Chapter 253: The Living Make Their Own Decisions
Seemingly heartbroken by his foolish student Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tobirama stopped addressing him entirely. Instead, he turned his attention toward finding fault with the new Hokage, Jiraiya.
"And what about Jiraiya?"
"How did he serve as Hokage?"
"With such critical matters unfolding, how could he remain hiding in the shadows?"
"Well..." Mizuki explained with a careful, placating smile: "Lord Jiraiya unfortunately died in an accident. You were the one who killed him, Lord Tobirama."
"What do you mean I killed him?" Tobirama erupted, though he immediately understood. "Someone controlled my Edo Tensei body to kill Jiraiya?"
"That's correct."
"Who was the controller? That evil Uchiha?"
Tobirama's sharp gaze immediately swiveled toward the battlefield's opposite end—toward Uchiha Yasushi conversing with Madara. He looked fully prepared to charge over and avenge the Fifth Hokage Jiraiya at the slightest provocation.
"Uh..." Mizuki's eyes flicked sideways toward Kazuma before he obediently lowered his head, confessing: "I was the controller."
"You..." Tobirama's gaze shifted between Mizuki and Kazuma before he sneered coldly.
"Heh. So the daimyo's faction is eliminating the Hokage faction!"
"What elimination? Such ugly phrasing!" Kazuma immediately bristled with displeasure, crossing his arms as he declared:
"Jiraiya failed to protect the interests of minor clans. He showed no compassion for comrades' suffering. He refused to permit large-scale forbidden technique usage. He was stubbornly conservative, rigidly adherent to outdated doctrine—long since abandoned by all village clans!"
"He disobeyed His Excellency the Daimyo's orders, attempting to use force to obstruct the Land of Fire's plan to annex the Land of Rivers. He overestimated his abilities—his crimes deserved death!"
"What's wrong with killing such a shinobi?"
"Wait!" Hashirama suddenly interrupted: "The Land of Fire is annexing the Land of Rivers?"
He glanced around, his gaze lingering on the Takumi Village markings before belatedly exclaiming:
"You're invading another nation?"
"Damn it, big brother—you're only noticing now?!" Tobirama complained with exasperation: "This terrain clearly differs from Konoha Village!"
"And there are Uzushiogakure survivors here too, for crying out loud!" Tobirama showed his older brother absolutely no face, relentlessly criticizing him.
"They're family allies. Maybe they came to help..." Hashirama maintained his foolishly naive expression.
This idiotic demeanor immediately caused Kazuma to misjudge the situation again. He stiffened his neck, shouting loudly:
"The current Konoha Village has declined to its absolute nadir! Without acquiring external resources to replenish ourselves, the village will inevitably perish!"
"We're doing this for the village's benefit. You're already dead—just obediently fight for the village. Where do you get off talking so much?"
"The affairs of the living aren't for dead men to manage!"
"What did you say?" Hashirama's expression darkened. The atmosphere suddenly became oppressively heavy. Even Tobirama didn't dare continue his sarcastic commentary.
"I established Konoha Village to restore peace to the shinobi world, to ensure children wouldn't die on battlefields at tender ages—not to expand territory for nobility!"
"If the village's strength is inadequate, work diligently to become stronger. How can you refuse to improve yourselves and instead rob other villages?"
"I can't control other matters, but I absolutely must intervene in Konoha Village affairs!"
"No one may use Konoha Village to invade other nations!"
Kazuma was completely overwhelmed by Hashirama's imposing presence. He couldn't speak for some time. But judging from his deeply dissatisfied expression, he clearly remained unconvinced.
"Sigh. Big brother, we're already dead. After the Edo Tensei summoning ends, they'll do whatever they want anyway."
Tobirama sighed helplessly.
This forced Hashirama into momentary silence.
But straightforward people never waste energy on internal conflict. Stubborn people also possess advantages from their stubbornness.
Soon, Hashirama stopped considering complex matters. He waved his hand decisively:
"I'll simply do what I should do. As for future matters, I'll leave those for future generations to resolve through their own efforts."
"Tobirama, we must believe in the Will of Fire!"
"I firmly believe children raised under the Will of Fire's guidance will inevitably embrace our Will of Fire."
"Where Konoha's leaves dance, fire burns eternally."
"Even if later generations attempt to destroy peace, children who inherit the Will of Fire will surely stop them."
Hashirama gestured passionately, his face radiating sincerity and enthusiasm. Tobirama rolled his eyes dramatically.
"So basically, as long as you don't witness it personally, you'll pretend it never happened?"
Hashirama ignored this. After delivering an impassioned speech about the Will of Fire to everyone, he issued firm orders:
"Everyone! Return to Konoha Village immediately. No further invasion of any nation is permitted."
But after exchanging glances, the numerous shinobi ignored his words entirely. Instead, they all looked toward Kazuma, awaiting his commands.
No matter how powerful the First Hokage was, he remained dead. Kazuma still lived.
No matter how strong the First's combat ability, he'd never kill his own village comrades. Offending Kazuma, however, was another matter entirely.
Witnessing their hesitation, Hashirama hadn't reacted yet—but Tobirama's eyes turned ice-cold.
His naive older brother wouldn't attack village comrades. That didn't mean Senju Tobirama would show mercy.
Comrades or not, Tobirama had survived that chaotic era. In his eyes, no one was beyond killing!
Those refusing his brother's orders weren't village comrades—they were traitors!
Tobirama's murderous intent flooded forth unconcealed, chilling everyone present to the bone.
But Kazuma's heart remained steadfast in loyalty to the daimyo. Even death wouldn't make him yield. He still refused to issue retreat orders.
The atmosphere immediately grew tense. Village civil war loomed.
But at that moment, a tremendous explosion suddenly erupted from the battlefield's opposite end.
Everyone hastily turned to look. Two towering energy giants had suddenly appeared on the other side, wielding massive weapons as they collided head-on.
The thunderous explosion rolled toward them like heaven's wrath, shaking everyone's eardrums painfully.
Blinding white light blazed brilliantly, forcing people to avert their eyes.
The tsunami-like shockwave plowed forward, pulverizing the Wood Release forest at the battlefield's center. It propelled shattered branches toward Konoha Village's position at tremendous speed.
The group was buffeted by hurricane winds that prevented them from opening their eyes. Even at this great distance, the earth beneath their feet trembled as though in an earthquake.
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn toward the clash.