"Look beyond appearances," Wakato advised. "Consider the bigger picture. After the first Five Kage Summit, Konoha gained several significant advantages."
"First, by selling the seven tailed beasts, Konoha amassed a large amount of money and land, creating a strong foundation for economic growth, free from the control of the daimyo."
"Second, thanks to the Uzumaki clan's expertise in sealing techniques, Konoha's own Jinchūriki is stable. The tailed beasts are unlikely to go berserk without outside interference."
"Third, the Uchiha clan's Sharingan provides a natural advantage for controlling tailed beasts, both within Konoha and potentially in other villages."
"Fourth, Konoha effectively planted a 'time bomb' in each of the other five villages. Whenever a tailed beast rampages, it will weaken the host village, thereby indirectly strengthening Konoha."
Hashirama was taken aback. "There were this many benefits?"
Wakato continued, "Your brother likely anticipated all of this but chose not to say it directly."
Turning to Tobirama, Hashirama asked, "Did you know about this?" Tobirama averted his eyes but eventually nodded. He had indeed considered these advantages, which is why he supported the distribution of tailed beasts despite some reservations.
As a master of forbidden techniques, Tobirama was well aware that other villages lacked advanced sealing techniques. It would take time for them to effectively harness the tailed beasts' power, giving Konoha an edge.
"If that's the case, does that make me a fraud who deceived the other Kages?" Hashirama slumped, feeling uneasy.
Tobirama responded firmly, "Don't be naive, brother. Do you think the other Kages couldn't see through this? They weren't won over by your ideals; they agreed because the benefits seemed to outweigh the risks."
"But they still accepted the deal?" Hashirama asked, confused.
"With your strength, they couldn't refuse. Plus, you already showed humility by apologizing. If they didn't give you face, were they prepared to start a war?"
The other Kages weren't pushovers, and as leaders of the First Generation of ninja villages, they knew Hashirama's proposal had its strategic merits.
"But why did so many wars still break out afterward?" Hashirama asked, quickly identifying the underlying issue.
"The problem isn't with the idea itself; the benefits were clear," Wakato explained. "However, the way future leaders handled the disadvantages of dividing the tailed beasts played a significant role in escalating conflict."
Hashirama and Tobirama both appeared puzzled.
Wakato elaborated, "The main drawbacks are external and internal. The external threat is controlling tailed beasts from other villages. Internally, the biggest issue is the potential for a 'Tailed Beast Riot.'"
"Tailed beasts aren't inherently strong; it's their unique attack, the 'Tailed Beast Bomb,' that makes them dangerous. They can easily level a mountain. Imagine a tailed beast launching such an attack on your village from several kilometers away—it could obliterate everything in an instant. That's why they are considered strategic weapons."
Hashirama finally understood the gravity of the situation as he gazed at the distant explosion site from the earlier battle. If an attack of that magnitude hit Konoha unexpectedly, it would devastate the entire village.
"Mutual deterrence with tailed beasts might prevent war, or at least delay it," he said, but then hesitated, recalling that the First Ninja War had already disproved that theory.
"Mutual threats never prevent conflict," Wakato interjected. "They only delay it and raise the stakes. Second Hokage, you must have known this."
Hashirama turned to Tobirama, who defended himself, "Konoha had advantages: the Uzumaki's sealing techniques, Uchiha's Sharingan, and the stability of our own Jinchūriki. We were relatively safe."
However, Tobirama acknowledged that other villages lacked these advantages. Without advanced sealing techniques, it was only a matter of time before they struggled to control their tailed beasts. This vulnerability made it easier for Konoha to maintain its position of power.
Hashirama was taken aback by Tobirama's strategic approach. "Why would you rely on the other villages suffering from tailed beast rampages to keep us safe?"
Tobirama, feeling slightly aggrieved, turned away. "It's for the good of the village, even if it means being seen as the bad guy."