Could it be... not true?
Based on the understanding Itachi Uchiha had been raised with since childhood, it was Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha who had jointly founded the Hidden Leaf Village (Konohagakure) back then.
So why, now, was it different in the words of the Hokage-sama?
A hint of confusion flashed in Itachi Uchiha's eyes.
Kakashi walked over to him, gently pulled up the twelve or thirteen-year-old Uchiha boy, and then their figures instantly vanished from the office.
When the two reappeared, they were already on the rooftop of the Hokage Tower.
"Look at that."
Kakashi pointed to Hashirama Senju's rock-carved face diagonally above them.
"That is the First Hokage-sama."
Itachi Uchiha spoke instinctively.
"That's right. Do you think the First Hokage or Madara Uchiha was stronger?"
Kakashi asked a question that was obvious, one that everyone in the Ninja World knew the answer to.
"Naturally, it was the First Hokage-sama."
Itachi Uchiha didn't quite understand why the Hokage-sama in front of him would ask such a question.
"During the late Warring States period, Lord Hashirama led by example and established the Leaf Village, attracting the Hyūga, the Ino–Shika–Chō, the Aburame, the Inuzuka, and other ninja clans to co-found the Leaf. During this time, a large number of civilians also came here to settle down and start their lives because of Lord Hashirama's great power."
"The only clan in the entire Land of Fire that didn't come was the Uchiha clan, due to their long-standing entanglement with the Senju clan."
"Furthermore, because Madara Uchiha's younger brother, Izuna Uchiha, died at the hands of Lord Tobirama, it caused Madara Uchiha to be hostile towards Lord Tobirama."
"Given this, how could the Uchiha clan be willing to join the Leaf Village?"
Listening to Kakashi's words, Itachi Uchiha was a little confused.
Why did a clan like the Uchiha eventually join the Senju clan in founding the Leaf Village?
"Of course, it was because of the power of the First Hokage-sama, a power that the entire Ninja World couldn't resist."
Seeing Itachi's confusion, Kakashi curled his lips into a cold smile, not letting the boy remain puzzled for too long.
"In the final battle between the First Hokage-sama and Madara Uchiha, even Madara, who had transplanted Izuna Uchiha's eyes and possessed the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, was utterly defeated by Lord Hashirama's Wood Style."
Itachi Uchiha's expression did not change as he listened to Kakashi's words.
As the Hokage, it was far too easy to learn the secrets of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan. Moreover, the person right beside him was essentially the Uchiha clan's ultimate weapon.
"Afterward, in order to make Madara Uchiha understand the true meaning of peace, the First Hokage-sama was willing to commit suicide just to make Madara Uchiha join the Leaf Village."
"Inspired by this spirit, even Madara Uchiha had to admire the First Hokage-sama's magnanimity."
The wind blew through the dazzling, fiery long robe. Itachi Uchiha looked at Kakashi in front of him and the sweeping view of the Leaf Village, and he now understood Kakashi's meaning.
Rather than saying that the Uchiha clan and the Senju clan jointly founded the Leaf Village, it was more accurate to say that the Uchiha clan was forced to join the Leaf Village after being defeated in battle.
Because of the power of Hashirama Senju alone, where he was, was the Leaf Village.
The Uchiha clan was nothing more than a defeated faction.
Their status was even lower than that of the so-called Hyūga, Aburame, Sarutobi, and Ino–Shika–Chō clans.
In the end, even when Madara Uchiha defected from the Leaf Village, drove the Nine-Tails, and tried to destroy everyone's home, he was still miserably defeated by Hashirama Senju's hand.
A defeated person, a defector, a traitor.
All three of these identities were brought about by Madara Uchiha.
But the First Hokage-sama, with his vast generosity, not only disregarded this completely but also showed no intention of punishing the Uchiha clan at all.
This clan, surviving under the grace and mercy of Lord Hashirama...
Not only did they not know how to be grateful, but now they actually wanted to become the Hokage through a coup d'état?
Such a despicable, detestable clan...
Itachi Uchiha was in agonizing pain.
"Hokage... sama."
Looking at the man in front of him, Itachi Uchiha didn't know how to speak.
No matter how despicable this clan was, he was still a member of it.
"While the hawkish faction within the Uchiha clan is indeed repulsive, there are also many innocent people among them."
Kakashi reached out and gently patted the Uchiha boy's shoulder, his tone as calm and gentle as the wind.
"Husbands working hard for their wives, children diligently studying for their parents, elders peacefully living out their final years, pregnant women nurturing new life, innocent infants in swaddling clothes..."
"These people are innocent, do you understand?"
"Itachi."
Itachi Uchiha looked at the man before him, his heart filled with an unspeakable feeling.
Facing a clan that he viewed as so narrow-minded and ungrateful...
The Hokage-sama still cared for the innocent people among them.
Indeed, the Hokage-sama, like the First Hokage-sama, was a man of great mercy.
Beneath the Hokage-sama's seemingly stern exterior was a soft heart.
His brilliance was enough to illuminate anyone.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Itachi Uchiha felt somewhat ashamed.
His own capacity for tolerance was far inferior to the man before him.
Perhaps this was why the other man was able to become the Hokage.
"Itachi, you are different from others."
"The future that Shisui couldn't see, you have seen."
"The heavy burden of the Uchiha will rest upon your shoulders in the future."
"I initially allowed Fugaku to join the Elder Council, hoping he could use his increased voice to suppress the hawkish members of the clan. Unfortunately, Fugaku did not seize this opportunity."
"Instead, the hawks took advantage of Fugaku's increased influence to become even more brazen in the village, so much so that unnecessary events could happen at any moment."
"I hope that you can, in the shortest possible time, gather a list of all the hawkish members for me."
Listening to Kakashi's words, Itachi Uchiha's heart trembled, but he nodded firmly.
Father disappointed the Hokage-sama's expectations, but I absolutely cannot disappoint him.
My faults as a son will be rectified by me!
Everything... is for the Uchiha!
However...
Itachi Uchiha looked up at Kakashi, a hint of hesitation in his voice:
"Hokage-sama, I also have a younger brother named Sasuke..."
Kakashi nodded upon hearing this.
"I said before, innocent people are blameless."
"Sasuke is naturally one of them."
"And I give you my promise: when Sasuke graduates from the Academy, he will become my personal disciple."
Hearing Kakashi's words, Itachi Uchiha raised his head to look at the Hokage in disbelief.
The Hokage-sama's... personal disciple!
It was important to know that a Hokage's personal disciple was naturally granted the right to vote in Hokage elections!
Such a magnificent mind, such a merciful Hokage.
The narrow-minded Uchiha clan was simply not fit to be compared to the Hokage-sama!
They wanted to become the Hokage through a low-level tactic like a coup d'état?!
It was simply a pipe dream!
Everything the Hokage-sama was doing was right!
"Hokage-sama, Itachi Uchiha..."
"Pledges his life to your service!"
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