Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 173

With a relieved smile, he used his last bit of strength to seal Orochimaru, who was trying to take over his body.

Then... he turned into a cold corpse.

"No...that's not true!"

Sasuke clutched his head, which felt like it was about to explode, and let out a painful roar in the chaotic space of his consciousness.

She vehemently denied the forcibly implanted memory: "Whose memory is this?! My experience is not like this! My brother... he could never have done that! How could that gentle brother do such a thing? This is not my memory!"

This period, filled with betrayal, deception, sacrifice, and irreparable regret, clashes sharply with his current happy life.

It almost tore his consciousness apart!

Chapter 195 Don't call me the First Hokage, call me Uncle Hashirama!

Just as Sasuke was struggling in agony and on the verge of losing consciousness.

A calm, gentle voice, yet with an indescribable sense of depth.

Like sunlight piercing through the fog, it rang clearly in his confused consciousness:

"Don't panic, child. This may not be your memory, but... the memory of the weapon."

Sasuke suddenly raised his head and looked around in the chaotic space of his consciousness.

He saw a blurry outline, which appeared to be a long sword gleaming with a cold light.

This is the Kusanagi sword that my future self gave to myself.

The voice continued to explain, with a soothing power: "A powerful weapon, especially one that has been used by its master with deep emotion and obsession."

"Sometimes it carries the owner's strongest longing and fragments of memories."

"This knife... its owner seems to have an extremely complex and intense obsession with a particular person."

"This obsession has been branded onto the weapons over the long years."

"When you come into contact with it, or your mind resonates with it in some way, these fragments of memory that do not belong to you are activated."

"Who?! Who's talking?!"

Sasuke cautiously surveyed the chaos of his consciousness space, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound.

"Haha! Child, don't be afraid, I'm not a bad person!"

With a hearty, energetic laugh, a figure gradually materialized in Sasuke's consciousness.

He was an extremely tall and robust man!

He wore a simple red layered armor, with a black robe underneath, and his thick black hair cascaded down his broad shoulders like a lion's mane.

His face was resolute, with distinct features, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, and he wore a bold and unrestrained smile that seemed to encompass everything.

He wore a metal headband engraved with the Konoha symbol on his forehead.

What is most impressive is the majestic aura that he naturally exudes, as profound as the earth and as vibrant as a forest!

Sasuke's pupils suddenly contracted, and his Sharingan instinctively activated in his consciousness space, the scarlet tomoe spinning wildly!

He stared incredulously at the man before him, a man who seemed to have stepped out of a myth, and exclaimed in disbelief, "You...you are...the First Hokage?! Hashirama Senju?!"

Hashirama seemed even happier upon hearing Sasuke's exclamation.

He scratched the back of his head and let out an even heartier laugh: "Hahaha! I didn't expect a kid from this era to recognize me at a glance? What an honor!"

Sasuke was speechless for a moment.

But when facing this legendary ninja god, the founder of Konoha, he was filled with awe.

Suppressing the chaos and shock in his heart, he respectfully performed a junior's bow: "Junior Uchiha Sasuke greets the First Hokage."

"Oh, don't be so formal!"

Hashirama waved his hand generously, his large, fan-like hand patting Sasuke's shoulder.

He was clearly pleased with Sasuke's attitude, and his smile grew even brighter: "Why call me First Hokage? That's too formal! Anyway, I'm not Hokage anymore, just call me Uncle Hashirama! Haha, that sounds more friendly!"

Uncle Hashirama...

Sasuke's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

This legendary figure really has a... personality.

It's a bit too unrestrained.

However, the other party's approachable and unpretentious manner relaxed his tense mind considerably.

Looking at the respectful and polite demeanor of the Uchiha descendant before him.

Hashirama couldn't help but think of his best friend, whose personality was completely opposite to his own.

The smile on his face faded slightly, replaced by a complex mix of emotion and helplessness. He sighed, "Sigh... If only that guy Ban could be as polite as you."

"That guy, all he does all day is shout things like 'Negotiations with Konoha? You'd better kneel down first,' and 'Want to give you the Tailed Beasts? Dream on!'..."

"They're all doing things that don't consider other people's feelings...it's really a headache!"

"It's so exhausting that I have to keep stepping in to stop him from destroying the ninja world!"

His complaining tone sounded more like he was venting about an old friend who was causing him endless worry.

"Um... Uncle Hashirama..."

Looking at Hashirama's genuinely complaining expression, Sasuke felt less awe and more affection for him.

He seized the opportunity and asked the most crucial question: "Where exactly is this place? Why are you here?"

He looked around at the chaotic space.

Upon hearing this, Hashirama also dropped his joking expression, crossed his arms, and looked thoughtful: "This place should be the depths of your inner world."

"As for why I'm here..."

His thick eyebrows furrowed, looking quite confused: "I don't know the specific reason either. My last memory is of being summoned from the Pure Land by a forbidden technique called 'Impure World Reincarnation'."

"Then... I think I fought another battle with that guy Madara? Hmm... I think I lost in the end? I can't remember exactly, that guy's tricks are always coming up."

Impure World Reincarnation?!

Sasuke was shocked!

He immediately realized that Hashirama was referring to the time during the Chunin Exams when Orochimaru summoned the First and Second Hokage on the rooftop to fight the Third Hokage!

He could clearly feel the shockwaves from that earth-shattering battle in the underground passage, and thought it was the Third Hokage unleashing his full power!

"Our ancestor...he...was also resurrected using the Impure World Reincarnation technique?" Sasuke asked anxiously.

Hashirama shook his head, denying Sasuke's guess: "No, his condition at the time was very strange. He wasn't resurrected by Edo Tensei..."

Hashirama struggled to recall, trying to find the right words: "He seems to be...possessed? Hmm...not entirely. It's more like he's borrowing a boy's body!"

A name flashed through Sasuke's mind in an instant! He blurted out, "Naruto Uzumaki?!"

"Yes! That's the name!"

Hashirama slapped his thigh, suddenly realizing, "Naruto Uzumaki! A blond, blue-eyed, very energetic little guy!"

"That Madara guy borrowed his body to fight me! And he's still so strong!!"

Hashirama's tone carried a hint of admiration for Madara.

Sasuke was shocked: "How is this possible? I've lived with him for so long..."

Hashirama looked at Sasuke with some confusion. "Huh? You didn't know about this? I thought everyone knew, since it caused quite a stir."

Sasuke was completely stunned!

It was as if I had been struck by lightning!

Naruto has Madara Uchiha inside him?!

That legendary Uchiha Madara?!

How can this be? !

But... if it's Naruto...

Sasuke then remembered that Naruto had once told him, "My dad is Uchiha Madara! You have to believe me!"

At the time, he thought Naruto had lost his mind, but now it seems... he was the one who was lost.

This was a truth that sent chills down his spine, yet it was also perfectly reasonable!

"This is just too outrageous..."

He watched as Sasuke fell into a deep shock and contemplation.

As if he had completed some task, Hashirama looked up at the "above" of this chaotic space, as if he could see the outside world.

His signature hearty smile returned as he patted Sasuke on the shoulder: "Alright, kid! I think you've been 'sleeping' here long enough, time to wake up! Outside... there's someone worried sick about you, almost crying! Haha!"

Hashirama's hearty laughter still echoed in Sasuke's consciousness when a gentle yet powerful force instantly enveloped him.

The chaotic scene before them vanished rapidly like the receding tide, and the towering figure of the First Hokage became blurred.

"Uncle Hashirama! Wait..."

Sasuke wanted to ask more questions, but his consciousness was uncontrollably pulled toward the exit of light.

In the real world, inside a hotel room.

Naruto sat cross-legged next to Sasuke's futon as usual, holding a freshly peeled apple in his hand, nibbling on it casually.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on Sasuke's pale face, giving him a touch of life.

Naruto looked at Sasuke's peaceful sleeping face, his brows furrowed slightly, and his azure eyes, usually so lively, were now filled with unyielding worry.

"Hey...Sasuke..."

Naruto put down the apple, his voice much lower than usual: "Today... I've improved a little bit again. That 'stillness' state seems to actually allow me to sense a bit of natural energy... although it's very vague... Perverted Sage said this is very important..."

He spoke as if reporting something, yet also as if talking to himself: "If you don't wake up soon, once I learn Sage Mode, you really won't be able to catch up with me... Don't blame me for bullying you then..."

He reached out, hesitated for a moment, and then, just like a few days ago, gently poked Sasuke's bandaged arm: "Hey...did you hear me...you arrogant Sasuke..."

Sasuke's thick, raven-feather-like eyelashes trembled very slightly!