Chapter 46: Do You Look Down on Me?
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*****
Buzz!
Terrifying Wood Release chakra surged from Hashirama's palm.
No hand signs were needed.
Just a single thought.
He could unleash Wood Release ninjutsu!
Wood Release: Piercing Technique!
Splurt!
Sharp wooden spikes sprouted from Hashirama's right hand.
They pierced Hidan's body instantly, skewering him.
The spikes emerged from Hidan's back.
Drops of bright red blood clung to the sharp wooden branches.
"It hurts so much!"
Hidan's eyes widened, his pupils contracted, and a deep red filled his gaze.
His sharp scream echoed through the room.
It made everyone's hearts shudder.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, Hashirama tossed Hidan aside.
Hidan's body hit the ground with a thud, wooden spikes still protruding from him, blood continuing to flow.
These attacks wouldn't kill Hidan.
However.
The pain was still excruciating!
This scene greatly unsettled Kakuzu.
He swallowed hard, knowing full well he wasn't truly immortal—just tougher than most, needing to be killed multiple times.
The Piercing Technique Hashirama just displayed...
If it had been used on him...
Kakuzu figured he'd be finished.
"Kakuzu."
"Your turn."
"You've always claimed to have fought me all these years."
"Let's see the legendary strength of Kakuzu!"
After tossing Hidan, Hashirama didn't spare him another glance.
To him, Hidan was already useless.
Task completed.
Time to deal with Kakuzu!
"This... this... this..."
Kakuzu kept retreating, his voice trembling.
It wasn't cowardice.
He knew better than anyone how terrifying the First Hokage was.
He had once been tasked with assassinating the First Hokage.
He hadn't even dared to take a look.
He just ran!
That mission was suicide!
Kakuzu's mindset was collapsing.
He never expected his boasting about fighting a dead man would backfire—now the dead man was alive!
What kind of nightmare is this?
"Make your move."
Hashirama looked at Kakuzu calmly, not attacking first, exuding immense confidence.
"If I attack first, you won't stand a chance."
"Throw a shuriken and let me see."
"I want to witness the true power of Kakuzu's shuriken!"
Hashirama's lips curled into a faint smile. Over time, he had received several of the whining brat's shurikens.
No power behind them!
Since everyone said Kakuzu once threw a shuriken from 800 miles away...
Let's give it a try!
"I... I... I..."
Kakuzu was now so terrified he could barely speak, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
The more you understand, the more you fear.
"Hurry up, don't dawdle, I can't wait!" Hashirama beckoned impatiently.
Hearing this, Kakuzu's fear intensified.
In the past, if someone had said that!
He would have met their request without hesitation!
But...
This is the First Hokage!
"I... I... I give up!"
Kakuzu felt his heart about to leap out of his throat, and not just one, but all five of them.
He couldn't fight!
They weren't on the same level at all!
Kakuzu didn't dare to confront the First Hokage. He couldn't even hold a shuriken; his hands and feet were ice-cold!
"What do you mean by that?"
Hashirama's brow furrowed slightly. His face was tense, devoid of any expression, but internally, he wanted to laugh.
He must not laugh!
He had to hold it in!
Hashirama thought this was the most entertaining scene!
"Do you look down on me?"
Hashirama's cold voice carried a hint of displeasure. The tone easily made everyone around feel that Kakuzu wasn't fighting because he looked down on Hashirama.
"…"
Kakuzu involuntarily took another step back, all five of his hearts in disarray.
What to do?
What should he do?
He had no idea!
Should he fight?
Sacrifice his heart to the First Hokage?
"Kakuzu!"
"What are you hesitating for?"
"Get him!"
"He already beat me up like this!"
"Why haven't you killed him yet!"
As Kakuzu was rapidly thinking of how to handle the situation, Hidan's voice rang out again, filled with intense hatred.
He couldn't help but be angry.
Those wooden spikes hurt too much!
The worst part was they were left inside him!
Just sitting there!
So excessive!
Hidan had absolutely no good impression of the First Hokage. If it weren't for the fact that his opponent didn't bleed, he would have shown him what punishment meant.
"Shut up!"
Kakuzu finally snapped, shouting angrily at Hidan.
Enough was enough!
What does it mean to have a useless teammate?
I've never seen someone so harmful!
Hidan was skewered and still didn't realize how strong the First Hokage was?
He's still shouting!
Even after all that, he's not satisfied!
After yelling at Hidan, Kakuzu turned to look at the First Hokage. His green eyes reflected a deep sense of embarrassment.
"Um..."
"Lord First Hokage..."
"It was all a misunderstanding!"
Kakuzu quickly explained, though even he found his words hard to believe.
"Are you going to fight or not?"
Hashirama looked at Kakuzu's fearful, submissive demeanor, feeling quite satisfied.
It seems...
I do have a knack for being devious!
I can develop this side of me slowly.
After all, being invincible is quite lonely.
"No... I won't fight!"
Kakuzu shook his head repeatedly. He didn't dare to fight. Even with five hearts, no amount of courage could make him face this legendary ninja.
"Then I guess I'll have to fight."
Hashirama spread his hands, feigning helplessness.
A fight is inevitable.
Without fighting, how can there be victory?
Then.
Hashirama started walking towards Kakuzu. Despite no visible aura emanating from him, the air seemed to thicken, making Kakuzu feel suffocated.
"I surrender!"
Kakuzu said repeatedly. He didn't want to get hurt; he was afraid of pain.
"Surrendering is not enough."
"That's just admitting defeat."
"I want something tangible."
Hashirama shook his finger, dismissing the idea of mere surrender. It's not like he couldn't defeat him.
No acceptance of surrender!
Hashirama took one step after another towards Kakuzu.
The distance between them was just six or seven steps, but each step felt like an eternity to Kakuzu.
It was as if each of Hashirama's steps.
Were stepping on his heartbeat.
Making him nearly suffocate.
"Don't worry."
"I won't kill you."
"After all, I still need some funds!"
Hashirama said calmly. In his plan, Kakuzu could be handed over to Orochimaru.
For research, of course!
How can research proceed without funding!
(End of chapter)