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"What?"
Hidan widened his eyes in surprise as he looked at the figure standing not far away.
The man was dressed in red armor.
Standing there quietly.
Calm and composed.
It seemed like he had everything under control!
Hidan disliked people who acted this way, pretending to understand everything when they actually understood nothing!
"Do you really know him?"
"Who is he?"
"What gives him the right to stand here?"
Hidan asked a string of questions, directing them all at Kakuzu.
However...
Cold sweat was soaking through Kakuzu's headgear.
This was bad!
Kakuzu was regretting it!
He had constantly warned Hidan to watch his mouth, to not speak recklessly, but now, a moment of carelessness had caused trouble!
If he had known this would happen...
He would have definitely taught Hidan to hold his tongue!
Kakuzu remained silent.
His emerald green eyes were fixed on the man, not daring to look away for even a moment.
Facing this man...
No amount of hearts would be enough!
Kakuzu knew that even if he kept staring, if the man wanted to kill him, there was nothing he could do.
"Kakuzu, say something!"
Hidan's face darkened. He glanced at Kakuzu, then back at the man inside the room.
"What's going on here?"
Hidan furrowed his brows tightly, suddenly realizing that things were not so simple.
The situation seemed very complicated!
"Allow me to introduce myself."
At this moment, Hashirama's voice echoed through the quiet room.
"My name is Hashirama Senju."
Hashirama's voice was calm and ordinary, but in the ninja world, his name was anything but ordinary.
"What!"
Kakuzu staggered back a step, his eyes filled with even more fear as he looked at the man.
It really was him!
Wasn't the First Hokage supposed to be dead?
Why was he standing here?
Could it be that the First Hokage had transcended life and death?
Kakuzu's eyes were glued to the man, his mind a storm of confusion, unable to speak a word.
"Hashirama Senju…"
"Why does that sound so familiar?"
"I feel like I've heard that name before."
Hidan rubbed his forehead. Being a follower of Jashin, he wasn't well-versed in the ninja world's history and common knowledge.
But the name sounded so familiar!
He had definitely heard it before!
"He is the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju."
Kakuzu's voice was very low as he tugged hard on Hidan's clothes, signaling him to stop talking.
"So he's the First Hokage!"
"Isn't he the one who..."
"Back then, after battling you for three hundred rounds, he fled in defeat."
"The one you chased for eight hundred miles, Hashirama Senju."
"I remember now!"
Hidan's face lit up with understanding. He looked at Hashirama with a relaxed expression, as if he was staring at a loser.
"..."
Konan was speechless at Hidan's words and swallowed hard.
How much had Kakuzu boasted to Hidan?
He had even fabricated such experiences!
How shameless!
The worst part was...
This Immortal Duo.
One dared to brag.
The other believed it.
Unbelievable!
Konan discreetly took a few steps back, putting some distance between herself and the Immortal Duo.
She didn't want to get involved!
"Hidan, stop talking."
Kakuzu's mask hid his face, but the panic in his eyes was unmistakable.
This was a disaster!
Talking big was a mistake!
Kakuzu wished he could slap himself!
Why boast for no reason?
Kakuzu had thought it was safe to brag about dead people. After all, there were no witnesses left from that era.
He never imagined he would one day stand before the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and have his lies exposed by his own teammate.
How humiliating!
"Why not?"
Hidan frowned, puzzled by Kakuzu's reaction. He thought now was the perfect time to flaunt their glorious achievements in front of the First Hokage.
"Kakuzu."
"Don't hold back!"
"The boss called us here."
"This guy shows up now."
"I think he might be our new member."
"We need to put the newbie in his place!"
Hidan spoke matter-of-factly, already imagining Hashirama in a subordinate role.
"..."
Kakuzu was at a loss for words.
There was nothing left to say.
It was over!
All of it!
This wasn't just embarrassing anymore; it could cost them their lives!
"I am indeed new here."
Hashirama interjected suddenly, his dark eyes fixing on Hidan, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"But I think I'm suited to be the boss."
Hashirama struggled to hold back his laughter, having noticed Kakuzu's subtle reactions as Hidan spoke.
What must it feel like to be betrayed by a teammate?
And the worst part...
That teammate had no idea there was even a problem.
It was quite amusing.
"You?"
Hidan scoffed at Hashirama, a mocking smirk forming on his lips.
"You can't even beat Kakuzu."
"How could you be the boss?"
"With your strength."
"I don't even have to guess."
"You can't beat me either!"
Hidan spoke with disdain. Partly because he believed it, and partly to put the newcomer in his place.
If he didn't, his status in the Akatsuki might drop.
With anyone else, Hidan might lack confidence.
But this was the First Hokage; he was too weak!
Almost all of Hidan's information about the First Hokage came from Kakuzu.
If Kakuzu couldn't beat him, then neither could Hidan!
Hidan had a very clear logic.
"Why don't we give it a try?"
Hashirama looked at Hidan with a smile that hinted at amusement. He felt like a high-level player entering a beginner's village.
"Forget it…"
Hidan waved his hand dismissively, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "It's hard enough to get new members in the organization. I don't want to accidentally kill one."
Hidan had his own pride.
When he fought, it involved rituals, and he didn't want to accidentally kill the First Hokage.
"Cough… cough…"
Kakuzu, hearing Hidan's words, nearly choked on his own spit out of sheer nervousness.
"Then let's…"
"Try it."
"I'm not afraid to die!"
Hashirama grinned, his smile bright and harmless.
To Hidan, this expression only reinforced the notion that the First Hokage was weak.
"Fine."
"I'll test you for the boss."
"If you can't beat me."
"There's no point in joining Akatsuki!"
As he spoke, Hidan lifted his left hand, raising the blood-red scythe on his back, a proud smile spreading across his face.
(End of chapter)