Comparison of the two Hokage: Both ninja worlds are devastated.

It contained a short article, written in extremely messy handwriting, like a hastily scribbled draft.

Fish is what I desire, and bear's paw is also what I desire; if I cannot have both, I will give up fish and take bear's paw.

(I like to eat fish, and I also like to eat bear's paw; if I can't eat both, I'll give up fish and eat bear's paw instead.)

I desire life, and I also desire righteousness. If I cannot have both, I will give up life for righteousness.

(Life is what I want, and justice is what I want; if I cannot have both, I will give up life for justice.)

Life is what I desire, but there are things I desire even more than life, so I will not seek to preserve it by any means.

(Life is something I want to have, but there are things I want even more than life, so I am unwilling to live a life of ignominy.)

Death is something I abhor, but there are things I abhor even more than death, therefore there are calamities I will not avoid.

(Death is something I abhor, but there are things I abhor even more, so I am unwilling to avoid certain calamities simply because I abhor death.)

If what people desire most is life, then why not use any means to obtain life?

(If nothing is more desirable than life itself, then what wouldn't people do to survive?)

If nothing is more abhorrent to people than death, then why not do anything that can avert calamity?

(If nothing is more abhorrent than death, then what wouldn't one do to escape the calamity of death?)

Therefore, there are things that are born but not used, and there are things that can be avoided but not done.

(But some people, who could have lived by doing this, do not do it; who could have escaped death by doing this, do not do it.)

Therefore, there are things that one desires more than life, and things that one hates more than death. This is not something that only the virtuous have; everyone has these feelings, but the virtuous are able to retain them.

(From this we can see that there are indeed things more desirable than life, and things more detestable than death.)

This quality is not something only the wise possess; everyone has it, but the wise are simply able to retain it.

Every word in this secret room was meticulously prepared by someone.

Many things and many contents can be associated with him with just a slight extension.

Perhaps it was something he had done in the past.

Perhaps, it was a boastful statement made in the past.

Tsunade immediately recalled a brief conflict that had occurred between Uehara Shimei and Jiraiya before Uehara became Jiraiya's apprentice.

At that time, Uehara Shinmei said to Jiraiya:

"Lord Jiraiya, what we pursue is a great undertaking that is unprecedented in all time. It is to create something from nothing and lay the foundation for future generations."

On this gambling table, life is the cheapest thing.

So, next time you come, be prepared.

Thinking back to the resolute decision the two made at that time,

Looking at the scroll in her hand, Tsunade fell silent.

After a long while, he thought to himself:

"One cannot have both fish and bear's paw, therefore one must choose the bear's paw over the fish."

"Your teacher's principles of forbearance and your ideals are mutually exclusive, so you have no choice but to sacrifice yourself for righteousness. Is this your magnanimity and understanding?"

"And Jiraiya, when he heard the news of his teacher's death yesterday, he didn't even show the slightest surprise."

So, from that day on, you probably already foresaw this day would come, didn't you?

"To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to establish a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations."

"I hope you can really do it, otherwise, I, Tsunade, am not someone to be trifled with."

……

Time passed, and one by one, the people in the secret room emerged.

Outside the door, Uehara Siming's voice rang out at just the right moment.

"The most precious thing a person has is life, and each person only has one life."

But everyone eventually dies.

This is the law of the universe, and even saints cannot escape it.

No matter how strong one's power, how high one's status, how lofty one's thoughts, or how strong one's will, regardless of gender, nationality, or race,

In the end, they will all turn into a handful of yellow earth and disappear with the wind.

When I understood this, I realized what I truly wanted: to pursue the value of life and the splendor of death.

Because the demise of the physical body is inevitable, but the legacy you create may endure forever.

I hope that one day, when I look back on my life and recall the past, I will not regret wasting my years, nor will I be ashamed of having accomplished nothing.

On the verge of death, I can proudly say: I have dedicated my entire life and all my energy to the most magnificent and greatest cause in the world—the struggle for the liberation of mankind and the progress of society and civilization.

This is my ambition.

Now you can tell me your answer: will you cut off my head, or follow me and pursue that unattainable dream?

Uehara Siming's voice was very calm, without the slightest ripple.

But at this moment, everyone watching the comparison video on the scroll couldn't help but feel a strong sense of unease.

Although I know that Uehara Shimei eventually became Hokage and is still alive and well.

Although he knew that he had accomplished many unprecedented feats and gained everyone's recognition.

But just like reading a novel, in almost all of these works, the protagonists invariably achieve success in the end, but your emotions still fluctuate with the ups and downs of the plot.

But facing Uehara Siming, a "protagonist" who is practically perfect and has even completely exceeded expectations.

They feel a strong sense of empathy whenever the plot goes even slightly wrong.

Even more excited than Uehara Simo herself.

Fortunately, their worries were completely unnecessary.

Chapter 26: New Bonds Established, Uehara Siming is Overjoyed

No sooner had Uehara Siming finished speaking than a figure fell to the ground with a thud.

He shouted in a voice so excited it was almost trembling:

"Minato Namikaze, a Jonin of Konoha, pays his respects to the Hokage. From this day forward, I am determined to follow you to the death."

As Uehara Siming's classmate, friend, and best buddy, he is one of the few loyal subordinates whose bond with her reached 100% a long time ago.

He had originally planned to use this as a starting point to elicit further discussion at a crucial moment.

But at this moment, every action, every word, every phrase, comes from the heart and arises spontaneously.

There was no hint of reluctance or deliberateness.

Having witnessed such lofty and magnificent thoughts and aspirations, it would be difficult for even a complete stranger to remain unmoved, let alone him.

As Minato Namikaze's voice faded, several other voices rang out almost simultaneously.

"I am willing to follow Shigesaku Hatake."

Before entering this secret room, Konoha's White Fang was like a walking corpse, devoid of his soul.

At this moment, it was like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, so sharp that it was impossible to look directly at it.

This true believer of the Will of Fire, whose faith had crumbled due to betrayal and abandonment by higher-ups, rebuilt his beliefs and became even more steadfast than before.

"As a teacher, it is only natural to support my disciple's ideals. I, Jiraiya, acknowledge you as the Fourth Hokage of Konoha."

Jiraiya's eyes glistened with tears.

For him, nothing was more gratifying than seeing a real glimmer of hope for peace.

No words can adequately describe the joy I feel at this moment.

The choice between risking his life and upholding the principles of ninjutsu was indeed cruel, but fortunately, he made the right bet.

"As a disciple, it is only natural to support my teacher's ideals. I, Kakashi Hatake, will follow him to the death."

The young boy, who hadn't yet graduated from the Ninja Academy, kept his eyes fixed on his father.

After seeing White Fang begin to shine again, he followed suit, adopting a cool demeanor.

"Uehara-kun, you are far more magnanimous than I imagined. As a fellow Daoist, I am also eager to witness what a truly immortal undertaking looks like."

I look forward to your future, esteemed Fourth Hokage.

As one of the few wise men who were not completely brainwashed and who, unusually, had some awareness of someone's schemes.

Orochimaru not only had no intention of exposing them, but instead added fuel to the fire with great interest.

After Hiruzen Sarutobi was killed, the bet placed by this former Hokage disciple, who was the most likely successor to the Hokage position, did indeed strengthen the confidence of many people.

"Hahaha, this is what true passionate youth is all about! I've found a new direction to strive for: to unleash all my will and passion for the Hokage."

Matt Day's eyes were brimming with tears, and he was extremely agitated.

……

As more and more people join in,

Even those who didn't think much of it or were dissatisfied with Uehara Shinmei killing the Third Hokage had no choice but to kneel down in accordance with the times.

Not only because everyone who comes here has already established a certain degree of bond with Uehara Siming.

All that's needed to truly surrender is a reason.

Furthermore, the people gathered outside this secret room, along with the forces they represented, encompassed more than 70% of the entire Konoha's power.

With such widespread recognition, it's almost self-evident who will be Konoha's future leader.

It can be said that those who are not smart will be easily fooled, while those who are smart will not make trouble for themselves.

Everything had already been settled the moment they entered the secret chamber behind them.

And seeing that everyone except for a certain arrogant person had submitted to and obeyed Uehara Siming.

On the scroll, the barrage of comments instantly reached a spectacular climax.