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Kakuzu watched in horror as the First Hokage approached step by step, feeling utterly defeated.
Surrendering wasn't enough!
He had to endure a beating like Hidan...
Too difficult!
Kakuzu gave up resisting.
He just stood there, waiting for the First Hokage to strike.
The situation felt inevitable.
Since resistance was futile, he decided to silently endure it!
At least one thing was certain for Kakuzu.
If he didn't resist, it might not hurt as much. He just hoped the First Hokage would finish quickly so he wouldn't have to stay in fear any longer.
At this moment.
Kakuzu looked like a dead fish.
He was just short of closing his eyes.
"Boring."
Hashirama's interest waned as he observed Kakuzu's passive state. This guy had no spirit.
He raised his fist.
And aimed directly at Kakuzu's abdomen.
Boom!
Hashirama's fist collided with Kakuzu's stomach, his fist imbued with terrifying chakra, releasing a powerful impact.
After the punch.
Kakuzu was sent flying, crashing into the wall of the tower behind him with a loud bang.
Immediately after.
Kakuzu's back bulged, and a black creature shot out from his clothes, falling limply to the ground.
One heart shattered!
Kakuzu endured the searing pain. The agony left no room for any relief.
At least it was only one heart.
When the First Hokage walked over.
Kakuzu had resigned himself to possibly losing four hearts.
At least he was still alive!
"That's enough."
Hashirama looked at the non-resistant Kakuzu, losing even the urge to use the Piercing Technique.
He's still an old acquaintance!
Not as entertaining as Hidan!
With both opponents down.
Hashirama felt a wave of boredom.
"Kakuzu."
"You've wasted my expectations."
"I thought you could at least throw a few shurikens."
Hashirama said, then turned away from Kakuzu. The legend of the 800-mile shuriken was just a joke.
"Four left."
Hashirama waved his hand, and powerful Wood Release chakra surged from his feet into the ground, growing wooden planks that formed a chair.
After the chair appeared.
Hashirama sat down.
Crossed his legs.
And waited for the last two Akatsuki members to arrive!
"What is going on?"
Hidan looked at Kakuzu, whose heart had been knocked out, his crimson eyes filled with disbelief.
Could it be...
Were fairy tales lies?
Had Kakuzu been boasting all along?
What the heck...
Hidan was bursting with complaints about Kakuzu, but with his body full of tree branches, the pain made him reluctant to speak. He definitely couldn't bear this grievance.
Of course!
What Hidan didn't know was...
Kakuzu had just as much to say about him.
They were in the same boat.
Konan silently watched the Akatsuki duo's plight without a word throughout the whole process, just observing quietly.
After watching, she gained a new understanding of the First Hokage's power.
At present, almost everyone was in a one-on-one situation.
She hadn't even seen the First Hokage go all out...
The more she thought about it, the more complicated her mood became.
Times have changed.
But...
A lord is still a lord!
Still able to dominate the era!
...
Hashirama reclined in a chair made by Wood Release, feeling increasingly impressed with the creativity of this Bloodline Limit. He could effortlessly create any furniture or even impale people at will!
By now.
He still hadn't summoned his trump cards like wooden humans or wooden dragons.
"It's quite amusing to think about..."
As Hashirama waited, he stared at the ceiling of the room and muttered to himself.
Suddenly.
Hashirama's words caught everyone's attention in the room.
They held their breath.
Waiting for what Hashirama would say next.
What was so amusing?
A small question mark popped up in everyone's minds. This inexplicable statement left them puzzled.
"Why do you all mistake Madara for Itachi?"
Hashirama directed this comment clearly towards Nagato and Madara behind the Wood Release barrier.
"Do you really think Itachi could be so weak?"
A slight smirk played on Hashirama's lips. He wasn't laughing at anyone in particular, but everyone felt targeted.
"Kurozetsu used Itachi to manipulate information."
"Itachi used Madara for setting traps and manipulation."
"What did Madara use you all for..."
"So foolish!"
Hashirama shook his head involuntarily, his eyes sweeping over the fallen Hidan and Kakuzu before settling on Konan.
"I remember someone once asked if Itachi alone could wipe out the Akatsuki."
"I'm even more certain now," Hashirama declared. "If I weren't here, no one could contain Madara!"
With that said, Hashirama suddenly stood up, his smile taking on a deeper meaning. "Now that Madara isn't here, no one can contain me either!"
Hashirama's words came from the heart. At the moment, he hadn't reached his full strength yet, and the current Reanimation Jutsu still imposed some restrictions on his abilities.
If facing the later-stage Reanimated Madara, he might not necessarily be an opponent.
However.
In the current ninja world, he could stride freely.
...
The entire audience was left speechless. They couldn't discern whether Hashirama was boasting about himself or Madara, or perhaps both at once.
Hashirama walked over to the window of the elevated platform, looking out through the windowless opening.
He spotted a small black dot flying towards them from a distance.
There were two more approaching rapidly, their chakra signatures detectable to Hashirama as they closed in.
...
In the Land of Rain.
Sky.
A large white bird soared through the air.
On its back stood two individuals.
Both were dressed in black robes embroidered with red clouds.
One had flowing golden hair and a confident, youthful face, with a ponytail pointing upwards, exuding an indescribable pride and sophistication.
This person was none other than Deidara of the Akatsuki.
The other figure was stocky, with a hideous appearance and a layer of gauze covering his face, giving him a sinister aura.
This was none other than Sasori of the Red Sand.
He had sealed his handsome appearance into the grotesque Hiruko puppet, transforming his appearance completely.
"Sasori, do we really need to travel like this?" Deidara asked with a grin, not really questioning the necessity but rather breaking the monotony of their journey.
"Sasori," known for his deep, hoarse voice, spoke in a low tone, matching his expressionless face with a hint of aloofness.
"You know me, Deidara. I don't like waiting for others, nor do I like keeping others waiting."
"I know, I know. But here we are. Why do you think the boss called us back in such a hurry?" Deidara continued chatting casually, much like his previous question. He wasn't seeking answers; he simply enjoyed conversing with Sasori.