A New Way of Ninja, (Naruto)

36: A Plan

[OP: "Shots"--Imagine Dragons]

Shoto had no ideas for Gaara. In fact, all he thought was that this was the kind of thing he never paid attention to at home.

Was he wrong for that?

Shine had said they were oblivious to the world in many ways, and he wondered if this was what she meant.

"I think," Momo finally said, "that, if the villages really understood each other, and not just your leaders but all of them, they would be less likely to attack. And they've fought together now--won't it be different?"

"For a time," Gaara said, "I agree...but...I think it won't last. Not if we act the same. I want to start new ways of doing things...but I am the youngest kage. I believe the Mizukage would be in support of some changes, but the others are less willing to unlearn the old ways. I see why--it is how things have been done for years. But, after you all visited us the first time, I saw that there was even a new way to look at life. And, reading your books, I found that people do things very differently than we do. And I've wanted to make it more like that...but not many share my vision."

Shoto could imagine that.

"If there was a way to promote to keep having to work together," he spoke aloud, "that would be ideal. Heroes have to work together a lot, so we're trained to be cooperate. But shinobi only have to do that with people in their own village, except for this war... Do you think you'll share missions?"

"I doubt it," Gaara said. "Each village protects a certain region; they aren't likely to go to other villages for help that often. We may need to for a while, because of the war, but long term I don't know."

"Shine is better at this kind of thing than I am," Momo admitted. "I have studied politics a little, but, to make the kind of real changes you're thinking of, I've never had to do that. But do you think if you asked the other kage to they would consider collaborating with you on it?"

"I want to do just that," Gaara said. "All our meetings were about the war. We've talked a little on the field about how we've done things wrong. I thought we were making progress there...but I worry it will all be just talk, if it stops there. I wish I trusted human nature more...but our book also has a warning against that."

"I think you're right," Shoto said. "I don't trust human nature. I trust that humans who are trying to be godly will do the right thing, most of the time, but that they all have to stay on that track. And left to ourselves, humans will be selfish."

"Hmm." Gaara nodded. "And that is just it. Without this new faith of ours, what would inspire anyone to make changes? Tradition is safer. I had to change it, but even in my own village that view has not been well received by most of the older people. And of course they have grudges also... I wish they could all believe what we do. That there is forgiveness...and a new life."

He put his hands together. "When I realized that I could be clean from the guilt of bloodshed, I felt truly free and at peace with other men, because I didn't have to avoid their gaze anymore."

Momo found this quite touching.

Shoto wondered if Dabi felt like this.

"Yet, aside from my siblings, no one believed I was free from guilt," Gaara said. "I have wished to share that with others...not just for my own sake, but so those who have been haunted by their pasts, like me, might have peace. Now, it looks like all the nations need this, to move on. But would it be too much for them to accept? It's so much change all at once."

"I think you've thought it out very well," Momo mused. "Perhaps there's a gentler way to break it to them. If you called a meeting and told them all, it might get their attention, but it could also feel like an ultimatum. As if you were demanding that in return for their gratitude for helping to save the world."