Killing his way through the ninja world, starting from being adopted by the second generation!

"The original intention behind establishing the village..." Hashirama looked up at the sky, lost in memories, "...was a promise I made to Madara..."

He recounted everything from how he met Ban to the end of the war and the establishment of the village.

Lianye listened attentively.

Although he knew the general plot, he didn't know the details.

Hearing someone recount their personal experience is quite relatable.

Sitting amidst the ruins, Hashirama spoke in a low voice:

"We've witnessed so much death together, we swore an oath amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood to end the war..."

He suddenly gave a bitter smile, a very desolate smile.

"Madara said that only power can bring order, and that we must use absolute power to trample all countries under our feet." Hashirama looked up at the darkening sky. "He always said I was too naive, that such a method could not achieve peace."

Hashirama's fingernails dug deeply into his palms, his eyes bloodshot. "I considered Madara my closest friend, but that day at the Valley of the End, for the safety of the village, I had to kill him..."

A silence fell over the room, and Renya made no attempt to disturb Hashirama.

He knew that it would be better to say some things out loud.

As dusk completely enveloped the ruins, Hashirama rose and dusted off his clothes. "Renya..."

He turned to look in the direction of Konoha Village, and suddenly smiled.

"I know that peace is not the norm in the ninja world, but someone always has to be the first to stand up and plant the ideal into a towering tree."

Upon hearing this, Renya stared blankly at Hashirama Senju.

It turns out that Uncle Hashirama always knew that this method could not achieve true peace.

But he still did it without hesitation...

Chapter Sixty-Three: Takigakure Village

These words completely overturned Renya's understanding of Hashirama Senju.

For a long time, Renya felt that Hashirama Senju's dedication to peace in the ninja world was almost naive.

In this world filled with killing and betrayal, vows of peace are as illusory as a mirage.

The "Will of Fire" advocated by Hashirama Senju was nothing more than the futile efforts of unrealistic idealists.

However, Hashirama's words just now completely overturned his previous understanding.

At this moment, Lianye realized that she had been misunderstanding this god of ninjas all along.

Hashirama was not blindly optimistic; he knew that the path to peace was fraught with thorns and that he would encounter countless doubts and betrayals along the way.

Although Hashirama and Madara had a disagreement, he still chose this difficult path, wanting to achieve peace in the ninja world in his own way.

Even though he knew that such peace would be short-lived...

Only by experiencing the cruelty of war can one truly understand the preciousness of peace.

This is precisely why Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha wanted to achieve peace in the ninja world.

Lianye looked at Senju Hashirama with some admiration, feeling a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and reflection).

"Although the peace that Hashirama achieved was short-lived,"

But at least it was achieved, wasn't it?

After saying these words, Hashirama Senju felt much of the pent-up frustration in his heart dissipate.

Seeing the admiring look in Lian Ye's eyes, the corners of his mouth turned up, and his warm hand landed on the boy's shoulder.

"Little Lianye, I hope you can protect the village in the future."

He suddenly lost his smile, his gaze piercing through the deep night, as if he could see Konoha ten years later. "The village is like a big tree, the villagers are the branches and leaves, and the ninjas who protect it are the roots."

He withdrew his hand, his expression turning serious.

"There may be storms and powerful enemies in the future, but as long as there are people willing to stand up and protect the village, the fire of Konoha will never be extinguished."

"I believe that you too can become a strong force supporting this great tree, protecting the safety of the village in your own way!"

Upon hearing this, Lian Ye's expression froze.

He hadn't expected Hashirama Senju to say so much to him.

These words even sounded like a dying message.

I have a feeling that Hashirama Senju is giving his final instructions...

“I understand, Uncle Hashirama.” Renya looked at Hashirama. “I will do my best to protect the village.”

As long as it's within his capabilities, he wouldn't mind protecting the village for Hashirama.

Seeing that Renya agreed, Hashirama Senju smiled.

"From now on, I'm entrusting the village to you, Little Lotus Night!"

Renya felt that there was something strange about what Senju Hashirama said, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Is that right?

Was he brainwashed by Hashirama Senju?

Just then, Hashirama's words interrupted Renya's thoughts.

"Little Lianye, it's time to leave."

Two figures, one large and one small, left the former territory of the Thousand Hands Clan.

Not long after the two left, a thick, inky black shadow slowly emerged from the ground.

This guy is none other than Black Zetsu.

A chilling smile curled at the corner of Black Zetsu's mouth.

"Heh, the reincarnation of Asura is still so naive."

He scoffed at Hashirama and Madara's ideas.

In his view, only when his mother breaks the seal can the ninja world usher in true peace.

Of course, he wasn't interested in the so-called peace of the ninja world; he simply wanted to rescue his mother.

Black Zetsu watched Renya's departing figure, "That Uchiha brat... shouldn't have been in this game."

He always felt that Lian Ye's appearance would disrupt his plans.

He was the culprit who instigated the conflict between Indra and Asura.

He simply couldn't understand why the Senju brothers would adopt a brat from the Uchiha clan.

The appearance of Lian Ye is a variable for Black Zetsu.

"We absolutely cannot let this brat ruin the final plan..."

Before the words were finished, Black Zetsu's body sank back into the ground, as if he had never been there.

--------

The news of Hashirama Senju leaving Konoha Village spread like wildfire throughout the ninja world for some reason.

Hashirama and Renya, the two people involved, were unaware that someone was secretly watching them.

"Little Lotus Night, do you know any fun places in the ninja world?" Hashirama Senju asked, somewhat troubled.

The ninja world is too vast; I don't know where to go for a while.

Upon hearing this, Renya suggested, "Uncle Hashirama, I've heard that the hot springs in the Land of Hot Springs are quite nice."

The Land of Hot Springs is a popular tourist destination, and it's one of the places that Jiraiya would love to visit most in the future.

He's been in the ninja world for so many years, and he's never been there once.

"Really? Then let's go take a look..."

The two immediately set off for the Land of Hot Springs.

…………

Takigaku Village, high-level conference room.

"Hashirama Senju has left Konoha."

"This is an opportunity for us to get revenge!"

Hashirama Senju distributed the Tailed Beasts to the five great nations during the Five Kage Summit.

Although Takigakure has the Seven-Tails, they were not invited to the Five Kage Summit.

Although their Takigakure Village is not as strong as the Five Great Nations, it has its own unique characteristics and considerable strength.

Hashirama Senju's actions greatly displeased the village's higher-ups. Why should they look down on a small country?

Therefore, the higher-ups of Takigakure harbored a grudge against Hashirama Senju.

He originally intended to assassinate Hashirama Senju, but was delayed by some matters.

When the Takigakure leadership learned of Hashirama Senju's departure, they immediately convened a meeting to discuss how to take revenge.

Ultimately, they unanimously decided to send someone to assassinate Hashirama Senju.

Even if I can't kill him, I can still vent my anger...

At least let them know that their small country is not to be trifled with!

"Then who should be sent?"

Silence fell over the meeting room.

They were all aware of Hashirama Senju's strength, and assassinating him would be extremely difficult.

The people sent out were basically just there to get themselves killed.

"Let Kakuzu go... This guy is powerful and has already threatened our position," someone suggested.

"No problem!" The people in the conference room agreed in unison.

So they summoned Kakuzu and told him about the mission.

Kakuzu: "???"

Are the higher-ups crazy to send him to assassinate the God of Ninjas?

“Kakuzu…” The white-haired old man at the head of the group stood up shakily, his withered hand resting on Kakuzu’s shoulder, “This mission was dangerous, but you are the village’s sharpest blade!”

His voice was hoarse, but his eyes gleamed with calculating light.

"After Hashirama Senju founded Konoha, he completely disregarded small countries like ours. If you succeed, Takigakure will surely regain its status in the ninja world, and you will become a hero of the village!"

Another middle-aged man stepped forward and handed over a scroll. "This is the intelligence we've gathered. It contains all of Hashirama Senju's weaknesses."

Although Kakuzu was unwilling, he still accepted the scroll and left the village.

P.S.: Dear authors, I can't write anymore, I really can't write anymore.

I'll make up for it this weekend with one chapter owed for today...

Chapter Sixty-Four: Taking the Wrong Path

"Little Lianye, have you arrived yet?"

On the way to Yugakure, Hashirama Senju asked in confusion.

He always felt that Lianye had taken the wrong path.

Logically speaking, Yugakure shouldn't be this far away...

"Little Lotus Night, are you sure you haven't gone the wrong way?" Hashirama Senju couldn't help but ask.

Holding the ninja world map she had bought from the merchant, Lianye said with a confident expression, "Don't worry, Uncle Hashirama, I haven't gone the wrong way!"

But the fine beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed him...

He subconsciously reached out and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, thinking to himself, "Could I have really gone the wrong way?"

Lian Ye was somewhat annoyed; this was the consequence of not studying properly—she couldn't even understand a map.