Seeing the astonished looks on their faces, Mirai Uchiha let out a soft chuckle.
"How so?"
"Is there something you'd like to say?"
Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju finally snapped back to attention.
Looking at Mirai Uchiha, Hashirama felt a surge of emotion.
With just a few simple words, this person had painted a breathtaking vision of prosperity in his mind—something he himself had struggled to describe.
For the first time, Hashirama felt like his own vision paled in comparison to Mirai's.
Still, he couldn't help but ask, "Mirai, are you planning to unify the entire ninja world?"
Mirai Uchiha nodded. "Exactly."
Hashirama thought for a moment, then expressed concern. "When I established the ninja village system, countless lives were sacrificed for my dream. If you want to unify the entire ninja world now, wouldn't even more people die?"
As someone who had lived through it all, Hashirama naturally understood just how much resistance came with breaking an old system from a bygone era.
In response, Mirai slightly lowered his eyelids and replied calmly, "Certainly no more than the number who died in the previous three Great Ninja World Wars combined."
Hearing this, Hashirama fell silent.
As an idealist, the harsh reality was quite a blow to him.
All that effort throughout his life... only to end up with such a result.
A feeling of unprecedented frustration spread through Hashirama's heart.
If only he had been willing to communicate more with Madara back then...
Sigh...
While Hashirama hung his head sighing, Tobirama kept struggling on the ground, making continuous "mmph mmph mmph" sounds.
Mirai removed the Gold Dust from Tobirama's mouth and asked, "Do you have something to say?"
Tobirama huffed coldly, "What you're talking about right now is nothing but a mirage."
"Even if you have the power to achieve your goals, how can you ensure this system lasts forever?"
"How can you guarantee future rulers won't initiate wars on an even larger scale according to their own whims?"
"How can you ensure they'll wield power strong enough to control the entire ninja world?"
"Konoha is proof enough."
"What use is the best system when someone like Hiruzen Sarutobi rises to power?"
Tobirama always had a sharp mind.
After getting over his initial shock, he already spotted the holes in Mirai's ideas.
Mirai quietly waited for Tobirama to finish speaking, then said coolly, "Done?"
Tobirama snorted unhappily again.
Not even Madara Uchiha had ever annoyed him this much—not even close.
"Since you're asking so sincerely, I'll graciously enlighten you."
Mirai Uchiha said slowly, "Just like Hashirama Senju in his time, with overwhelming power, my goal shall become reality."
"A unified nation will be established, and I shall become the sole 'Emperor' in the ninja world, ruling over everything."
"As for worries about figures like Hiruzen Sarutobi..."
Mirai Uchiha chuckled lightly, "I will be the eternal Emperor of the ninja world. I embody eternity itself."
"I will sit upon my throne, overlooking everything."
Sunlight fell upon the golden-sand throne beneath Mirai Uchiha, its golden glow casting a soft haze over his faintly languid expression.
A few offhand words from Mirai Uchiha once again left Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju speechless.
Suddenly, everything became clear to them.
That's right!
If immortality could be achieved, all their worries would no longer matter.
—But...
Tobirama Senju asked solemnly, "Can you truly achieve immortality?"
"Even if you can live forever, can you guarantee you'll remain the strongest through endless ages?"
Mirai Uchiha pointed at his own eyes — eerie, intricate patterns radiating terrifying energy.
"These eyes will make all things possible."
After speaking, Mirai Uchiha mentally added,
You who've never touched 'Deep Blue' will never grasp the depths of my power.
With that, Mirai Uchiha lost interest in further idle conversation.
He stood to leave, "Before releasing the Impure World Reincarnation, you may walk around the village."
"Remember to use the Transformation Jutsu. Don't give me any unnecessary trouble."
As Tobirama Senju was about to speak, a strange melody reached his ears, "Memories of the past bring endless tears..."
————
The Hero Cemetery of Konoha Village.
As soon as one entered the gate, four lifelike statues came into view.
The central statue depicted a frail old man.
Beside him stood a ninja wrapped entirely in bandages, looking somewhat fierce.
To their left and right were respectively a short, plump old woman and a tall, thin old man wearing glasses.
The four figures knelt toward the gravestines inside the cemetery.
Each statue had a stone tablet beside it, engraved with densely packed text.
Especially clear on the stone tablet before the central statue were the words "Ten Accusations".
A woman dressed in an olive-green robe, embroidered with a large character for 'gamble' across her back, approached the front of the statues.
This woman had golden hair tied into low twin tails.
Her ample chest swayed heavily with each step, bouncing up and down involuntarily.
She bent forward, brushing aside the rotten eggs and rotted vegetable leaves lying in front of the statue. Then she stood silently before it for a long time.
After a pause, a tall, muscular white-haired man entered the cemetery as well.
Seeing the woman, the man looked surprised: "Tsunade? You're actually back?"
Tsunade lifted her eyelids slightly: "I'm paying respects to our teacher."
Jiraiya now noticed the words carved into the stone tablet too.
Jiraiya's fists tightened as chakra began surging through his body.
Just then, a mocking voice rang out: "Don't desecrate anything… unless you want to be cursed by everyone in the village."
Recognizing him, Jiraiya gritted his teeth and spat out one word: "Orochimaru!"
"You've got some nerve showing your face here!"
Orochimaru smiled, flicking his tongue out to lick his lips, his voice raspy: "Jiraiya, haven't you always wanted to drag me back to Konoha?"
"Now I've returned."
Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged glances: "What do you mean?"
Orochimaru pointed at Hiruzen Sarutobi's statue: "By eliminating such a major threat to the village, Mirai has already granted me amnesty."
"Of course, I just can't appear in public."
Jiraiya let out a cold snort: "No matter who's in power, the village remains exactly the same."
He turned and began walking away.
Though he'd imagined countless times how their reunion would go, he suddenly felt no desire to continue.
He must seek out the Child of the Prophecy.
Only the Child of the Prophecy could change this decaying ninja world.
After Jiraiya left, Orochimaru turned to Tsunade: "Aren't you leaving as well?"
Tsunade let out a faint tch: "I'm the princess of the Senju Clan. Konoha is my home. Why should I leave?"
"Come to think of it… Orochimaru, can you introduce me to Mirai Uchiha?"
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