"Because everyone in Konoha is living so happily right now!" Otherworldly Naruto answered without thinking.
"So happily? Happier than the people of the Empire? Ask your heart, then recall what you just saw and heard."
Imperial Minato gently reminded.
"This…" Otherworldly Naruto froze.
Recalling the stylish and beautiful men and women he saw on the streets, their smiling faces and vibrant energy, as well as the tall, beautiful houses and the goods and food in the shops, Otherworldly Naruto had to admit in his heart that the standard of living for ordinary Imperial citizens far surpassed Konoha's.
"Even if the ordinary people of the Empire live well, this isn't our homeland. Konoha is our homeland. Forced conquest will only bring war and destruction."
Yamato stepped forward again and said.
"Such thinking, how similar to ours in the past…"
Imperial Tsunade let out a long sigh.
"This is the limitation of the mindset of people in the ninja village era. People always cling to the fields they understand, finding it hard to accept new things."
Imperial Jiraiya unconsciously showed a bitter smile.
"Hmph… isn't this the unique foolishness of humans? Fortunately, His Majesty the Emperor saved us from that era of darkness and ignorance."
Imperial Orochimaru licked his lips, gazing at the figure on the throne, his eyes showing a hint of fanaticism.
"Those who haven't lived in the Empire for a while will never understand the greatness of His Majesty and the entire Empire. So… little Naruto! Stay here for a while, then make your decision, how about that?" Imperial Kushina also said.
"No! I don't want to stay here! You're all bad people!"
Otherworldly Naruto glared at the Imperial members with slight anger, labeling all these people with malicious intentions as bad.
"So selfish… Uzumaki Naruto… is this what the ninja village taught you?"
At that moment, Ryuji on the throne finally spoke again.
Hearing this, Otherworldly Naruto was furious:
"Annoying! Selfish? You want to invade Konoha, and we're not allowed to resist?"
"Uzumaki Naruto, you're just an individual, not representing anyone. You clearly know that joining the Empire could make everyone's lives better yet refuse—isn't that selfish?"
"In your narrow heart, there's only Konoha, only the teachings of the ninja village era. There's no vision of a happy future for the people after unification, nor do you see such a future."
"Your Majesty! I believe everyone in Konoha loves that land. Our ancestors have lived there for generations. It's impossible to abandon that place, nor will we submit to anyone."
"Everyone in Konoha is like leaves fluttering in the village, generation after generation thriving and growing vibrantly. If you're a kind person, you shouldn't try to conquer the world, conquer Konoha."
"Starting a war, dragging everyone into the chaos of war, isn't something a kind person should do."
Yamato said with a serious expression.
"Captain Yamato is right. Your Majesty… you already have this world. Isn't that still not enough for you?"
Sakura also spoke, her expression deeply worried.
The Shinobi Empire was too powerful!
Facing it directly, the ninja world had no chance of winning.
The Imperial members, hearing the two, showed mocking smiles.
Were this group pretending to be foolish, or were they truly that naive?
"Satisfied? Human desire is inherently limitless—who would refuse to have more? Moreover, His Majesty is doing this more to save the pitiful people of the ninja village era. You rebellious group who don't understand His Majesty's greatness! You all deserve to die!"
Without needing the Imperial members to speak, Mukade voluntarily shouted loudly.
"You annoying bastard! You're clearly from our world too—why are you saying such things!" Otherworldly Naruto glared sharply.
His fist's veins bulged.
"I just want to live in a more civilized, advanced world. Hiss… hah… smell it, the air in this world, so sweet and enchanting! Ah! This is civilization and freedom!"
As he spoke, Mukade took a deep breath, his expression intoxicated.
This display made Team Otherworldly Naruto feel an indescribable disgust.
"In contrast, the world ruled by those useless daimyo is truly foolish and backward! Even the air is filled with a disgusting, rotten stench! That world! It needs to change!" Mukade finally said passionately.
"Annoying bastard! I…" Otherworldly Naruto still wanted to say something.
Ryuji's calm and authoritative voice rang out:
"Uzumaki Naruto, Yamato, Haruno Sakura, Sai. Let's make a wager. If you win, I can give up on conquering Konoha, even your entire world. But if you lose, you must cooperate and surrender unconditionally. How about it?"
"A wager? What kind of wager?"
Otherworldly Naruto asked warily.
"Do we even have the right to refuse?"
Yamato smiled bitterly.
"It's simple. Wait until our people enter your world. We'll invite a hundred ordinary people to experience the life of ordinary people on our side, and they'll decide whether to join or refuse. How's that?"
"That's a great idea! As expected of Your Majesty, coming up with such a good solution right away! Let a hundred ordinary people experience life on our side, and they decide whether to leave or stay. This way, we respect everyone's will and avoid starting a war."
Imperial Minato's eyes lit up, speaking with slight excitement.
"Ah! Your Majesty! You clearly have the power to conquer everything, yet you're so generous! You fools, why aren't you quickly thanking him?"
Mukade glared at Team Otherworldly Naruto.
Otherworldly Naruto hesitated slightly.
"What? You can't even agree to these terms? Truly people of the ninja village era, one by one selfish, hypocritical, self-righteous… only yourselves in your hearts."
Imperial Sasuke provoked.
"Annoying! A wager it is! I believe in everyone in Konoha!"
Otherworldly Naruto shouted angrily.
Yamato only smiled bitterly; they had no right to refuse at all.
"Then it's settled. Minato, Kushina, arrange proper accommodations for our honored guests from the other world. Oh, and send them to the Imperial Capital High School to study martial arts." Ryuji said.
"What? Let us learn martial arts?"
Team Otherworldly Naruto was all shocked, then overjoyed!
It was a powerful energy different from chakra, and Team Otherworldly Naruto deeply understood its strength.
If they could learn it, their power would surely skyrocket!
But… these people were the ones planning to invade the ninja world. Could they really be so kind?
"Your Majesty! These four haven't sincerely joined the Empire. Letting them learn martial arts, isn't that a bit…"
Hiashi, who had been mostly silent, finally spoke up.
Many others also showed concern.
But Imperial Sasuke's eyes lit up, and he said:
"What? Is the head of the Hyuga clan worried that teaching martial arts to people from the other world will threaten us? Don't forget what His Majesty once said."