Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 331 Afternoon Sunshine, Gentle Breeze Under the Corridor

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then spoke slowly and deliberately.

I have answers to both of your questions.

"First, regarding the implementation method, which is your biggest concern—whether it will desecrate the deceased."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his teacup.

"Research Team Zero has successfully developed a special biomaterial, which I call Immaculate Soil. It can serve as a perfect container to hold the souls summoned from the Pure Land. Throughout the entire process, we will not harm any life and will not require any living people as sacrifices."

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable scientific rigor.

"Moreover, the summoned souls will possess a complete and free will. This is neither manipulation nor enslavement, but an equal invitation that transcends life and death."

These words dispelled Mitokado Enoki and Utatane Koharu's biggest ethical concerns.

"Regarding the issues of ideas and power that you raised,"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo. "This is actually a problem."

"My purpose in bringing them back was never to let them take control of the village again."

He stood up, walked to the window, and gently opened it a crack.

Sunlight streamed in instantly, casting a bright spot of light on the ground.

"Our Konoha is strong enough materially. But what about its spirit? The Will of Fire cannot exist only on the cold stone of the memorial, nor can it exist only in the preaching of us old folks."

"I need them to come back, to learn, and to pass on the torch."

"I hope that the next generation of Konoha can see with their own eyes how the First Hokage ended an era in order to protect the smiles of the children. I hope they can hear with their own ears how the Second Hokage planned the village's system and future brick by brick on the ruins."

"Danzo, this isn't about seizing power, it's about education. It's about making the Will of Fire a tangible reality. It's about enabling the new generation to truly understand where what they are protecting comes from."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was full of power and sincerity, causing cracks to appear in Danzo's icy skepticism.

"Moreover, it is to... make up for the regrets of history."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze passed through everyone and finally landed on Madara Uchiha, who remained silent in the corner.

The atmosphere in the room became subtle at that moment.

All grand political ideas and plans for the future seemed to fade away at this moment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice became very soft and gentle, carrying a kind of magic that could penetrate nearly a hundred years of time.

He looked at that lonely figure and asked softly.

"Madara, would you like to play another game of chess with Lord Hashirama?"

The moment the words fell, Madara Uchiha's usually calm and collected Rinnegan rippled violently, as if a pebble had been thrown into it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were soft, yet they stirred up a silent storm in the deathly quiet inner room.

That question, "Shall we play another game of chess with Lord Hashirama?" was like a key that pierced Madara Uchiha's heart, which had been sealed away for decades and was now cold and dry.

Those eyes of reincarnation, which had witnessed life and death, began to tremble violently at this moment.

A torrent of emotions, almost out of control, washed over his withered body.

Chessboard, black pieces, white pieces.

The afternoon sun, the gentle breeze under the eaves.

And then there's that man who always grins broadly, takes back moves in chess, yet listens attentively as he talks about his dreams.

Those memories he had buried with hatred and darkness now resurfaced, piercing his remaining soul with sharp pain.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu held their breath. They could clearly feel that the aura emanating from the figure in the corner had suddenly changed from a calm, lifeless stillness to a frenzied and sorrowful one.

Danzo's muscles tensed as he stared intently at Uchiha Madara, trying to predict how this legendary figure would react.

For a long, long time.

Madara Uchiha slowly raised his head, and the turbulent waves in his Rinnegan gradually subsided, leaving only a bottomless and complex aura.

"snort……"

A hoarse, cold snort, as if squeezed from the depths of a throat, broke the stagnant air.

"That guy's chess skills are hopelessly bad."

He spoke, his voice dry and slow, bearing the marks of time.

"but……"

Madara Uchiha shifted his gaze from Hiruzen Sarutobi to the crack in the window, and to the vibrant village he had come to accept.

"I cannot refuse."

He spoke those five words with extreme difficulty, yet with utmost solemnity.

Danzo's heart sank.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face remained calm, as if everything was within his calculations.

"but."

Madara Uchiha continued, his words regaining their unquestionable authority.

He stopped looking at anyone and just announced it to himself.

"Throughout the entire process, from summoning to fusion with the container, I must be present to supervise the whole thing."

His hand rested gently on his knee.

"Hashirama's soul cannot tolerate any kind of accident. No one may, for any reason, desecrate him."

These words stunned both Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

They originally thought that Madara Uchiha would propose some condition related to power or the Uchiha clan, but they didn't expect it to be this.

This is not a political condition; it's more like a declaration of protection.

Danzo's mind raced.

Had Madara Uchiha supervise the entire process?

However, before he could speak, another voice rang out.

Me too.

Tsunade, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up.

Her golden hair fell to her chest, and her beautiful face, which usually displayed boldness and unruliness, was now replaced by an unprecedented seriousness and determination.

She first glanced at Madara Uchiha, then turned her determined gaze to her teacher.

"Teacher, I am Hashirama Senju's granddaughter, and also the head of Konoha's medical department."

"I can use all my knowledge to help complete this plan. However..."

Tsunade's voice trembled slightly, but every word was crystal clear.

"If any signs are found during the experiment that could harm the soul or violate basic bioethics, I have the right to stop it!"

Her words shocked Danzo.

He looked at Tsunade, whom he had always thought was just a little girl with some brute strength, but who was now showing amazing courage and principles.

One is Madara Uchiha, and the other is Tsunade Senju.

One represents the Uchiha's past, and the other represents the Senju's present.

All eyes in the room once again focused on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Faced with this situation that almost split the meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed a gentle smile.

He nodded, looked at Madara Uchiha, then at Tsunade, his tone pleased.

"I agree."