Chapter 138: Perspectives on Peace

“I do not believe that a world created through illusion can bring about true peace.

“In truth, I do not believe that conflict can ever be eliminated, because the human heart is forever insatiable.

“Even if the world were rid of shinobi, wars would still arise among ordinary people. That is something unavoidable.

“What is false will always be false. The real world will always contain joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, and all manner of contradictions and conflicts.”

After pondering for a long while, Uchiha Li ultimately chose to follow his heart and gave that answer.

Hamura’s sudden question struck him as rather strange. There was likely some deeper meaning behind it.

Could it be that the two brothers, Hagoromo and Hamura, had always known that Black Zetsu had tampered with the stone tablet?

They had wandered the world in the form of souls for all those years. Was it really possible that they had known nothing at all, only granting Naruto and Sasuke the Six Paths Yin-Yang power at the very end, when everything had become irreversible, so that Kaguya could be sealed?

If that were truly the case, then the Six Paths level would seem far too cheap.

Hagoromo, in particular, was not merely a Six Paths-level being. Like his mother Kaguya, he was also a possessor of a Bloodline Nexus.

As a fellow possessor of a Bloodline Nexus, could Hagoromo truly have failed to realize that his mother would not have been sealed without any contingency?

Uchiha Li found that highly unlikely.

Thus, everything was very likely part of a multilayered game.

On the surface, Black Zetsu had spent a thousand years plotting Kaguya’s resurrection.

But it was equally possible that the Sage of Six Paths had been using Black Zetsu’s schemes to fulfill the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage.

If that was the truth, then the implications were truly terrifying.

Perhaps from the very beginning, Black Zetsu—the mastermind hidden behind the scenes—had been nothing more than a plaything in the hands of the two brothers.

After hearing Uchiha Li’s answer, Hamura studied him seriously before speaking.

“So you believe that peace can never exist in a false world? I understand what you mean.”

Hamura’s expression remained so calm as he spoke that Uchiha Li could not tell whether he was satisfied with the answer.

But it did not matter. Other people’s opinions were not his own. He only needed to remain true to himself.

The two fell silent, and for a time neither spoke. The atmosphere gradually became awkward.

At last, Hamura broke the silence.

“That will be all, child. Simply act according to what you believe in.”

Hearing this, Uchiha Li nodded without saying anything more.

Yet the doubts in his heart had not faded.

In his view, Hamura must have had a reason for seeking him out. There was no way he would suddenly ask such an insignificant question for no reason. There had to be some deeper meaning behind it.

Perhaps he had already obtained what he wanted from my answer?

Uchiha Li complained inwardly, unable to think of a better explanation.

He did not continue dwelling on it. Instead, he patted Itachi beside him, signaling him to come back to his senses.

Then Uchiha Li led Itachi away from the burial grounds of the descendants of the Otsutsuki clan.

Just as the two were about to leave completely, Hamura’s voice drifted toward them once more.

“Remember what you believe today. Do not lose yourself as they did…”

With those words, Hamura’s soul vanished into thin air.

Sensing this, Uchiha Li finally breathed a sigh of relief.

A Six Paths-level existence was intimidating even without harboring any hostility toward him.

On an instinctive level, it was the crushing pressure of overwhelming strength.

It was not a pleasant feeling. After all, he had possessed no control over the situation whatsoever.

I must hurry and increase my strength. I never want to experience this feeling again.

Uchiha Li made up his mind, and his gaze grew resolute.

The two hurried through the abandoned village without exchanging another word.

Ever since Hamura had appeared, Itachi had not spoken a single sentence. He remained in a dazed state, for everything they had just experienced was simply too unbelievable.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Itachi finally came to himself. Still looking uncertain, he turned to Uchiha Li.

“Teacher, was that senior truly the brother of our ancestor? Is our ancestor really the legendary Sage of Six Paths?”

Uchiha Li nodded.

“There is no need to doubt it. It is all true. After all, that very person was standing before us moments ago.”

“Yes… He really was standing right in front of us.”

Itachi drew a deep breath and repeated the words.

Seeing that Itachi was still somewhat shaken, Uchiha Li said, “You do not need to dwell on it so much. Even I can only look up to beings of their level for now, let alone you.

“Before them, we cannot even be considered chess pieces. All we need to do is remain true to ourselves.”

Immortal Wood’s Strange Fate

Hearing Uchiha Li’s reassurance, Itachi gave a bitter smile.

“Yes, Teacher.”

Although he was still young, the excellent education he had received since childhood had given him remarkable insight.

From the moment that senior appeared, he had sensed the tension in his teacher.

That tension had persisted until the senior vanished, and had never fully eased.

That alone revealed how terrifying Hamura truly was.

Even Teacher, who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, could not oppose him. Compared to that, I am even less worth mentioning!

Once he understood this, Itachi suddenly found himself yearning for strength with unprecedented intensity.

After remaining silent for a while, Itachi seemed to make up his mind. He turned to Uchiha Li and said, “Teacher, after we return, please increase the intensity of my training.”

“Hmm?”

Uchiha Li narrowed his eyes slightly and regarded Itachi thoughtfully.

“You had better think carefully. Strength is not so easily obtained, especially in light of my opinion of you.”

“I have thought it through. I am willing to pay the necessary price. I only ask that you judge me fairly.”

Itachi gritted his teeth, his face filled with determination.

Before learning about Uchiha Li’s Mangekyo Sharingan, he had believed that his talent and strength were already exceptional for someone his age.

But after one incident after another in recent days, everything had changed.

His two-tomoe Sharingan was nothing before his teacher, let alone before the sage they had just encountered.

He did not want to experience such helplessness again.

Therefore, even knowing that Uchiha Li might not think highly of him, he still asked his teacher to help him grow stronger.

In particular, he could not stop thinking about the stone tablet of the clan that Uchiha Li had mentioned while speaking with Hamura.

He instinctively felt that the contents of that tablet were extraordinarily important and might even bring about a disaster.

Although he had no evidence, he did not believe his intuition could be wrong.

After all, his teacher’s expression had also become extremely grave when the tablet was mentioned.

Uchiha Li looked at Itachi’s determined face. At last, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

“Since you insist, I can give you a chance.”

After a pause, Uchiha Li continued, “I only hope you will not regret it.”

“I will not regret it.”

Itachi shook his head firmly.

Uchiha Li paid no attention to his declaration and replied indifferently, “It does not matter. Once you learn certain things, regretting them will no longer be possible.”

For some reason, those words made Itachi’s heart sink.

But before he could think any further, the situation around them suddenly changed.

Countless puppets surged forth from every direction…