Chapter 110: Separated by Life and Death, Hashirama, Hurry Back to Where You Belong
Chapter 110: Separated by Life and Death, Hashirama, Hurry Back to Where You Belong
Compared to Hashirama Senju, who had little confidence in his granddaughter, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt relieved upon hearing that Tsunade, who had been unwilling to return to the village, eventually became the Fifth Hokage.
At least Danzo didn’t cause trouble.
It seemed that after his death, Homura and Koharu, as the village's advisors, were doing a decent job.
Hiruzen knew very well that with Tsunade’s reputation, she was the most suitable person to stabilize the village that had just undergone an attack and was leaderless and unsettled.
However, reflecting on Hagoromo Gengetsu's words about having visited Konoha and paying respects at the First Hokage’s grave, Hiruzen couldn't help but worry and asked:
"Hagoromo, what did you do to Konoha?"
Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at Hiruzen, instantly understanding his concern. He smirked and said, "Konoha has a population of at least a hundred thousand. I’m not a butcher; what could I do to Konoha?"
"Rest assured, I only sent your friend Danzo to meet you."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen felt a momentary relief, followed by a sudden tightening of his chest.
"Danzo..."
He had been anxious about his ambitious old friend running unchecked after his death.
Little did he know, Danzo would soon follow in his footsteps.
Hiruzen’s expression darkened, feeling complex emotions. Despite the numerous conflicts with Danzo, he still harbored deep feelings for the friend who grew up with him and fought by his side for many years.
Hiruzen fell silent, lost in the memories of their shared past.
Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze, observing all of this, began to contemplate:
"So, Hagoromo Gengetsu is the enemy?"
He had never interacted with Hagoromo Gengetsu before. Though Hashirama’s behavior was different from what he imagined, through Tobirama and Hiruzen’s attitudes, Minato could sense their deep apprehension and hostility towards Hagoromo.
And then there was Danzo.
Hagoromo must have been referring to Danzo, the Konoha advisor.
Killing a Konoha advisor made the situation clear.
It was time to prepare.
Minato remained outwardly calm, but his hand, hidden behind his back, quickly grasped a kunai, ready to act at any moment.
"Hagoromo Gengetsu, have you completely resurrected?"
On the other side, Tobirama, momentarily stunned by his disciple Danzo's death, quickly recovered and focused on Hagoromo Gengetsu's young, flawless face, his tone filled with disbelief.
He had been closely observing Hagoromo Gengetsu. Initially, he couldn’t believe it.
But now, he was certain the person in front of him was undoubtedly alive.
Moreover, the body looked exactly like it did during the Warring States period.
How was this possible?
During the battle at Valley of the Fallen God, Hagoromo’s body had been utterly destroyed by Buddha’s top transformation, hadn’t it?
Suppressing his immediate urge to act, Tobirama's eyes burned with curiosity towards Hagoromo Gengetsu.
As a master of forbidden techniques and scientific expertise, he was eager to know how Hagoromo had broken the seemingly insurmountable barrier between life and death.
In response, Hagoromo smirked and said to Tobirama:
"Do you want to know the secret of resurrection? I can teach you."
Tobirama’s pupils contracted slightly. Just as he was about to say something, a sudden voice interrupted him.
"Tobirama!"
Hashirama suddenly spoke loudly.
This time, he looked exceptionally serious, devoid of his usual easygoing, friendly demeanor.
No one knows a brother better than his own.
To prevent Tobirama from straying down a wrong path, Hashirama stepped in to quash the budding idea.
Tobirama quickly calmed down, assuring, "Don’t worry, brother. I know my limits."
Hashirama nodded, then turned back to face Hagoromo Gengetsu seriously, sensing the situation before frowning slightly.
"Hagoromo, you truly are resurrected."
With the confirmation from both the First and Second Hokages, Hiruzen and Minato looked at Hagoromo Gengetsu with astonishment.
Could the dead really come back to life?
Hiruzen suddenly regretted not focusing more on Hagoromo Gengetsu instead of Orochimaru.
Minato’s young face showed even more concern.
Konoha now seemed to be facing an even more troublesome enemy than the Nine-Tails.
Sweeping his gaze over the varying expressions of the four Hokages, Hagoromo Gengetsu casually spread his hands and smiled:
"I told you, I haven’t lived enough yet. Now that the opportunity has come, I naturally seized it. I’ve done what I said I would."
Hashirama sighed, "Hagoromo, the dead should not linger in the world of the living."
Hagoromo Gengetsu shook his head, "Hashirama, you should say that to yourselves. You’re already dead, so stop worrying about the living world. As for me, in every sense, I’m now among the living."
"Separated by life and death. Hashirama, hurry back to where you belong. I’ll burn incense and offer flowers at your grave next year."
"Uh..." Hashirama was momentarily speechless.
"Alright, brother! Enough chit-chat."
Not wanting his brother to get tangled in conversation, Tobirama stepped forward, cutting in.
Having regained his composure, he coldly looked at Hagoromo Gengetsu and said:
"Back to the main point. Hagoromo Gengetsu, it seems you’ve greatly offended the Shinigami. He actually let us out of his belly and gave us bodies capable of some activity."
"Although it’s a case of using one enemy to deal with another, we are more than willing to be that tool."
"A tool?"
Hagoromo Gengetsu chuckled.
"Tobirama, as smart as you are, have you not realized? From the beginning, I’ve been standing here without any intention of leaving, treating you all as my whetstones."
Tobirama’s brows furrowed tightly.
Hagoromo Gengetsu continued, "If the four of you were in your prime, I would turn around and leave without a second thought. But now, without your real bodies, even with the Shinigami’s power, how much strength can you muster?"
Taking advantage of Hashirama not being at his peak was the perfect opportunity for payback.
Hagoromo Gengetsu cracked his neck and beckoned with his hand:
"Come on! I haven’t exercised in a long time; my body’s getting rusty. Show me what the combined power of four Hokages is like."
The four Hokages exchanged glances.
"Everyone, our time is limited."
Feeling the life force that sustained their bodies slipping away, Tobirama said coldly,
"So, let’s make it quick."