Sasuke stood quietly to the side, his gaze fixed intently on Hashirama Senju.
"First Hokage, if Konoha really was behind this, I will definitely take revenge against it," Sasuke said, his voice cold.
Sasuke looked at Hashirama Senju, knowing that saying such a thing was dangerous.
Under the perception of his Observation Haki, Hashirama Senju's presence was like an abyss, unfathomably deep and powerfully intimidating.
The only other person who had given him that feeling before was Roy.
Compared to the Third Hokage, the Fifth Hokage, and Orochimaru, Hashirama Senju's presence far surpassed them all. He wanted to know how the First Hokage would react to his bold declaration.
However, contrary to Sasuke's expectations, Hashirama Senju suddenly burst into hearty, carefree laughter.
"If that's really the case, go ahead and seek your revenge," Hashirama Senju said, his voice carrying no reproach, but rather understanding and tolerance.
In his view, Sasuke had the right to pursue what he believed was justice, even if the target of that justice was Konoha Village.
The annihilation of the Uchiha clan was a tragedy, and as a survivor, Sasuke had the right to seek justice for his people.
Sasuke was stunned; he hadn't expected Hashirama Senju to give such an answer.
He had initially thought that, as the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju would defend Konoha Village and stop his revenge.
Yet, Hashirama Senju before him was so magnanimous, so understanding of his feelings.
This made Sasuke develop a different kind of respect for Hashirama Senju.
"Here's a hint for you," Roy's voice rang out, instantly drawing the attention of Sasuke and Hashirama Senju, both fixing their eyes on him, waiting for his next words.
"Not long ago, I made a move against someone who had an entire arm full of Sharingan and even a Mangekyō Sharingan in his right eye."
Roy spoke slowly, his tone calm and even.
"How is that possible?" Sasuke's eyes widened, his face full of shock.
A surge of intense turmoil rose within him. The Sharingan was an incredibly precious treasure for the Uchiha clan; how could an outsider possess so many Sharingan?
What shocked him even more was that such a person existed within Konoha Village, deepening his suspicion of the village.
"Was it really Konoha?" Sasuke's voice was filled with disbelief and anger.
"Who was it?" Sasuke quickly pressed, desperate to know the identity of this mysterious figure.
"The Scapegoat King of the ninja world, Danzo," Roy said, a faint, ambiguous smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Scapegoat King?" Sasuke frowned slightly, his eyes full of confusion, and he began to search his mind for any memory of this person.
He silently repeated this unfamiliar title, trying to find any clues in his memory related to it.
"Danzo, that name sounds familiar…" Hashirama Senju scratched his head, a pensive expression on his face.
He quickly flipped through his memories of Konoha Village, trying to recall everything related to that name.
"Wasn't he Tobirama's disciple?" Hashirama Senju's eyes suddenly lit up as if remembering something important, and he blurted out.
"Oh, right, that guy's whole body was covered in your cells. Anyone wouldn't be blamed for thinking he was your descendant," Roy teased, his smile growing wider.
He looked at Hashirama Senju with a glint of amusement in his eyes.
Upon hearing this, Hashirama Senju instantly froze. A complex expression crossed his face, a mixture of surprise, awkwardness, and helplessness.
He hadn't expected the descendants of Konoha to be using his cells, and to such an extent.
Sasuke watched Hashirama Senju's expression, his own heart filled with confusion.
He didn't know about this connection between Danzo and Hashirama Senju, nor did he know what secrets lay hidden behind it.
But he knew that this person named Danzo was likely the key to unraveling the truth behind the Uchiha clan's annihilation.
He vowed internally to find Danzo, uncover the truth of it all, and avenge the Uchiha clan.
"Danzo, is it?" A new flame of revenge reignited in Sasuke's heart, now with a clear target.
"Maybe I can ask Kakashi-sensei?" Sasuke thought. Kakashi had extensive connections in Konoha Village; perhaps he might know some clues about Danzo.
Roy then asked, "Aren't you worried about the village you founded being destroyed?"
Hashirama Senju lifted his head slightly, his expression open and magnanimous.
"The dead shouldn't interfere too much in the world of the living. Future generations will have their own path of development," Hashirama Senju said slowly.
"War is unavoidable as long as people exist. If future generations can only rely on the protection of their predecessors, then such a village has no reason to exist."
Listening to Hashirama Senju's words, Roy couldn't help but inwardly scoff.
Back then, Hashirama Senju hadn't hesitated to try and stop Madara Uchiha.
"Seems a best friend really is different," Roy thought.
In Hashirama Senju's mind, the development of Konoha Village and the entire ninja world followed its own course.
Unless the ninja world faced an insurmountable crisis, such as an alien invasion, Madara Uchiha's resurrection, or some other extreme situation, he wouldn't easily take the initiative to intervene in current ninja world affairs.
Excessive interference might disrupt the existing balance, ultimately hindering the growth and development of later generations.
Just as the three fell into a quiet conversation, a sudden, energetic voice rang out.
"Sasuke, there you are!"
Naruto emerged from a nearby bush with large strides.
His face was beaming with a bright smile, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.
"So this is where you've been secretly training. Man, no wonder you're so strong," Naruto laughed heartily, thrilled to have discovered Sasuke's "secret."
"Huh, there are other people here?"
Naruto then noticed Hashirama Senju and Roy standing beside Sasuke. His eyes widened instantly, surprise written on his face.
"Ah, are you the ones who taught Sasuke? Could you teach me too?" Naruto immediately began clamoring.
"Idiot. What are you doing here?" Sasuke's expression changed drastically, partly because his conversation with Hashirama Senju and Roy had been discovered by Naruto, risking the exposure of his secrets.
But more than that, his heart filled with concern. He feared that Naruto's rash behavior would offend Roy.
After all, Roy's power was unfathomable. If Roy were to actually attack Naruto, given Konoha Village's current strength, there was no one who could stop him.
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