Ninja World.
Land of Fire.
Konohagakure, Uchiha Clan's Territory.
Inside the main hall of the evening banquet.
The atmosphere in the room felt heavy.
Hyuga Hitoshi sat cross-legged on a cushion, casually holding a teacup as he locked eyes with Senju Hashirama. Across from them, Uchiha Hikari sat tensely, gripping the hem of her clothes, staring warily at the newcomers.
Just moments ago, Hyuga Hitoshi had addressed this man by name, instantly putting her on guard.
Hashirama?
Senju Hashirama?
The man who, after she was sealed away, became the First Hokage of Konohagakure and was known throughout the ninja world as the God of Shinobi? The former leader of the Senju Clan?
Uchiha Hikari never cared much for digging into others' histories, but she knew these things from the background story of *Ultimate Storm.* She had even played as her own character and defeated him in the game.
That game was said to be an extremely accurate recreation of real ninja abilities. Though she always found it ridiculous, there was always a chance it was true. In other words, the man before her really could use Wood Release and Sage Mode, wielding the kind of power that could rival Uchiha Madara's Perfect Susano'o.
She turned slightly, glancing at Hyuga Hitoshi, her mind quickly piecing things together.
From their interactions, it was clear that these two were neither friends nor outright enemies. Even if they weren't foes, their ideals were clearly at odds. And given that this man was from the Senju Clan, had entered the Uchiha territory uninvited, and had come straight here, his intentions were obvious.
Tch.
Were they planning to seal her away again? Just like in the Warring States era? The Senju and Sarutobi clans would once again use some grand excuse, claiming her power was too dangerous and couldn't be allowed to threaten the ninja world, right?
"I entrusted my ideals of peace to the future generations long ago," Hashirama finally spoke after a brief silence, sighing slightly. "I didn't come back as a dead man to debate those ideals again. What's done is done—there's no point in rehashing the past."
Although, his descendants had been quite the disappointment.
Still, the current ninja world could indeed be called peaceful.
And precisely because of that, they couldn't allow an unstable force to disrupt this hard-earned peace!
As long as this peace wasn't an illusion.
"This is a duty passed down from the Senju ancestors of the Warring States era," Hashirama continued. "Sealing Uchiha Hikari back then was undoubtedly the right choice. Now that she has returned, she brings instability to the ninja world."
"I don't want to do this, but if your power isn't under control, it could easily be exploited by others. Perhaps… it already has been, without you even realizing it."
He turned to her with a trace of apology in his eyes—but there was no hesitation in his resolve.
He had already sensed an immense chakra presence earlier.
It belonged to Hyuga Hitoshi.
Perhaps the only reason his power was so overwhelming was because of the Eight Thousand Spears. Otherwise, how could any normal person possess chakra surpassing even his own?
And if he thought deeper…
Was this so-called peace in the ninja world actually real?
Could it be that Hyuga Hitoshi was manipulating Uchiha Hikari, using the Eight Thousand Spears to control people's minds and fabricate this illusion of peace?
The deeper he thought, the more unsettling it became.
Because if one could control people's thoughts to create false peace, then one could just as easily incite conflict.
Was everything in the ninja world being dictated by a single person's will?
Was this world even real anymore?
Or was it just an empty illusion, a dream where people had lost their sense of self?
"You sure like to overthink things."
Hyuga Hitoshi glanced at Hashirama, instantly seeing through his thoughts, then chuckled and turned to Uchiha Hikari.
"He's thinking that my power comes from you, and that the current peace in the ninja world is just a false reality created by the Eight Thousand Spears, stopping people from fighting."
What a genius.
"You're even more into conspiracy theories than I am."
"So what?"
Uchiha Hikari let out a short snort and sighed with a complicated expression.
Looks like I'm about to be sealed away again.
Of course.
So much for a peaceful life. Some people's fates are decided the moment they're born—they'll never have peace.
Her very existence in this world was a mistake. Just by being here, she had dragged Hyuga Hitoshi into trouble.
Even though she never gave anyone the Eight Thousand Spears mark, and Hyuga Hitoshi's strength had nothing to do with her,
no one would believe that. The so-called God of Shinobi had already made up his mind.
Maybe Hyuga Hitoshi agreed with the First Hokage—agreed to let this former Senju clan leader seal me away again—just to avoid trouble.
What a shame.
I never got to finish all those games.
People really love jumping to conclusions, huh?
Hyuga Hitoshi glanced sharply at Uchiha Hikari. He couldn't help but be amazed—so she had been hiding her true strength all this time.
At the same time, he felt a bit helpless and let out a bitter smile.
Still, to avoid any misunderstandings…
Well, I don't know if she's overthinking it, but I should make my stance clear.
After a brief pause, Hyuga Hitoshi pointed at the door, giving Hashirama one final warning.
"First, my strength has nothing to do with the Eight Thousand Spears. I don't need its power.
Back then, your Senju clan and the Sarutobi clan didn't have the confidence to face Uchiha Hikari's strength, but I do."
"Second, Uchiha Hikari has been hired as a game tester for the Sun God Kingdom's Game Development Department.
She will also be involved in researching the next installment of Ninja Hayate.
That means she's under my protection now.
Even if you're the God of Shinobi, you have no right to interfere.
Whether she gets sealed or stays free, that's none of your business."
"And finally, the only reason I'm even talking to you isn't because you're Senju Hashirama,
not because you're the legendary Ninja God,
not because you're the First Hokage of Konohagakure,
and not because you were once the leader of the Senju clan.
It's simply because you're Tsunade's grandfather.
That's the only reason I'm wasting my breath on you.
Just like with Senju Tobirama—if he wasn't Tsunade's grand-uncle, I would've killed him for his attitude alone."
"So… get out."
I've already given him a way out.
After all, Tsunade's about to give birth soon.
Beating up her grandpa at a time like this…
She wouldn't exactly be mad at me, but she'd definitely pin me down and bite me.
Considering her condition, I should be a bit more careful.
But I've done my part.
If Hashirama doesn't take it, that's on him.
Tsunade's smart—she'll understand if I beat up her grandfather.
She might even give me a thumbs-up for it.
"Sorry, but I still can't be sure whether the Eight Thousand Spears' power was used or not.
So I have no choice."
Hashirama's face took on the markings of Sage Mode.
That was his answer.
It showed his determination to seal Uchiha Hikari.
In some ways, her power was even scarier than the Nine-Tails.
He wouldn't even let the Nine-Tails roam free—how could he allow Uchiha Hikari to?
At the end of the day, even though Hyuga Hitoshi had erased Asura's soul from Naruto's body,
Asura had spent decades inside Hashirama's soul.
That influence couldn't be erased with just a few words.
Hashirama was still himself, but he had been shaped by Asura's will.
Calling him a Senju Hashirama who had become more like Asura would be more accurate.
People like that always think they have some great mission.
But from the perspective of those they target, it's just sickening.
The Nine-Tails hated humans, hated Konohagakure,
and part of that was because Hashirama had sealed it away without hesitation.
"What a waste.
If I were you, I'd go see Tsunade.
If you were lucky, you might even get to meet your great-granddaughter in a couple of months.
I gave you a chance, but you didn't take it."
Hyuga Hitoshi slowly stood up.
Golden and blue lights intertwined in his eyes.
The power of the Tenseigan, along with an overwhelming pressure, spread in all directions.
This power…
Feeling the weight of it firsthand, Hashirama's face grew serious.
But Hyuga Hitoshi didn't attack right away.
He simply floated into the air and beckoned Hashirama with a finger.
Fugaku has worked hard to keep Konohagakure stable.
Tonight, he even set up defenses against Danzo's sneak attack.
The village didn't suffer any losses.
I don't want to cause unnecessary destruction just because of this fight.
The old Konohagakure—the one that deserved to be destroyed—is gone.
This new Konohagakure is just another part of the Sun God Kingdom now.
If the God of Shinobi won't listen and insists on sealing my people,
then I'll just beat him into the ground.
It doesn't matter if his Edo Tensei body doesn't feel pain.
I'll bring him back to life first, then beat him down.
And once I'm done, I'll make him join the Sun God Kingdom's construction crew.
Let him build houses for ten, maybe even twenty years.
Then I'll tell him those houses are for his future great-granddaughter.
He probably wouldn't even complain.
A strong force lifted Hashirama into the air.
The two of them drifted over the brightly lit Konohagakure, heading toward the outskirts.
Hashirama was stunned, but at the same time, he gained a new understanding of Hyuga Hitoshi's power.
Meanwhile, back on the ground, Uchiha Hikari's expression kept shifting.
She stared blankly at the two figures flying away,
but in her mind, only one sentence kept repeating.
"My people. Even the God of Shinobi has no right to interfere."
*My people.*
A flush of red appeared on Uchiha Hikari's cheeks. She felt something stir inside her.
Well...
For a girl who could be won over by calling her a friend, how strong could her emotional defenses really be?
The weapon girl admitted that, besides gaming, something else had taken root in her heart. That sweet and sour feeling—she just wanted to savor it. She was already lost in it.
But she wasn't the only one confused.
Fugaku's eldest son had collapsed to the ground, looking completely defeated. His face was pale, like he had just suffered the worst loss of his life.
"I told you long ago—what you see with your eyes isn't always the truth, and what you think you understand might not be right. I kept hinting for you to talk to me, even if it was just a small doubt. If you had asked, as your father, I would have told you everything you wanted to know."
"But you never did. Instead of trusting your own family, you put your faith in outsiders."
Fugaku's expression had shifted from disappointment and bitterness back to calmness. The harsh reality was right in front of him. From Itachi's very first choice up until now, his son—who he had placed so much hope in—had always chosen the wrong path.
Even if Itachi one day came back, claiming he had changed, Fugaku knew he could never trust him again.
Even if he, as a father, chose to forgive him, the clan never would. In this village, Itachi would be shunned and despised. But he wouldn't be pitied—this was his own doing.
"Father..."
Itachi seemed to realize something. His face became even more hopeless.
"Don't call me that. You're the father here, aren't you?!"
Fugaku finally snapped. The moment Itachi said those two words, something inside him broke.
So, he *does* remember that I'm his father?!
Just how much must he resent me?
He never consulted me on *anything*.
In his eyes, the Uchiha Clan was an unnecessary existence, a threat to Konoha, to the ninja world. He made it his *mission* to erase us. And worst of all—he was proud of it.
"Kill yourself, Itachi. If you still have even a shred of Uchiha pride left."
Fugaku let out a long sigh, and Itachi felt a sharp pain in his chest.
He knew.
He had lost his right to be a son.
No—maybe he had even lost the right to be a brother.
When Sasuke left in tears, their bond had likely been cut forever.
But...
*I still have a purpose.*
Sasuke needs my eyes.
Recalling what the masked man had said about the evolution of the Uchiha Sharingan, Itachi stubbornly decided—he would use his existence to push Sasuke forward, to awaken the Mangekyou and evolve it into the Eternal Mangekyou.
But no one knew a son better than his own father.
Fugaku looked at Itachi with pity.
"Don't treat Sasuke like a weakling who needs his failure of a brother to guide him. His eyes have their own path. He doesn't need your tainted vision, too blind to see the truth."
"Did you forget how Sasuke pinned you to the ground and beat you senseless? If I were him, and I heard you wanted to *gift* me your eyes, I'd think they were filthy!"
Give me a break.
Sasuke's eyes evolved on their own. His terrifying ocular power didn't need some transplant to reach the Eternal stage.
He had a father.
A father who was the strongest in the ninja world.
A father who would never let his son suffer, and certainly didn't need *Itachi* worrying about him.
Itachi had no words to argue back. His face turned red, his mouth opening and closing without a sound.
"Heh. So you don't even have the courage to end yourself for the Uchiha's honor?"
Fugaku was furious. He grabbed Itachi by the collar and hurled him into the air. Then, with a powerful kick, he sent Itachi flying high into the sky.
Life or death, fate would decide.
From now on, he had no son.
"Secretary Tsung, draft the public announcement."
After swiftly dealing with the ungrateful traitor, Fugaku leaned against the wall, lighting a cigarette. His face was complicated, his deep voice barely hiding the sadness inside.
Now, he finally understood why Sarutobi Hiruzen told him to keep Uchiha Itachi away from Sarutobi Asuma after Sarutobi Shinnosuke died.
Even at such a young age, Itachi's destructive potential was already showing—Fugaku just hadn't noticed.
In fact, as a father, he saw things less clearly than his assistant, Uchiha Satoshi.
Satoshi, a smart jōnin, had once said they needed to strengthen the eldest son's ideological education. After all, he was a bit too selfless. Some of his suggestions leaned toward weakening the Uchiha while strengthening the village's higher-ups.
If they had corrected Itachi's thinking back then, would things have turned out differently?
Fugaku didn't know. But he didn't want to dwell on it anymore.
"Uchiha Itachi colluded with the traitor Danzo to invade Konohagakure. After failing, he fled. From this day forward, Uchiha Itachi—no, from now on, Itachi is no longer part of the Uchiha clan. He is stripped of the Uchiha name and given the name Senju. Senju Itachi is now an S-rank rogue ninja of Konohagakure."
This was, in a way, giving Itachi a chance to live.
Uchiha Satoshi saw it clearly. Even though Itachi had completely disappointed the clan leader, as a father, Fugaku still gave his son a way out.
Being expelled from the Uchiha and branded a rogue ninja of the village was at least better than becoming a lifeless puppet trapped inside the village.
But… giving him the Senju name?
Wouldn't that just drag the Senju clan into this mess too?
The Senju weren't that stupid.
Itachi looked like he was doing all this for the village, for peace in the ninja world, which put him at odds with his father and clan.
But if you really think about it—wasn't this just pure arrogance?
Asuma died, and without even asking questions, he just assumed the Uchiha did it?
Does that brain of his have anything inside it? Or is it just full of crap?
The night covered Konohagakure.
The chaos caused by the Edo Tensei invasion had finally settled.
But an unsettling tension was brewing.
Any ninja with a bit of skill could feel the danger in the air.
It was like during the Fourth Great Ninja War when Uchiha Madara summoned Tengai Shinsei—even before the meteor broke through the clouds, that overwhelming pressure made countless people look up at the sky.
Right now, many in Konohagakure were staring toward the outskirts.
Something terrifying was stirring over there.
—
"Your strength is beyond what I expected."
A familiar battlefield. A familiar ravine.
Floating in the air, Hyuga Hitoshi was surrounded by the stable chakra flow of Tenseigan Mode. His Tenseigan shimmered like its own universe, and behind him, a dazzling golden orb made Hashirama furrow his brows.
"On my way here, I learned about the Sun God Kingdom and some of your ideas. To be honest, I was shocked. I didn't think someone in this era would share the same philosophy as Madara—using power to create fear so that people wouldn't dare start wars, forcing peace through oppression."
"What I can't understand is… you actually did it better than Madara."
A mindset similar to Madara's—but not just talk. He had acted on it and even founded the Sun God Kingdom.
That was an unbelievably dangerous move.
One wrong step, and he could drag the entire ninja world into ruin.
Was this man truly confident? Or just hopelessly arrogant?
"So, a dangerous person like me shouldn't be allowed to hold a weapon as powerful as Eight Thousand Spears?"
Hyuga Hitoshi let out a quiet sigh.
"What an arrogant way of thinking. To you, being strong is some kind of original sin. But what about yourself? The peaceful world you built fell apart the moment you died. Your brother still died in the wars that followed."
"You said you wanted to leave the future to the next generation. But guess what? That entire 'next generation' got wiped out. I took over and did a better job than you ever did. But because you don't believe I can maintain it, you think everything I've built is just an illusion?"
Those words cut deep.
Hashirama scratched his head awkwardly.
"Look, kid, I don't know why you have so much resentment toward me. But proving that the current peace in the ninja world is real is simple—just seal away Uchiha Hikari."
"I recognize your strength. I honestly thought you would share my ideals. You *know* how dangerous Uchiha Hikari is. Maybe you have the power to keep her under control in this generation—but what about the future?"
"You know what happened. After I died, my brother died on the battlefield too. That's exactly why unstable elements need to be removed."
"When you grow old and die, what's your plan for Uchiha Hikari's eyes? Will you take them with you to the grave? Seal them away again? Either way, the result will be the same."
"For the sake of the entire ninja world, the fate of unnecessary power is to be sealed. What's so wrong about sacrificing one person for the greater good?"
Hoo.
This theory sounds so familiar.
Hyuga Hitoshi suddenly understood.
He finally realized why he found the First Hokage so irritating—this way of thinking was exactly like Sarutobi's. What was going on?
"A long time ago, the Third Hokage of Konohagakure tried to stop a war. He worked with outsiders to attack the Hyuga clan, hoping to steal the Byakugan. But I fought back and killed them instead. Then, Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered me to hand over the Hyuga clan's 'murderer' as an apology, along with the Byakugan."
Once again, sacrificing one person for the sake of the village.
"But do you know what I did?"
Hyuga Hitoshi gave a strange smile, one that made Senju Hashirama shiver.
"I destroyed Konohagakure. It only took one move. They couldn't even block a single attack—do you know that? I also wiped out countless members of the Sarutobi clan. Then, I made the Uchiha clan leader the Hokage. But after everything I did, do you know what happened? They didn't even dare to say a word."
So it was you. The true source of all this chaos.
Instead of sacrificing himself, this man chose to sacrifice the entire village.
And that was his answer to how Uchiha Hikari should be dealt with.
Even if Uchiha Hikari's existence threatened the entire ninja world—this man still protected him.
There was no point in talking anymore. The battle between two people with opposing beliefs was inevitable.
Hashirama pressed his hands together in a seal.
"Wood Style—Deep Forest Emergence!"
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