Inside the Underground Base, the suffocating will of the "Sacred Lord" receded like a tide, leaving only wreckage strewn across the floor and a lingering chill in the air. After a brief, deathly silence, an even heavier, more complicated atmosphere settled over them.
Sasuke Uchiha knelt on one knee, panting hard, sweat trickling down his temples. That icy stab straight into his soul, and Tobirama Senju's unhesitating willingness to risk himself to protect him, had stirred towering waves in his heart. His hatred still burned fiercely, but a trace of indescribable bewilderment had involuntarily seeped into his cold killing intent... along with the tiniest flicker of doubt, one he refused even to acknowledge.
He slowly raised his head. His Sharingan remained scarlet, but his gaze no longer rested solely on the First and Second. Instead, it swept across all four Hokage present. Finally, he spoke hoarsely, with an almost exhausted obstinacy:
"Now... can we continue where we left off? Tell me... everything."
This time, his tone held less hysterical rage and more stubborn insistence.
Hashirama Senju looked at the bottomless pain and turmoil in Sasuke's eyes, his face filled with sincere sorrow. He was the first to speak, his voice low and heavy:
"Sasuke... about what happened to the Uchiha Clan, I... I'm sorry. When Madara and I founded Konoha, I truly hoped to create a village where all clans could live together in peace. I admit that because of the Uchiha Clan's past hostility with the Senju, and the unique nature of their kekkei genkai, there was indeed some wariness and... estrangement within the village. But I swear on my life and my dream, I never considered, nor would I ever have allowed anyone to plan the extermination of the Uchiha!"
His words carried an unquestionable sincerity, yet the