Itachi's Resolve

Land of Fire - Valley of the End

Streams of light streaked across the sky, casting a faint green glow over the ruins shattered by the battle.

The roar of the waterfall was still deafening, but there was another sound in it—a faint cheer coming from afar.

"It seems everything is over."

Hashirama sat cross-legged beside Madara, murmuring softly.

He looked up at the meteor shower made up of countless lives, his eyes filled with anticipation for the future.

"... At least that's how it seems for now."

Just as Hashirama was lost in Hashirama, a solemn figure appeared Hashirama.

The man was dressed in blue armor from the Warring States Period, and his posture was ramrod straight.

His scarlet eyes were fixed on the spotted corpse. Those eyes were no longer the dull and empty look of Impure World Reincarnation, but instead held the vitality and warmth unique to the living.

The furrowed brows that had been tightly knit relaxed considerably after seeing Madara's serene face.

Hashirama subconsciously turned around, looking at the figure behind him that should have been all too familiar, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes:

Tobirama, even you've been resurrected?!

"... ah."

Tobirama nodded, turning his gaze from Madara's corpse to the direction of the battlefield in the Land of Rice:

"Not only me, but also the Fourth Hokage and the others who were originally inside that stupid brat's body, as well as everyone who died in the war, have all been resurrected."

He paused, turning his gaze from the distance Hashirama Hashirama's still somewhat dazed face:

"Right now, that young man from the Hatake Clan has led them to Konoha, and they've probably already met up with that kid, Kotori."

"Is that so...?"

Hashirama listened to Tobirama's words, a gentle smile crept onto his lips.

He lowered his head, glanced at Ban beside him, his smile fading slightly, but a hint of tenderness remained in the corner of his eyes:

That's... wonderful.

"Hmph, don't be too happy yet, big brother."

Tobirama snorted coldly, stood Hashirama with his arms crossed, and his expression suddenly became serious:

"Not only me, but everyone who was originally Impure World Reincarnation has also been resurrected."

"This also includes... those Uchiha who were Impure World Reincarnation."

As he spoke, Tobirama's brow, which had just relaxed, furrowed again:

"It's bad enough that they resurrected us without the consent of the dead, but they even resurrected that group of dangerous elements..."

"What exactly is that kid up to?"

He tilted his head and looked towards Konoha:

"Originally, I thought he was indeed somewhat different from the Uchiha I remembered."

However, it seems that... his tendency to lose his ability to think after his strength has increased is no different from that of ordinary Uchiha.

"Um, Tobirama, you seem to have misunderstood something?"

Hashirama raised his hand, unable to resist defending Kokoro:

"The one who performs the Rinne Rebirth Technique for you is not Koko."

Reviving you and the Impure World Reincarnation Uchiha is probably not part of his plan.

"It wasn't his Rinne Rebirth Technique?"

Tobirama asked in surprise, paused for a moment, then instantly regained his usual composure:

"I misunderstood that kid. I'll... never mind, let's not talk about this now."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze back to Hashirama, his voice deepening:

"Big brother, what do you think... that kid Kou will do with those resurrected Uchiha?"

"So that's what you're worried about, Tobirama."

Hashirama sighed, his words filled with helplessness at being defeated by his younger brother's stubbornness:

"With their current strength, plus our help, they can't possibly cause any trouble, right?"

That kid named Obito chose to revive them, he probably just wanted to add a few more helpers to Kotori's team. You're overthinking it...

"You're being too naive, brother!"

"What I'm worried about isn't just them, but also the resurrected Uchiha."

Tobirama interrupted Hashirama, saying in a deep voice:

"Big brother, you should know very well what place those dead Uchiha hold in that kid's heart."

"Although the culprit who caused the Uchiha Clan Massacre is dead, I don't need to say more about how the resurrected Uchiha will view Konoha."

The best-case scenario would probably be for him to leave Konoha with that kid and move to a new place to live.

As for the worst-case scenario...

Before Tobirama could finish speaking, Hashirama interrupted him.

"Tobirama, are you worried that the resurrected Uchiha will take their hatred out on the entire Konoha?"

"That's exactly what I'm worried about."

Tobirama sighed heavily and admitted without hesitation:

I still believe in that kid's character.

Although he didn't have a good impression of Konoha, there were still people in Konoha he cared about, and he probably couldn't bring himself to take his anger out on the entire Konoha.

"But what if those resurrected Uchiha harbor resentment and, relying on that kid's current power, want to take revenge on the entire Konoha..."

"This is definitely a very difficult situation to handle, both for us and for that kid."

Tobirama looked at Hashirama, who was lost in thought, and lowered his voice, his words filled with deep worry:

"Brother, although this is just speculation, we must take precautions in advance, and the sooner the better."

For us, the "war"... may not be over yet.

As Hashirama listened to Tobirama's words, Hashirama expression grew increasingly grim.

It must be admitted that Tobirama's concerns were indeed justified.

No matter what, Konoha is undeniably culpable for the Uchiha clan massacre.

Even though they have been resurrected, the grudges of the past cannot be erased.

From Konoha's perspective, this is undoubtedly a very difficult matter...

"Sigh, things have come to this point, it seems we have no choice but to take the initiative to bring it up."

Hashirama decisively stood up and earnestly addressed Tobirama:

"Let's go, Tobirama, let's go to Konoha together and apologize to the Uchiha clan!"

"While it's impossible to easily resolve their resentment, it at least shows our attitude towards this matter."

I believe that as long as we are honest with each other and do our best to make amends, the Uchiha clan members will never hold a grudge against the innocent!

"... ha?"

Seeing Tobirama's serious expression, Hashirama couldn't help but cover his head and said irritably:

"Although I didn't expect you to come up with any good ideas, brother, aren't you being a bit too naive!"

No, this matter must be handled with caution; we must not act rashly so easily.

"Regarding this matter, we must have a serious discussion with Monkey and his group, as well as that kid Kou, before..."

"You don't need to say anything more, Second."

Tobirama could finish speaking, a deep, steady voice suddenly came from behind.

Tobirama subconsciously turned his head, and what came into view were three figures walking towards them.

Itachi walked in front, with Jiraiya and the Third Hokage following closely behind him.

Jiraiya's complexion was noticeably better than before, and his wounds had completely healed.

The Third Hokage and Jiraiya gazed at Itachi ahead, their eyes filled with not only remorse but also a deep sense of guilt.

Itachi ignored the complicated gazes of the two people behind him, and simply looked earnestly at the two former Hokage in front of him with his Impure World Reincarnation eyes.

"The Lord First... is right."

"The Uchiha is not as petty as you think."

(Tobirama: 666)

Itachi's gaze lingered on Tobirama's bewildered face Tobirama a moment, then he nodded slightly and solemnly said:

"Please do not worry about the Uchiha."

I will stand with you all to face the entire Uchiha Clan.

He paused, shifting his gaze from Konoha's Tobirama to Konoha, a deep sense of guilt flashing in his eyes:

"I will face the sins I have committed in person."