Punishment

Uzumaki Naruto's explanation of the Sin Value continues.

What determines a person's Sin Value? The answer is clear in the information flooding everyone's consciousness—it is determined by two things: historical evaluation and people's evaluation, and the harm done to the world.

The 0.00 mark Hashirama Senju was clearly visible. He wasn't inexperienced in battle; what Ninja from the Warring States Period hadn't stained their hands with blood?

But all his battles and all his killings pointed to the same goal—to make war disappear. Even former enemies, when facing Hashirama Senju, often felt not hatred, but a complex respect. Because everyone understood that this man wielded his sword to make swords no longer necessary.

Such a person deserves to be called a "Saint".

In chaotic times, it's almost impossible for a leader to have a zero Sin Index, unless they are as utterly irrational as Hashirama Senju.

Wars waged for the sake of the common people and for the greater good will not be recorded as sin points.

However, wars initiated for personal gain or out of fear will inevitably incur Sin Value.

The moment their consciousness faded, Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu subconsciously exchanged a glance before quickly looking away. They knew all too well what those words referred to— the Ninja World War, the power struggle between the Five Great Nations, the wars ignited "for the benefit of the village," and the preemptive strikes launched "out of fear of the opponent's growing strength."

At this moment, the one with the most unpleasant expression was Uchiha Madara. His score of 8.2, the highest among everyone present, stood like an insurmountable wall between him and the "Pure Land Life."

To be reborn as an animal.

These words repeatedly seared his pride. More accurately, the very concept of "reincarnation" had touched the most untouchable part of his bottom line.

Now, Uchiha Madara can accept death, accept failure, and accept the collapse of his ideals.

But he could not accept that he was no longer "Uchiha Madara".

To be reborn as a human? That would still be a different person. To be reborn as an animal? That would be an even greater insult.

This is the pride etched into Uchiha Madara bones. He only allowed himself to be Uchiha Madara. He wouldn't allow himself to continue living with any other identity, any other form, or any other way of being.

"That, that--!"

Hashirama Senju's voice suddenly rang out. He practically leaped to Naruto's side, clasped his hands together, and looked on with pleading eyes.

"You just said -- reduce Sin Value! That means there must be a way, right -- right?! I'll help Tobirama and Madara together! How? How exactly can we prevent them from being thrown in --"

"Boom--!!!"

He didn't finish his sentence.

Behind him, a familiar burst of chakra suddenly erupted, instantly engulfing the entire hall.

Hashirama Senju slowly and stiffly turned his head. He hoped that his ears were deceiving him, that he was just hallucinating from being too nervous.

He hopes--

"Don't be too proud, future generations."

Uchiha Madara surged wildly. His Rinnegan were fixed on Uzumaki Naruto, and behind him, the Susanoo skeleton was rapidly taking shape.

"They actually want to turn me Uchiha Madara, into some kind of animal reincarnation? Don't underestimate people!"

Tobirama Senju retreated instantly, widening the distance between himself and Uchiha Madara to a completely safe level in the blink of an eye. In the distance, Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu had already retreated to the edge of the hall in perfect unison.

Tobirama Senju Susanoo stared at the figure within Susanoo from afar, his gaze as if he were looking at a fool.

The person opposite—is the one who took over the Pure Land, created this world, and awakened all souls. He is a monster who surpasses even the Sage of Six Paths. He is the rule-maker who just said, "The Sin Value can be reduced."

The only one who would have the courage to challenge him is probably Uchiha Madara.

Hashirama Senju stood there, mouth agape, staring at the menacing Susanoo, then at the blond youth opposite him who seemed completely unfazed by the scene before him, and finally at his younger brother who had retreated eight hundred meters away.

"Spot--!!!"

His screams echoed throughout the entire Pure Land.

Suddenly, in the next moment, Uchiha Satsuki, who was standing behind Naruto, moved.

In an instant, the calm black pupils transformed—the left eye turned a deep purple, and at the center of the layered ripples, six jet-black Tomoe slowly rotated.

The right eye retains the crimson base color of the Sharingan, but the pupil has also transformed into rippling waves, with nine Tomoe inlaid on that crimson background.

The Six Tomoe Rinnegan.

The Nine Tomoe Rinne Sharingan, also known as the Moon Eye.

Then, Uchiha Madara.

It's not a metaphor, not an exaggeration, but a literal, absolute stillness.

The Perfect Susanoo, along with the surging chakra Uchiha Madara's face, and his slightly raised fingers preparing to Hand Seals —everything seemed to be frozen in that instant, as if a pause button had been pressed.

Time has been paused.

"Elder brother?!"

Uchiha Izuna was originally standing behind Madara, and he was ready to fight the moment Susanoo appeared. But before he could react, he saw his brother suddenly turn into this strange posture - frozen in mid-air, unable to even move his eyes, like a statue frozen in ice.

"Heavenly Imperial Thunder God - Thousand Feather Crane!"

A clear, cold female voice rang out, and a dazzling white light erupted from Uchiha Satsuki's palm.

That was Six Paths level Sage Art: Lightning Release. The ultimate Yin Release Chakra, Senjutsu Chakra, and Lightning Release Chakra —three completely different powers—merged perfectly in her palm, transforming into a massive torrent of lightning.

Then, the torrent exploded the instant it left her palm—split into countless, innumerable origami cranes of lightning!

Each origami crane was crackling with dazzling blue-white arcs of electricity. Its wings flapped gently, carrying destructive power, like a storm of cranes that blotted out the sky, crashing into the Susanoo frozen in time!

"Boom--!!!"

A deafening roar shook the heavens, and countless paper cranes of lightning detonated simultaneously upon contact with Susanoo, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime!

Then— Uchiha Satsuki withdrew his Dojutsu.

Time begins to flow again.

"Ugh--!!!"

Uchiha Madara's screams rang out at the same instant! The Perfect Susanoo had withstood all the attacks while frozen in time, could no longer maintain its form as time resumed its flow—it shattered like a broken glass statue!

Chakra fragments scattered and flew everywhere, turning into specks of light and dissipating into the air.

Uchiha Madara himself fell heavily from mid-air, kneeling on one knee, panting heavily. His Rinnegan was filled with unbelievable horror, his aura was chaotic, and even the outline of his soul form had fine, temporarily unhealable cracks.

What happened?!

Why did I not feel anything—and suddenly I was defeated?!

"Elder brother!"

"Spot!"

Uchiha Izuna and Hashirama Senju charged forward almost simultaneously.

Izuna grabbed Madara's arm, glancing warily at the black-haired woman who had withdrawn her hand and whose expression remained cold. Hashirama, stood directly in front of Madara, arms outstretched, his face filled with urgency and panic, as if saying, "Let's talk this out, don't resort to violence."

"Alright."

Uzumaki Naruto's voice rang out, carrying a sense of relief that he could finally finish speaking.

He didn't look at Madara immediately, but turned around first, raised his hand, and gently placed it on the top of Uchiha Satsuki.

His movements were natural and gentle, carrying encouragement and gratitude. Satsuki lowered her eyes slightly, obediently letting him touch her.

Then, Naruto turned around and looked at Uchiha Madara, who was kneeling on one knee, his breathing disordered, and being protected by Hashirama and Izuna.

"Uchiha Madara, back then, you betrayed the dream you and Hashirama had built together. Even when not a single member of your clan followed you, it couldn't make you change your mind."

"Compared to your best friend with whom you shared childhood dreams—you chose a lie inscribed on a stone tablet."

Madara's pupils contracted slightly. Naruto continued, unhurriedly, "Logically speaking, I should have thrown you directly into the Animal Path —the cycle of reincarnation—countless times."

"But."

"The order of the Pure Land has just been established. I need a henchman." His gaze fell on Madara's still stubborn face, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing an ambiguous smile.

"Time... it's like never being reborn again."