Chapter 17: You're Not a Real Host!
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*****
Hashirama spoke so casually, as if squashing a mosquito was a simple task.
As soon as he finished speaking.
Both Orochimaru and Kabuto felt a chill in their hearts.
Especially Kabuto.
His body ached unbearably, teetering on the brink of unconsciousness. He was bound and unable to use Medical Ninjutsu, forcing him to endure the pain while concentrating chakra on his injuries.
The healing process was very slow.
Hearing Hashirama's words.
Kabuto's heart skipped a beat, almost making him vomit. After following Orochimaru all these years, even he had subconsciously begun to pursue longevity.
At the very least...
He didn't want to die so early!
Cold sweat dripped from Orochimaru's forehead as he extracted one key phrase from Hashirama's words.
Useless!
Could be killed!
The personality of this legendary ninja...
Wasn't quite what the legends said!
"Um... um... Kabuto is my assistant... Without him, it would be much more troublesome!"
Orochimaru didn't dare meet Hashirama's eyes. Right now, he had only one thought: to survive this ordeal.
Outlive everyone!
On this point, Orochimaru was very confident!
"Then bring him along."
With a thought, Hashirama released the wooden vines binding Orochimaru and Kabuto, granting them freedom.
"Lead the way."
Hashirama's voice carried a commanding tone, and though it was just a simple sentence, it exuded an undeniable authority.
"Al... alright..."
Orochimaru glanced at the severely injured Kabuto, immediately moving to support him.
Not long ago.
Kabuto was supporting Orochimaru.
Now their roles were reversed.
"Lord Orochimaru, thank you."
Kabuto said weakly, his tone filled with gratitude. He had seen everything that had happened and knew that without Orochimaru, he would likely be a corpse by now.
"You'll need to heal as we walk."
Orochimaru didn't say much. He hadn't saved Kabuto for his sake.
When it came to experiments.
He was an expert.
He didn't really need an assistant.
In some ways, having an assistant was more of a hindrance than a help.
The only reason Orochimaru saved Kabuto.
Was to draw fire!
Orochimaru couldn't quite grasp Hashirama's personality; he feared the First Hokage might show violent tendencies again along the way.
They needed a target for Hashirama.
Kabuto, who could heal himself and wouldn't die easily, was the perfect decoy!
As long as Orochimaru could stay alive.
He didn't mind sacrificing anyone!
However...
Orochimaru was just puzzled by Hashirama's personality, not doubting his violent tendencies.
Just like Tsunade!
No wonder he's Tsunade's grandfather!
"No problem, I can manage."
Kabuto answered weakly, his glasses shattered, looking at Orochimaru with gratitude.
He hadn't expected it.
At the critical moment.
Lord Orochimaru would still protect him!
"Don't say anything."
Orochimaru steadied Kabuto, then looked at the intimidating First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
"Lord First Hokage."
"We're going to my northern base."
"It's my human experimentation lab."
"There might be some unusual specimens there."
"So..."
"Please don't mind!"
Orochimaru said with a forced smile. He didn't want to be sold out by his experimental subjects. If they did something to anger the First Hokage, he'd be the one facing the consequences.
"It doesn't matter."
"Those things are irrelevant."
"After all..."
"I am your most abnormal specimen!"
Hashirama adopted a very serious expression, which paradoxically made him seem slightly unserious.
"..."
Orochimaru found himself speechless for a moment.
It was all because of a lust for forbidden jutsu!
This was all the Second Hokage's fault!
If the Second Hokage hadn't researched these forbidden jutsu, the current calamity of the Reanimation Jutsu wouldn't exist!
After mentally shifting the blame, Orochimaru supported Kabuto and exited the wooden villa.
As they walked.
Kabuto's throat churned, blood continuously seeping from the corners of his mouth, with no way to expel the blood stuck in his throat.
This feeling.
Was extremely uncomfortable!
He swore never to provoke the First Hokage again in his life!
With his left arm around Orochimaru's neck and his right hand using Medical Ninjutsu to treat his injuries, Kabuto's chakra rapidly depleted.
Hashirama followed them.
He did not rush them.
Instead, he enjoyed the scenery of the ninja world while walking through the forest.
As he watched the anxious Orochimaru and the severely injured Kabuto ahead of him.
He couldn't help but feel grateful.
Being at max level was wonderful!
If he hadn't reached max level and had to face these two at the start, his only options would have been to hide or pray!
Hashirama disliked leaving his fate in others' hands; he preferred to control others' destinies.
"Hmm..."
Suddenly.
Out of nowhere.
A cute, soft voice echoed in Hashirama's mind, reminding him of the peculiar creature that followed him.
"Host."
"Your task is complete."
"Now, receiving the task reward!"
The adorable creature fluttered its small wings behind Hashirama, pressing a button on a tiny phone with its chubby fingers.
Whoosh!
A whistling sound broke the silence.
A rusty shuriken flew from nowhere and shot directly towards Hashirama.
Slap!
Hashirama caught the flying shuriken with his hands very easily.
"Hey, Ying ying System."
"Is this crude and straightforward way how you always deliver rewards?"
"What if one day my task reward is a Truth-Seeking Ball? Are you just going to shatter me with it?"
Hashirama asked irritably.
The novels he had read didn't describe such scenarios!
When Hashirama was still a programmer, his greatest pleasure was reading novels on the Qidian APP, especially the books written by Tian Fengda. It was so intoxicating that he couldn't stop reading it!
In those stories, the protagonist's system often had some sort of personal storage function, with rewards given directly.
Why was it different for him? Why was it just thrown over?
"Hmm..."
"Host, you're right."
"The reward system of Ying ying Monster is to throw it directly to you!"
The ying ying monster blinked its big eyes, made a particularly cute pose, and flew in front of Hashirama.
Suddenly.
Its expression turned pitiful.
"Actually."
"You can't blame me."
"If the host were a cute girl, the system would come with a personal storage space."
"But…"
"You're not the biological host!"
(End of Chapter)