Wherever humans gathered, ideological disputes were eternal. The Otsutsuki Clan, divided on the moon, perfectly embodied the struggle between war and peace.
Listening to Cang Lu's measured narration, Rikusei stretched his stiff legs and looked at the man sitting beside him, lost in thought. He was reminded of the ideological dispute between Hashirama and Madara in the original timeline.
After Hashirama became Hokage, the object of his protection shifted from people to the village. As he himself had said, he would show no mercy to anyone who dared oppose the village—not friends, brothers, or even children.
Even beneath the blazing light of his noble ideals, seeds of darkness lay hidden. Nurtured by human hearts, they eventually broke through the soil, twisting the village that had once been full of hope.
The blade that pierced his chest made Madara realize that the newly founded village, supposedly a bond that would keep the clans in order, was in truth an even larger war machine. It would bring wars more devastating than any before.
This could not bring about the peace he desired. Deeply disappointed by reality, he chose to sever the world's ties of cause and effect alone, creating a peaceful world truly meant for shinobi.
Rikusei topped off his tea and leaned back to dodge the warm, damp mist. He blew across the green tea, watching the ripples spread. Whether it was my teacher or the Otsutsuki before me, in the end, their efforts were like trying to scoop the moon from the water—nothing but an empty dream.
"Those people from the Branch Family want to destroy the world Sage of Six Paths created that way?"
After Cang Lu finished explaining, Uchiha Madara seized on the key point and asked with interest.
"Well..."
Cang Lu raised his teacup to hide his