The problem with the manga is that in a world were the economy is primarily fueled by a SHINOBI system, peace is more than just nigh impossible, it's an outright detriment. I mean seriously; what village is going to work together to create a better, EQUAL, world when they can just try and kill off the competition?
The only legitimate ways that this could've happened in the series (Talk no Jutsu does NOT COUNT) was through the methods of Pein, Danzo or Madara. Pein's was the most noble and most sensible. Manipulate the vices of the most feared, sociopathic, skilled shinobi you can find and get them to (unknowingly) work for your cause, sacrificing (at first) the 9 few for the betterment of the whole. Then, when you have what you need for the grand show, you use this super weapon on a village of your choice, eradicating it, and forcing the other villages to play nice, if only for a time.
Danzo's was also sensible in a world of Shinobi. Use subterfuge and assassinations (as is the JOB OF A SHINOBI) to do what you have to do to make sure your village is the best, and I applaud him for making the sacrifices necessary to do what he felt needed to be done.
Madara was also good, if a little loud. Take away the key element that can inspire rebellion; free will. So long as that is around, there will always be a problem; someone is always going to want to take what is on your plate. Another way for peace is to disable the Shinobi system and that isn't working, is it people?
Besides all that, which villages (beside Konoha and Suna) would work together for the "greater good?"
The Bloody Mist Village? I doubt it as they are weakest village over all (ironic since they are the closest thing to a legit ninja village in the series).
Iwagakure? Hell no; that village hates all the others, ESPECIALLY Konoha.
Kumo? I doubt it; the ideals of the Raikage seem more militaristic and that won't mesh well with the "Peace for Everybody" campaign.
The Village Hidden in the Rain? Lol.....no. They're still on that Pein Sama ordeal, probably.
Hell the only reason they all banded together in the series is because Madara was going to enslave them all; they all mostly hate each other and that's perfectly OK. Subterfuge and espionage is the name of the game (despite what the series will tell you). The whole peace thing is nice (I guess) but in a series that has an economy that kinda relies on war and death...not really the best place to plant the seed.
Maybe Naruto and his group should take that to Marvel or D.C. and go hang w Superman or Captain America. They might get better luck there.
