"And probably the most troublesome one!"
Uchiha Itachi's solemn voice crashed into the hearts of the Uchiha children, who had just achieved a "great victory" and were feeling quite smug, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.
The most troublesome?
How is that possible?!
Even the four legendary Hokage, whose works had been modified to the extreme, were reduced to ashes by their combined attack.
What "enemy" in this world could be more troublesome than them?
"Instructor Itachi, aren't you overestimating that old man?"
Uchiha Shō curled his lip, his face full of disdain.
"I learned about the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, in history class at the academy. He was known as the ' Professor of Ninjutsu,' proficient in thousands of Ninjutsu, but in reality, he was an indecisive, rigid old man."
"During his tenure, he not only failed to resolve the Uchiha problem, but also allowed a cancer like Danzo to grow stronger, ultimately leading to the division and decline of Konoha. What great achievements could such a loser accomplish even if he were Impure World Reincarnation the Impure World Reincarnation technique?"
His words were reasonable and well-founded, and many of his companions nodded in agreement.
In their view, Hiruzen Sarutobi was a complete and utterly defeated ruler, nailed to the pillar of historical shame.
However, Uchiha Itachi only gave him a cold look.
"Xiang, it looks like you'll need to retake your history class."
"You only saw his failure as ' Hokage,' but you didn't see his strength as a 'ninja.'"
"Do you think the title ' Professor of Ninjutsu ' is just for show?"
"A person who has mastered all five Chakra Nature Transformation to their fullest extent and can seamlessly integrate and execute thousands of Ninjutsu possesses a level of combat wisdom and understanding of the battlefield that far surpasses the comprehension of you hothouse flowers who only know how to bombard others with S-rank Ninjutsu."
Itachi's words were merciless, like a resounding slap across Uchiha Shō's arrogant face.
His face instantly turned bright red.
"And--"
Itachi's gaze returned to the towering Hokage Rock, his eyes growing even more profound.
Don't you find this strange?
"Why was he the only one who disappeared during that devastating barrage of fire, while all the other Hokage were severely injured?"
Why didn't Orochimaru use him as one of the key elements of the " Six Red Yang Formation " at the last moment?
"Why did the assassins of 'Root' call out ' Lord Third 'Lord Danzo Danzo' before they died?"
Each of Itachi's questions struck the hearts of all the children like a heavy hammer.
The frivolity and disdain on their faces gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
yes.
This reveals far too many irrationalities.
The only explanation is --
Uchiha Yōko's clear voice rang out softly at that moment.
She raised her head, her clear, Three-Tomoe Sharingan gleaming with wisdom.
"From the very beginning, Hiruzen Sarutobi may never have been completely controlled by Orochimaru."
"Or perhaps he used some method we don't know to break free from the constraints of the Impure World Reincarnation to some extent, retaining a part of his own will."
He's waiting.
He was waiting for the perfect moment to appear, when everyone had ignored him and everyone thought he was dead.
"And now--"
Yōko's gaze met Itachi's gaze in mid-air.
The time has come.
"Forward, all troops!"
Without another word, Uchiha Itachi swiftly waved his hand and gave the final order for the all-out attack!
"Target: Hokage Rock!"
"I want to see what kind of farewell performance this former 'Strongest Hokage ' intends to put on for us!"
"Yes!"
A thousand Uchiha children responded in unison.
Their slightly relaxed momentum has once again coalesced, transforming into a steel torrent that is even colder and sharper than before!
They stopped, they hesitated no longer.
They stepped over the warm corpses of the "Root" assassins, and over the streets stained with blood.
Step by step, they resolutely launched their final assault on that sacred land that symbolized the highest power in Konoha and the last vestige of dignity of the old era!
The Hokage Rock is very tall.
The steps leading to the top of the mountain are very long.
But this legion of death moved swiftly.
Just a few minutes later, they reached the summit.
What appeared before them was a scene of utter devastation.
The Hokage's office, which once held the dreams and glory of countless ninjas, had long since been reduced to unrecognizable ruins in the previous bombardment.
In the very center of those ruins, an elderly figure stood silently with his back to them.
He was wearing the outdated divine robe that represented the Third Hokage.
In his hand rested a seemingly ordinary Ruyi Jingu Bang (Monkey King's Adamantine Staff), which exuded a chillingly indestructible aura.
He was standing on broken floor tiles with the character "fire" on them.
Behind him were four enormous images of the former Hokage, Yan Yan, shattered by artillery fire but still vaguely recognizable.
The figure looked so old and frail, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.
But when he slowly turned around, the terrifying aura emanating from him, known as the " Will of Fire," which seemed to burn the entire world to ashes, caused all the Uchiha children present to instinctively stop in their tracks!
Hiruzen Sarutobi!
His wrinkled old face lacked the cracks typical of those Impure World Reincarnation, and showed neither the emptiness and numbness of someone being manipulated.
There is only a calmness that comes from seeing through life and death, and a deep sorrow that only a "teacher" would feel when facing a group of students who have "gone astray".
His cloudy yet incredibly clear eyes slowly swept over the thousand youthful faces before him, faces etched with cold indifference.
He saw Xiang's arrogance, Yōko's intelligence, and the identical contempt for the old era and the fanatical worship of their "lord" in their eyes.
He sighed softly.
"Children--"
He spoke.
His voice was hoarse and aged, yet it possessed an undeniable, penetrating power.
He did not attack immediately, nor did he utter any grand pronouncements about "revenge" or "protection."
He spoke in a gentle, almost pleading tone to these "enemies" who could tear him to shreds in the next second:
"Before I destroy everything, can you listen to a story about 'home' from this failed teacher?"
"Consider this the final lesson for your blood-soaked opening ceremony."