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Hashirama returned to the villa.
Everything seemed as if nothing had happened.
In the villa's lobby, the sound of Tsunade slapping the table echoed continuously.
Clearly, it was a series of losses.
Everyone had noticed the commotion outside and was well aware that it was Hashirama Senju causing the noise.
So, it was no big deal.
They could just continue playing cards.
Outside, the night was quiet.
Let the First Hokage do as he pleased.
There was nothing to worry about.
…
Time passed slowly.
Tsunade played for half the night.
The others kept her company for half the night.
When they were ready to rest, the sky was already dimly lit, and everyone felt exhausted and a bit overwhelmed.
They hurried back to their rooms to rest.
Hashirama had gone to such lengths to create this luxurious villa, but they had only used the lobby, and even sleeping had been brief.
However.
It didn't matter.
Hashirama didn't build this mansion for their enjoyment; it was for showing off his skills.
A few hours later.
The sun rose.
Warmth descended upon the world.
Dewdrops on the leaves in the forest sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.
"It's time to head out."
Hashirama's voice rang out from outside the villa.
The voice wasn't loud.
Yet it seemed to have a strange magic.
It penetrated the walls.
It reached everyone's ears.
Not only was it clear, but it also jolted them out of their sleep.
In fact.
This method was quite simple.
Hashirama merely focused his chakra in his throat, creating a sound similar to a genjutsu effect, like a melody played on a flute by an unseen musician.
Hashirama didn't need an instrument; his chakra alone was enough.
Of course.
Hashirama didn't just say this and leave it at that. He stared at the villa before him, then clapped his hands, and a powerful surge of chakra erupted.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The ground trembled continuously.
The majestic mansion was instantly dismantled in reverse, like a video of the construction process played backward.
In an instant.
The mansion transformed into scattered wooden planks.
They burrowed back into the earth.
On the uneven ground, people were left stunned, their sleepy eyes wide open, gazing in confusion at Hashirama.
What is going on?!
Everyone felt like they had been shown up!
There was no choice.
They could only get up quickly.
"We're not far from the Hidden Cloud Village. Let's push forward and charge straight in," Hashirama told them.
It was too slow.
These people moved like snails on their journey.
They looked utterly drained.
With that, Hashirama led the way, sprinting ahead with his figure darting between the branches.
The others looked helpless and unwilling, but their bodies were honest; they immediately started moving their legs to keep up with Hashirama's pace.
Exhausted.
So incredibly exhausted.
In their hearts, everyone felt a tinge of regret.
If they had known Tsunade would last so long last night, they should have traveled through the night!
Now, it was daylight.
And the fatigue from the night before hadn't worn off.
They had to keep up with the First Hokage's sprinting!
Traveling was monotonous and dreary.
Especially on the second day, where exhaustion compounded upon exhaustion. Not only had they not rested, but they also hadn't slept well.
However.
No one complained today.
Not just because they were too tired to speak, but also because of a subtle reason.
They were afraid to rest!
With Tsunade around, resting was even more terrifying than traveling!
...
The journey was smooth.
Before nightfall.
They had already seen the mountains in the distance.
Among them was a peak.
Soaring high into the clouds.
Occasionally echoing with thunder.
It was indeed the Hidden Cloud Village of the Land of Lightning.
Hashirama stopped at the foot of the mountain, and the others followed suit.
Only then did they have a chance to catch their breath and enjoy a rare moment of rest.
"Finally arrived."
Ohnoki wiped the sweat from his forehead. This Five Kage Summit was truly exhausting, almost breaking his old bones.
He just wanted it to be over!
Ohnoki's only thought now was to finish the Five Kage Summit as quickly as possible.
Then they could return to their villages.
Spending more time with those two could be life-threatening!
"I'm exhausted."
Mū's body looked a bit drooped. Her pale face was marked by dark circles under her eyes; just one sleepless night had already taken its toll.
"Let's go in!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up toward the mountain peak. He knew it was not yet time to celebrate; they hadn't reached the Hidden Cloud Village yet.
They still had to climb the mountain.
The Hidden Cloud Village was located on top of the mountain.
"..."
Gaara looked up at the towering peak, which seemed to pierce the clouds. From the ground, he couldn't imagine what the Hidden Cloud Village looked like within the swirling mist.
Looking at the height of the mountain again.
The sand-filled gourd on his back suddenly didn't seem so appealing.
"Everyone, you've worked hard on the journey today!"
At that moment.
Tsunade's voice rang out.
Immediately, everyone shivered.
The tone was almost devilish.
Last night, they had heard the sounds of losing repeatedly.
One game after another.
"Let's hurry up the mountain, enter the Hidden Cloud Village, find a place to rest, and play some cards to relax!"
Tsunade said with a cheerful smile.
She had now turned card games into a motivation for traveling.
After shifting her mindset.
The journey not only felt less monotonous but also took on a travel-like feel.
However…
After hearing Tsunade's words.
The group suddenly felt less enthusiastic about climbing the mountain.
"Let's go."
Hashirama nodded and swiftly started climbing up the mountain. From his appearance, he showed no sign of fatigue.
After all, he was an Edo Tensei body.
The others trudged along, feeling like they were between a rock and a hard place, with the cliff in front and the tiger behind. Even the Four Kage felt pitifully small and helpless.
Half an hour later.
Hashirama reached the mountain summit first.
A village perched on the mountaintop came into view, supported by wooden frameworks and strung between different peaks, resembling an aerial castle.
Ahead, a short distance away.
Was the entrance to the Hidden Cloud Village.
The gate displayed the village's emblem.
Unlike the complex barriers of the Leaf Village, this place relied on the natural barrier of the misty mountain peaks.
Soon.
Everyone followed up.
Their gazes were fixed on the buildings of the Hidden Cloud Village.
Many of them had never been to the Hidden Cloud Village before, and their eyes were filled with novelty. After all, in many ways, the architectural style of the Hidden Cloud Village was vastly different from other villages.
"Let's go inside!"
Hashirama's lips curled into a slight smile, his eyes flashing with a cold glint. They had finally arrived.
The Five Kage Summit, convened in the name of Senju Hashirama.
The Raikage dared to skip it.
Quite the pretentious stance!
Now that I'm here!
Whether it's the new grievances or the old scores, it's time to settle them properly!
(End of Chapter)