Konoha had always been home to many ninja who went against the rules.
But this was different.
To accuse a Hokage of betraying the very principles Konoha was built on? That was unheard of.
Yet, there it was, happening right before their eyes.
Usually, saying such things would mean death.
Sarutobi Ryo, however, wasn't just spouting accusations. He had proof, and he was confident in his words as he publicly accused Senju Tobirama.
It all started with how Senju Tobirama had treated the Uchiha clan.
Sarutobi Ryo didn't hold back, even when it came to Senju Hashirama.
"You and your younger brother, Senju Tobirama... together, you went against your promises, you falsely accused Uchiha Madara, and stopped the Uchiha from becoming Hokage. Uchiha Madara overheard everything outside the window, and you pretended not to notice, silently agreeing with your brother's actions…"
These words revealed secrets from the past, further damaging Senju Tobirama's reputation in the eyes of everyone present.
The perfect image of Senju Hashirama was now tarnished as well.
Faced with Sarutobi Ryo's accusations, Senju Hashirama couldn't say a word.
Because it was true.
He had changed.
Just as Madara had said, they had put the needs of the village before everything else, and it had created darkness.
Tobirama's actions afterward, the way the leaders of Konoha treated the Uchiha, the ways of the Conservative Faction…
Even Sarutobi Ryo himself proved Madara's point perfectly.
If they hadn't made that initial mistake.
Konoha wouldn't be in the mess it was in today.
If Konoha hadn't strayed from the true meaning of the Will of Fire, Sarutobi Ryo wouldn't have taken the actions he did…
Simply put, they had brought this on themselves.
Senju Hashirama now understood the consequences of his decisions.
"Alas…"
After Sarutobi Ryo finished his story, Senju Hashirama sat down on the ground.
"Young man, what you've said is true…"
"Brother, don't listen to his lies!" Senju Tobirama yelled.
"Tobirama, be quiet!"
Senju Hashirama unleashed his killing intent, a terrifying force that swept across the area.
The ground cracked, and the grass shattered.
Everyone felt a chill as pieces of debris flew through the air.
"This… Lord Hashirama, the First Hokage, has been almost perfectly brought back to life."
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt it more than anyone, the intensity of Senju Hashirama's killing intent.
He knew right then that Senju Tobirama had done a very good job bringing back the First Hokage.
Senju Tobirama had put all his energy into perfecting the Impure World Reincarnation.
He had a goal, a reason, and no one to stop him.
So, Senju Tobirama was making progress quickly.
Plus, he was the one who created the technique, so he had complete control over it.
His brother, at 70% power… Senju Hashirama.
And the brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku, along with the other Impure World Reincarnation bodies, also at 70% power.
That was enough to destroy Konoha.
But now, his brother was agreeing with this kid's ideas, which he saw as wrong!
"Back then, Madara said that putting the village first would create darkness… maybe I was wrong…"
To protect the Village, he thought he could kill anyone.
Friends, brothers, even his own children…
That's what Senju Hashirama had believed, and that's what he had told Madara.
"The Village was supposed to protect the people we care about, but it ended up being the other way around…"
Senju Hashirama started to think about his past actions.
He looked at Sarutobi Ryo, finally understanding something.
"If we don't follow the right path, then… more ninja like him will appear. Can't you see that?"
One day, someone would come along to fix things.
And when that happened, Konoha might be destroyed.
Luckily, this young man had both darkness and light in his eyes.
He wasn't extreme, nor was he taking an all-or-nothing approach.
Instead, he saw all the possibilities and chose the best path with an open mind.
This was a relief.
"Tobirama, even if you get rid of him, others like him will appear. Can't you see that?"
Senju Hashirama's words silenced Senju Tobirama.
Of course, Senju Tobirama understood this.
But…
Since he had already made mistakes, he felt he had to keep going.
"Brother, you don't understand, this kid is even darker than Madara…"
Senju Tobirama stated.
This young man was too dangerous.
If it were someone else, I might believe it.
I just can't trust him, that's why I'm doing this.
"…"
Senju Hashirama nodded slightly.
He knew that his younger brother had a reason for his judgment.
It must be based on his wife's special abilities.
Then…
"Young man, will you destroy Konoha?" Senju Hashirama asked Sarutobi Ryo in front of everyone.
"Of course not."
Sarutobi Ryo shook his head.
"I will guide Konoha onto the right path… as for the darkness in my heart, it's just a small personal flaw, like your love for gambling…"
Sarutobi Ryo downplayed the darkness within him.
Because Sarutobi Ryo was confident that he could control everything.
No matter what he did, he wouldn't let Konoha fall apart.
That was Sarutobi Ryo's confidence.
"In that case, Tobirama… what are you still worried about?"
Senju Hashirama stood up.
"We're already dead, we shouldn't interfere with the living…"
"Brother, don't let this kid trick you!"
Senju Tobirama still disagreed.
He didn't know what Kushina had said to his sister-in-law, Uzumaki Mito.
If he did, he would have acted right then.
Uzumaki Mito couldn't say anything either, because she couldn't possibly say… Hashirama, this kid is interested in me …
This was Sarutobi Ryo's dark desire.
"Tobirama, release the technique."
Senju Hashirama said casually.
"The dead shouldn't interfere with the present world… and that includes you."
Senju Hashirama pointed his finger.
He was telling Tobirama to return to the earth as well.
However…
"I'm sorry, brother."
In the next moment, Senju Tobirama's expression changed, and he used the technique.
The curse marks in the minds of Senju Hashirama and the others activated.
After their minds were wiped, the Impure World Reincarnation bodies would be weaker.
But there was no other choice.
"Everyone, Senju Tobirama is risking everything…!"
Sarutobi Ryo immediately warned.
This old fool has gone completely mad, everyone be careful!
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[T/N:
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