Uchiha Madara's Dream

Seeing Ito Hirofumi's hand gesture, Uchiha Madara let out a cold snort and swiftly strode out of the villa.

Ito Hirofumi, meanwhile, remained there, unhurriedly savoring a variety of delicacies.

It must be said that this space is truly miraculous; the food he creates out of thin air is top-tier in color, aroma, and taste alike!

In truth, Ito Hirofumi hadn't known what to prepare at first.

He had simply recited a string of doggerel from memory...

Steamed lamb, steamed bear paw, steamed deer tail, roasted duck, roasted chick, roasted gosling, braised pork, braised duck, soy-sauce chicken, cured meat, pine-flower egg, small stomach, air-dried meat, sausage, assorted vegetable platter...

And then, all these items simply appeared!

Uchiha Madara moved with incredible speed, returning moments later carrying a pre-dressed leg of lamb.

It must be said that possessing great power is truly convenient; looking at the leg of lamb, it was clear that Uchiha Madara had already roasted it using Fire Style ninjutsu before even bringing it back.

Looking at the spread of various delicacies on Ito Hirofumi's table, then glancing at the leg of lamb in his own hand—now charred black from his own Fire Style—Uchiha Madara felt a sudden urge to hurl the meat away!

Damn it!!!

Why didn't I ever learn how to cook back in the day?!

Back in the Uchiha Clan, he had always had servants to attend to his daily needs. During the Konoha era, he had never stepped foot in a kitchen either; aside from the meals prepared by servants, he would often go to the home of that blockhead Senju Hashirama to mooch a meal.

Although that guy Senju Hashirama was a total blockhead, it had to be said that the food Uzumaki Mito cooked was delicious...

Back then, not only he, but even that wicked Senju Tobirama would often go over to mooch meals.

Thinking of these old memories, Uchiha Madara took a fierce bite of the roasted lamb leg in his hand...

Ptooey!!!!

It was burnt to a crisp!

"Pfft!!!! Hahahaha..."

While gnawing on a bear paw, Ito Hirofumi couldn't hold back his laughter.

"You damn brat! What the hell are you laughing at?!!!"

"Madara! Stop being so tsundere. I simply wanted to treat you to a meal; why make things so difficult for yourself? Besides, I never expected to get anything out of you with this meal. To be honest, I truly admire you—not just for your strength, but for your ideals..."

Ito Hirofumi wasn't lying. When he watched the Naruto anime, he had been very fond of the character Uchiha Madara because he possessed a unique, charismatic personality.

It wasn't just because of his immense power and domineering presence, but also because of his philosophy.

Anyone who has watched the anime knows that Uchiha Madara actually yearned for peace; otherwise, he wouldn't have joined forces with Senju Hashirama to end the chaotic era and establish Konoha.

In their youth, the greatest dream of both Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama was to create a peaceful village!

To ensure young children would no longer need to go to the battlefield!

To provide a safe place for commoners to survive!

Ito Hirofumi sometimes even wondered: if Uchiha Madara had been the First Hokage of Konoha, perhaps all those ridiculous, messy events that followed wouldn't have happened!

It's even possible that the Ninja World could have achieved total unification during that era!

After all, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama had the capability and the strength to completely suppress the entire Ninja World at that time.

They could have simply wiped out anyone who refused to listen, integrated all the villages and nations—who could stop a Susanoo-clad Buddha?!

It was a pity that Senju Hashirama was too benevolent, or rather, too much of a blockhead...

Believing that benevolence and concession could trade for peace was the height of absurdity!

If Senju Hashirama's ideology had truly been effective, how could so many wars have broken out afterward?!

As for Uchiha Madara, even his schemes for resurrection were ultimately aimed at achieving lasting peace in the Ninja World...

It was just a pity he was deceived by that old schemer, Black Zetsu!

Upon hearing Ito Hirofumi's words, Uchiha Madara froze, casting a dark, inscrutable look at him...

"You speak of my ideals?! Heh... do you even know what my ideals are?"

Hearing the slightly mocking tone in Uchiha Madara's voice, Ito Hirofumi didn't rush to retort. He opened a bottle of "fatty happy water," took a gentle sip, and looked at Uchiha Madara, speaking softly.

"People do not love only their own parents, nor do they treat only their own children as children. The old have a place to end their days, the able-bodied have employment, the young have the means to grow, and the widowed, the orphaned, the lonely, and the disabled are all cared for..."

Ito Hirofumi didn't answer Uchiha Madara's question directly, instead borrowing a passage from the "Great Unity" section of the Book of Rites.

Hearing Ito Hirofumi recite these words word for word, Uchiha Madara's expression shifted from initial disdain to surprise, and then slowly to shock!

Even the hand holding the roasted lamb leg began to tremble...

Because this brat had previously claimed he would unify the Ninja World, but at the time, Uchiha Madara had only thought the kid was being arrogant!

Although he couldn't fathom the principles behind the brat's ability to summon the dead, he wondered: just like himself, why would these former powerhouses listen to the commands of a mere brat?

You are just a kid; why should these legendary figures obey you? On what grounds? Just because you have a thick face?

That was why Uchiha Madara hadn't taken Ito Hirofumi's words to heart at the time, assuming it was just an ignorant brat who had stumbled upon some fortune and started acting arrogant...

However, upon hearing these words, Uchiha Madara's heart trembled violently, and he began to truly regard the brat named Ito Hirofumi standing before him!

Especially the words this brat had just spoken; they were exactly the dreams he and Senju Hashirama had shared in their youth!!!

Although he had left Konoha, he had never forgotten the dreams he and that blockhead Senju Hashirama had nurtured as children!

Could the vision this brat described... truly exist?!!!

Just as Uchiha Madara remained in shock, Ito Hirofumi's voice reached his ears once more...

"Madara, how about it? Would you care to do me the honor of sharing a meal?!"

Looking at Ito Hirofumi before him, Uchiha Madara clicked his tongue...

"Tch... what an interesting brat you are!"

After saying this, Uchiha Madara tossed the roasted lamb leg in his hand aside and came over to sit down in front of Ito Hirofumi.