

But she—

She had merely followed in their footsteps, never once offering any help to either of them.

Thinking of Nagato, struggling through pain… and Yahiko, who smiled as he faced death,

Konan finally asked the question buried in her heart.

If—

Even this mysterious merchant, stronger than Nagato, didn't know the answer to peace…

Then what should she do?

For a moment, Konan even regretted asking.

She had longed for an answer for so many years, yet now that she had asked, fear took over.

"The answer to peace?"

Fang Yi looked genuinely surprised.

He realized this was also a test from Konan.

Behind the screen, the silver-haired loli tensed up.

She had browsed countless worlds, and the number that had achieved true peace was very few.

Wherever life existed, there would always be conflict and war.

Science, genes, dungeons, martial arts, magic, horror… in every world.

As long as living beings had the desire to survive, war could never be stopped.

Even she, who had lived for countless eras, didn't know the answer—

how could her master?

If Fang Yi couldn't answer, the mystique he had painstakingly built would crack.

Fang Yi shook his head. "I'm not a god. I'm just a merchant who sells the Reincarnation Game. So no, I don't know."

Konan's hopeful gaze dimmed.

Her fists clenched, the painted fingernails of the Akatsuki digging into her palms.

Of course…

Fang Yi continued honestly. "I've traveled many worlds. There's always been strife and slaughter."

The silver-haired loli had told him the endings of countless worlds—and almost none were truly happy.

"Peace doesn't exist?"

A bitter smile appeared on Konan's lips, like she had bitten into a sour candy.

"Peace exists. But the answer to peace does not."

Fang Yi shook his head again.

Then pointed to the players around him. "Just like all of you—different backgrounds, different beliefs. Everyone imagines peace in their own way."

"To most people, ending war is peace."

He waved his hand.

A giant light screen appeared in the center of the plaza, showing scenes from Sunagakure.

Sandstorms everywhere. The land barren, dry, and water-scarce. Even the ninja placed huge ceramic jars around their homes, praying for rain.

Then came Iwagakure, surrounded by mountains, its roads blocked. Strong winds regularly whipped up rockstorms, causing injuries and deaths.

Then Kirigakure—shrouded in mist year-round. The humidity bred disease.

Fishermen were often dragged into the deep sea by giant marine creatures.

Finally, the Land of Rain appeared.

Konan's eyes twitched. She seemed to understand what the merchant was trying to say.

"You're saying that poverty and scarcity are the roots of war?"

Fang Yi nodded. "That's right. Abundant resources won't guarantee peace, but they can end most wars."

Why had Konoha been attacked in both previous Ninja World Wars?

Because it occupied the most fertile land.

The rest were scraps—barely livable territories.

There was no such thing as absolute peace.

Even Fang Yi didn't know how to achieve it.

But calming the flames of war and bringing peace to the majority? That was within reach.

Konan frowned. "But… that problem can't be solved."

Crop yields are limited. Fertile land is scarce. Habitable environments are all held by the major powers.

This world might have flashy ninjutsu and war-forged technology—

but it lacked any structured scientific understanding.

The few scientists it had—like Orochimaru—focused on genes and biomedical research.

Konan couldn't imagine any way to increase resources.

"Honestly, being a ninja is such a stupid job."

Fang Yi rubbed his forehead. "You know, I've seen many worlds without chakra or powerful energy. They plow fields by hand, study the movement of the sun and moon to find the best planting days, and improve crops to increase yield."

Konan's brow twitched.

As a ninja, hearing someone speak so dismissively of all shinobi left her uncomfortable.

"Does ninjutsu always have to be used for battle?"

The Ōtsutsuki had created Ninshū to give people the power to build and the ability to understand each other.

But after all these years, those ideals had been forgotten.

All anyone researched now was combat jutsu.

Konan was stunned. "Isn't that what ninjas are for?"

Nobles provided the money. Ninja served the nobles.

Ninjas fought each other to secure resources.

If they won, their Daimyō could negotiate from a position of power.

It wasn't just Konan.

Everyone present—noble, civilian, ninja from large or small nations—

thought that was the natural role of a shinobi.

"Did the Sage of Six Paths ever say a ninja's destiny is to fight?"

Fang Yi swept his gaze over the bewildered crowd.

Then fixed his eyes on Konan.

"Ninjas with chakra can farm, split mountains, build homes. They're a hundred times stronger than civilians. Why waste that power on war?"

"Because…"

Konan opened her mouth, then froze.

Why was chakra wasted on war?

"Because of hatred!"

A chūnin from Iwagakure shouted suddenly.

His voice shook with rage. "My brother… my father… they were both killed by Konoha ninja. I have to get revenge!"

Even Sasuke and many others nodded in agreement.

Everyone had lost someone in the endless wars.

These seeds of hatred had long since taken root.

By now, they were a tangled mess no one could unravel.

"Most hatred is as insignificant as dust.

It gets buried by the river of time and eventually forgotten."

Fang Yi glanced at the man.

Then turned to Konan.

"Back in the Warring States Era, things were far worse.

The hatred ran deeper. But it all changed because of two men and their ideals."

Not just in the ninja world—

Even in another world, during China's Warring States Era, hundreds of years of blood feuds had vanished under the momentum of unification.

"So, to end war, you don't just need a dream.

You need the power to enforce it."

"In my opinion, the Akatsuki has the best chance to achieve peace in the ninja world."

Seeing is believing.

A light screen appeared, showing towering skyscrapers, strange metallic machines, and civilians living in peace.

Small-scale wars still existed, but compared to the ninja world, it was paradise.

Strong military power. Stable organization. Unshakable beliefs. Loyal allies.

The Akatsuki had everything needed to unify the world—

they just lacked direction. That's why they failed.

Hashirama once had the chance.

But he had no political mind and gave it up.

True unification would lead to cultural integration.

The idea of unity would take root in everyone's mind. A mental seal that would shatter the chaos of war.

With solid institutions and tech from the Reincarnation Game's shop, peace was achievable.

Not permanent peace—but lasting peace.

Without external threats, it could even last a thousand years.

Fang Yi's words exploded in Konan's heart like a bolt of lightning.

She still had many questions.

But it felt like a light had pierced through the fog, revealing a narrow, winding path.

"There is no eternal peace… but there is lasting peace?"

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.

Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Frank10