Shikkotsu Forest Realm.
After introducing various locations of the Shikkotsu Forest to Hakushi, the split form of the Slug left Hakushi alone, returning to its main body.
Standing on the tall mountaintop, Hakushi felt the natural energy here was much richer than down the mountain. Training in Immortal Technique here would achieve twice the effect with half the effort.
Just as Hakushi was overlooking a panoramic view of the Shikkotsu Forest, footsteps sounded from behind.
Hakushi knew without thinking who came here; besides him, Tsunade was the only other human in the Shikkotsu Forest.
"Are you here to avenge those dead Konoha ninjas? I should have mentioned that I don't really want to fight you."
Hakushi slightly turned his head, watching Tsunade walk towards him.
Her eyes still carried coldness.
After all, Hakushi's actions in Konoha caused quite an uproar. The Konoha ninjas below didn't know exactly what happened, but Tsunade understood some hidden truths.
When Hakushi left Konoha, not only did he destroy Konoha's buildings, but also took away some members of the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans.
Even worse, the "caged bird" Curse Seal imprinted on those Branch Family foreheads became ineffective, causing unrest within the Hyuga Clan, with constant debates.
They even feared that the remaining Branch Family members might defect, fostering exclusion and distrust within the Hyuga Clan.
The situation wasn't much better with the Uchiha; tensions between the Security Team and the village seemed to deepen daily, especially since Ruri, a Uchiha clan member, also participated in that night's battle with the Hokage.
"I'm just curious about your purpose in inciting so many people to leave Konoha? Taking so many people away, it's impossible to do nothing, right?"
Tsunade looked serious.
The witch and black beast-type Summoning Beast that attacked the Hidden Grass Village were Hakushi's subordinates, seemingly related to the remnants of the Uzumaki Clan.
Afterward, he incited members of the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans to leave Konoha, worrying Tsunade that Hakushi had some unspeakable secret that might harm the Konoha Village her grandfather Senju Hashirama established.
"So you're interested in such matters. Rest assured, I don't plan to do anything against Konoha. As for the Uchiha, let's not mention them for now; the Hyuga members leaving with me was simply their choice. I never forced them to join. However, everyone's yearning for freedom cannot be bound. Caged birds, seeing the hope of flying freely, will defy life and death. Isn't that the logic, Teacher Tsunade?"
Tsunade opened her mouth to argue but found herself unable to counter Hakushi's words.
Even she found the Hyuga Clan's caged birds upsetting.
Claiming it's for protecting the Byakugan, yet the Main Family uses the Curse Seal to control Branch Family ninjas, seems overly excessive, no matter how one says it.
"So what's happening with the Uchiha side?"
Tsunade sighed, sensing the situation becoming increasingly dire.
"That's a historical issue, quite complicated, and involves some unspeakable secrets, so I cannot elaborate on the reasons here."
Hakushi thought of the conditions for awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan, feeling such things shouldn't be casually revealed.
Whether to outsiders or the Uchiha clan members, this secret is best kept undisclosed forever.
"To you, the village truly means nothing? Teacher Sarutobi trusts you greatly, mentioning more than once that you inherited the true Will of Fire as a Konoha ninja."
Tsunade regarded Hakushi with complex eyes.
In retrospect, to be seen by the Hokage as a Konoha ninja inheriting the Will of Fire now seems to be his greatest irony.
It can only be said that Hakushi hid too deeply.
Until the moment of his defection, no one believed he would become a renegade ninja, a presence that betrays the village.
Hakushi didn't answer this question, simply sitting down, gazing unblinkingly at the sea of fog between the mountain slopes.
"Or perhaps... because of Sakumo's incident..."
Tsunade continued speculating.
"You two really share the same thinking pattern; that night I left Konoha, the Third Hokage asked me the same question."
Hakushi turned to Tsunade, his face somewhat helpless.
"Let me answer once more. The Konoha ninja named Hatake Sakumo was merely a Konoha ninja; I feel regret for his death, but would never use it as an excuse for revenge against some people. If you're concerned about such matters, don't be. I have no interest in Konoha's affairs. You should also get going; as far as I know, the situation in Konoha is precarious now."
Hakushi reminded Tsunade that it's still the Ninja Realm war period, and as the attacked Land of Fire, Konoha's position is quite urgent.
Seeing Hakushi showing no interest in discussing further, Tsunade realized there's no way to extract useful information from him.
No longer displaying the gentle and polite demeanor seen during his time in Konoha, perhaps this is his true nature.
The amiable and modest in the village was merely a guise to win people's trust.
Tsunade took a deep breath, her face regaining calmness, turning decisively to leave.
Listening to the gradually receding footsteps, Hakushi knew his relationship with Tsunade was utterly shattered.