Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 171

"How ridiculous and pathetic! If it weren't for the promise I made to Hashirama back then..."

"Hmph, judging by your appearance today, I will personally deal with you to prevent you from disgracing the name of the Thousand Hands!"

These four words struck Tsunade's heart like a heavy hammer!

The undisguised killing intent and the overwhelming pressure from the absolute difference in strength made her gasp for breath!

She had no doubt that the terrifying being occupying the boy's body had the strength and determination to do what he said!

"Madara-sama!"

Jiraiya was so terrified that he practically lunged forward to stand between Tsunade and "Naruto".

Cold sweat poured down his back, and his voice trembled as he said, "You...you came out? Calm down, calm down! Tsunade was just confused for a moment!"

Although I had seen Madara inside Naruto before.

It was also discovered that this legendary ninja god was not as ruthless and heartless as depicted in historical records.

There's even an occasional... awkward "human touch".

But at this moment, Ban exuded a pure, cold killing intent honed by the blood and carnage of the Warring States period.

This made Jiraiya truly understand what it means to be "a ferocious beast unleashed from its cage"!

If this guy really gets angry, even the three of them tied together wouldn't be enough to stop him!

Upon hearing Jiraiya's address, Tsunade's pupils contracted to pinpoints, and all color drained from her face: "Uchiha... Madara?! Impossible! He died long ago at the Valley of the End!"

The impact of this name is even greater than the terrifying sense of oppression we felt just now!

That was a legend who was on par with her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, and even more terrifying in some ways!

Madara (Naruto) let out a disdainful snort, his eyes looking at an ignorant clown: "How is it impossible? You're so stupid that you believe that scoundrel snake's nonsense about resurrecting the dead, but now you don't believe me, someone who survived from the Warring States period? How absurd!"

"That...that's different!"

Tsunade instinctively retorted, but her voice clearly lacked conviction.

Orochimaru's research into forbidden techniques is indeed bizarre and unpredictable, but Uchiha Madara... he's a living legend.

They are the other side in the Battle of the Valley of the End!

The very meaning of his life defies common sense!

"Indecisive and hesitant!"

Madara's voice, like an ice pick, mercilessly pierced Tsunade's psychological defenses: "Although Hashirama is indecisive to an infuriating degree in some matters..."

"But when it comes to the village he cherishes, his stance is firmer than the hardest rock! He will never be swayed by any personal feelings or temptations!"

"Look at yourself now! You waver over a hollow, blasphemous lie, and you almost betrayed Konoha, the village that raised you!"

"With your behavior, you are truly unworthy of being Hokage. You're not even worthy of carrying Hashirama's shoes!"

Every word Madara said struck Tsunade's heart like a whip, causing her face to turn pale and then red.

She wanted to argue, but found that under the gaze of those dark eyes that seemed to see through all illusions, any explanation seemed pale and powerless.

Ban seemed to have lost interest in continuing to scold him, and he slowly closed his eyes.

The terrifying sense of oppression receded as quickly as the tide.

He coldly issued his ultimatum: "Remember my words. If I still see you in this muddled, foolish state, betraying the living for the dead, before dawn tomorrow..."

"I don't mind cleaning up Hashirama's house, so that the last bloodline of the Senju clan won't continue to embarrass themselves."

As soon as he finished speaking, Madara (Naruto)'s body trembled slightly.

When he opened his eyes again, they had regained the unique azure and purity of a young boy, with a hint of confusion from just waking up.

"A lecherous immortal? Why...why are you standing so close?"

Naruto was startled when he saw Jiraiya almost touching his face, and instinctively shrank back.

Jiraiya felt as if he had been granted a pardon, let out a long sigh of relief, and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with lingering fear.

He cautiously probed, "Naruto? Is...is that you? Lord Madara...did he go back?"

Naruto rubbed his still throbbing temples and nodded: "Yeah, Dad went back. He said it was too noisy outside and it was affecting his sleep."

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..."

Jiraiya patted his chest, feeling as if he had just escaped death.

He glanced at Tsunade, who stood silently beside him with an extremely unpleasant expression, and then recalled Madara's threat before he left.

He quickly whispered to Naruto, "Um... Naruto, did Lord Madara... say anything to us?"

Naruto tilted his head and thought for a moment, then looked at Jiraiya with a serious expression: "Oh! Right! Dad told me to tell you that if you dare to steal my money to pick up girls again, he'll kill you."

"hiss--!"

Jiraiya gasped, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He quickly waved his hands, his voice trembling, "I know, I know! There will definitely be no next time! I swear!"

He seemed to have already seen his tragic future.

Chapter 193 People with the Same Dream

Naruto chuckled as he watched Jiraiya looking terrified.

Then, as if remembering something, his eyes sparkled as he looked at Jiraiya and Tsunade, whose expressions were complicated, with the longing and confidence unique to young people.

He made a startling statement: "By the way, Perverted Sage! Since the Third Hokage doesn't want to be Hokage anymore, can I just take over as Hokage?"

"puff--!"

Jiraiya had just taken a sip of water to calm his nerves when he heard this, and immediately spat it out, coughing repeatedly as he choked.

He glared at Naruto, annoyed. "Ahem...you...what are you thinking, you little brat?! You think you can just become Hokage like that?!"

Jiraiya calmed his heart: "You're not even fully grown yet! At the very least, you'll have to wait until you become a Jonin and accumulate enough merit and reputation before we talk! You're still a long way off!"

"Just a Jonin?"

Naruto straightened his chest, wincing in pain from his wounds, but his eyes shone with confidence.

"Easy peasy! I'll definitely become Hokage! Faster than anyone else!"

He imagined himself in his future Hokage robes, and the prosperous Konoha Village under his leadership, and spoke with unwavering resolve.

Jiraiya, seeing his arrogant and ignorant attitude, was both amused and annoyed, and couldn't help but ask curiously, "How can you be so sure? You can't become Hokage just by talking."

"because……"

Naruto blurted out, but halfway through his sentence, he suddenly remembered the solemn instructions given to him by his future self in the Land of Snow—

Absolutely no information about the future may be revealed!

He swallowed back the words, "Because I am the future Seventh Hokage."

A flicker of panic crossed his face, then he scratched the back of his head, revealing his signature silly grin: "Hehe... I guessed! Just a gut feeling! My intuition is always pretty accurate!"

Jiraiya rolled his eyes speechlessly, unable to refute: "Your 'guess' is truly 'brilliant'! Does that even put food on the table? Just focus on your training!"

However, just as Naruto uttered the words, "I will definitely become Hokage!"

Tsunade, who had been silent and whose expression was constantly changing, suddenly shuddered almost imperceptibly.

His gaze fell on Naruto's face, which still bore scars and childishness, yet was filled with unwavering and pure conviction.

The boy's deep blue eyes.

Like the clearest sky, burning with an unpretentious, blazing flame as hot as the sun!

That is the light of the most persistent and purest pursuit of dreams!

In a daze, I saw Naruto's eyes, full of hope and fighting spirit.

It overlapped with two equally young and vibrant faces deep in her memory...

That was her younger brother, Senju Nawaki.

Wearing the necklace left by the First Hokage, he loudly proclaimed with an incomparably bright smile on his face.

"Sister! I will definitely become a great Hokage like Grandpa someday! To protect everyone!"

That was her lover, Kato Dan.

His eyes were gentle yet firm as he held her hand and spoke.

"Tsunade, when I become Hokage, I will definitely create a peaceful world where children no longer need to go to the battlefield."

Rope Tree... Broken...

They all once so passionately longed for that position.

They fought with all their might for that goal, their eyes shining with the exact same light as Naruto's at that moment—

It is filled with hope for the future and a heart that protects its companions.

And the most sincere yearning for the responsibility and glory represented by "Hokage".

Nawaki died on the battlefield, clutching the necklace that symbolized his dream of becoming Hokage until his last breath.

In an attempt to save his comrade, Duan was blown to pieces by the explosive tags, and could only watch helplessly as he died...

The title "Hokage".

For her, it was no longer a symbol of glory.

Rather, it is a curse stained with the blood of loved ones, the root of endless suffering and loss.

She was afraid, afraid to see the people who carried hope fall because of this position again.

She escaped, numbing herself with gambling and alcohol, trying to forget those unforgettable pains.

However, at this moment, the light of a dream in Naruto's eyes was pure and unadulterated.

Like the sharpest needle, it pierced through the defenses she had built with numbness and avoidance.

Ban's cold rebuke still echoed in her ears, striking her self-esteem and pride like a heavy hammer.

Orochimaru's tempting yet wicked promises now appear so pale and despicable in the face of Naruto's pure radiance.

Loss, pain, confusion, struggle...