Chapter 271: Visitation
Passing his gaze over Roshi and Han, Vahn caused both men to tense as he remarked, "I've never been fond of the mentality that if an attack goes as planned, you do as you please. But if it fails, you suddenly expect to be forgiven—relying on the clemency of the person you were trying to injure or kill. It's a little shameless, don't you think...?"
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Not knowing Vahn's disposition, Roshi and Han remained silent with their heads down. Trying to justify their actions could have the opposite effect, severely diminishing their already compromised position.
"Well, it's not that I can't empathize with your situation..." sighed Vahn, closing his eyes and shaking his head before staring at the two men and recounting, "The two of you were pressured into becoming Jinchuriki for the most antagonistic of the Five Great Shinobi Nations, and you've since participated in three wars and hundreds of skirmishes at their behest. It's not the only thing you've known, but conflict has defined your lives..."
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Surprising the still-silent duo, Vahn's tone softened considerably as he maintained, "The two of you have perpetrated countless sins, but your culpability—your fault is minimal. You did what was necessary for you to survive, and if you hadn't, someone else would have been forced to take your place. As with most Jinchurki, this sets the burden of responsibility at the feet of those who turned you into weapons. For it is not the fault of a sword that it kills..."
Gesturing with his left hand, Vahn compelled Roshi and Han to rise with his Domain, allowing them to see his face directly as he smiled and said, "Your world is at the precipice of a future without the need for large-scale wars. I would like the two of you, whose existences have been defined by war, to become advocates for absolution. Regardless of your decision, the Tailed Beasts in your and all other Jinchuriki's bodies will be freed so they can never again be wielded as weapons. They, like you, were never meant to be weapons..."
"You're him, aren't you..." started Han, his voice low, full of tension as he appended, "The one heralded as the Dragon God, Vahn Mason...sama..."
"Considering you attacked those sent to explain the situation, I presume you heard about me via the whisperings of your spies in Konoha?" asked Vahn, causing Roshi's and Han's eyes to widen as he created seventeen light-formed displays, each depicting a different spy associated with Iwa. At a glance, they looked like ordinary merchants, laborers, or established residents of Konoha, but as long-time associates of the Tsuchikage, Roshi and Han knew of the men and women they had stationed abroad.