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Takuya faced Roshi and Han with unwavering confidence. The two Jinchūriki knew they had no choice but to surrender. Resistance or escape would only lead to their deaths.
"Tch!"
"Who in the entire ninja world doesn't know your strength?" Roshi remarked calmly. "Countless strong shinobi have fallen at your hands. We'd be fools to resist."
Roshi vividly recalled the time when Takuya fought against the other Kage of the Five Great Shinobi Nations. That overwhelming power could crush nearly everything. Now, years had passed, and Takuya's strength had likely grown even more. Attempting to resist or flee would only bring calamity to themselves and their village. It was better to accept their fate.
Han remained silent, his stillness signaling agreement with Roshi's thoughts. When Takuya spoke, it was as if their deaths were already decreed. There was no point in causing further trouble for the village.
"Smart decision," Senju Takuya said, his gaze shifting between Roshi and Han with a hint of approval.
Kitsuchi, the Fourth Tsuchikage, sighed softly. "Takuya is the true god of the ninja world. Whoever he wishes to die will die. That is the extent of his power."
"Hokage, may I ask you something?" Roshi suddenly spoke up.
"What is it?" Takuya asked with a faint smile.
"Can you allow me to leave the village before I die?" Roshi asked. He had been a Jinchūriki since childhood and was always under strict surveillance. The only time he had left the village was during the Third Shinobi World War. His long-held wish was to travel and see the world beyond the confines of his village.
"Roshi, just accept your fate. How can you think of such nonsense?" Han scolded. "Hokage-sama, I hope you won't trouble the village after we're gone."
"Han, you idiot! Who asked you to speak for me? Want to fight?!" Roshi, furious, rolled up his sleeves, ready to strike.
"Not interested," Han snorted, turning his head away to ignore Roshi.
At that moment, a girl with short black hair stepped forward. "Are you the legendary Hokage-sama? Can I ask you something?"
"Kurotsuchi, don't be disrespectful," Kitsuchi scolded. "This is not the time for you to speak!"
"Don't be so harsh, Kitsuchi. Let her speak," Takuya said, intrigued as he looked at Kurotsuchi.
"Hokage-sama, why do you want to collect the tailed beasts? Uncle Roshi and Uncle Han are good people. Can't you let them go?" Kurotsuchi asked earnestly.
"Collecting the tailed beasts is to enhance my power. As for Roshi and Han, I can only apologize," Takuya replied calmly.
"But you're already the strongest shinobi in the world. Why do you need more power? With your current strength, no one can oppose you," Kurotsuchi asked, confused.
"You don't understand. Everything I do is to better protect the ninja world. Beyond our world, in the depths of the universe, there are enemies far more terrifying. Even with my current power, I can't be certain I can defeat them," Takuya explained with a calm demeanor.
Everyone present gasped in disbelief. "What? There's someone stronger than you, Takuya-sama?" Kitsuchi couldn't help but ask. He was unaware of the Ōtsutsuki clan and the threats they posed.
"There's no doubt. I have no reason to lie. If I don't obtain the power needed to crush these future threats, the entire ninja world will be destroyed," Takuya stated softly.
Understanding dawned on Kitsuchi, Roshi, and Han. They realized that Takuya's pursuit of power was for the safety of the ninja world. In this light, sacrificing themselves seemed justifiable.
"Hokage-sama, do it. Take our lives," Roshi and Han said solemnly. Although Takuya's words were hard to believe, they didn't doubt him. With Takuya's power, there was no need for lies.
"Uncle Roshi, Uncle Han..." Kurotsuchi clung to Kitsuchi's legs, tears streaming down her face. These two uncles had always been kind to her, teaching her many jutsu. Now that they were about to die, her heart ached with sorrow.
"Kurotsuchi, don't cry. A ninja mustn't be so fragile. We'll be watching over you from the afterlife," Roshi and Han tried to comfort her.
"Why are you all so grim? I just want to extract the Four-Tails and the Five-Tails. This doesn't have to be a life-and-death scenario," Takuya chuckled bitterly.
"Hokage-sama, don't you know? A Jinchūriki will die if the tailed beast is removed," Kurotsuchi said, her voice trembling.
"Don't worry. That rule doesn't apply to me. I promise you, Roshi and Han will survive after the tailed beasts are removed," Takuya reassured her with a smile.
"Huh?" Everyone was shocked once more. Could something like this really be possible? But given Takuya's immense power, perhaps he truly could achieve such a feat.
"Alright, let's begin. You'll see soon enough," Takuya said lightly, noticing the hope and excitement returning to their faces. Letting them despair first and then giving them hope would ensure their gratitude. And of course, it wouldn't hurt to earn Kurotsuchi's favor. Why not?
---
Takuya didn't bother explaining how the Jinchūriki would survive after having their tailed beasts extracted. Instead, he began the process of removing Four Tails and Five Tails from Roshi and Han.
Soon, both Son Gokū (Four Tails) and Kokuō (Five Tails) were sealed into Senju Takuya's body. After the sealing, he simply warned them and then ignored them, knowing that Shukaku and Kurama could explain things better than he could.
"Lord Hokage, Han has lost his breath!" Kitsuchi exclaimed, looking at Roshi and Han lying on the ground.
Kurotsuchi ran to Takuya with fear. "Master Hokage, didn't you say that Uncle Roshi and Uncle Han wouldn't die? Why are they like this? Save them!" she cried, grabbing the corner of Takuya's clothes.
"Be good, don't cry. I said they wouldn't die, and they won't," Takuya said, wiping the tears from Kurotsuchi's face. Seeing his smile, Kurotsuchi nodded obediently and stepped aside.
Takuya walked up to Roshi and Han. He reached out and injected a powerful and vigorous vitality into their bodies. In just a moment, their faces became rosy, and their breathing stabilized.
"They're alive!" Kurotsuchi shouted excitedly. Kitsuchi, however, was shocked. He had thought that when Takuya said the Jinchūriki wouldn't die, he had a special method to prevent their deaths. But he never expected that Takuya would resurrect them after they died. This method was both simple and crude, yet incredibly effective. With the power to resurrect the dead, Takuya seemed more like a god.
For a moment, Kitsuchi's feelings were mixed. He realized he must be careful with what he said and did from now on. No matter what happened, he had to firmly support Takuya.
"We're not dead?" Roshi and Han slowly opened their eyes, feeling the strangeness of coming back from the dead. Just moments ago, they had felt their life force drain away along with the tailed beasts. Yet, they were alive again.
"The tailed beasts are gone. That's great...that's great..." Roshi said, looking inside his body and confirming that the tailed beast had been removed. He knelt and bowed respectfully to Takuya. "Master Hokage, thank you. If you have any orders in the future, just tell me. Even if it costs my life, I won't hesitate."
Kitsuchi and Han were shocked by Roshi's transformation. Normally, Roshi had a hot temper and often quarreled with Kitsuchi. But now, he was expressing gratitude. They didn't know that to Roshi, the tailed beast was always a burden. With the tailed beast removed, he no longer had to be monitored by the Anbu and could travel the ninja world freely. His dream had become a reality, and he was grateful to Takuya.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Han said calmly, standing aside after his thanks. Takuya didn't care about their performances. With their current strength, they couldn't help him.
"Master Hokage, you're amazing!" Kurotsuchi said, hugging Takuya excitedly. After what happened, she felt much closer to him, seeing him as a gentle big brother rather than the rumored cold-blooded killer.
"How about it? I didn't lie to you, did I?" Takuya said, touching Kurotsuchi's head and smiling.
"Um. Hokage-sama, how did you do that? Can you teach me?" Kurotsuchi asked excitedly.
"Haha...this kind of thing is too dangerous for you now. But I can teach you some other ninjutsu," Takuya chuckled. Reviving others consumed real life force, which was nothing to him but would be a life-for-life forbidden technique for ordinary people. Even if Kurotsuchi learned it, it would be useless unless she wanted to die.
"Really? That's great," Kurotsuchi said, her disappointed face lighting up with a smile.
"Kurotsuchi, don't be ridiculous. Master Hokage is busy," Kitsuchi scolded.
"Kitsuchi, it's fine. I haven't had much to do in the past few days, so I'm visiting Iwagakure," Takuya smiled.
"Great! Hokage-sama, let's go now. There are many interesting places in Iwagakure. I'll show you around," Kurotsuchi said, pulling Takuya outside.
Takuya didn't resist, smiling as he held Kurotsuchi's hand and followed. In his heart, Kurotsuchi was already his intended wife. Although she was still young, it was good to cultivate feelings early.
After they left, Kitsuchi sighed helplessly. The thought of Takuya's plan to choose a wife made him feel like his daughter was being taken by a pig. Yet, he hoped to use Kurotsuchi to strengthen his relationship with Takuya.
For now, Kitsuchi was torn. Should Kurotsuchi marry Takuya for the sake of their village, or should he try to protect her from this fate?
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