"Big brother?!" "First Hokage?!"
Tobirama and Hiruzen looked at Hashirama in disbelief.
Their thoughts were the same as Kaede's — at this point, could reconciliation really still work?
After all, Kaede had truly destroyed Konoha, killing countless ninja and civilians.
Hashirama raised a hand to stop their protests and spoke solemnly.
"Tobirama, it's been many years since we died, hasn't it?
We can't just push all the blame onto the Uchiha based solely on what we've seen and heard. Maybe it really was Monkey and the others who made mistakes.
That's why I want to hear the truth first."
Tobirama opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing.
With himself and his brother here, there was no need to rush. They could hear the full story first.
But Hiruzen and Danzō were already panicking.
If Kaede repeated what he had said on the night of the massacre, they couldn't imagine what Tobirama would do to them.
Because that…
Hiruzen immediately tried to persuade him. "Sensei, Danzō—"
"Shut up!" Tobirama barked coldly.
"The situation here won't spiral out of control. I also want to hear exactly what happened over these years."
He gave Hiruzen a frigid glare. "Or… do you really have some unforgivable sin on your conscience?"
Faced with Tobirama's piercing stare, Hiruzen's whole body went cold and he didn't dare say another word.
Danzō also shot Hiruzen a cold glance.
Right — these two had been revived with Edo Tensei, under Danzō's control.
A sinister smile crept across Danzō's face as he slowly raised his arm.
Whoosh!
Tobirama's hand suddenly shot out and grabbed Danzō's wrist. "What are you trying to do?!" he demanded.
Danzō's eyes went wide with disbelief — he hadn't even reacted in time.
Now he truly panicked.
Against the absolute strength of Hashirama and Tobirama, there was no way he could keep control over them!
Tobirama narrowed his eyes, then took one of Danzō's hands and forced it into a specific seal.
"Edo Tensei… Release!"
The next second, white light flared from all the revived bodies, severing Danzō's control over them completely!
"W-What…?!" Danzō gasped, unable to believe it.
"I told you before," Tobirama said coldly, "forbidden techniques aren't toys to be used carelessly!
As long as an Edo Tensei knows the release seal, they can break free of the caster's control!"
With that, Hiruzen and Danzō completely lost their grip on the situation.
Fear filled their faces, and only one thought rose in their minds:
We're finished.
After intimidating his two former students, Tobirama turned back to Kaede.
"My brother said it, so I'll give you a chance. Tell us exactly what happened all these years."
Kaede sneered. "And who are you to demand that?"
The next moment, Kaede appeared at Tobirama's side in a blur.
Kyōka Suigetsu slashed clean through Tobirama's body!
Shock filled Tobirama's eyes. "Space–time ninjutsu… so fast!"
Even with the Flying Thunder God, he hadn't reacted in time.
And Kaede hadn't relied on any seals — he simply used a natural space–time ability!
As Tobirama's Edo body fell apart, he temporarily lost control over it.
Seizing the moment, Kyōka Suigetsu glowed with a strange light as Kaede prepared to slice through Tobirama's very soul.
Every revived ninja felt it — that sword could sever the soul itself!
"Senju!"
In the next instant, Hashirama moved at incredible speed.
He didn't attack, merely grabbed Kaede's sword arm.
"Let's hear what happened first," Hashirama said.
Benevolent didn't mean foolish.
Hiruzen and Danzō's actions earlier clearly showed they had something to hide.
Kaede met Hashirama's gaze, then smirked.
"Fine. I'll give you some face."
A moment later, Itachi reappeared from his invisibility and returned to Kaede's side.
Kaede glanced up at Tsunade. "Go on. Tell your grandfather about Hiruzen and Danzō's glorious deeds."
Tsunade drew a deep breath and prepared to speak.
"Wait!"
A voice interrupted her.
It was the Edo puppet of Minato, summoned by Danzō.
He pushed through the crowd, not looking at Hashirama or Tobirama, but fixing his eyes squarely on Naruto.
Minato's lips trembled into a bitter smile.
"You're… Naruto, right? You've grown so much…"
The moment Minato appeared, the Nine-Tails chakra he had left inside Naruto instantly sealed every Edo Tensei in the village.
So Minato understood perfectly the coldness in Naruto's eyes.
Still… as a father, he was filled with guilt.
All around, Konoha's people were immobilized by the seal, unable to move.
Seeing the towering figures of Hashirama and Tobirama, hope flared in their hearts.
"It's the First and Second Hokage! We're saved!"
"Thank the heavens!"
"First Hokage, Second Hokage, please save us!"
"Is that demon Uchiha finally going to be punished?!"
Hearing those cries made both Hashirama and Tobirama ache inside.
Hashirama took a deep breath and called out to the crowd:
"Don't worry, everyone. As long as I'm here, Konoha will be safe!"
His words instantly calmed the villagers, their eyes filled with renewed hope.
Even decades after his death, his prestige remained unshaken.
But Naruto ignored them, keeping his cold gaze locked on Minato.
"Why did you choose me back then?" he asked.
Minato sighed heavily. "Naruto… I'm sorry. I never thought things would turn out this way. Back then, I just wanted you to be Konoha's hero."
"Hero?" Naruto let out a bitter laugh.
"Your idea of a hero… was for me to starve and suffer the hatred of everyone?!"
The last words came out as a roar.
Minato's guilt deepened.
Tobirama eyed Naruto, narrowing his gaze. "So this boy is this generation's Nine-Tails jinchūriki?"
He subtly glanced at Hiruzen and Danzō.
These two bastards… they even drove the Nine-Tails jinchūriki to betray Konoha. Just what did they do?!
For the first time, Tobirama felt regret.
Had he chosen Hiruzen only to see him grow into this?
His eyes shifted to Kagami, then to Kaede.
If given the choice, a powerhouse stronger than Madara would always stand on Konoha's side, right?
Unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret.
And without witnessing this moment firsthand, Tobirama never would have considered Kagami's descendants as an option.
His prejudice against the Uchiha still ran deep.
(End of Chapter)
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