Naraku and Shisui looked at each other.
"Is Hiruzen the strongest Kage?"
What a joke. Who could he even defeat?
Although it felt a little disrespectful to think that way, Shisui couldn't help it.
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama!
Leaving aside the so-called gods of myth, Hashirama was undoubtedly the strongest shinobi of all time.
Ask the Kage of other villages—even if they hated to admit it, they'd still grit their teeth and say:
Senju Hashirama could defeat any Kage in history.
A shinobi powerful enough to reshape the landscape itself, known throughout history as the God of Shinobi!
Then came the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, the inventor of many forbidden jutsu and the unparalleled master of Water Release.
It was said his Flying Thunder God Technique was nearly impossible to counter.
Naraku still remembered a theory from his past life—that Tobirama had signed a summoning contract with the sea itself.
His Water Release was said to rival nature itself.
And then there was Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage. His version of the Flying Thunder God was even more refined than Tobirama's—he could transport others along with him.
Even after being sealed by the Shinigami for over a decade, Minato activated Kurama Chakra Mode just seconds after being revived.
He claimed he wasn't as good as Jiraiya, yet he entered Sage Mode in seconds.
So then… what made Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, so special?
"Itachi, why do you think so?" Shisui asked, confused.
"In the Shinobi Academy… it was written in the textbook…" Itachi's voice grew softer.
He suddenly realized the contradiction. He had never questioned it before.
"Let's set aside the Second and Fourth Hokage," Shisui added. "The power of the First is well recorded in our clan documents."
As the long-time rivals of the Senju, the Uchiha kept a detailed record of the ninja who once defeated them.
The Uchiha didn't lose to the Senju—they lost to Hashirama.
The many battles between Madara and Hashirama were like trading cards:
Uchiha Madara: My Mangekyō Sharingan! Susano'o!
(Note: Once one awakens the Mangekyō in both eyes, they can use Susano'o, even without the eyes themselves.)
Senju Hashirama: Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees.
Madara: My Eternal Mangekyō! Full-body Susano'o!
Hashirama: Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!
Looking at this pattern… Madara's life seemed pretty grim.
"If the First Hokage had such talent and strength that he's considered the strongest in history… then why?" Itachi muttered.
"Why did the Academy textbook claim that the Third Hokage was the strongest?"
"Wait, are you saying the textbook said Hiruzen was the strongest Hokage?" Naraku asked with interest.
He remembered clearly—something felt wrong.
Naraku had been born in Konoha Year 34 and entered the Academy in Year 40.
At that time, the White Fang hadn't died, and the Sannin were still active.
The textbooks only said that under the Third Hokage's leadership, Konoha had reached its historical peak.
"I don't remember anything like that either," Shisui added. "When I was at the Academy, it never said Hiruzen was the strongest Hokage."
He was younger than Naraku, Kakashi, and the rest—but his memory was crystal clear.
Then Naraku thought for a moment and nodded. "I understand now."
"Itachi, you joined after the Nine-Tails Chaos. At that time, the Fourth Hokage had died, and the Third Hokage returned to power."
"After resigning post-war due to the village's great losses, he was reinstated out of necessity."
"So… to reinforce his authority, he may have needed to alter public perception," Itachi said slowly, connecting the dots.
After speaking, he looked like he wanted to slap himself.
Why hadn't he thought of this before?
"Yes." Naraku gave him an approving nod.
Despite the psychological conditioning Hiruzen likely imposed on him, Itachi was still capable of independent thought.
"To maintain power, he distorted the truth."
"If you understand that… then his actions will become clearer."
"A true Hokage should never force others to sacrifice for the so-called peace of the village."
"A man of moral backbone would choose to sacrifice himself."
"We can't ask others to die for our peace."
"In this case, the Third Hokage chose to let me die. The reason is clear."
"To suppress," Itachi blurted out.
Then… he nearly smacked himself again.
"To suppress… who?" Shisui murmured, shaken.
Unlike Itachi, Shisui had more psychological barriers. He didn't want to believe this truth.
Even if the answer was right in front of him, denial came easier.
"To suppress the Hyūga. To suppress the Uchiha. To suppress anyone who questions his power, his authority, his position as Hokage," Naraku said, each word like a bullet.
"To suppress… the Hyuga?" Shisui asked. "Even the Uchiha?"