The Master of Konoha's Legacy

The Land of Rain is within our defenses.

Hanzo wouldn't dare do that unless we agree.

Isn't this blatant aid to the enemy?

What's more, Iwagakure can't do anything to us right now.

"Making such a decision is incredibly unfair to those comrades who died on the battlefield."

Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed lightly and explained in a low voice:

“Tu Nan, you don’t understand, this is a strategy.”

War is not something anyone wants to see.

Just keep Iwagakure under control until the war ends.

We must consider the survivors; if fighting breaks out, even more people will die.

Uchiha Tonan gripped the armrests of the wheelchair tightly with both hands, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.

It seemed as if he was suppressing the extreme anger in his heart.

After a long silence, Uchiha Tonan finally let out a long sigh and said:

"You're the Hokage, you're in charge."

Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Uchiha Tonan was no longer pursuing the matter.

He said in a concerned tone:

"We haven't had a proper private chat in a long time."

How badly are you injured? Should I get you some experienced doctors?

Uchiha Tonan gently shook his head and said:

"It's no use. I consider my medical ninjutsu to be pretty good."

"I can't do anything about it, and nobody else can either."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

It's good that there's no other way.

After the war ends, I will suppress all those nitpicking high-ranking officials.

The first one I'll kill is you, you cripple.

But a look of worry appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face as he said:

That's such a pity.

"If someone can heal you, I'd even trade my Hokage position for them."

[Chapter 304: Winning Hearts and Minds - Graduation Speech]

Uchiha Tonan was naturally not fooled by Hiruzen Sarutobi's feigned affection.

Of course, it doesn't matter even if you manage to fool them.

Anyway, Uchiha Tonan doesn't care whether the other party is good to him or not when he does things.

A barely perceptible hint of mockery flashed across his lips as he feigned thought and said:

"Perhaps the old Tsunade could have done it, but she is now a rogue ninja."

Even if she comes back, I won't beg her; I'll be the first to kill her.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyelids twitched, and he said in a deep voice:

"Tsunade was just confused for a moment; she's not a bad person at heart."

Uchiha Tonan sat up straight immediately, his expression excited, and said:

Not bad?

If she wasn't bad, why would she kill so many children?

Summoning a giant spirit beast in the bustling city has crushed countless people.

She even wrecked the orphanage for Orochimaru, a demon who conducted live experiments.

Countless elderly people living alone and orphans have been displaced.

That's absolutely awful.

As a member of Konoha, I felt an urge to bite her.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback by what he heard, not expecting that Tonan Uchiha was so concerned about the deaths of those civilians.

In the past, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have said a few words in defense of Tsunade.

But given the current situation...

For the sake of the bigger picture, it's best to admit our mistakes against our will.

After all, Uchiha Tonan's reputation is currently too high.

If he hadn't been crippled, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have killed him at all costs.

But then Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply and said in a guilty tone:

I know you resent me.

I resent that I harbored selfish motives at that time and protected Tsunade.

I am aware of this weakness of mine, but I can't do anything about it.

People tend to be more soft-hearted when they get old; I watched Tsunade grow up.

I've let those children down.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's subtle concession did not seem to appease Tonan Uchiha.

Uchiha Tonan gritted his teeth and said:

"Just because you watched Tsunade grow up, you think you can protect her?"

But have you ever considered that those children who died will never have the chance to grow up?

Seeing that Uchiha Tonan seemed determined to keep going, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately said in a deep voice:

"This matter is over, and I apologize to you."

I hope you won't hold a grudge against your teacher.

Tsunade has also become a rogue ninja.

As long as she appears in front of me.

I was the first to kill her.

Uchiha Tonan seemed to calm down immediately after Hiruzen Sarutobi's statement.

After a long while, he tilted his head back, took a deep breath, and murmured:

"I deeply love this land, and I dislike the injustices that exist here."

Injustice breeds evil, and those in power treat human life as worthless.

We are all human beings, so why divide us into different classes?

Large families, small families, ninjas, commoners.

I hate categorizing people like that.

If there's nothing else, Hokage, please go back.

Don't waste your time on a cripple like me.

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly, a look of reminiscence in them, and sighed deeply:

"Sigh~"

When did we start to become like strangers?

We used to cherish each other very much.

They were, in a sense, the most important people to each other.

Wow, this old guy's got a thick skin.

They've started playing the emotional card.

Please, even in the past, neither of us considered the other important.

They all acted very realistically, but you thought you were the only actor.

It seemed that Hiruzen Sarutobi's words had an effect, as Uchiha Tonan lowered his head, as if recalling the past.

After a long silence, Uchiha Tonan slowly shook his head and said:

"When did it start... Valley?"

I have been disappointed by what I have discovered about your actions.

I've realized that what I truly care about is the village, not you.

From the moment I realized I had to stand up and protect them.

At that moment, looking at you standing on the opposite side, I knew we were ultimately not meant to be.

Seeing that appealing to emotions wasn't working, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his attention to the village that Tonan Uchiha cared about most.

But then Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and said:

"You understand the Will of Fire better than I do."

I promise you, I will strive to be a qualified Hokage from now on.

I won't let you down again.

"Don't you like children?"

Graduation season is in two weeks.

There are quite a few students graduating this time, so I'm busy dealing with the situation.