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Ishigami Hara could understand Senju Hashirama's mindset. Uchiha Izuna acted as he did because he refused to be outdone by Hashirama. Ishigami Hara didn't need much thought to grasp that, in Izuna's view, there was no way the Senju could surpass him in any aspect.
The two men's fists met, their chakra mingled, and the knowledge of Wood Release, unique to Senju Hashirama, rapidly flowed into Ishigami Hara's mind.
For most people, there is usually a distinction between knowing something and truly understanding it. However, for Ishigami Hara, the situation was different. Having reached the fourth level of learning, he grasped the essence and key principles almost instantly.
Put simply, if Ishigami Hara were to use Wood Release now, his chakra reserves might create a difference compared to Hashirama's techniques. However, in terms of mastery and execution, there would be no disparity between them.
Given enough time, Ishigami Hara was confident he could even surpass Senju Hashirama, and he had full faith in this belief.
Without any urging from Uchiha Izuna, after fist-bumping with Hashirama, Ishigami Hara turned and completed the same gesture with Izuna.
Unlike the Wood Release knowledge he had gained from Hashirama, what he received from Uchiha Izuna was entirely related to the Sharingan. It included everything from the abilities of a one-tomoe Sharingan to the full power of a three-tomoe Sharingan, as well as many techniques of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
The most important of all was Izuna's experience with the Susanoo. The knowledge, from basic to advanced, was essentially an encyclopedia of the Sharingan.
Ishigami Hara had already been taught various Fire Release jutsu by Izuna, along with Uchiha clan Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Swordsmanship. With the Sharingan knowledge added, Ishigami Hara felt he had nearly drained Uchiha Izuna of everything he could offer.
"Thank you very much."
Regardless of Uchiha Izuna's motives, Ishigami Hara was the one who benefited, and he wouldn't deny the importance of the help Izuna had provided, acknowledging that at times, it was invaluable.
As expected, after Ishigami Hara expressed his gratitude, Uchiha Izuna merely crossed his arms, snorted, and turned his head to the side.
"Ahaha."
Senju Hashirama sensed the tension in the air, scratched his head awkwardly, and smiled sheepishly: "Well, use this power wisely, young man. I should be going."
Uchiha Izuna looked at him in surprise: "You really don't intend to stay?"
Hashirama's smile faded, and he nodded solemnly: "I'm already dead. It wouldn't be right for me to interfere any further."
"Don't you care about the state of the shinobi world? Konoha was your life's work," Izuna pressed again.
"Haha, the village is always under the care of the current Hokage."
Senju Hashirama glanced at Ishigami Hara and then added, "Besides, there's this boy. I can feel the kindness in his heart—he will bring peace to the ninja world."
Uchiha Izuna's expression darkened at these words. He turned to scrutinize Ishigami Hara carefully, before sneering.
"Kind?"
Shaking his head, Uchiha Izuna said, "Why do I see only indifference in him?"
"Huh?"
Senju Hashirama scratched his head, answering instinctively, "Maybe your eyesight is failing. You know that overusing the Mangekyō can lead to blindness."
"Senju Hashirama! You b*****d!!"
Uchiha Izuna was instantly furious.
"Ahahaha, just kidding! Don't take it so seriously," Hashirama laughed, patting Izuna's shoulder. But Izuna dodged the touch, turning away and ignoring him completely.
"Ahem."
Clearing his throat, Hashirama addressed Ishigami Hara again. "Young man, I hope you can use this power to bring peace to the ninja world."
It seemed he was truly preparing to depart.
Ishigami Hara's expression remained calm, but his tone became slightly more serious as he asked, "Shodai, aren't you going back to the village to take a look?"
Hashirama shook his head. "No, that would just complicate things. So, goodbye, boy."
With that, Hashirama paid no further attention to Uchiha Izuna. His form shimmered, gradually fading until it completely disappeared.
"Tsk, that guy sure is direct."
Izuna scoffed, clearly not expecting Hashirama to leave so decisively. "He's still the same as ever, that b*****d."
He then turned to Ishigami Hara with a sneer. "Don't expect me to leave so easily. I'll be keeping an eye on you, kid!"
Ishigami Hara nodded, unsurprised. It was clear Uchiha Izuna had his own motivations. As for what they were, Ishigami Hara had some idea.
It was likely tied to the Uchiha clan. The current state of the Uchiha within the village had begun to shift, and even Izuna had noticed the signs. Unlike Uchiha Madara, who was willing to abandon his clan for his ideals, Uchiha Izuna was a true Uchiha loyalist.
Having died was one thing, but now that his soul had a chance to return, Izuna naturally wanted to seek something for the Uchiha.
"It's fine. As long as you don't interfere with me, I won't drive you away."
The relationship between Ishigami Hara and Uchiha Izuna was unique. There was no politeness, no bond. Uchiha Izuna was proud, but Ishigami Hara was even more so. Their interactions were strange by any standard, but both were accustomed to this dynamic.
After Ishigami Hara finished speaking, he ceased his conversation with Izuna, gave a slight nod, and withdrew his consciousness from this space.
Once Ishigami Hara was gone, Uchiha Izuna's expression shifted from indifference to something more thoughtful as he spoke to himself.
"Kind? Hashirama has completely misread him. This kid has an indifference in his eyes, as though he sees everything as nothing more than a stone. How could someone like that be kind? Hehehe... I'm looking forward to this kid's future. The shinobi world is about to get a lot more interesting."