Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
******
The Six Paths of Pain were on high alert, with all six pairs of Rinnegan fixed on Hashirama, who had assumed the appearance of the Raikage.
"I'm your leader!"
Hashirama showed no intention of fighting. He casually walked around the Six Paths of Pain, heading straight into the building.
This sudden change left both Pain and Konan utterly bewildered.
Do we know this guy?
His aura, his appearance, even the feel of his chakra—none of it was familiar at all.
"Oops, almost forgot to change back."
Wooden textures began to surface on Hashirama's body as his form rapidly shifted, returning to his original appearance.
"Hashirama Senju?!"
Both the Six Paths of Pain and Konan's eyes widened, filled with deep astonishment.
They hadn't expected this at all!
Neither of them could have imagined they'd encounter the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, so soon.
In the next moment, the Deva Path of Pain and Konan exchanged glances and silently nodded before following Hashirama inside.
Within the towering building in the Land of Rain.
Hashirama stood with his back to the Deva Path and Konan. The other five Paths of Pain were not present.
Only the three of them were in the room.
For a while, no one spoke. Especially the Deva Path and Konan, who were both waiting for Hashirama to say something.
After a long pause.
Hashirama slowly spoke.
"I'm aware of the situation with Gaara. You've already begun your plans!"
"Much faster than I anticipated."
"Impressive."
Hashirama gave the Akatsuki organization high praise. Indeed, they had moved ahead of schedule.
It must have something to do with his request.
Otherwise...
If things had proceeded at the normal pace, the Akatsuki wouldn't have attacked Gaara for another two years.
There's no way they could have captured him this early.
Advancing the plan was a good thing for Hashirama.
"What you've been tasked with aligns perfectly with what we aim to achieve."
The Deva Path of Pain said coldly, retaining his own stubbornness and not bowing too much.
The implication of his statement was rather vague.
In essence, it suggested that while the Akatsuki's actions had some connection to him, it was minimal, primarily driven by their own interests.
It was merely a matter of shared interests.
Hashirama's lips curled into a slight smile, and he didn't call out the Deva Path's little bit of pride.
It didn't matter.
As long as the task was done well.
The excuses didn't concern him.
"How many have you captured so far?"
Hashirama turned to face the Deva Path and asked directly.
"The Three-Tails will be brought in shortly, and we're still searching for the Four-Tails," the Deva Path responded immediately.
"There's no need to search for the Four-Tails and Five-Tails. I'll bring them myself. Just focus on capturing the remaining ones."
Hashirama waved his hand. The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, had already promised to hand over these two Tailed Beasts.
In that case.
There was no need to waste manpower and resources.
Hashirama had no interest in intercepting the Four-Tails and Five-Tails just to leverage them against Onoki.
It was unnecessary.
If he wanted to deal with Onoki, he could do so directly.
"Understood."
The Deva Path nodded, thinking he could inform Deidara that they could skip the Five-Tails.
"Also, for the Nine-Tails, you don't need to worry about it; I'll handle it."
Hashirama glanced at the Deva Path, his mind on Naruto Uzumaki.
In the original anime.
You are the protagonist.
But here.
There's no room left for your growth.
"Alright."
The Deva Path nodded again, feeling that the task had become much simpler, and that true peace was on the horizon.
"I came here to discuss one last matter. I plan to establish the Senju Nation soon."
"This will be a peaceful nation."
"I intend to incorporate all the villages of the Shinobi World into the Senju Nation."
"Leaving only the Senju Nation as the sole country in the Shinobi World."
"This way, everyone will belong to the same nation, standing on the same side, which will significantly reduce the likelihood of war."
"Starting from the nation, dividing into villages, and then further dividing into clans, each clan containing various ninjas."
"Ninjas will be part of clans, then of villages, and ultimately of the Senju Nation."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
Hashirama spoke in a deep voice, outlining the concept of the Senju Nation to the Deva Path and Konan.
In an instant.
Both of their faces showed shock.
Such a concept.
Was once discussed during Yahiko's time, but it was considered utterly unrealistic, impossible to achieve.
The greatest barrier to its realization.
Was the lack of a strong force capable of sweeping across the Shinobi World.
Even if all nine Tailed Beasts were captured.
Nagato could only use his momentary, nation-destroying combat power to intimidate the countries.
Not to defeat them!
Because it wasn't enough.
It's like a nuclear bomb.
It stands as a deterrent, with everyone reluctant to be hit by it.
But if it were actually used...
The Land of Rain would surely be met with a coalition of ninjas, leading to a terrifyingly unprecedented alliance.
Moreover...
Nagato's true goal was to bring peace to the Shinobi World, not to plunge it into war. He was merely using his extreme methods to pursue his version of peace.
Yet, at this moment, his vision of peace aligned perfectly with the ideals Hashirama was outlining.
He completely understood and agreed.
The Deva Path looked at Hashirama with eyes filled with profound admiration through his Rinnegan's rippling patterns.
The living...
Or rather, the resurrected.
Legendary ninja before him.
Was the key figure in achieving the unification of the Shinobi World.
A god-like ninja with the power to sweep across the Shinobi nations!
"Is there anything we need to do?"
The Deva Path's voice softened considerably, losing its previous coldness and severity. There was a hint of admiration in his tone—a change even he hadn't noticed.
"When the Senju Nation is established, I will send someone to inform you. You can then join the Senju Nation."
Hashirama intended to give Nagato a heads-up in advance. The Land of Rain was in a strategically advantageous position and controlled by the Akatsuki, making it a prime candidate to bolster the Senju Nation.
"Understood."
The Deva Path nodded repeatedly and added, "If we can really achieve a unified nation ruling the entire Shinobi World, combined with the deterrent power of the Tailed Beasts, it will undoubtedly bring true peace."
"Then it's settled. Please expedite your efforts to capture the Tailed Beasts; don't keep me waiting too long."
Hashirama nodded and, after speaking, turned and walked away without any hesitation.
With a single step.
Hashirama's form gradually shifted again.
He returned to the appearance of the Fourth Raikage.
Like a rough-and-tumble man.
He leaped.
And landed on the ground.
The Deva Path and Konan watched Hashirama's transformation with awe, deeply impressed by his immense strength.
(End of Chapter)