Chapter 320: Majestic Righteousness

Senju Hashirama woke from his coma.

While he had fallen asleep earlier, he vaguely heard Lian Ye's voice, and seemed to hear Lian Ye agreeing to join the Moon's Eye plan.

It was precisely hearing those words that revived him from the coma, and he wanted to verify whether it was an illusion.

But when he saw Lian Ye beside Madara Uchiha, his hard‑won rosy complexion instantly paled a few shades.

Lian Ye is really here!

In other words, I didn't mishear—Lian Ye has joined the Moon's Eye plan!

For a moment, he felt the heavens had collapsed.

The thing I've feared most all these years has finally happened!

"Lian Ye, how could you agree to Madara Uchiha?" Senju Hashirama whispered, as if unwilling to accept it.

Lian Ye is the child he has watched grow up since childhood; logically, he shouldn't have accepted Madara Uchiha's invitation!

Could something have happened in the Village over these years?

"Uncle Hashirama, I believe only Lord Ban can bring true peace to the Ninja World," Lian Ye said earnestly, "I don't want to see war break out again, nor have the Ninja World's residents live in misery."

Those words were spoken with lofty righteousness; I almost convinced myself.

I'm sorry, Uncle Hashirama, but this is unavoidable!

Only by joining Madara Uchiha's side can the companions' safety be guaranteed.

He couldn't say those words to Uncle Hashirama, so he could only temporarily sacrifice him.

Mainly because he knows the plot; Madara Uchiha won't awaken the Rinnegan until some distant, uncertain time, so agreeing now is no problem at all.

Stabilizing Madara Uchiha and protecting the companions—what's not to enjoy?

Senju Hashirama's face showed anguish: "It's not only the Moon's Eye that can achieve Ninja World peace; you can choose other methods..."

Madara Uchiha's plan is too extreme; peace achieved that way is fundamentally unreliable!

He doesn't want Lian Ye and Madara Uchiha involved; such actions would make them the public enemy of the entire Ninja World!

If others found out, they'd definitely unite to resist the two.

"You're too naive, Hashirama," Lord Ban said coldly, "Only I can achieve Ninja World peace; the other methods you mention cannot change this decaying world."

Back then, he harbored fantasies of founding the Village with Hashirama, only to discover that such a method could never bring Ninja World peace.

Hashirama merely wanted Konoha to enjoy a brief peace.

He sneered at that approach.

"Madara Uchiha..."

Hashirama tried to continue persuading, but Madara Uchiha cut him off.

"Just watch obediently as Lian Ye and I achieve Ninja World peace that day!"

"You don't need to worry about anything else."

"Hashirama, I will let you live to see that day arrive!"

Madara Uchiha wore a confident expression, his eyes glittering with hopeful light.

Senju Hashirama opened his mouth at the sight, but didn't know what to say. He now simply couldn't stop Madara Uchiha from realizing his ideal; even if he spoke more, it would be futile.

Lian Ye looked at Uncle Hashirama's despondent demeanor, feeling uneasy inside.

Uncle Hashirama watched his close friend walk the wrong path, powerless to change anything; that feeling must be terrible, right?

On top of that, having joined Madara Uchiha's side, Uncle Hashirama would feel even worse.

Even though he only pretended to join Madara Uchiha, he couldn't tell him the truth.

When the time is right, Uncle Hashirama will naturally learn the truth.

For now, he can only temporarily sacrifice Uncle Hashirama.

"Lian Ye, I respect your choice," Senju Hashirama said with a wry smile, looking at Lian Ye, "I look forward to the day you achieve your ideal."

He couldn't understand why the usually obedient Lian Ye would agree to Madara Uchiha.

What exactly happened here...

"Thank you, Uncle Hashirama," Lian Ye nodded lightly.

Seeing Senju Hashirama's sorrowful look, Madara Uchiha snorted coldly.

Hashirama never realized the benefits of the Moon's Eye plan.

His mind is full of naive ideas about achieving peace. Know that his philosophy was overturned the moment war broke out.

"Kid, when do you plan to return to the Village?" Madara Uchiha asked.

Senju Hashirama subconsciously glanced at Lian Ye; at first he thought Lian Ye had fled the Village, but now it seemed not to be as he imagined...

Lian Ye joined Madara Uchiha's plan, yet did not choose to defect, which could be considered a blessing in misfortune.

It seems Lian Ye still cares about the Village.

Hashirama thought so, and felt considerably relieved.

Now it appears Lian Ye's acceptance of Madara Uchiha's invitation may have his own hardships.

"Lord Ban, my mission deadline is one month," Lian Ye said, pulling out a Mission Scroll.

"I'll help you complete it; you stay behind to cook," Madara Uchiha took the scroll and turned away from the cave.

He had often done this kind of thing in recent years and was already very skilled.

"Thank you for the trouble, Lord Ban," Lian Ye said with some emotion.

Having Madara Uchiha help finish the mission makes him a one‑of‑a‑kind in the Ninja World, doesn't it?

With Ninja World Asura present, why worry the mission can't be completed?

As Madara Uchiha left, Senju Hashirama could no longer suppress the doubt in his heart.

"Lian Ye, why did you agree to join Madara Uchiha!"

Based on his understanding of Lian Ye, he doesn't think Lian Ye is the type of person who cares about the world.

This kid usually loves to slack off and doesn't care at all about other people's lives.

Except for those close to him…

"Secret." Lian Ye doesn't intend to tell the truth to Hashirama, "Uncle Hashirama, you only need to know that I won't harm the Village."

He knows that as long as he states his position, Uncle Hashirama won't ask further.

After all, the thing he cares about most is Konoha Village.

Sure enough, Senju Hashirama heard this and, being considerate, didn't ask again.

As long as they know Lian Ye won't harm the Village, the rest can be left to them.

Although he doesn't know why Lian Ye joined Lord Ban, Lian Ye is still the child he has watched grow up since childhood…

"Uncle Hashirama, how is your health?" Lian Ye asked with concern.

He doesn't know how long Lord Ban's flesh can keep Uncle Hashirama's body alive.

"My body is much better," Hashirama said with a smile, "I don't know what method Lord Ban used to repair my body."

Lian Ye looked at the blood at Hashirama's mouth corner and chose not to reveal the truth. Since Lord Ban didn't tell Uncle Hashirama, he wouldn't voluntarily inform him either…

"Lian Ye, how has the Village developed over these years?" Senju Hashirama asked.

Even after being away from the Village for several years, he still constantly worries about its development.

After all, Konoha Village is the life's work of his whole life!

"Uncle Hashirama, the Village is thriving under your governance."

"Haha, I knew Feijian could do it!"

The two chatted on and off, never noticing Heijue lurking in the shadows.

"Chu Zi joined the 'Moon's Eye' project?!"

Since learning that Lian Ye fell ill, it has stayed by Lian Ye's side, fearing that Chu Zi might encounter trouble.

As a result, it stumbled upon this incident…