Chapter 34: Hashirama's Ambition

Qianshouqin didn't dare to touch the roasted rabbit in the end, but every word Ling said to him left an indelible mark in his heart - but what puzzled him most was that Ling chose to let him go even though he knew he was Qianshou.

[Those who are destined to become enemies should be killed resolutely, right? Why did you let me go? Are you trying to shake my resolve as a ninja? ]

Thinking of this, Qian Shouqin couldn't help but laugh bitterly, [No... I overestimate myself if I think so. Judging from his expression, it must be because my self-destructive remarks pleased him that he let me go, right? But even so, isn't he an Uchiha? Why...]

"Qin! You are here!"

Qin was so startled by the voice that rang in his ears that he almost jumped up, but the palm that was almost as big as his own firmly pressed him down. The voice came again, "Don't get excited, don't get excited, it's me, Hashirama, Hashirama."

Senju Qin covered his heart which was beating so hard that it seemed to burst out of his chest, and said with a hint of complaint in his voice, "Really, Master Hashirama, please don't scare me. I'm very timid..."

"You don't have to call me Hashirama-sama, just Hashirama, Hashirama." The teenager with a watermelon-like haircut smiled brightly, "The clan just gathered everyone to talk about the dangerous people that need to be watched out for during missions. It's a pity that you missed it... By the way, where did Qin go this afternoon?"

"Eh? I went to the back mountain of Nanhechuan to practice..." Qianshou Qin lowered his eyes, "What did the tribe say?"

"It didn't say much, just some powerful characters that were allowed to abandon the mission and escape after encountering them," Hashirama put his hands behind his head, "But I never expected that the Uchiha Ling that I met on the last mission was unanimously rated as a dangerous person by those seniors, and they all said he was the most dangerous."

"Eh?" Qian Shouqin was stunned and raised his head, "Why do you say that?"

"Hmm..." Hashirama crossed his arms, looking distressed, "I'm confused because no one said anything. Everyone just kept repeating how dangerous he is, but when asked about specific examples, they only used adjectives like sinister and cunning..."

"...But hasn't Hashirama seen him?" Senju Qin raised his hand and touched the back of his neck, looking a little uncomfortable. "Even so, can't you make a judgment?"

"How should I put it? He's just an Uchiha who behaves strangely, right? Well, I think all Uchiha are similar in terms of being weird... Didn't the clan also say that you should never try to guess the behavior of a madman?"

Hashirama turned his head and said, "Anyway, Qin, do you have time tonight? If so, I'll tell you what I heard this afternoon - what's wrong with you? You look so unhappy, did I really scare you badly just now? If so, I'm sorry first... Do you want me to accompany you to the medical department?"

Looking at Hashirama's apologetic expression, Senju Tsutomu shook his head stiffly, "No, it's not you, it's my own problem..."

"What happened?"

"I…I…I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Qin. If you don't want to talk, you don't have to. There's no need to force yourself." Hashirama gently patted Senju Qin's back. "But if you want to talk, you can always come to me. As long as I can help you, I will definitely help you."

Senju Qin's face turned a little paler, and he opened his mouth several times but couldn't say anything. Hashirama just followed him quietly, waiting patiently. Just when he wanted to change the subject, Senju Qin spoke.

"I...saw Uchiha Ling, just now...in an open space upstream of the Nanga River."

Hashirama finally restrained his casual attitude, and his aura became calm in an instant, "...just now?"

"Well, he occupied the place where I usually practice..." Qian Shouqin nodded slightly, "He hid his aura very well, and he didn't wear clothes with the clan emblem, so I thought he was a wandering ninja, so I tried to remind him to leave... But when I got close to him, he locked me with murderous intent, and I didn't even dare to run away..."

Hashirama tightened his hand on Senju Tsutomu's shoulder slightly, his expression serious, "Yeah, I understand, I was also targeted by him with murderous intent at that time, and then he said a lot of confusing things..."

"But he's really strange. He clearly has murderous intentions, but he doesn't have hostility..." Qian Shouqin lowered his head, and unconsciously raised his hand to touch the back of his neck. "In the end, he let me go for some inexplicable reason, and told me to run away if I saw him on the battlefield. Before leaving, he helped me to resolve my worries...

I really don't understand now... Hey, Hashirama, what do you think that Uchiha wanted to do? He didn't kill me but let me go. Does he think I'm too weak to be killed?"

"Don't say that," Hashirama turned his head and looked at his peer, "People are not objects. Words like "value or not" used to measure objects should not be used on people. As for what Uchiha Ling said..."

Senju Qin raised his head, but happened to see the twitching corner of Hashirama's mouth. He couldn't help but tilt his head in confusion, "What did that Uchiha say...?"

"Ignore it for now." Hashirama's eyes fell in the direction of the Uchiha clan's territory, his expression became much more serious, "One day I will ask him face to face...

Now, Qin, I have a hunch, a very, very strong hunch.

That Uchiha Ling is not an Uchiha who cannot communicate. If our two clans can talk openly and honestly, maybe our two clans can open the prelude to peace together. At that time, people will no longer have to--"

"This is too far-fetched," Senju Tsutomu interrupted Hashirama, "Even if the ninja world is experiencing peace as Hashirama said, it is impossible for the Senju and Uchiha to join forces first? According to the current situation, we will only consider peace after one of our clans has destroyed the other, right?"

"How do you know if you don't try?" Hashirama smiled, his eyes full of expectations for the future, "By then, the children can grow up peacefully without losing their parents, and they no longer have to lift heavy weapons to survive.

Everyone can live to a ripe old age, and no one will be affected by war for no reason, and then grieve over the loss of their loved ones. Everyone can pursue what they like according to their own ideas...

No matter how much a person loves fighting and conflict, there is always a peaceful haven in his heart that cannot be touched. Doesn't this just show that everyone longs for peace in their hearts?

As long as someone can stand up, open their hearts and accept everyone equally, the era when everyone can live and work in peace and contentment will surely come. If no one is willing to take the first step, then let me do it! I will prove to everyone that world peace is not just a lie - I have always believed this!"

Senju Qin looked at Hashirama's determined expression and couldn't help laughing, "Haha, your wish is too grand, isn't it? It sounds really good... But compared to this wish, Hashirama, you'd better be careful. After all, if the clan leader hears this, he will definitely chase you with a stick again."

Hearing this, Hashirama suddenly shuddered and quickly turned his head to look around. He no longer had the brilliance he had when he made his grand speeches, but instead looked a little sneaky. "I can't help it. After all, I'm still accumulating strength... Ahem, I'd better tell you about the dangerous people you need to watch out for first, right?"

"Well, thank you..." Senju Qin nodded, but then he thought of the encounter with Uchiha Ling just now, "Um, Hashirama, before that, shall we go report to the clan first?"

"Well, you are right. Let's go! Let's go talk to the clan about the sick Uchiha first."