Chapter 263: Lining Up to Apologize
"Shut up, Madara!"
Hashirama rose from the ground with fury written across his face, returning to his original position. He glared at Madara, roaring: "I have important business right now. I'm not interested in your nonsense!"
The overwhelming presence belonging to the "God of Shinobi" pressed forward, momentarily stalling Madara's breath.
"Tch. You only know how to yell at me!" Madara turned his head away in a huff, visibly displeased. "If you'd yelled at those greedy bastards in the village sooner, things wouldn't have deteriorated like this."
Hashirama ignored Madara's muttering. He approached Yasushi with grave seriousness, requesting sincerely:
"Yasushi, Konoha Village has realized the errors it committed. We're willing to atone for this, hoping to earn your forgiveness."
"If you're willing to reconcile with the village, we'll exonerate the Uchiha clan. All deceased Uchiha will be designated as heroes who died in battle, their names inscribed on the memorial stone..."
Hashirama rattled off all the conditions Konoha offered before gazing at Yasushi with earnest eyes, awaiting his response.
"Heh..." Yasushi smiled mockingly. "Those conditions sound quite generous!"
"Unfortunately, they're not what I want."
"Yasushi, you can state your requirements. For Konoha Village, I can make all decisions."
"Is that so?" Yasushi tilted his head back, gazing at drifting clouds, speaking leisurely: "I want the entire Uchiha clan revived."
"Can you agree to that condition?"
"That..." Hashirama smiled bitterly, lowering his head. "My deepest apologies. I cannot do that."
"No, you can." Yasushi smiled. "You've heard about the Rinnegan, correct?"
"The Rinnegan possesses a dojutsu called Rinne Rebirth."
"Make a trip to the Land of Rain. Steal the Rinnegan and bring it to me. I'll use it to revive the Uchiha clan."
"Uh..." Hashirama's expression grew even more pained, though he remained resolute: "My deepest apologies. Stealing someone else's eyes is something I cannot do."
"Please change your condition!"
"I see!" Yasushi didn't press him, immediately switching to another condition.
"I heard you captured all nine Tailed Beasts back then and distributed them among the villages?"
"Aside from Seven-Tails Chomei, the other Tailed Beasts were indeed captured by me and distributed to the villages."
"Then it's simple. Just reclaim those nine Tailed Beasts and deliver them to me. I'll consider reconciling with the village."
"My deepest apologies. That's also impossible!" Hashirama shook his head repeatedly. "Once the Tailed Beasts were given away, they ceased being my personal property. They belong to other nations. I cannot agree to this."
"Please change your condition again!"
"Look at yourself. You claim any condition is acceptable. But after I state them, you disagree with this, reject that—clearly showing no sincerity!"
Hashirama frowned, explaining earnestly:
"The conditions I mentioned are limited to internal Konoha Village matters. I cannot agree to anything involving other villages."
Yasushi's previous conditions had been deliberately unreasonable—he knew Hashirama couldn't agree. Now he finally revealed his true demand.
"There's one thing Madara said that I strongly agree with."
"He said, 'Whoever committed wrongs should bear responsibility. What does you coming here to apologize accomplish?'"
"You just claimed Konoha's people have realized their mistakes, correct?"
"Then fine. Bring them all here. Have them apologize to me one by one."
"If their attitudes are sincere and they genuinely repent, I'm not unwilling to consider reconciling with the village."
"Good! We can agree to that condition!" Hashirama's spirits lifted. He immediately agreed enthusiastically before hurrying back to inform everyone.
"What?"
"We have to apologize to him?"
Everyone showed reluctance.
After all, this so-called "reconciliation" merely represented concessions forced by fear of Yasushi's prowess. How could anyone genuinely want to reconcile with him?
Only someone straightforward like Hashirama would believe it.
Tobirama crossed his arms, turned his head, and sneered coldly.
"Whoever wants to go can go. I'm not going."
"That brat clearly resembles Uchiha Madara—full of schemes, completely untrustworthy."
"Tobirama!" Hashirama scratched his head in frustration. He never knew how to handle his brother.
"If you won't go, then don't. After all, you died long ago. This matter has nothing to do with you."
"However, Third, you must go."
"Uh..." Third hesitated briefly before agreeing. "I understand, Lord First. I'll apologize properly."
As a politician, Third possessed thick skin. Apologizing? As long as benefits existed, he'd apologize in any style imaginable!
With Third setting an example, others reluctantly agreed.
Except Itachi.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Itachi remained silently bowed, not speaking a word.
But everyone knew—among these people, the one who most needed to apologize to Yasushi was actually him. Among those Yasushi cared about receiving apologies from, the person he likely focused on most was also Itachi.
If Itachi refused to bow and apologize, even if everyone else did, Yasushi likely wouldn't acknowledge it or accept reconciliation.
However, one thing conquers another. Kazuma immediately pulled Itachi aside, whispering privately for quite some time before finally getting him to nod and agree to apologize.
"Excellent!" Hashirama clapped energetically. "Reconciliation requires both sides making efforts."
"I believe that under our sincere apologies, Yasushi will definitely sense our earnestness and ultimately have a change of heart, reconciling with the village."
Hashirama confidently led the large group toward Yasushi's location. Then they saw Yasushi had summoned another group of Uchiha Edo Tensei bodies, standing in a row behind him. Their blood-red eyes coldly watched the approaching crowd.
Hashirama paused before bowing:
"I understand. We'll sincerely apologize to all the deceased."
Under Hashirama's leadership, the group formed a line, bowing respectfully toward Yasushi while shouting in unison:
"We're sorry. We know we were wrong."
"Wait!" Yasushi waved his hand. "Line up properly. We'll do this one by one to prevent anyone from hiding in the crowd."
Everyone exchanged glances before looking toward the leaders—Hashirama and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Then one by one it is. We must let Yasushi and all deceased Uchiha comrades see our sincere apology."
Hashirama positioned himself first, bowing toward Yasushi in apology.
"I'm sorry, Yasushi. Please forgive my mistakes."
"Move aside!" Yasushi frowned, waving dismissively. "Don't insert yourself everywhere. This matter has nothing to do with you."
Hashirama wasn't offended by the rebuke. Instead, he felt Yasushi showed genuine character—not venting anger on unrelated parties. He smiled and stepped aside.
Next came Third Hokage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen suppressed his displeasure, putting on an earnest expression as he approached to bow apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Yasushi. Please forgive my mistakes."
"Oh? What mistakes?" Yasushi asked unhurriedly.