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Hashirama's eyes were fixed on Black Zetsu, staring without a word, just watching.
Black Zetsu felt the intensity of Hashirama's gaze.
He didn't know why.
But he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being seen through.
One second.
Two seconds.
…
Ten seconds.
…
Thirty seconds.
…
A full minute!
Hashirama kept his gaze locked on Black Zetsu for an entire minute. He didn't move or speak, just continued to stare.
At first, it wasn't too bad.
But as time went on, Black Zetsu began to feel uneasy.
What is he up to?
Black Zetsu wanted to ask but hesitated. He was used to being cautious, and as long as there was a chance to revive his mother, he was willing to do anything.
After all, even Madara's use of Yin-Yang Release to create such things could be a stepping stone for him!
"Good. As long as you understand."
After what felt like an eternity, Hashirama finally spoke, leaving Black Zetsu even more confused.
What exactly are you saying?
What's your plan?
What do you want me to do?
What are you after?
A flurry of questions swirled in Black Zetsu's mind. Suddenly, he realized he had never truly understood Senju Hashirama.
This man was far more terrifying than Uchiha Madara!
Madara, at least, had people he loved, deep-seated hatred, and dreams and goals he wanted to achieve.
As long as someone had desires, there were opportunities to exploit them.
But this Senju Hashirama in front of him...
He seemed to have no desires or wants at all.
The Five Kage Summit, or rather, the Four Kage Summit—Black Zetsu had observed it from start to finish and could only summarize it as confusing and inexplicable.
What does Hashirama want to accomplish?
What's his goal in all of this?
First, he dredged up a bunch of old grudges, then suddenly started pushing for a unified Shinobi World under the Senju Nation.
From Hashirama's actions, Black Zetsu couldn't discern any pattern and couldn't guess his intentions.
Of course.
It wasn't just Black Zetsu who was baffled.
Even Hashirama himself wasn't entirely sure of his own thoughts. His sole objective at the moment was to be resurrected.
Completing the S-Rank mission was the quickest way to revive.
The reason Hashirama was stirring up trouble here, inciting there, criticizing this, and trying to unify the Shinobi World was all to fulfill that mission.
"And then?"
Seeing Hashirama fall silent again, Black Zetsu's mind buzzed with even more questions, his wariness increasing.
The more someone acted like this...
The harder they were to deal with.
He had to be extra cautious.
"That's it. You can go now. We'll deal with your issues later."
Hashirama waved his hand dismissively. To him, toying with Black Zetsu like this was merely a part of completing the S-Rank mission.
There are no mission slots available right now.
Moreover, any mission that could be completed with Black Zetsu would likely be related to Kaguya.
So, for now, it's better to let it go.
"???"
Black Zetsu widened his orange eyes, his expressionless black face somehow conveying his shock and confusion.
That's it?
I didn't even feel anything... and it's over?
"Black Zetsu, do as you wish. I'm leaving now. You can follow me if you want; that way, if I need to find you, I can do so at any time."
With a swift movement, Hashirama's figure flickered through the trees, completely unconcerned about Black Zetsu following him. It didn't matter to him in the slightest. What could Black Zetsu do even if he saw everything? He had no way of stopping anything.
Black Zetsu stood there, stunned, watching Hashirama's disappearing figure.
He didn't follow immediately.
He was completely bewildered.
What the hell...
Is this really Senju Hashirama?
Deep within, Black Zetsu began to feel a strong urge to retreat. Maybe it's better to give up and look for another opportunity—perhaps even find a way to revive Uchiha Madara.
"Obito!"
Suddenly, Black Zetsu remembered him. He clearly recalled that Obito had been exposed but hadn't suffered any harm.
Right now, Obito was still somewhere in the Shinobi World!
With that thought...
Black Zetsu melted into a shadowy puddle, slipping into the cracks of the ground and vanishing completely.
...
Hashirama darted through the forest, his body moving mechanically. Being in the Edo Tensei state meant he never tired. Shadows of tree branches flickered past him as he sped along at an incredible pace.
While his body was in motion, his mind was also racing.
What should he do next?
Hashirama was contemplating how to establish the Senju Nation. This wasn't just some casual idea; it was a significant move. If the plan was to center it around Konoha, then the relationship with the Land of Fire wouldn't remain friendly for long.
They couldn't just openly become a nation within another nation.
Besides,
Even if the Land of Fire were willing,
Hashirama wouldn't be!
Founding a nation would inevitably put him at odds with the major powers.
"First, I'll go find the Daimyo of the Land of Fire!"
Hashirama made up his mind in an instant. No matter how he moved forward with creating the Senju Nation, the Land of Fire had to be the first step.
...
A few days later.
The Land of Fire, Daimyo's Mansion.
Hashirama, clad in his orange-red armor, walked through the bustling streets, instantly drawing the attention of those around him.
This town was lively, after all, it housed the Daimyo's mansion.
The people walking the streets were all dressed in clean, tidy clothes—nothing like Hashirama's battle attire.
Even the samurai of the Land of Fire wore more luxurious outfits than he did.
But Hashirama paid no attention to the crowd. His focus was solely on the Daimyo's Mansion looming ahead.
"Oh, my brain!"
From a distance, Hashirama suddenly smacked his forehead when he saw the Daimyo's Mansion.
"When I was in the Land of Lightning, I should have visited the Daimyo there too."
"Rigid thinking can be such a downfall!"
"I could've secured the Land of Lightning first, and then started here, and it would've been just as good!"
"I was so focused on starting with Konoha that I forgot I'll have to head to the Land of Lightning eventually…"
Hashirama sighed, full of regret, realizing his missed opportunity as he approached the mansion.
Before long,
Hashirama arrived at the entrance of the Daimyo's Mansion.
At that moment,
Eight samurai stood guard at the entrance, arranged in two rows of four, one on the left side of the gate and one on the right.
Quite impressive!
As expected of a Daimyo!
Without hesitation,
Hashirama stepped forward, heading toward the entrance.
"Stop!"
A sharp, synchronized shout rang out—it was the eight samurai at the gate.
Their eyes bore a mix of confusion and disdain as they looked at Hashirama.
What era is this?
And he's still dressed like that?
"This is the Daimyo's residence, no one is allowed to enter without permission!"
The eight samurai's voices were uniform and authoritative, clearly well-trained. The armor they wore gleamed under the sunlight.
"Oh, I'm not just anyone."
Hashirama remained unfazed and continued walking forward.
Swish!
In that instant,
The eight samurai drew their swords simultaneously, their blades reflecting a cold, menacing light.
"This is the Daimyo's residence! Leave immediately, or if you take another step, you'll be killed without mercy!"
Their voices dripped with threat, loud enough to draw a crowd of onlookers.
(End of Chapter)