Besides—
history was written by the victors.
Everything Hiruzen had done was for Konoha.
For his Will of Fire.
Now that he had failed, his lifelong reputation had collapsed and he had been dragged into the mud.
Even so, he did not regret it.
If he had succeeded, he would have been remembered as Konoha's greatest Hokage.
Perhaps even the so-called strongest Hokage.
"Minato, why are you still so naive?"
Hiruzen's expression hardened as he took a deep breath.
"I naturally had my reasons for doing what I did. You do not need to concern yourself with them."
"During the Nine-Tails' attack, I did not force you and Kushina to die. You chose to perish with the Nine-Tails yourselves."
"As for Uzumaki Naruto…"
Hiruzen straightened his back.
"As the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, it was only natural for him to be isolated and despised."
"I was merely practicing the Will of Fire."
"Where leaves dance, fire burns. The fire's shadow will continue to illuminate the village, and new leaves will sprout again."
"Shut up."
Minato's voice turned cold.
"Shut your mouth."
Looking at Hiruzen's stubborn face, Minato could barely suppress his rage.
"What do you understand about the Will of Fire?"
"You are nothing but an old bastard obsessed with power."
As he spoke, terrifying chakra began rising from Minato's body.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
It looked as though he might attack at any moment.
"Heh…"
Hiruzen remained fearless.
"Minato, you really are too young."
"You still cannot grasp it."
"What is the Will of Fire? Do you still not understand?"
"There was never any true Will of Fire in Konoha."
"All of it was an illusion."
"What truly exists is only the Hokage's will."
"Enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Before Minato could respond, Hashirama's face darkened.
"Monkey, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"The Will of Fire is not something you can casually twist and insult."
"You disappoint me, Hiruzen."
Tobirama's face was even colder.
"The Will of Fire has meaning. It was meant to bind the village together, not become an excuse for your greed and crimes."
"You really are a dog."
Minato finally reacted.
His eyes were filled with killing intent.
"You say I could not grasp it?"
"Then could you?"
"Fortunately, the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren, overthrew your rule. Otherwise, Konoha truly would have been finished."
"It does not matter."
Being scolded by the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage at the same time, Hiruzen seemed to break completely.
"I have already died once."
"What difference does dying again make?"
"The Sarutobi clan has also fallen. I have nothing left to lose."
If his reputation had remained intact and the Sarutobi Clan still existed, Hiruzen might have cared about appearances.
But now?
His name had already been ruined.
His clan had already fallen.
There was nothing left for him to protect.
Even if he was wrong, he would walk this path to the end.
He, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had done nothing wrong.
Perhaps because the spectacle had become too entertaining, Madara finally clapped softly.
"Hashirama, Konoha really did produce quite the talent."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi truly lives up to the title of Third Hokage."
Hashirama only replied coldly,
"Oh."
Facing Hashirama's indifferent response, Madara suddenly felt an inexplicable irritation rise in his chest.
"Rest for now."
His voice turned heavy.
"Tomorrow, we enter the Land of Fire and launch the final assault on Konoha."
As soon as he finished speaking, Madara disappeared from the meeting room.
Tobirama watched him leave, then glanced at Hashirama.
A strange look flashed through his eyes.
For some reason, in that last instant, he thought he had seen something unusual in Madara's gaze.
Something far too complicated.
Something almost like an old obsession.
Could it be…
Was there something between his elder brother and Uchiha Madara?
"Hahaha! Rest, then. Tomorrow we attack Konoha."
"Just thinking about it is exciting."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi really is shameless. Heartless, ruthless, and willing to sacrifice anyone if it served him. I've truly learned something today."
"Prepare yourselves. The battle begins soon."
The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Raikage, along with the First, Second, and Third Tsuchikage, exchanged glances.
Each of them saw anticipation in the others' eyes.
This time, they would drag Konoha down from its pedestal.
They would pull the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren, from his position as the strongest in the shinobi world.
Meanwhile, the Kazekage and Mizukage exchanged much heavier looks.
"I hope Konoha is already prepared."
"Konoha having Hiruzen Sarutobi was a misfortune. Fortunately, Uchiha Ren appeared. That, at least, was a blessing amid disaster."
"When the battle begins, we will likely be forced to attack. But we can still warn them verbally."
At this point, these revived Kazekage and Mizukage had no real choice.
Once both armies clashed, their bodies would be controlled.
All they could do was shout warnings.
In the end, everything would depend on how strong Uchiha Ren truly was.
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