"Have you been spying on us?"Zabuza frowned, his tone clearly displeased as he looked at the newcomer.
Ignoring Zabuza's wariness, the masked man casually leaned against the sofa beside him and complained,"Spying? That's a bit harsh."
"There's been a ninja with his face wrapped in bandages causing heavy fog near my Hidden Sword Village. He sneaked in to steal information and even copied several swordsmanship scrolls from the library."
"I was chasing him… and happened to track him here."
He glanced at Zabuza's blade.
"Yes. The ninja was carrying a sword very similar to yours."
"Have you seen him around?"
The pale eyes behind the wooden mask shifted earnestly between Zabuza and Haku, as if he were sincerely asking.
Haku's lips curved faintly.
Zabuza's expression darkened. There was no denying it—his covert infiltration of Hidden Sword Village had been exposed.
If anyone had broken the rules first, it was Zabuza himself.
Since Zabuza had made the first move, it was only fair for the masked man to respond in kind.
Infiltrating Hidden Sword Village had been risky, but Zabuza believed it was necessary. He needed to verify whether this so-called Hashirama was truly on his side—or merely using him.
Seeing Zabuza's embarrassment and suppressed anger, Haku spoke with a gentle smile and turned to the masked man.
"Since you overheard our conversation, Hashirama-san, how do you suggest we cooperate?"
To plant the Tree of Peace across the entire ninja world required far more than brute strength. It demanded strategy, wisdom, and—most importantly—the willingness of people to follow.
The most effective method was to dismantle old, corrupt power structures under the banner of reform, creating space for a new order to take control of the major ninja villages.
In such a process, cooperating with local opposition forces to overthrow existing rulers was the most logical choice.
Instead of answering immediately, the masked man asked calmly,"What are your thoughts?"
Zabuza frowned.
They had only just exchanged information and tentatively decided this man could be trusted. It felt far too early to discuss concrete plans. He had been hoping Hashirama would present a clearer direction.
After a brief pause, Haku spoke.
"We lack sufficient power. I've heard that the Fourth Mizukage has many enemies within Kirigakure. Perhaps we can first gather more potential allies—using the names of Hashirama-san and Zabuza-san—before taking action."
The last trace of corrupted web text was gone, leaving her words clean and deliberate.
"A very good idea," Hashirama praised, straightening slightly. His voice took on a hint of nostalgia."It's just like when I founded Konoha. Clans that were once mortal enemies united for a shared goal—peace."
"Now, driven by the desire to end the chaos of Kirigakure, we can unite the majority of the Mizukage's dissatisfied ninja and correct the village."
The words were lofty and inspiring. Even someone as ruthless as Zabuza felt a chill run down his spine.
Still, he couldn't tell whether the man was sincere or merely an exceptional actor.
"…So?" Zabuza asked bluntly.
"So," the masked man continued calmly,"I plan to establish an organization—one that gathers elite ninja from various countries, including the Land of Water, to realize our shared goal of correcting the world's wrongs and maintaining peace."
Zabuza and Haku exchanged glances.
It sounded almost unrealistic.
How many truly "like-minded" individuals could exist in this world? Even if Zabuza succeeded in correcting Kirigakure's Bloody Mist system, would he truly help others reform their own nations?
Still, that was a problem for the future.
Zabuza nodded."Fine. I'll join."
"Excellent." The masked man seemed pleased."Then we need a name. How about Dawn?"
Zabuza didn't notice anything strange about it. To him, it symbolized breaking through darkness and welcoming a new beginning—perfect for what they planned to do in Kirigakure.
Haku, however, spoke softly,"There's already an active mercenary group called Akatsuki in the Land of Rain…"
"…Ah."Hashirama's voice carried a hint of resignation."What a coincidence."
"Then let's discard that. How about Ascending Light?"
He looked up at the bright ceiling lights, segmented by the patterns along the walls, resembling steps leading upward—layers of rising light.
Zabuza and Haku had no objections.
Hashirama smiled behind the mask and continued.
"This organization will recruit elite ninja from each country. With their assistance, correcting the errors of the major nations will become far easier."
"Members will be recommended internally and judged only by strength and influence. As the leader of Ascending Light, I will make the final decision."
"Any objections?"
Zabuza—once an elite shinobi of Kirigakure and a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—fit the criteria perfectly. As a member of Ascending Light, he would represent the Land of Water.
"The ultimate goal of Ascending Light," Hashirama said calmly,"is to correct the wrongs of the entire ninja world—so everyone can control their own destiny—and to plant the Tree of Peace across the world."
"To achieve this, Ascending Light will employ any necessary means: overthrow, warfare, assassination, even kidnapping."
Silence fell over the room.
Hashirama's voice was steady and composed, yet it felt as though the air itself had been drained away. Zabuza and Haku found themselves holding their breath as they listened.
This man…Zabuza thought slowly, a grin forming.
He planned this long ago. He's been selecting people for Ascending Light from the very beginning.
Good.Calm.Intelligent.Ambitious.Powerful.
This Hashirama was no ordinary figure. Only someone like him could make others believe that such impossible goals were truly achievable.
"Any other questions?" Hashirama asked.
"One," Zabuza said suddenly, staring straight at him."Who exactly are you?"
"Does it matter?" Hashirama replied.
"It does," Zabuza said evenly."If you were anyone else, it wouldn't. But if you truly are Hashirama Senju—then it matters."
The implication was clear.
If this man were merely someone with an ordinary name, it wouldn't change anything. But claiming to be Hashirama Senju, the Shinobi God, carried immense symbolic weight—especially when recruiting allies within Kirigakure.
"This will be the first—and last—time," Hashirama said quietly.
He shook his head and slowly removed the wooden mask.
The pale eyes beneath reflected the stunned expressions of Zabuza and Haku.
"…Huh?"
"This… this person is…?"
Chapter Glossary (Used in This Chapter) Hidden Sword Village
A ninja village established in the Land of Waves, serving as the foundation of Neiki's reform system.
Tree of Peace
An ideological and structural plan to reshape the ninja world through enforced order and controlled reform.
Bloody Mist
The brutal system governing Kirigakure under the Fourth Mizukage.
Ascending Light
A newly founded organization led by "Hashirama," gathering elite ninja to overthrow corrupt regimes and reform the world.
Akatsuki
A mercenary organization active in the Land of Rain; its name is deliberately avoided to prevent conflict or confusion.
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