From the very first day he met the masked man, Zabuza had secretly searched for information about Senju Hashirama.Yet every historical record concerning the Shinobi God's death was frustratingly vague.
They all stated the same thing:Hashirama Senju died shortly after his final battle with his lifelong rival, Madara Uchiha, at the Valley of the End.
Nothing more.
Considering the era Hashirama had lived in, he would have been well over a hundred years old if he were alive today.
So when Zabuza saw the masked man remove his mask, shock froze him in place.
The face beneath it was unmistakable.
It was the same youthful face depicted in every portrait Zabuza had ever seen—Hashirama Senju in his prime.
Yet half of that face was covered by a writhing, pale-white substance, as if living flesh had grown over it. It pulsed faintly, giving off an unsettling, inhuman aura.
No wonder he wore a mask.
Was this… the price of longevity?
Zabuza frowned deeply.
Countless possibilities raced through his mind.
Perhaps the Shinobi God had damaged his own body while pursuing immortality.Perhaps he had conducted forbidden experiments in secret.Or perhaps Konoha itself had forced him to fake his death, burying the truth beneath layers of conspiracy.
No matter the explanation, seeing a legendary figure reduced to such a state left Zabuza unsettled.
Hashirama put the wooden mask back on without explaining anything and spoke calmly.
"The Ascending Light organization is still far too weak to confront a major ninja village head-on."
"Our next step is simple."
"You will observe Kirigakure, seize opportunities, and recruit—or turn—any shinobi who can be swayed."
"We will prepare for future 'correction' actions."
The plan was rational.
After confirming that this man truly was Hashirama Senju, no one raised objections. Haku remained silent, while Zabuza suppressed his pride and hesitated before asking a practical question.
"How do we stay in contact?"
In response, Hashirama took out two silver rings. Each was set with a snow-white eyeball that blinked slowly, as if alive.
"These are Eye Rings," Hashirama explained."They allow the user to activate a shared visual space."
"Each of you will have one. I'll teach you how to activate it."
"No matter where you are, you'll be able to see other Eye Ring holders."
"This will be our method of communication."
Haku examined the ring in her palm.The eyeball embedded in it seemed to glance around curiously.
…Is this thing alive?
Her mind flashed back to the writhing white substance she had seen on Hashirama's face earlier.
Where did he obtain things like this?
She pressed her lips together and glanced at him.
A truly bizarre Shinobi God.
After exchanging a look, she and Zabuza put on the rings.
Once Hashirama finished teaching them how to use the Eye Rings, his expression suddenly shifted. He turned his gaze toward the window, a faint, amused smile appearing beneath the mask.
Seeing their curiosity, he chuckled.
"Some Kirigakure hunter-nin have already slipped onto my island."
"What do you think?"
Zabuza's expression darkened.
So they had finally caught up.
Ignoring how Hashirama had detected them, Zabuza stood up with Haku and said coldly,"They're here for me. I'll deal with them."
"Can't they be persuaded?" Hashirama asked lazily from behind.
"No."Zabuza shook his head slightly and walked out.
Kirigakure's hunter-nin were absolutely loyal to the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.Encounters with them ended only one way.
Death.
There was no room for negotiation.
At Sunset — Seaside Estate, Land of Waves
The last rays of sunlight slanted across the shore, palm trees swaying gently in the sea breeze.
Hanabi widened her eyes when she saw the approaching figure.
"Neiki-nii-san, you're finally back!"
She rushed forward and threw herself into Neiki's arms, tears glistening in her eyes.
This was the first time they had been separated for so long since arriving in the Land of Waves—nearly a full week. Hanabi had been terrified that Neiki had abandoned her, and the anxiety had gnawed at her day and night.
Neiki smiled and patted her head.
"Let's go to the training ground. I want to see if you've been slacking off while I was gone."
"Mm!"Hanabi nodded vigorously.
She knew the Neiki beside her was only a clone—the real one was in the basement—but she didn't care. Just seeing him made her happy.
"Neiki-nii-san, did you know?" she said excitedly."There's a new ninja village on the island—Hidden Sword Village!"
"I took their aptitude test, and it said I have S-level aptitude!"
"Lots of villagers want to meet me. Grandpa Tazuna said I became famous overnight…"
"And the masked leader wanted me to join Hidden Sword Village, but I refused. I think Neiki-nii-san teaches me better!"
As she demonstrated her training results, Hanabi chattered nonstop, clearly proud of having turned down the invitation.
"As expected of Hanabi," Neiki said casually."You really do attract attention wherever you go."
Hanabi executed Eight Trigrams Palms: Rotation smoothly. When she finished, her smile grew even brighter.
She had mastered the technique in just three days—faster than any other jutsu she'd learned before.
She looked at Neiki expectantly, waiting for more praise.
Neiki only nodded slightly.
"Not bad. What about the Eight Gates? How long can you maintain it?"
Hanabi's expression immediately drooped.
"…About thirty seconds."
Opening only the first gate—and for just thirty seconds.
Neiki stroked his chin.
Slow, but not unexpected.
Hanabi was still young. His long-term plan was to cultivate a subordinate capable of opening the Final Gate within twenty years—someone who could one day become a trump card against enemies immune to ninjutsu, such as the Ōtsutsuki.
He wasn't in a hurry.
"Show me," Neiki said."Let's see how stable you are."
Hanabi nodded and began to focus—
Poof.
The Neiki clone beside her vanished in a puff of smoke.
Hanabi froze, panic flashing across her face.
Did something happen to Neiki-nii-san in the basement?
She rushed toward the door—only for another Neiki clone to step out calmly.
"Don't worry. Continue training at the practice ground."
"O-okay…"Hanabi sighed in relief and ran off.
Basement
Neiki's real body stared at the special kunai in his hand, his expression complex.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique… really is troublesome."
Recorded in the Scroll of Seals, this space-time ninjutsu had been created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and perfected by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Its analysis progress had already reached 46%.
Neiki had started studying it the moment he obtained the Scroll of Seals, even setting aside sword techniques he had already analyzed to 75%.
And yet—
It still wasn't fast enough.
For the coming confrontation with Kirigakure, Neiki's true enemy was not the puppet Fourth Mizukage, Yagura—
But the mastermind behind the Bloody Mist, the one who created it to avenge Rin Nohara.
On the outskirts of Konoha, Neiki's sword clone had already clashed with that man.
Taijutsu alone was at a fatal disadvantage against an opponent who could phase through attacks.
That was why Neiki had chosen the Flying Thunder God Technique.
It was the perfect counter.
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