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"Angel!"
"Angel!"
"Angel!"
"..."
Voices began to rise around them. As more people called out, more Rain Village ninjas gathered.
Unanimously...
Everyone's eyes fell on Hashirama.
Red armor!
Such attire had not been seen for a long time.
For a moment, question marks filled everyone's minds. Who was this man who looked like he had stepped out of an old era, and why was he in the Land of Rain?
The Land of Rain hadn't had visitors for a long time!
Ever since it was saved by God...
"Eek~"
The Ying Ying monster circled around Konan, its movements completely invisible to her.
"This angel lady is so cute!"
The Ying Ying monster was a bit distracted, glancing at its bound host and then at the adorable Konan.
This was the kind of host it wanted to bind with!
"..."
Hashirama's face darkened, and the corners of his mouth twitched. This Ying Ying monster was actually thinking about the lady instead of its current host. Wasn't the little brother good enough anymore?
"Eek eek~"
The Ying Ying monster immediately realized its mistake and quickly hid behind Hashirama, rubbing against his arm.
"Host!"
"You did well!"
"I was just testing to see if you would abandon me!"
"You didn't disappoint me!"
The Ying Ying monster quickly took the initiative, speaking up and giving Hashirama a thumbs-up.
"..."
Hashirama was speechless at this useless system. Fine, play your games.
However...
To be honest...
If you can leave with someone else...
I'll burn three incense sticks for you!
At this moment.
Konan's gaze swept around, seeing the gathered crowd. Her expression darkened.
"This is none of your business."
Konan's low voice rang out, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
The person in front of her was very dangerous.
She wasn't confident she could handle him.
What she needed to do now was wait for the Six Paths Pain to arrive. Her goal was to delay.
Driving away these onlookers.
Could minimize unnecessary sacrifices!
"Yes—"
The crowd responded in unison, treating Konan's words as sacred. After all, she was their angel.
Reluctantly.
But quickly, the crowd dispersed.
In just a moment.
Only Hashirama and Konan were left.
Throughout the process, Hashirama had watched calmly, saying nothing and making no attempt to stop it.
To him.
These bystanders were minor characters, insignificant. His goal was to defeat the Akatsuki; there was no need for unnecessary actions.
"State your purpose!"
After the crowd left, Konan sighed in relief. The Akatsuki's goal was not to conquer and rule, but to bring true peace to the world.
Her voice was low, almost suppressed.
She didn't know why.
But just by standing there, this man exerted a powerful, invisible pressure on her.
It was terrifying!
"I'm here to defeat the Akatsuki."
Hashirama said directly, without any pretense, clearly stating his purpose.
"What?!"
Konan's face changed abruptly. It had been a long time since she had encountered such a straightforward person.
To say to her face that he would defeat her!
And to directly mention the Akatsuki by name!
Ever since Nagato decided to cooperate with Madara, the Akatsuki had shifted from a public organization to a secret one. Although they still wore their uniform outfits, not many people actually knew about them.
"Who are you?"
Konan took a deep breath, feeling puzzled. The man in front of her didn't seem to follow any conventional logic.
Since he came to fight!
Why hadn't he made a move?
This left her puzzled about what he meant by "defeat."
"Senju Hashirama."
Hashirama stated his name plainly, with no particular tone or emphasis.
"What?!"
Konan took a step back, her body trembling, her orange eyes fixed on Hashirama with utter disbelief.
Senju Hashirama!
As one of the founders of the Akatsuki, Konan had a strong grasp of intelligence.
This name was not unfamiliar at all.
The First Hokage!
Uchiha Madara's lifelong rival!
Thinking of the masked man, Uchiha Madara, who had approached the Akatsuki multiple times, striving for a shared ideal...
Konan suddenly understood why Senju Hashirama was here.
However...
She couldn't fathom how Senju Hashirama was still alive.
Wait!
Konan's expression changed again!
If Uchiha Madara could still be alive, why couldn't Senju Hashirama be alive as well?
These two were monsters from the Warring States period!
For a moment, Konan fell silent.
She didn't know what to say, her mind filled with questions she dared not ask.
"I know you're stalling for time."
Hashirama's black eyes fixed on Konan, a slight smile appearing on his face, giving a somewhat warm impression.
"I don't mind."
Hashirama said calmly. He didn't mind waiting for reinforcements; in fact, he looked forward to their arrival.
However...
Hashirama knew this was not a task that could be completed in one go.
There might only be a few members of the Akatsuki in the Land of Rain; the others could be scattered elsewhere.
Especially that Black Zetsu.
It might require another battle.
But.
Regardless.
This was the easiest S-rank mission Hashirama could think of at this stage.
"You... this..."
Konan looked at Hashirama in astonishment, unable to describe her feelings.
What was this?
He knew she was stalling for time but didn't care.
So confident!
Whoosh!
At that moment.
A figure swiftly ran towards Konan, moving at an incredible speed, his calm face betraying his anxiety and urgency through his actions.
This figure rushed in front of Konan, shielding her.
Orange hair.
Tied in a ponytail.
Symmetrical black piercings on his face.
Wearing a Rain Village forehead protector, slashed through the middle.
Most striking were his rippled Rinnegan eyes, giving an impression of absolute detachment.
This person was the Animal Path of the Six Paths of Pain.
"Konan, step back."
The Animal Path Pain spoke slowly, his eyes never leaving Hashirama from the moment he arrived.
"Alright."
Konan took two steps back.
Her lips moved slightly.
She wanted to say the name Senju Hashirama.
But seeing his imposing face, she couldn't utter a word.
She could only stare at Hashirama...
"Intruder, I'll give you one chance. Leave the Land of Rain immediately and never return, or I will show you no mercy!"
The Animal Path Pain's Rinnegan eyes fixed on Hashirama, his tone full of menace.
In truth.
Nagato wasn't entirely confident.
This person gave him an indescribable feeling, similar to when he saw Hanzo of the Salamander as a child.
Awe-inspiring!
However...
Nagato refused to believe or accept this. He firmly believed he was the god of this world!
"It's alright."
Hashirama crossed his arms over his chest, his black eyes calmly watching the Animal Path Pain.
"I don't need your politeness!"
(End of this chapter)