Chapter 611: The Surgery Was Very Successful!
Following a massive boom.
Senju Hashirama lay sprawled on the ground, the top of his head instantly engulfed in flames. He passed out on the spot.
Seeing Hashirama on fire, Kai compassionately stepped in and beat down the blaze.
However, when the flames were extinguished, Hashirama's long hair was gone, replaced by a completely bald head.
"It seems I let the fire spread a little too much," Kai muttered.
Looking at Hashirama's shiny scalp, he offered a silent prayer in his heart.
---
A moment later, Hashirama slowly opened his eyes. The glaring ceiling lights made him squint in discomfort.
"What… is this place?"
The unfamiliar surroundings left him completely disoriented. It felt as though he had somehow been transported into a hospital.
While Hashirama was still looking around in confusion, the masked "doctor" standing in front of him removed his gloves and spoke calmly: "You're awake! Congratulations, the surgery was a great success!"
"Now you are a woman."
"Huh?!"
Three enormous question marks seemed to appear above Hashirama's head. The lingering haze in his mind vanished instantly, as if cold water had been poured over him.
He hurriedly checked his body from head to toe.
A second later, he let out a long sigh of relief.
His body hadn't changed at all. The doctor had nearly scared him to death.
"Kai, even if it's you, there's no need to scare me like that!" Hashirama exclaimed.
"For a moment, I really thought you had turned me into a woman."
Even the gentle-natured Senju Hashirama was left speechless as he looked at Kai.
At the same time, Hashirama waved his hand.
The surrounding forest he had created dissipated, leaving behind only shattered ground and massive craters as evidence of the fierce battle that had just taken place.
"Uh…"
"My hair."
A cool breeze brushed against his scalp. Hashirama reached up and touched his smooth, bald head, his expression pleading.
"Technically, I can restore it," Kai said thoughtfully. "But legend has it that only bald people can become stronger. I think you should cherish this period of baldness."
"Er…"
Subtly rejected, Hashirama rubbed the back of his head. He couldn't understand how baldness was connected to becoming stronger. Was there some hidden secret behind it?
Though puzzled, he remained obedient in front of Kai. Since Kai said so, he would accept it for now. Besides, hair wasn't something he couldn't grow back.
---
Soon, Hashirama returned to his temporary base within the alternate dimension, carrying the combat experience from the battle.
A smile appeared on his face.
It had nothing to do with his bald head.
Rather, he had obtained all the experience and techniques of the Sage Technique that Kai had just demonstrated, including the sensory memory of performing the technique itself.
With this Sage Technique in hand, Hashirama felt confident once again. Once he fully mastered it, perhaps he wouldn't be knocked down so quickly in their next sparring match.
Kai was leaving in the afternoon, so Hashirama seized every remaining moment to practice.
---
As afternoon faded into twilight.
They began fighting again.
But only for a moment.
Kai walked over, looking apologetic.
"Hashirama, I really am sorry."
"My appointment with Yin is coming up soon, so…"
Hashirama felt utterly deflated. He had worked so hard to learn that extremely difficult Sage Technique, yet the moment he used it, he was immediately knocked flat again!
This was simply too much.
He decided he would stop sparring with Kai altogether. It would be better to go after Uchiha Madara's wallet instead.
Lately, Hashirama had heard Kai mention that he and a senior named Uchiha Madara got along quite well. Because of this, Hashirama had taken special note of the man.
'Just what kind of person is Uchiha Madara?'
He slowly and painfully pushed himself up from the ground, a trace of curiosity in his heart.
At that moment, a golden sphere of light flew from Kai's hand and descended onto Hashirama's body. His injuries healed rapidly, and within seconds, he was restored to peak condition.
Unfortunately, his hair still hadn't returned.
He still wasn't used to being bald.
"Go on," Kai said. "Before you leave, I'll give you a parting gift."
As he spoke, a wide-brimmed hat appeared in his hand. The character Fire (火) was emblazoned on the crown.
"What is this?"
Hashirama accepted the hat and examined it closely. Was Kai giving this to cover his bald head? What a thoughtful person!
"This Hokage hat isn't just decorative," Kai said.
"The Will of Fire."
Hashirama rubbed the back of his head again. Ever since losing his hair, he found himself doing that whenever he was confused.
"Does it have some special effect?"
"It can brainwash…no, It can convince others."
"Er…"
Hashirama's expression turned awkward. He wasn't stupid; he had clearly heard the word brainwash just now.
Still, unable to refuse such kindness, he accepted the gift. The accompanying mantra was simple: "When the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames."
With Senju Hashirama's appearance, the wheels of destiny had already begun to turn.
Bang!
As he put on the wide-brimmed hat, warmth instantly spread across his scalp, replacing the earlier chill. He had to admit, the hat's insulation was excellent.
"I'm leaving now."
Hashirama looked at Kai, his eyes filled with emotion.
Finally, he wouldn't be beaten up anymore.
"Come back when you have time."
Hearing this, Hashirama replied,"Uh… I'll try."
Thinking back on his time here, nothing but constant beatings, Hashirama, who was not a battle fanatic, felt no desire to return for more punishment.
Watching Hashirama's figure fade away, Kai smiled and stepped out of the alternate dimension.
(End of this chapter)