Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan

Chapter 84

"Sensei?"

"Yes, what's the matter, Inari?"

"Konoha has left, and now only the bad guys from Kirigakure are left on the island. They are heading towards us."

"Oh, that's worrisome. What should we do?"

"Sensei, I think we should leave here quickly."

"Why?"

"Of course, because we can't defeat them right now. Everyone on the island doesn't want anything to happen to you. After this incident, even my grandfather, who originally thought the existence of Kengakure would drag the Land of Waves into the whirlpool of war, has changed his mind. He hopes Kengakure can continue to exist in the Land of Waves to cultivate enough strength to defend our homeland against other countries' invasions!"

"Oh, I see," Hashirama nodded, then smiled and asked, "But if I leave, what will happen if they take it out on you?"

"It's okay. We'll hide ourselves!"

"Sensei…" Inari's voice choked with sobs.

Hashirama patted Inari's head, comforting him:

"This is our responsibility."

"When bad people approach, we good people must stand up!"

"And Inari, don't underestimate your sensei. I'm actually quite a powerful person in the shinobi world."

Watching Hashirama-sensei's back as he walked away, Inari was overwhelmed with tears. In his mind, Hashirama's figure overlapped with his stepfather Kaiza's.

Strength…

Strength…

Inari clenched his fists tightly.

…

Contrary to the solemn and tragic atmosphere of Kengakure, where Hashirama stood alone against overwhelming odds, the Kirigakure forces approaching Kengakure were extremely cautious. Led by Mei Terumi, every remaining Kirigakure ninja wore expressions of intense vigilance and gravity.

"Is this the Kengakure you mentioned ahead?" Fuguki Suikazan asked a villager from the Land of Waves he had grabbed.

"Yes, yes," the unfortunate villager nodded fearfully.

Ahead lay a forest, with mist rising above, giving it an ethereal and mysterious appearance.

"It doesn't seem like there's a trap. Should we just charge in?" Fuguki turned to Mei Terumi.

"No need to rush," Mei shook her head, holding back her impulse. "Chojuro, go ahead and say that Kirigakure has come to congratulate Kengakure on its founding."

Chojuro, unaware he was being used as a test stone, eagerly ran up the mountain.

They watched Chojuro disappear into the misty forest.

No one spoke; the world was quiet.

"It can't possibly be the real Hashirama," Fuguki's voice broke the silence, shattering the tense atmosphere.

"Ah, I think so too," Mei agreed but added nonchalantly, "Zabuza and the others must have been deceived."

Fuguki shook his head. This was their main concern. Someone as proud as Zabuza wouldn't submit to an ordinary wood release bloodline limit user. Even if the person wasn't the legendary ninja god, they must be formidable.

However, that wasn't the main point. Fuguki continued:

"Wood release can help us control tailed beasts, originally a secret technique of Konoha. Now we have a chance to obtain it."

"And the Land of Waves is too close to our Land of Water. Having a new shinobi village here isn't good for us; it could lead to conflicts."

"I believe it's best to eliminate Kengakure."

This wasn't about emotions; it was a consideration of Kirigakure's overall interests.

The value of wood release was self-evident.

From Fuguki's perspective, small countries should stick to their role, paying protection fees to major countries and hiring ninja from large villages to solve problems. If they established their own shinobi village, it meant they didn't want to pay protection fees or hire ninja, potentially competing with Kirigakure for business. This was the root of the conflict and couldn't be tolerated.

"Let's see how things go," Mei responded calmly. "After all, he's coming to us."

Fuguki didn't reply, quietly watching the mountaintop where the mist seemed to be shifting.

The subtle movement soon ceased.

After a while, a figure wearing a wooden mask slowly descended from the mountain, with Chojuro wrapped in white tendrils behind him, unconscious.

This is not a friendly visit.

Mei's eyes narrowed, and a whistle blew, signaling the dozens of Kirigakure ninjas behind her to prepare for battle.

A warning kunai landed at Hashirama's feet.

Hashirama paused, glanced at the kunai, and shook his head:

"Is this how you congratulate Kengakure?"

"Kengakure's founding wasn't notified to the Five Great Nations," Mei said calmly.

"The Daimyo of the Land of Waves has already sent letters to the Five Great Nations. Our establishment is recent, so the letters might have just reached the Daimyo. The ninja villages might not have received the news yet," Hashirama explained softly.

Fuguki and Mei exchanged glances. Fuguki stepped forward and said in a deep voice:

"Shinobi villages have agreements not to harbor missing-nin, but Kengakure has taken in our missing-nin, Zabuza and Haku. How do you explain that?"

They want a reason to attack Kengakure…

Hashirama adjusted his mask and denied:

"They are not part of Kengakure."

"Not admitting, huh…" Fuguki smirked provocatively.

"It's the truth, nothing to admit or deny," Hashirama replied, offering no further explanation.

"I heard you want to cooperate with me?" Mei suddenly asked.

"Yes," Hashirama nodded.

"I don't see what value you bring," Mei shook her head.

Hashirama remained silent. The value of cooperation would be proven in battle, and the terms might change.

He quietly watched the Kirigakure ninjas.

"Hand over Zabuza and Haku, or we'll crush Kengakure," Fuguki threatened.

Amused, laughter burst from behind Hashirama's mask, growing louder and startling birds from the forest.

His laughter shook his entire body, almost dislodging his mask.

Covering his mask, he finally stopped, pointed at Fuguki, and laughed:

"Who would've thought I'd be threatened like this…"

"You people…"

He shook his head repeatedly.

"Even good people have tempers."

"I don't want to kill."

"But you chose this."

White tendrils emerged from the ground behind him, intertwining like peacock feathers, with countless gray-white eyes blinking, staring at the Kirigakure ninjas.

"Come on…"

"Crush me."