Facing the doubts and disapproval from the younger generation.
Especially this child who at first glance feels incredibly familiar.
If it weren't for Hiruzen Sarutobi's introduction, saying he is the son of the Fourth Hokage. The Fourth Hokage also mentioned that his wife's name is Kushina.
He would've truly believed this child was his great-grandson.
He has the same "blonde" hair as Tsunade and possesses such a powerful life force. It makes sense to think he's his great-grandson!
The First Hokage was entirely overshadowed by a low-pressure mood, appearing dejected, yet his emotions and inner self remained very stable: "You all think I'm wrong, don't you?"
Naruto and the Second Hokage shook their heads simultaneously, uttering the same word: "No."
Both looked at each other in surprise.
The Second Hokage waved his hand, turning his head aside.
Naruto continued, "I don't find your approach wrong."
"Concentrating uncontrolled violence and organizing it is indeed a solution."
"During your reign, First Hokage, didn't the world experience peace for a period?"
The First Hokage nodded.
After the founding of Konoha, right until Madara's attack, those years were the happiest and proudest of his life.
The world was at peace, children didn't have to go to war.
"But as I said earlier." Naruto questioned, "To whom did you pass the power of wielding this blade?"
"First Hokage, you are the God of Shinobi."
"While you were alive, nobody dared to oppose you."
"But once you died, war immediately re-erupted."
"Ninjas are tools of war."
"This fact doesn't seem to have changed because of your actions."
The Gotei 13 is also a "violent organization."
However, the Captain-General has enough strength to suppress all those with ill intentions.
There's darkness in the Soul Society as well.
Yet at least, in the hearts of ordinary squad members and even most captains, their mission is to maintain stability across the 'Three Worlds.' This responsible mission, full of "a sense of purpose," allows the reapers to unite and not misuse their power.
The First Hokage lowered his head in silence, no longer speaking.
"Brother, you are particularly naive at this point," the Second Hokage began, his tone less calm than before. "He believed that the world could change through the example set by himself and the Senju clan."
"Isn't that the case?" the First Hokage retorted.
Without even glancing his way, the Second Hokage replied, "He handed power and strength to others."
"For example?"
"He indulged in trusting that inherently evil clan."
The First Hokage scolded loudly, "Tobirama, how many times have I told you not to speak of the Uchiha like that?"
"Brother, I'm talking to him now," the Second Hokage casually dodged his rebuke.
Pausing briefly, he continued speaking to Naruto, "Brother even considered giving the tailed beasts as a gift to other ninja villages."
"He thought that if everyone had similar strength, a balance would be maintained and war would surely not break out."
"But."
He clicked his tongue, not finishing his sentence, and changed the topic. "Naruto, is it?"
"You have a point too. If ninjas can't shake off the label of 'tools of war,' then war will inevitably persist."
"Unless my brother remains alive forever."
With arms crossed, the Second Hokage's gaze was sharp. "So, is that why you don't want to be a ninja anymore?"
"Refusing to live as a tool of war any longer."
"Just, what do you intend to do from now on?"
"Destroy Konoha, annihilate the ninja villages, and establish a new order?"
The longer he spoke, the lower his voice became, emanating an eerie aura even from a soul, with chakra sweeping forth, nearly engulfing the young man before him.
This oppressive aura
Naruto shook his head with a smile, releasing a small amount of energy from within himself.
The First Hokage's expression subtly changed.
A twisted look began to form on the Second Hokage's face.
This kid is this strong?
He gave off a "deadly" vibe.
Not at all inferior to his brother.
And he targeted this soul in particular.
If the pressure increased any further, one's very soul might be shattered to pieces.
"You don't truly understand me." Naruto softly spoke, raising his hand, "To me, Konoha is a fragile and weak place."
"If I wanted to destroy it,"
"It would have ceased to exist the moment I chose to leave."
"As for what I wish to do?"
The ground trembled violently at that moment.
Cracks appeared within the quartz.
The force from below surged up, threatening to break the third and final barrier.
Naruto frowned, pausing his words, then smiled at the Second Hokage, "When we meet again in the Pure Land, you'll understand what I wish to do."
"For now, I have something to discuss with Dad."
Minato Namikaze looked at him.
The transfer of the other half of the Nine-Tails was nearing completion, with the last trace of energy flowing into Naruto's body through their joined arms.
Raising his hand, Naruto pressed his two fingers together and touched his father's hand.
A small sealing array instantly formed.
Minato noticed the seal, feeling a presence of energy distinct from chakra within it.
"When in the Pure Land, Dad will be able to unlock the seal." Naruto continued, "What's inside will tell you what I want you to do."
He was referring to the reapers of the Soul Society.
Naruto nodded.
Within that seal, he left a trace of the 'Shinigami Power'.
And some information related to 'Shinigami' and 'chakra.'
When in the Soul Society, research had shown that transferring a portion of Shinigami Power to a human with spiritual energy could potentially create a human Shinigami.
Before preparing to unravel the 'Reaper Death Seal', Naruto had considered how to turn his parents into Shinigami.
Stabbing them was not feasible.
His father was currently in spirit form.
If he were to pierce him, he might destroy him entirely, eliminating even the Shinigami Power in him.
Moreover, a soul doesn't need others to infuse them with power to become a Shinigami.
Souls with spiritual power undergo cultivation to become Shinigami.
Therefore, it's best to stick to the most conventional method.
Unless my father lacks the talent for "spiritual power," but that possibility is almost nonexistent.
Although there are only two examples, both myself and the Nine-Tails demonstrate that the more chakra possessed, the stronger one's spiritual power talent.
"I see." Minato Namikaze nodded with a slight smile, "Is this what Naruto is thinking?"
"Then I must work hard in the Pure Land."
Crystalling each clash, the inverted mountain nearly collapsed.
"Goodbye." Naruto waved to them.
The Second Hokage tilted his head.
The Third Hokage showed a face of guilt.
The Fourth Hokage smiled with pride.
The First Hokage akimbo, laughed heartily, "Naruto, although I don't know what you're planning, it seems you're a young man full of ideas."
"I very much look forward to meeting you again in the Pure Land!"
"Then you can tell me what kind of changes you've brought to this world."
Hearing the word "meeting," Naruto suddenly thought of something, retracting the chakra that was about to remove the inverted mountain crystal, "By the way, First Hokage, I have something to ask you."
"What is it?" The First Hokage asked with confusion.
Naruto inquired, "In the Pure Land, have you seen Uchiha Madara?"
The name "Madara" caused a momentary distraction in the First Hokage.
The Second Hokage responded coldly, "I haven't seen him."
"However, someone like him wouldn't be qualified to appear in front of me and my brother again, would he?"
Naruto's face grew serious, "Thirteen years ago, there was an Uchiha who broke into Konoha, released the Nine-Tails, and caused the death of my parents."
"According to some reports."
"That person might have been Uchiha Madara."
The First Hokage shook his head decisively, "It couldn't be Madara!"
"Back then, I killed him with my own hands."
"Although I've never seen him in the Pure Land, like Tobirama said, perhaps he simply doesn't want to see me."
"There's no way Madara could still be alive."
The Second Hokage gave Naruto a deep look: "The Sharingan indeed possesses unusual power, but it doesn't seem to be enough to resurrect the dead."
"If you're still uneasy,"
"You can go search in the mountains behind the Hidden Leaf Village."
"I stored Madara's body there."
The First Hokage turned back, shocked as he looked at his brother: "Tobirama! What did you do to Madara's body?"
"Obviously, I wanted to understand the secrets of the Sharingan," the Second Hokage replied confidently. "I wanted to find out why their clan became so demonic."
"Understanding the reasons will help solve the problems of their clan, right?"
As they talked about this, The Third Hokage awkwardly turned his head to one side.
The Leaf Village had always been researching the First Hokage's body.
The First didn't know about this matter yet.
"However, this research is something I've never mentioned to others," the Second Hokage turned to Naruto, "Not even Sarutobi or Danzo knows about it."
"I planned to continue my research after the war ends."
"I just didn't expect"
He only had Uchiha Madara's body for two years, with more than a year of that spent at war, leaving no time for research.
"I set up some preservation mechanisms there."
"If you go now, you should still find Uchiha Madara's body intact."
Naruto looked at him, repeating with a smile, "Those who toy with the dead, what kind of good person could they be?"
The Second Hokage snorted coldly, "I never considered myself a good person."
"Moreover,"
"I am Senju Hashirama's brother."
Before his words even fell, Naruto clasped his palms together and unleashed the "Adamantine Sealing Chains."
The dazzling blue crystal mountain was completely shattered.
A force from the depths of the earth, intangible and formless, ensnared the souls of four individuals, transforming them into "invisibility" as they swiftly burrowed beneath the ground.
Golden chains, already poised and anticipating this attack, lashed out at the intangible force.
(End of Chapter)