Chapter 260: Itachi, How Can Your Thinking Be So Narrow?
"Reconciliation?" Hashirama paused, hesitation appearing on his face.
Given Hashirama's personality, he genuinely could let go of hatred and preferred peaceful solutions.
If he could resolve the hatred between Uchiha Yasushi and the village, that would naturally be wonderful.
But this matter... the village was in the wrong!
Kazuma also received the Third's hint, immediately stepping forward to declare his position.
"If reconciliation with Lord Yasushi proves possible, all conditions are negotiable."
"Including but not limited to exonerating the Uchiha clan, village-wide memorial services... all conditions are open for discussion!"
"Or simply let Lord Yasushi become Konoha Village's new Hokage!"
"The agreements originally signed between the village and the daimyo can all be abolished."
"As for the daimyo and nobility's attitudes, I'll handle persuading them."
Before today, Kazuma would never have been so accommodating.
He was the daimyo's die-hard loyalist—the type who'd rather die than let the daimyo's interests suffer.
But after witnessing those two nation-destroying, city-leveling Perfect Susanoo, his attitude immediately reversed one hundred eighty degrees.
Previously, he and other Konoha shinobi had similar assessments of Yasushi—thinking him Jiraiya-level at most. With proper intelligence, correct tactics, or simply throwing enough bodies at him, they could eventually kill him.
But witnessing it firsthand revealed their understanding of Yasushi's martial prowess was completely, catastrophically wrong!
To hell with intelligence! Who were they trying to fool?
If Uchiha Yasushi took a stroll through the Fire Capital, not even bone fragments would remain of the daimyo's subordinates!
He'd received intelligence reports—this Uchiha Yasushi bastard had previously visited the Wind Country capital, destroying the oasis maintained at tremendous cost, forcing the Wind Country to relocate its capital, becoming a laughingstock among the Five Great Nations.
Rumors even claimed he'd kidnapped the Wind Country daimyo, ransoming him for the One-Tail.
So for His Excellency the Daimyo's safety, they absolutely couldn't casually provoke this individual.
His side compromised, but nearby Itachi couldn't accept it.
"Lord Kazuma, we can't compromise!"
"He's a rogue ninja from the village!"
"The village's previous destruction was entirely his doing!"
"How many families lost relatives and friends because of him?"
"Now you want everyone to abandon hatred and compromise with that bastard with just one phrase about 'embracing the future'?"
"On what grounds?"
"On what grounds?!"
"If this can make people forget the past, what can't be forgotten?"
"What have we all been fighting desperately for?"
"What do all those things we've done for the village even mean?"
Kazuma's brow furrowed deeply, watching Itachi with extreme displeasure.
'Why does this guy keep contradicting me today?'
'Where did that obedient demeanor from before go?'
'Wouldn't it be better to remain a compliant combat tool? Why develop a brain?'
Since witnessing Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Yasushi's overwhelming prowess, Itachi—once Kazuma's most powerful enforcer—had lost his original importance in Kazuma's mind.
"Itachi, you must face reality!" Kazuma shouted impatiently.
"Everything I told you earlier—you haven't taken any of it to heart!"
"In the shinobi world, strength is everything. Weakness is the original sin!"
"When you make mistakes, you must admit them. When beaten, you must stand at attention!"
"We've now profoundly recognized our errors. Now we must do everything possible to remedy past mistakes."
"What's wrong with that?"
"We must approach matters with a problem-solving attitude, not constantly nitpicking at everything."
"If you don't want to embrace peace, then provide the village with a new solution that can actually solve the problem!"
Itachi's body jolted as though struck by lightning, standing dazed momentarily. His originally twisted expression instead calmed—becoming like stagnant water.
He lowered his head, murmuring quietly.
"So it's still because I'm not strong enough?"
"Then... does that mean if I were strong enough, all problems could be easily resolved?"
"That's right. If I were strong enough, I could suppress clansmen, preventing their rebellion without needing to kill them all."
"If I were strong enough, Yasushi wouldn't have faked his death and escaped, causing everything that followed."
"If I were strong enough, I could have turned the tide during Konoha's destruction, defeating the Akatsuki and saving the village."
"If I were strong enough, I could swiftly end wars, preventing those humiliating treaties."
"If I were strong enough, I could directly kill Yasushi instead of forcing the village to compromise with him, engaging in this ridiculous reconciliation."
"If I were strong enough..."
"If I were strong enough..."
"If I were strong enough..."
Itachi's voice grew increasingly firm, increasingly fanatical. Kazuma felt increasingly unnerved listening.
He stopped addressing Itachi, instead turning to urge Hashirama.
"Lord Hashirama, for the village's peace, please negotiate properly with Lord Yasushi. Let us reconcile!"
"I understand your meaning. Then I'll try asking!" Hashirama agreed readily.
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