Chapter 116

Chap 116

Chapter 116: Hashirama! This Time, Uchiha Won’t Lose!

In the dimly lit underground cave of the ninja world:

“Lord Madara, because of the Sand Ninja... the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain are now negotiating peace with Konoha...”

After hearing White Zetsu report on the situation in the ninja world, Uchiha Madara, sitting alone in solitude on a stone chair, revealed a mocking smile.

“Peace! It’s nothing but a joke. Back when Hashirama and I were around, the ninja world was naturally at peace. But once the sword hanging over their heads disappears, this so-called peace will be torn apart in an instant.

Today’s so-called peace is just Konoha’s wishful thinking. The three great nations—Cloud, Stone, and Mist—have been sharpening their swords for so long. How could they possibly put them away now? Even the Sand Village is merely bleeding a little for this temporary truce.”

At this moment, Uchiha Madara smirked coldly, his eyes filled only with disappointment and disdain for the ninja world.

“The First Great Ninja War, at least, exhausted the five great ninja villages. All of them were left with no strength, which led to twenty years of peace for recuperation. It even gave the smaller villages a chance to grow.

But now, the so-called Second Great Ninja War, though seemingly earth-shattering, only ended with the devastation of the Rain Village. All the ambitious individuals are simply biding their time, waiting for the right moment to unleash their plans…”

Madara’s raspy voice echoed as he described the truth. The First Great Ninja War indeed brought twenty years of superficial peace, allowing the ninja villages to recover.

Yet only a few years after the Second Great Ninja War ended, conflict erupted again, with the Third Great Ninja War being a continuation of the second.

“This junior has done well this time. Although there are still some shortcomings, he hasn’t disgraced the Uchiha name.”

The current ninja world wars no longer interested Madara. Instead, his attention was focused on Uchiha Yosuke, the young man who had inherited his will.

However, as Madara eagerly awaited updates on Yosuke, White Zetsu’s report gradually darkened his expression, until he angrily smashed the armrest of his stone chair.

“Fool! That junior has a good brain, but growing up in Konoha has blinded him to its darkness! I warned Hashirama back then…”

Madara’s voice roared through the dim cave, filled with fury, the first in years to provoke such anger in him.

“Even Hashirama’s granddaughter sees things more clearly than him!”

After hearing about Konoha’s recent manipulations and Yosuke’s naive refusal to fully acknowledge them, Madara grew even angrier.

“Foolish fantasies, huh?”

As Madara vented his frustration, memories of his younger self surfaced. Back when Konoha was established, he already sensed the village’s rejection but clung to a naive hope for Hashirama and the village. That hope only led to betrayal.

“He’s just like I was back then.”

Madara murmured to himself. This junior mirrored his younger self, holding onto childish fantasies.

“It’s time to shatter that naivety. Only then can he avoid repeating my mistakes.”

Recalling Tobirama’s cunning schemes, Madara sneered coldly.

“Tobirama, it seems both you and your disciple are cut from the same conniving cloth. But this time, it’s your Senju clan facing the consequences. How ironic.”

As Madara indulged in his musings, White Zetsu, oblivious to his thoughts, joked:

“Lord Madara, should we push Uchiha Yosuke into the darkness?”

“No!” Without hesitation, Madara refused, his eyes resolute.

Seeing a younger version of himself in this junior, Madara felt an urge to see how far Yosuke, who upheld his ideals, could go.

“White Zetsu, those rats hiding in Konoha’s shadows can’t sit still anymore. If they want to act, we’ll give them a little push... at the right moment. This will accelerate the growth of this remarkable junior.”

As he spoke, Madara paused before revealing a cruel smile.

“Once his final illusions are shattered, and he sees the darkness of Konoha, I’m curious to see what kind of potential this outstanding junior will unleash and what path he’ll choose to walk!”

Madara’s low, hoarse laughter echoed in the cave.

He anticipated seeing Yosuke, like himself, embrace the path of ruling through might, bringing a new era to the ninja world—perhaps even becoming Hokage.

Though Madara’s dream of peace had long been shattered, who could resist witnessing a junior so much like himself fulfill those dreams and rise to power?

“Hashirama, this time, the Uchiha will not lose!”

Imagining the possibilities, Madara’s sinister grin grew wider, eager to speed up Yosuke’s growth and prevent him from wasting time like he once did.

---