Chapter 17: Reward

Hashirama's words were delivered with such ease.

Orochimaru and Kabuto felt a chill in their hearts as soon as he finished talking.

Especially Kabuto.

The pain was unbearable, and he was on the brink of unconsciousness, unable to use his medical ninjutsu due to the bindings. 

He could only endure the pain and try to focus his chakra on the injured areas.

The healing process was very slow.

Upon hearing Hashirama's words, Kabuto's heart sank, almost causing him to vomit. 

After all these years following Orochimaru, he had unconsciously sought immortality himself.

At the very least... He didn't want to die so soon!

Orochimaru's forehead dripped with cold sweat as he understood one key point from Hashirama's words.

If you're of no use... You can be disposed of!

"Th-this... this... Kabuto is my assistant... Without him... it would be very troublesome!"

Orochimaru dared not look into Hashirama's eyes. He could only think about surviving this time.

"Then take him with you."

Hashirama's thoughts shifted, and the wooden vines binding Orochimaru and Kabuto were released, instantly freeing them.

"Lead the way."

Hashirama's indifferent voice carried an air of command.

A simple sentence, yet it held an absolute authority.

"Y-yes…"

Orochimaru glanced at the severely injured Kabuto and immediately went over to support him.

Recently, Kabuto helped Orochimaru, but their roles have been reversed.

"Orochimaru-sama, thank you."

Kabuto said weakly, with his voice faint. 

He had seen everything that happened and knew he might already be a corpse if it hadn't been for Lord Orochimaru.

"You need to heal while you walk."

Orochimaru didn't say much, and his saving of Kabuto wasn't for his sake. He was an expert when it came to experiments, and he didn't need any assistance. 

He had only one reason for saving Kabuto.

To draw attention!

Orochimaru found the First Hokage's temperament somewhat unpredictable and feared he might show violent tendencies again along the way.

He needed to provide the First with a target!

Kabuto was the perfect target to draw attention away from Orochimaru who could heal himself and wouldn't be easily killed.

Orochimaru didn't mind sacrificing anyone as long as it meant keeping himself alive!

However...

He only doubted the First Hokage's personality, not questioning the violent tendencies.

"I'm fine, I can hold on."

Kabuto answered weakly, his glasses completely shattered, and his eyes filled with gratitude as he looked at Orochimaru.

"Don't say anything."

Orochimaru steadied Kabuto and then turned to face the intimidating First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

"Hokage-sama. We are going to my northern base. That's where my human experimentation lab is located. There may be some rather unusual test subjects there..."

"So… Please don't be offended!"

Orochimaru said with a forced smile. He didn't want to be sold out by a bumbling teammate. 

If any of those test subjects did something to anger the First Hokage, it would be he who would face the consequences.

"It's fine. It doesn't matter. After all… I'm your most unusual test subject!"

Hashirama said with a very serious expression.

"…"

Orochimaru was momentarily at a loss for words.

It's all due to the obsession with forbidden jutsu!

It's all the Second Hokage's fault!

If the Second Hokage hadn't developed these forbidden jutsu, there wouldn't be today's curse of Edo Tensei!

After mentally blaming the Second Hokage, Orochimaru supported Kabuto and left the wooden villa.

As they walked, Kabuto's throat was churning, and blood continued to seep from the corner of his mouth. 

The blood stuck in his throat couldn't be brought up.

This feeling was extremely painful, and he vowed never to provoke the First Hokage again in his life!

Kabuto draped his left arm around Orochimaru's neck while his right hand performed healing jutsu to mend his injuries with his chakra rapidly depleting.

Hashirama followed behind them.

He didn't hurry them.

He enjoyed the scenery of the shinobi world as he wandered through the forest and observed Kabuto who was in excruciating pain. 

He couldn't help but reflect that being at max level is wonderful!

He would have had to rely on luck or pray for a miracle to stay alive if he hadn't hit max level before facing these two at the beginning.

Hashirama didn't like leaving his fate to others and preferred controlling others' destinies.

"Ding!"

Suddenly.

Puck's voice sound echoed in Hashirama's mind, reminding him of the presence of a particular entity beside him.

"Host."

"The mission you issued has been completed."

"Now, issuing the mission reward!"

She fluttered behind Hashirama, using her chubby fingers to press a button on her phone.

Whoosh!

A gust of wind sounded, and a shadow streaked across the forest.

An old, rusty shuriken suddenly flew from somewhere, heading straight for Hashirama.

Clang!

Hashirama effortlessly caught the shuriken with his hand.

"Puck, is this how your system hands out rewards?"

Hashirama grumbled inwardly

"Host, you're right. The system rewards are given this way—just thrown directly at you!"

She fluttered her big eyes and struck an especially cute pose, flying to Hashirama.

Suddenly, Puck's face took on a look of grievance.

"Actually. This isn't my fault. If the host were a cute girl, the system would definitely have a personal storage space..."

"But… You're not a cute girl, are you?"

She pouted, trying to explain as she hovered in front of Hashirama.