Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 199: Ideals

"If you're hoping to gain my approval, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. While I don't believe mutual understanding can bring peace, I'm not inclined to agree with your views either."

"That's fine," Indra replied. "It's because I know your deeds that I wanted to hear your answer. Take your time—listen to my story, and then tell me your thoughts."

Indra seemed to smile, but his eyes were void of any warmth or humor. "As you likely know, both he and I are children of the Sage of Six Paths."

Hearing this, Ashura's expression grew complicated. He sat down cross-legged, his face pensive, intending to use this rare opportunity to better understand his older brother.

Aside from their childhood days spent by their father's side, it had been a very long time since they'd shared their thoughts openly. Perhaps through this conversation, he could gain insight into Indra's heart.

"No matter how much I achieved, I was always less important in our father's eyes than Ashura. Even in the battle to become the heir of Ninshu, I lost to him. The reason? His ideals."

Ashura's eyes darted awkwardly between Hyuga Fuji and Indra. Seeing that neither of them paid him any mind, he sighed in relief.

When it came to their father's favoritism… Ashura had always been aware of it.

"Our father's goal in founding Ninshu was to use chakra to foster communication and understanding between people, thereby building an ideal society free of conflict, where everyone could coexist peacefully. Ashura's ideals aligned perfectly with this vision. From the very beginning, I had lost."

Hyuga Fuji's expression remained neutral. He neither agreed nor disagreed, serving merely as a listener who would provide his answer when the time came.

Indra sighed deeply. "But I always believed such a notion was far too naïve. If even Ashura and I couldn't understand each other—if we constantly clashed over the same issues—how could others ever hope to? That's why I could never accept this philosophy and hoped that one day, my father would change his mind."

Pausing for a moment, Indra began recounting a past event.

"But the trial to decide the heir of Ninshu shattered that hope."

"For the trial, our father sent both Ashura and me to villages suffering from water shortages to resolve the issue," he said.

Ashura's expression grew even more complicated as memories of the event surfaced.

That trial had been the turning point for everything.

Ashura had no desire to inherit Ninshu, but because of that trial, he had been forced to shoulder the responsibility.

Both villages lacked water and survived solely on the sap of the Divine Tree. Ashura chose to dig a well alongside the villagers, spending several months in the effort.

Indra, on the other hand, relied on his strength to create a well in just a few days, completing the trial quickly.

However, their differing approaches led to vastly different outcomes, and in the end, their father recognized Ashura.

Thinking back on it, Ashura couldn't help but find it ironic. According to the changes in shinobi history, those two villages had existed in the region now known as the Wind Country.

Perhaps those villages had been the precursors to the current Land of Wind.

Smiling bitterly, Ashura thought about how life had come full circle. Once again, they found themselves in the Wind Country, a land scarred by war, asking the same question their father had once answered.

Perhaps this was why his brother now sought answers.

Though, in Ashura's view, Hyuga Fuji wasn't the most suitable person to ask…

"In the village where I dug the well," Indra continued, "the villagers began fighting over the water source after I left, eventually killing each other.

"But in Ashura's village, because he had suffered alongside the villagers, they trusted him and followed his guidance. No conflicts arose there. And so, I lost."

Indra's voice was layered with frustration and disbelief, but also a trace of acceptance.

Perhaps he had long since come to terms with the trial's outcome but had clung to his obsession, unwilling to admit defeat.

"What's your take on this?" Indra asked.

Hyuga Fuji chuckled softly. "The answer is obvious. Based on the outcome, you lost—there's no debating that. But I don't think you're looking for me to say your choice was correct, are you?"

If pressed, Hyuga Fuji could point out ways in which Indra's approach had merit.

From his description, the trial took place in what was then a desert region, the precursor to the Land of Wind. In such an arid environment, spending months digging for water was impractical. Some villagers would likely have perished before the well was completed.

However, this argument would be mere sophistry.

If there had been significant casualties, Ashura, with his personality, would have noticed and taken steps to hasten the process or provide an interim water source. At most, only a few people might have died before Ashura could intervene.

By contrast, Indra's villagers resorted to violence over the water source, which ultimately reflected poorly on his approach. From an outcome-oriented perspective, Ashura had clearly handled the situation better.

Indra nodded slightly. "Of course. As much as I hate to admit it, I lost. Ashura did better than I did."

"Brother…"

Ignoring Ashura's dazed expression, Indra turned his gaze to Hyuga Fuji.

"I want to know—why did I lose? Was it my philosophy? Did Ashura's love surpass my strength?"

Hyuga Fuji smiled faintly and shook his head.

"I spoke with Naruto earlier. You may not have heard it, but during our debate, I didn't outright deny his beliefs. I simply pointed out a flaw.

"He believes the nations cooperate because they understand each other. Do you think that's true?"

"No," Indra replied decisively. "It's because of you. The nations feel threatened by you, so they have no choice but to unite. It has nothing to do with mutual understanding."

The moment he said it, Indra realized Hyuga Fuji's answer.

"In my view," Hyuga Fuji began, "you and Naruto are alike. You both pursue your ideals so fervently that you overlook many other factors. If the Ninshu trial were repeated and you and Ashura had the same amount of time, do you think your village would still devolve into chaos? Personally, I don't think it would."

"…"

Indra fell silent.

If he had stayed in the village instead of returning early, he could have used his strength to establish order, creating a system as effective as the one Ashura built through trust—perhaps even better.

Maybe he had been too stubborn…

"To answer your original question: I don't believe love or mutual understanding can create peace. Their role is to enhance a peaceful world, not to establish it. The foundation of peace is often built on strength."

Noticing Ashura's desire to interject, Hyuga Fuji smiled and added:

"Mutual understanding is a beautiful ideal, but it cannot be forced on others. And if you impose your will on someone else, can it still be called understanding?"

"When I share my philosophy, I never demand that others accept it. Lord Ashura, surely you wouldn't force me to embrace your beliefs, would you?"

(End of Chapter)