These words completely overturned Renye's perception of Senju Hashirama.
For a long time, Renye always felt that Senju Hashirama's obsession with Ninja World peace was almost naive.
In this world full of slaughter and betrayal, those vows of peace were as illusory as a reflection in a mirror.
The “fire will” that Senju Hashirama advocated was, in his eyes, merely the futile effort of an impractical idealist.
However, Hashirama's words just now completely overturned his previous understanding.
At this moment, Renye was startled to realize that he had always misunderstood this Ninja God.
Hashirama was not blindly optimistic; he knew deeply that the path to peace was fraught with thorns, and he was also aware that the road ahead would encounter countless doubts and betrayals.
Although Hashirama and Madara had a disagreement, he still chose this difficult path, wanting to achieve Ninja World peace in his own way.
Even if he knew that such peace would be short-lived…
Only by experiencing the cruelty of war can one understand the preciousness of peace.
This is precisely why Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara wanted to achieve Ninja World peace.
Renye looked at Senju Hashirama with some admiration, his heart filled with emotion.
“Although the peace Hashirama achieved was short-lived,
but at least it was achieved, wasn't it?”
As Senju Hashirama spoke these words, the knots in his heart dissipated considerably.
Looking at Renye's respectful gaze, he smiled, and his warm palm rested on the young boy's shoulder,
“Little Renye, I hope you can protect the Village in the future.”
He suddenly reined in his smile, his gaze penetrating the deep night, as if he saw Konoha ten years later, “The Village is like a big tree, the villagers are the branches and leaves, and the Ninja who protect it are the roots.”
He withdrew his hand, his expression becoming serious,
“The future may bring storms and strong enemies, but as long as there are people willing to stand up and protect the Village, Konoha's fire will never extinguish.”
“I believe that you too can become a solid force to support this big tree, protecting the Village's safety in your own way!”
Upon hearing this, Renye's expression froze.
He didn't expect Senju Hashirama to say so much to him.
These words even felt like a last will.
He always felt that Senju Hashirama was settling his affairs…
“I understand, Uncle Hashirama.” Renye looked at Hashirama, “I will do my best to protect the Village.”
As long as it was within his capabilities, he didn't mind protecting the Village for Hashirama.
Seeing Renye agree, Senju Hashirama's face bloomed into a smile,
“Then the Village is entrusted to you from now on, little Renye!”
Renye always felt that Senju Hashirama's words were strange, but he couldn't pinpoint why at the moment.
Speaking of which, is this right?
Was he being brainwashed by Senju Hashirama?
Just then, Hashirama's words interrupted Renye's thoughts.
“Little Renye, it's time to leave.”
The two figures, one large and one small, left the former Senju Clan Land.
Soon after the two left, a thick, ink-like shadow slowly emerged from the ground.
This fellow was Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu's lips curled into a chilling arc.
“Heh heh, Asura's reincarnation is still so naive.”
He scoffed at Hashirama and Madara's ideals.
In his view, only when his mother broke the seal could the Ninja World truly achieve peace.
Of course, he didn't care about so-called Ninja World peace; he merely wanted to rescue his mother.
Black Zetsu looked at Renye's receding figure, “This Uchiha brat… shouldn't be in this game.”
He always felt that Renye's appearance would disrupt his plans.
As the culprit who instigated the feud between Indra and Asura.
He truly couldn't understand why the Senju brothers would adopt an Uchiha brat?
Renye's appearance was a variable for Black Zetsu.
“This brat must not be allowed to disrupt the final plan…”
Before he finished speaking, Black Zetsu's body sank back into the ground, as if he had never appeared.
— — — — — — — —
The news of Senju Hashirama leaving Konoha Village spread like wildfire in the Ninja World for some unknown reason.
Hashirama and Renye, the two individuals involved, did not know that someone was already secretly watching them.
“Little Renye, do you know of any fun places in the Ninja World?” Senju Hashirama was a bit troubled.
The Ninja World was too vast, and he didn't know where to go at once.
Hearing this, Renye suggested, “Uncle Hashirama, I heard the hot springs in the Land of Hot Water are quite good.”
The Land of Hot Water was a tourist destination, one of Jiraiya's favorite places to visit in the future.
He had never been there once in all his years in the Ninja World.
“Is that so? Then let's go see…”
The two immediately set off for the Land of Hot Water.
………
Takigakure Village, high-level meeting room.
“Senju Hashirama has left Konoha.”
“This is an opportunity for us to get revenge!”
Senju Hashirama distributed the Tailed Beast to the Five Great Nations during the Five Kage Summit.
Although Takigakure Village had the Seven-Tails, they were not invited to the Five Kage Summit.
Although their Takigakure Village was not as strong as the Five Great Nations, they had their own unique characteristics and a certain level of strength.
And Senju Hashirama's actions greatly displeased the Village's high-level officials; why look down on small nations?
Therefore, Takigakure's high-level officials held a grudge against Senju Hashirama.
They had originally wanted to assassinate Senju Hashirama at the time, but some matters delayed them.
When Takigakure's high-level officials learned of Senju Hashirama's departure, they immediately convened a high-level meeting to discuss how to get revenge.
Ultimately, they unanimously decided to send someone to assassinate Senju Hashirama.
Even if they couldn't kill him, they could at least vent their anger…
At least they had to let the other party know that their small nations were not to be trifled with!
“Then who should we send?”
The meeting room fell silent.
They all knew Senju Hashirama's strength, and assassinating him would be extremely difficult.
Anyone sent out would basically be going to their deaths.
“Let's send Kakuzu… This guy is powerful and has already threatened our position.” Someone suggested.
“No problem!” The several people in the meeting room unanimously agreed.
So they called Kakuzu and informed him of the mission content.
Kakuzu: “???”
Send him to assassinate the Ninja God? Had the higher-ups gone mad?
“Kakuzu…” The white-haired elder at the head of the table stood up shakily, his withered hand resting on Kakuzu's shoulder, “Although this mission is dangerous, you are the Village's sharpest blade!”
His voice was hoarse, but his eyes gleamed with calculation.
“After Senju Hashirama established Konoha, he completely disregarded us small nations. If you succeed, Takigakure Village will regain its status in the Ninja World, and you will become the Village's hero!”
Another middle-aged man stepped forward and handed him a scroll, “This is the intelligence we've collected; Senju Hashirama's weaknesses are all inside.”
Although Kakuzu was unwilling, he still took the scroll and left the Village.
PS: Everyone, I can't write anymore, I really can't.
I owe one chapter today, and I'll make it up on the weekend…