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The sound of the steel-like voice was urgent and loud, clearly reaching the Hokage's office, allowing both Jiraiya and Nara Shikamaru to hear it distinctly.
Immediately, both Jiraiya and Nara Shikamaru's expressions changed drastically.
The Kazekage had been kidnapped.
This was no trivial matter.
Both were extremely anxious, but with the First Hokage present, they could not issue orders directly and had to look toward him instead.
"So, it's this matter,"
Hashirama said casually, waving his hand.
His indifferent expression was not put on; it was a genuine lack of concern for the situation.
Hashirama turned his attention to Nara Shikaku.
"Shikaku, this matter is up to you."
"Yes!"
Nara Shikaku immediately responded and hurriedly began to head outside.
"Wait a moment,"
Hashirama called out to him, a half-smile on his face. He asked, "Where are you going?"
"Immediately organize a ninja team to rescue the Fifth Kazekage!" Nara Shikaku answered without hesitation.
"That's wrong."
Hashirama shook his finger, his brows furrowing with a hint of displeasure in his eyes.
"Huh?!"
Nara Shikaku was taken aback, his mind racing through numerous rescue strategies, only to be told he was wrong. He was left with a multitude of questions.
Where did he go wrong?
What was the mistake?
Why didn't he understand?
"The Kazekage has been captured. Why are we in such a rush to rescue him?" Hashirama asked pointedly.
"Uh… well… the Land of Wind is our…"
Nara Shikaku started to explain but was abruptly cut off, swallowing his words.
He was indeed wrong!
The Land of Wind was an ally of the Land of Fire!
Sand Village was in the Land of Wind, but Konoha was no longer part of the Land of Fire!
Theoretically speaking, Konoha had no direct connection to Sand Village.
There was no reason to intervene!
Nara Shikaku stood there, speechless, realizing that the task given to him by the First Hokage must be something else.
He would wait until the First Hokage finished speaking before taking action.
"Shikaku, immediately draft a scroll to notify the Sand Village to select a Sixth Kazekage or an acting Kazekage as soon as possible."
As soon as Hashirama finished speaking, the hearts of the three men raced.
They all understood.
This essentially means that Gaara has been sentenced to death.
Selecting a new Kazekage directly implies a clear intention.
"I understand."
Nara Shikaku immediately nodded. In the chaotic ninja world, no one is a saint; one must do what is necessary.
"Jiraiya, focus on taking over Konoha Village during this period. Ensure that the village's authority is well managed and concentrate on domestic affairs. Do not concern yourself with matters outside the village,"
Hashirama instructed.
He then left the Hokage's office, his figure vanishing in a flash.
...
Hashirama moved swiftly through the forest, heading toward the Land of Rain, cutting through the trees with incredible speed and leaving a series of afterimages.
According to the information on Gaara, the Akatsuki had already begun their actions.
This period should be used to allow Jiraiya to consolidate control over Konoha and use it as a base to establish the Senju nation.
It was a good opportunity to take action against the Akatsuki.
"This won't do,"
Hashirama said, forming a series of hand signs. After a few changes, he used the Wood Release Transformation Jutsu.
Instantly,
His entire body's skin appeared to turn into wood, which then extended and changed his height and appearance.
In the blink of an eye,
Hashirama transformed into the likeness of Danzo Shimura.
"Ew~"
The flying, tiny creature beside Hashirama immediately began protesting.
"Host, this appearance is so unbecoming, it's a disgrace to the system! I refuse, you must change it immediately!"
The tiny creature, hands on its hips, protested sternly.
How could a system designed for a beautiful girl end up following such an old man?
No way!
Absolutely not!
"Alright, I'll change it. This really doesn't feel right,"
Hashirama agreed, nodding in Danzo's form. He simply wanted a different appearance to make things easier.
Danzo already had so many issues; this extra one didn't matter.
So, he decided to abandon Danzo's appearance.
However,
The tiny creature was right.
It was indeed too unattractive.
Even Hashirama himself couldn't accept it.
Momentarily,
The wooden texture on Hashirama's body changed again, swiftly transforming into another appearance.
It was now the Raikage, who had been struck down by Hashirama's giant Buddha.
"Ew~"
The tiny creature protested again, noting that this transformation went from an old man to a muscular man.
"I think this will do,"
Hashirama said, examining his new Raikage form. Visually, he was much more imposing.
Transforming into Danzo would have brought many inconveniences, but the Raikage was different.
For the time being,
He could comfortably play the role of a powerhouse!
Once the transformation was complete,
Hashirama, now in the Raikage's form, sped through the forest toward the Land of Rain.
...
Land of Rain.
Somewhere,
A massive statue stood, its arms outstretched with fingers raised, handcuffs attached to its wrists.
Perched on each finger
Was a member of the Akatsuki, exuding strong chakra fluctuations.
Not far from the statue,
Lying on the ground, was the unconscious Fifth Kazekage, Gaara.
"Scorpion, Deidara, your speed is too slow. It took us this long just to capture the One-Tail. Thankfully, Hidan and Kakuzu have prepared the Two-Tail, otherwise, we would have needed to speed up the later teams."
Nagato's cold voice echoed through the dimly lit space, his tone devoid of any emotional fluctuation, though it was clear he was displeased.
"Who would have thought that the One-Tail Jinchuriki would become the Kazekage and attend the First Hokage's Five Kage Summit? We had to wait until the meeting ended before making a move, and it turns out this kid's defenses are unexpectedly strong!"
Deidara said with a face full of frustration. If not for the explosive power of his bombs, dealing with that sand ball would have been even more challenging.
"Today's mission is crucial. We need to capture two Jinchuriki in succession. The Three-Tails is currently wild, so Itachi and Kisame will handle that."
Nagato began assigning the upcoming tasks.
"The Four-Tails and Five-Tails are both from Iwagakure. Since the Four-Tails isn't in the village, Deidara and Scorpion, you two will handle them."
"Kakuzu and Hidan will capture the Six-Tails."
"Itachi and Kisame will find the Seven-Tails after finishing the Three-Tails."
"I will personally deal with the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki."
"As for the Nine-Tails…"
"We'll discuss it later!"
Nagato assigned the tasks one by one, but was still uncertain about the tasks related to Konoha.
"Um… Leader… The mission in Iwagakure is quite difficult!"
Deidara said with a bitter tone.
He had just avoided Onoki, and now he might have to face him again.
This old Tsuchikage was not to be underestimated!
Today was just too busy, and I couldn't keep up, so the update is late. I'll post a few more chapters tomorrow to make up for it.
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(End of Chapter)