The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

A flash of inspiration in my mind.

Naruto, who had been subconsciously lowering his head and remaining silent, suddenly raised his head and looked at Menma with a very serious yet slightly excited expression, shouting loudly.

The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, is now the biggest, and perhaps even the only, basis for Naruto's theory.

Regardless of the issue between the Senju and Uchiha clans.

It's still a problem between the five major powers.

At least judging from the results.

Hashirama truly achieved 'peace'.

But this peace is in quotation marks.

It's not the kind of peace Naruto described.

Menma had anticipated that Naruto would bring up Hashirama's existence.

He merely gave a cold laugh, then replied calmly, "The peace created by the First Hokage? Putting everything else aside, do you really think the peace created by that First Hokage is the kind you imagine and describe, Naruto?"

"what do you mean?"

Naruto's heart skipped a beat, he had a very bad feeling, and he looked at Menma with obvious tension and asked in return.

"What do I mean? The so-called mutual understanding and peace that comes from letting go of hatred is something the First Hokage never achieved. Let me ask you a question bluntly, Naruto: if the First Hokage hadn't been the God of Shinobi, if he hadn't possessed the power to overwhelm the entire shinobi world at the time, do you think he could have achieved this so-called peace?! Whether it was Madara Uchiha earlier, or the other four great nations later, could they really sit down and have a proper conversation with Hashirama Senju?"

Mianma's eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, word by word.

And these are the words that were spoken.

Let's not talk about Naruto yet.

Shuimen felt a slight tightening in his heartstrings.

Kushina glanced at her husband again subconsciously, and Minato, sensing this, shook his head slightly with a wry smile.

He truly never imagined that his eldest son could see and understand so many things.

Don't let Minato's sunny, boyish appearance fool you.

But in fact...

Watergate was never an idealist.

If we're going to nitpick the details, aside from his personality not being like Tobirama's, Minato is actually quite similar to Tobirama in many ways.

This is why it is said that if Minato could successfully take control of Konoha and continue in that position, Konoha would definitely undergo a qualitative change.

This is the second 'Tobirama' of Konoha Village.

Menma only got to the beginning, while Minato fully grasped the deeper meaning.

Naruto, however, still looked somewhat confused, as if he had vaguely grasped something but was still missing something.

"Why not? The First Generation Lord was..."

"What? You really think that Hashirama Senju persuaded Madara Uchiha and the First Kage of the four great ninja villages with words? Haha, are you really that naive? That ridiculous? Naruto? Fine, let me put it another way. Let's say that you and I, without defeating me, can truly persuade me with words. Only then can your idea be proven correct, Naruto. Do you understand?"

Menma seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. He suddenly waved his right hand, interrupting Naruto's words, and said in a cold tone.

"To put it bluntly, the reason the First Hokage was able to create so-called peace was because he was strong enough to defeat Madara Uchiha, strong enough to prevent the Four Great Nations from easily starting a war. Only then did he have the right to talk about peace and the ability to move others with sincerity. Just like what you said three years ago, that you would take Sasuke and me back even if it meant breaking our legs. Wasn't that a blatant declaration of power?! Naruto, are you, and that Hashirama Senju, any different from us, the kind of people you think only know how to solve problems with power?!"

Menma snorted coldly, and every word he uttered was like a sharp blade piercing Naruto's heart.

"Am I no different from you?"

Naruto's expression changed involuntarily, and he subconsciously took two steps back. His previously hard-won resolve was shaken by a huge blow, and his eyes revealed obvious confusion.

"Furthermore, even if we take a step back and assume that the peace that Hashirama Senju achieved was the kind you're thinking of, that he truly moved and inspired everyone with his sincerity, making that group of people from all over the world and different countries recognize your concept of peace, but in the end, such peace was proven to be just a fleeting peace for that generation. Even if your academic grades are extremely poor, you should still remember when the First Shinobi World War broke out, right, Naruto?"

Mianma pressed on, asking even more aggressively.

"It was...it was...when the First Lord passed away..."

Under Menma's interrogative gaze.

Naruto had completely lost the initiative in the conversation; no, it should be said that he had never had the initiative in the first place.

"Yes, the First Hokage died and the Fourth Shinobi World War broke out. What does that mean? It means that the so-called peace between nations is built on the existence of the First Hokage alone. And it's almost certain that the ninja villages dared not start a war because they were afraid of the First Hokage's power. Therefore, the Fourth Shinobi World War broke out as soon as he died. What's the point of such peace?! If you follow the same path as the First Hokage today, even if you succeed in the end, as long as the ninja world's structure doesn't change, war will still come on the day you die. You're just walking the wrong path that the First Hokage has already proven."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 522 Answer

"I just..."

"Just what? Still want to spout your ridiculous theory of mutual understanding?! Or are you saying that only you are right and everyone else is wrong? Are you really that arrogant? That haughty?! Naruto? Let me say it again: right now, here, it's just us family. You see, can you use your theories to convince us, including Dad and Mom? If your so-called mutual understanding can't even be accepted by your own family, what makes you think you can convince others?! With your not-so-strong power? Or, to put it another way, even if you could really use power to defeat all the opponents, doesn't that just bring us back to the previous question: what's the difference between you and me?!"

Mianma chuckled and said.

They were completely at a disadvantage, or rather, they were in a situation where they had no way to refute the argument.

Naruto could only stare blankly at Menma.

That was the way Menma subconsciously looked at Minato and Kushina as he spoke.

The two of them sighed softly and shook their heads helplessly, just like Tobirama, who felt endlessly helpless about his older brother's naive ideals.

Naruto's silly ninja way.

Minato and Kushina were equally helpless.

Mutual understanding?

We're not three-year-olds anymore.

How is that even possible?!

Factors such as interests, hatred, and kinship make it impossible for humans to understand each other.

In this world.

There can never be such a thing as true empathy.

All that exists is endless opposition.

In fact, even in the original work, the only people who explicitly expressed their support for Naruto's ideals—those who genuinely agreed with him from the bottom of their hearts—were Jiraiya, Nagato, and Obito, all of whom were identical idealistic naivetés.

Everyone else!?

It's either because of power (the other major powers).

It's either because of their relationship (Hinata, Shikamaru, Kakashi).

Or it's because of interests (other beneficiaries in Konoha).

That's why he chose to follow Naruto.

This path cannot be said to be entirely wrong.

At least as Menma said, as long as the First Hokage is alive, the peace of the ninja world can continue for another day. That means that if the First Hokage wants to maintain a long or even permanent peace, he would have to have an infinite lifespan.

After all, in this world, this is theoretically possible.

The perfect Otsutsuki bloodline.

That means one can obtain almost infinite life.

But such peace, as the saying goes, is built on one person; it seems solid, but it is actually fragile.

"Then...then...is what you did the right thing?! Even if you didn't do it willingly, you've killed so many people, and the hatred keeps piling up. In the end, this hatred will only devour everyone, including you. The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku has already prophesied that if you continue down this path, you will become a blood-red demon that destroys the entire ninja world. Is this what you call peace?! Is this the right path?! Tell me!"

I can no longer find words to support my own claims or to convince others.

Naruto could only turn his attention to Menma as well.

Even if I am wrong.

That requires proving that the other side is wrong.

At this moment, Naruto was completely out of options and was acting like a shameless child.

Although fifteen-year-old Naruto can indeed be considered a child.

They are teenagers after all.

That's why I said you're foolish; you only see the trees and not the forest.

Menma shook his head, looking at Naruto as if he were an idiot.

"What did you say!?"

Naruto's eyes widened; he was practically ready to rush up and start a fight with Minamoto.

"Have I killed many people? How does it compare to the chaotic Warring States period decades ago? Let me tell you, Naruto, humans are very pragmatic creatures. Hatred? That's an emotion that erupts when there's a lack of security or mutual benefit, just like the Senju and Uchiha clans back then. You know, those two clans were true sworn enemies, blood feuds that had lasted for hundreds of years, with each other's hands stained with blood. But why did they eventually come together? The reason wasn't what you think—that Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha reached a mutual understanding—but rather because of mutual benefit." The combination of these forces could have created the largest ninja power at the time—Konohagakure! It was an existence that the entire ninja world could not resist, as evidenced by the countless ninja clans that joined. In fact, when Hashirama Senju established the ninja village and brought these clans together, wasn't he also following the path of unification I'm talking about now? Merging those ninja clans that had once been at odds and killing each other. It's just that this First Hokage had a narrow vision; he clearly had the ability to unify the entire ninja world, but at the last step, he gave up. Otherwise, how could the subsequent conflict between the Five Great Nations have occurred?

Mianma gave a disdainful, cold laugh, paused slightly, and then continued.

"You think the First Hokage brought peace? In my opinion, it was his stupidity and naivety that led to decades of war and so many deaths. It's all his responsibility. If he had taken that step back then, so many people wouldn't be dead today. I've always believed in the saying, 'With great power comes great responsibility.' Hashirama Senju completely betrayed his responsibility; he was the real executioner, an executioner with blood on his hands! Today, I'm simply walking the path that the First Hokage should have walked more than sixty years ago. Once the ninja world is unified and all the ninja villages are merged, there will never be another war between nations. At most, it will be internal disputes like those between the Uchiha clan and Konoha. Minimizing conflicts and maximizing interests—that's the true path to peace. Naruto, your ideals only exist in dreams. Face reality!"

Another argument that was thoroughly refuted.

I believe that the point I raised is completely wrong.

Menma could easily bring up the story of Hashirama Senju.

The establishment of Konoha Village, the initial conflicts between the Senju and Uchiha clans, and their subsequent cooperation.

Naruto simply hadn't considered this aspect before.

Now that Menma has pointed it out so bluntly...

Naruto felt as if his dream had been completely shattered.

"Me? This...but..."

The strong desire to refute it deep inside.

But I just can't find a single suitable word, or a single powerful phrase.

A vague feeling crept into his heart that Menma's words might be true. The moment Naruto realized this, he was startled. How could he doubt himself?!

"And Mount Myōboku!? Hah, just a toad that knows Sage Mode, and it can even make prophecies!? Have you fallen so low that you believe even a toad's words!? A human, believing what a toad says? Naruto? You're truly laughable, you truly make me despise you, my foolish little brother!!"

It's alright if you don't mention Mount Myoboku.