Chapter 188: The Three Return to the Village

Looking at the astonished expressions of the two before him, Uchiha Mirai chuckled softly.

"What's the matter? Is there something you want to say?"

Hashirama and Tobirama snapped out of their daze.

Hashirama gazed at Mirai, a wave of complex emotions washing over him.

With just a few simple words, Mirai had painted a grand vision in Hashirama's mind—a vision so profound it was beyond his grasp.

For the first time, Hashirama felt that compared to Mirai, his own perspective was narrow and shallow.

After some thought, however, he couldn't help but ask, "Mirai, are you planning to unify the entire shinobi world?"

Mirai nodded. "That's right."

Hashirama hesitated, his tone tinged with concern. "When I established the system of hidden villages, I had to kill countless people to achieve my goal. If you intend to unify the entire shinobi world, won't even more blood be shed?"

As someone who had personally lived through it, Hashirama understood all too well the resistance one faced when trying to break an old system.

Mirai's eyes lowered slightly. In a calm tone, he replied, "It won't result in more deaths than the last three shinobi wars combined."

Hearing this, Hashirama fell silent.

As an idealist, he was deeply shaken by the harsh realities Mirai presented.

A lifetime spent striving for peace had culminated in such a bitter conclusion.

A sense of unprecedented defeat consumed Hashirama.

If only he had been more willing to communicate with Madara back then…

With a heavy sigh, Hashirama lowered his head in regret.

Meanwhile, Tobirama, who had been struggling on the ground, let out muffled grunts of frustration.

Mirai removed the golden sand gag from Tobirama's mouth and asked, "What do you want to say?"

Tobirama sneered. "Your grand vision is nothing more than a fleeting illusion. Even if you have the power to achieve your ambition, how can you ensure such a system will endure?"

"How can you guarantee that future leaders won't spark even greater wars based on their own whims?"

"How will you ensure that they'll possess the same strength you do to maintain control of the shinobi world?"

"Just look at Konoha. It's a living example. If someone like Hiruzen Sarutobi comes to power again, what good will any system do?"

Tobirama's sharp mind had quickly identified the flaws in Mirai's plan, even after the initial shock.

Mirai waited quietly for Tobirama to finish before responding with a faint smile.

"Are you done?"

Tobirama grunted, clearly irritated. Even when he had faced Uchiha Madara, he hadn't encountered someone as infuriating as this young man.

"Since you've asked so sincerely, I'll graciously explain."

Mirai's tone was casual as he continued, "Just like Hashirama in his time, as long as I possess the power to crush all opposition, my vision will become reality."

"A unified nation will be established, and I will be the sole emperor of the shinobi world, ruling over everything."

"As for concerns about leaders like Hiruzen Sarutobi…"

Mirai chuckled. "I will be the only emperor of the shinobi world. I am eternal."

"I will sit upon the throne, overseeing all."

The sunlight reflected off the golden sand throne beneath Mirai, casting a radiant glow that gave his languid demeanor an almost ethereal quality.

His nonchalant words left both Hashirama and Tobirama silent once more.

Suddenly, clarity washed over them.

Of course!

If immortality could be achieved, then all their worries would cease to exist.

But…

Tobirama's voice was grim as he asked, "Can you truly achieve immortality?"

"And even if you can, how will you guarantee that you'll remain the strongest throughout the endless years?"

Mirai pointed to his eyes, the intricate, ominous patterns within them exuding an air of overwhelming power.

"These eyes of mine can achieve anything," Mirai replied confidently, though he silently added in his mind: You can never comprehend the extent of my potential.

With that, Mirai lost interest in continuing the conversation.

He stood and turned to leave. "Before I release the Edo Tensei, you can explore the village if you like."

"But remember, use the Transformation Jutsu. Don't cause any trouble."

Tobirama opened his mouth to protest, but a haunting melody reached his ears:

"Remembering the tears of yesteryears…"

—

Konoha's Hero Memorial Cemetery

Entering through the gates, four lifelike statues immediately came into view.

The central statue depicted a frail old man.

Beside him stood a bandaged, menacing-looking shinobi.

To their left and right were statues of a plump old woman and a gaunt, bespectacled elder.

All four knelt before the gravestones in the cemetery, their postures forever frozen in reverence.

Plaques adorned each statue, etched with dense text.

The central plaque bore the glaring words: Ten Sins.

A woman wearing a tea-green cloak, with the kanji for gamble embroidered on the back, approached the statues.

She had golden hair tied in low pigtails, and as she walked, the heavy weight on her chest swayed with each step.

Carefully brushing away the rotten eggs and wilted vegetables scattered before the central statue, the woman stood silently in contemplation.

Moments later, a tall, muscular man with white hair entered the cemetery.

Surprised to see her, he called out, "Tsunade, you're back?"

Tsunade raised her gaze slightly. "Just paying respects to Sensei."

The man, Jiraiya, noticed the words on the plaque.

His fists clenched as his chakra surged uncontrollably.

Before he could act, a mocking voice rang out:

"Don't destroy anything. Unless, of course, you want the entire village to despise you…"

Turning to see the newcomer, Jiraiya gritted his teeth and spat out each word:

"O-ro-chi-ma-ru!"

"How dare you show your face here!"

Orochimaru's raspy voice carried a smirk as he extended his tongue to lick his cheek.

"Jiraiya, weren't you always trying to bring me back to Konoha?"

"Well, here I am."

Tsunade and Jiraiya froze in unison.

"What do you mean?" they asked.

Orochimaru gestured toward Hiruzen Sarutobi's statue.

"For ridding the village of such a calamity, Mirai-kun has pardoned me."

"Of course, I can't exactly show myself in public."

Jiraiya laughed coldly. "No matter who's in charge, the village never changes."

He turned to leave, his interest in reunion lost.

He had a prophecy to pursue.

Only the Child of Prophecy could change this rotten shinobi world.

After Jiraiya's departure, Orochimaru looked at Tsunade.

"Aren't you leaving?"

Tsunade sneered. "I am the princess of the Senju Clan. Konoha is my home. Why should I leave?"

With a sly grin, Tsunade replied, "Speaking of which… Orochimaru, could you introduce me to Uchiha Mirai?"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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