Chapter 247 – The Will of Fire Is a Lie?
> "Moreover, the winner becomes the Hokage, the loser... a traitor."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood proud despite the devastation he had caused. In his mind, all his actions—regardless of how questionable—were done in service to Konoha and its so-called Will of Fire.
He had failed. His reputation shattered. His clan, the Sarutobi, wiped from history.
And yet—he showed no remorse.
> "If I had succeeded," Hiruzen thought to himself, "I would have been remembered as the greatest Hokage in history."
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"Namikaze Minato, you're still so naïve."
The Third Hokage let out a slow breath and stared at the Fourth Hokage with scorn.
> "I didn't make you and Kushina die during the Nine-Tails' attack. That was your choice."
"And as for your son—Uzumaki Naruto—he was the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. Of course he had to be isolated and hated."
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened. He puffed out his chest and declared proudly:
> "I have always followed the Will of Fire. Wherever the leaves fly, the fire continues to burn—lighting the village and causing new leaves to sprout!"
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"Shut up! Just shut up!"
Minato's fury exploded as he clenched his fists, his golden hair trembling with rage.
He had once looked up to Hiruzen. Had once believed in the older man's wisdom. But now…
"You know nothing of the Will of Fire!" Minato bellowed.
"You're nothing but a power-hungry old dog."
BOOM!!
A terrifying chakra erupted from Minato's body, shaking the chamber. The sheer fury in his heart made the air itself tremble.
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"Heh..."
Hiruzen remained calm—disgustingly so.
> "You still don't understand, Minato. You never did."
> "There is no true 'Will of Fire' in the Leaf. It's a myth. A story. An illusion."
> "There is only... the Will of the Hokage."
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"SHUT UP, SARUTOBI HIRUZEN!"
Senju Hashirama, the First Hokage, couldn't contain himself anymore. He slammed the table and roared:
> "How dare you blaspheme the Will of Fire?!"
"You've completely twisted its meaning!" Hashirama's voice was trembling, not with fear, but with disappointment.
"You... You are a disgrace, Hiruzen."
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Senju Tobirama, the Second Hokage, scowled.
> "The Will of Fire carries its own weight. But you—you used it as a shield. As a justification for your own twisted politics."
> "You're not a Hokage. You're just a coward hiding behind a noble ideal."
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"Old dog Sarutobi... you really deserve to die."
Minato's voice cut coldly through the air.
"I couldn't see it before, but now it's clear. If it weren't for the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta—exposing your corruption, this entire village would've rotted to the core."
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"It doesn't matter…"
Hiruzen let out a tired sigh, his eyes hollow.
> "I've already died once. Dying again doesn't scare me."
> "My clan is gone. My legacy shattered. I have nothing left to lose…"
And in that moment, it became clear—Hiruzen Sarutobi had completely let go of morality.
Whatever humanity remained in him died with the Sarutobi clan.
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Just then, Uchiha Madara, who had been watching silently, clapped slowly.
> "Well done, Hashirama. Konoha truly raises... remarkable talents."
Madara's eyes narrowed with amusement.
Senju Hashirama, still fuming, replied coldly:
> "Don't worry. This time, I'll personally make sure Konoha is brought to its knees."
Something about Hashirama's tone made Madara pause.
For a split second, his gaze softened—just slightly—as he stared at his old rival.
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Senju Tobirama, watching this odd exchange, frowned.
> "Wait… was that... tenderness in Madara's eyes?"
His mind raced.
> "Could it be... was there something more between my brother and Uchiha Madara?"
He shuddered and quickly pushed the thought away.
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"Haha, enough chatter."
One of the past Raikage stood up, his muscles flexing with anticipation.
> "We attack Konohagakure tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it."
"The Third Hokage—Sarutobi Hiruzen—is truly a disgrace to ninja leadership," someone sneered.
"He's not just shameless—he's practically heartless. A model of corruption."
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From every side, the ancient Kage—Raikage, Tsuchikage, Mizukage, Kazekage—shared knowing glances.
This was it.
The great invasion.
Tomorrow, Konohagakure no Sato would face judgment.
> "This time… we drag the Leaf off its pedestal. And we pull Uchiha Yuta, the so-called strongest Hokage, down with it."
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Among the revived Kage—bound by Edo Tensei—many wore heavy expressions.
The First through Fourth Kazekage, Mizukage, and Tsuchikage all sighed.
They had no say in this war. Their bodies moved against their will. All they could do was hope…
Hope that the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, was strong enough to survive the storm.
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To be continued...
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