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*****
As Hashirama's voice echoed within the barrier.
The entire space fell silent.
Everyone perked up their ears.
Curious to know what this mythical powerhouse, resurrected from the Impure World Reincarnation, had to say.
"Monkey."
Hashirama looked towards the Third Hokage, his tone casual, mimicking Tobirama's address.
Swish!
As he spoke, Hashirama's figure flashed, instantly appearing in front of the Third Hokage, leaving Orochimaru hanging to the side.
He wasn't worried about Orochimaru running away.
In this ninja world.
No one could escape.
"Honored First Hokage!"
The Third Hokage took a deep breath, looking closely at the cracks on Hashirama's face, feeling particularly conflicted.
It had been nearly half a century since they last met!
The feeling was very strange.
"There are still my cells in the village, right?"
Hashirama got straight to the point, not beating around the bush. With his current status, nothing was a problem.
"We have them!"
The Third Hokage nodded heavily, his eyes fixed on Hashirama, his face showing a hint of embarrassment.
"Honored First Hokage."
"I must apologize to you."
"After you passed away, the village conducted experiments on your cells, mainly to cultivate new Wood Release shinobi."
"But..."
However.
Just as the Third Hokage was about to finish his sentence, Hashirama interrupted him.
"Cultivating Wood Release shinobi for afforestation?"
Hashirama said impatiently.
Since successfully traversing through time, after this short period, he had completely adapted to and accepted his new identity.
Now, he was Hashirama Senju.
But not the same Hashirama Senju as before.
He was a different Hashirama Senju!
"Uh..."
The Third Hokage was suddenly stunned, unsure how to respond. After all, the person standing in front of him was the First Hokage.
"It's not just for afforestation, it's also for controlling the Tailed Beasts!"
Orochimaru's voice came from the other side. His face bore a meaningful smile, having emerged from the uncontrolled horror of the Impure World Reincarnation.
"It's well known."
"To control Tailed Beasts, you either need the Sharingan or Wood Release."
"The village's higher-ups don't have that much trust in the Uchiha clan."
"So, they want to cultivate new Wood Release shinobi!"
Orochimaru walked over this way, taking steps. Scientists were truly madmen. After understanding the current situation, he wasn't as afraid anymore.
"That's correct..."
The Third Hokage nodded heavily, his last shred of dignity stripped away by Orochimaru.
If he didn't understand the First Hokage or if the Second Hokage was standing before him, he could be very candid.
Precisely because he knew.
About the complex relationship of love and hate between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.
Only then did he dare not mention what the village had done to the Uchiha clan.
"Honored First Hokage, I personally conducted the experiments to cultivate Wood Release shinobi. There are still many of your cells remaining. Do you need my help to perfect your body for the Impure World Reincarnation?" Orochimaru licked his lips, a sinister glint hidden in his narrow eyes.
"Are you trying to deceive me into giving up my current body?" Hashirama glanced coldly at Orochimaru, the sudden burst of killing intent from his eyes sending a shiver down Orochimaru's spine.
Who did Orochimaru think he was fooling?
Who did he think he was deceiving?
If this Impure World Reincarnation body were gone, he might as well be gone too!
"N... No..." Orochimaru's face, just cleared of sweat, was drenched in it again.
The pressure was too intense! This Impure World Reincarnation body was only a preliminary test version. It was unbelievable that it could perform to this extent. This made Orochimaru have a new understanding of the Impure World Reincarnation, and a slight sense of awe for this forbidden technique emerged in his heart.
"Monkey, bring me all the remaining cells from the village later!" Hashirama's gaze shifted from Orochimaru back to the Third Hokage, his tone carrying an undeniable firmness, as if uttering a single "no" would incur a great blow.
"Yes!" The Third Hokage immediately nodded in response. At this moment, he felt a strange illusion.
He was almost seventy years old.
Yet, he had the feeling of seeing an elder from his youth again! It's just...
The First Hokage standing before him was a bit different from the amiable one he remembered.
A bit less goofy.
But much more dignified.
In comparison.
Much more domineering!
"Orochimaru, are there still my cells in your laboratory?"
Hashirama turned his head again to look at Orochimaru, icy coldness emanating from his jet-black pupils.
"Yes... Yes..." Orochimaru nodded repeatedly. Under this gaze, he suddenly felt a strange sensation.
If he lied...
He might die!
"When I left Konoha, I took away some of your cells and cultivated and replicated them. I can give them all to you!"
Orochimaru hastily said. In his heart, he instinctively felt that Hashirama's cells were a lifeline.
He had to seize it!
Although his body was approaching immortality, it was still mortal. Faced with a powerful opponent, he could still be killed.
This time...
He had to admit defeat!
Orochimaru's impression of the First Hokage was very weak.
Almost all of it came from legends!
Orochimaru liked to explore the unknown, but he understood that the unknown was the most terrifying.
The First Hokage, who could easily break free from the Impure World Reincarnation Orochimaru had used, was like a big puzzle in front of him, with no end in sight.
"Very well!" Hashirama nodded, a hint of joy rising in his heart.
It was impossible to fully retrieve 100% of Hashirama's cells!
But if Orochimaru had the technology to replicate Hashirama's cells, things would become much simpler.
"Orochimaru, wait for me to take the cells from Konoha. You can go to the laboratory."
Hashirama could only think of three places where his cells might be: first was the sealed-off area in Konoha where his cells were stored, second was Orochimaru's secret base, and the third was where Tobirama once resided.
The first two were relatively easy to find, but the last one, with the Outer Path Statue summoned by Nagato, would be difficult to locate. Plus, the cells there were likely taken by Black Zetsu.
"Yes!" Orochimaru's lips curled slightly, almost guaranteeing that he was not in mortal danger at the moment.
As long as he left Konoha.
Everything would be much easier!
"Honored First Hokage, Orochimaru is a missing-nin from Konoha, an S-rank criminal wanted by the ninja world. We can't just let him go like this!" The Third Hokage panicked, hastily speaking up.
After experiencing this incident, he was ready to take Orochimaru's life.
If Orochimaru was allowed to leave this time.
Given his cunning nature, he might just disappear, hiding in some corner.
"Are you teaching me how to do things?" Hashirama's jet-black eyes glanced coldly at the Third Hokage, his words filled with an overwhelming dominance.
(End of Chapter)