[V2] - Chapter 43. Return!
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"Boom!!!"
A loud explosion.
Brilliant fireworks burst out, destroying the Demon Factory of the Land of Rice Fields and lighting up the entire ninja world.
All the ninjas freed from the control of Impure World Reincarnation looked at that light, their faces showing relieved and content smiles. If they still had tears, they would probably already be crying with emotion!
"Is it finally vacation time?"
"Wuwuwu~ It wasn't easy!"
"Dad! There's still some time. How about I take you around the ninja world?"
"Get lost! I'm going back. This ninja world isn't worth staying in!"
"This Yuto Group is really rich! Just to blow up a small factory, did they really need that many explosive tags?"
"Has the ninja world become this dangerous?"
All those revived by Impure World Reincarnation gradually released their connection to the Pure Land, preparing to return to it.
They finally got their vacation.
However—
At the largest ninja village in the ninja world—Konoha, the atmosphere was especially heavy.
A complete silence!
All the Konoha ninjas silently stared at the gradually dimming light, their faces… showing expressions of wanting to speak but not knowing what to say.
Anyway.
At this very moment… even Yuto didn't know what to say.
Originally, Orochimaru eating human ashes had already angered the entire ninja world. And then… what did he just hear?
The former God of the Ninja World—Senju Hashirama—colluded with Orochimaru and exploited employees?
What's wrong with this ninja world?
Even the God of the Ninja World has fallen?
He thought "cahoots" meant they were seeking immortality together, but… this?
This level is way too low!
Just like when Orochimaru defected back then for a billion.
"First Grandpa, Second Grandpa…"
At this moment—
Even Tsunade, who was originally excited to see her First Grandpa and Second Grandpa again… didn't know what to say.
Her feelings were probably very complicated this time too!
In the end, all her emotions turned into a sigh. "I will take care of that Orochimaru and avenge you!"
After speaking—
Hearing Tsunade's words, Senju Tobirama, who had already chosen to forgive his brother, looked at Tsunade a bit awkwardly and sighed, "Sorry to trouble you, Tsunade!"
Just after he said that—
Senju Hashirama also sighed with emotion and nodded, "Yes~, I'm sorry about this time!"
"We should've told you earlier!"
"Yeah! Who would've thought it'd be this late?"
"Who do you think made it this late?"
"Sorry, Tobirama, I just wanted to—"
"Shut up!" At this point, Senju Tobirama didn't want to hear his brother say "I just wanted" again. He looked seriously at Tsunade. "That Orochimaru harbors evil in his heart, evil that definitely rivals Uchiha Madara. You must take care of him quickly! These past years… sigh~" Another sigh of frustration. "Forget it, the Pure Land is empty, the devils are in the ninja world!"
As he spoke, he glanced at the ninjas from other villages eyeing them covetously, then looked at Tsunade again. "It's time for us to leave. So this matter… we'll leave it to the Fourth Hokage! Please apologize to the Little Monkey and the Fourth Hokage for me."
They should be on vacation too.
As he said this, Senju Hashirama also realized he was about to leave. His eyes were full of reluctance as he looked at the figurine he had rescued by his feet. "Take this as a gift! It has great collector value~."
"…Thank you, Grandpa!"
What else could she do?
Of course, she accepted it!
"And here's my account!" Hashirama solemnly took out a slip of paper and handed it to Tsunade. "I put a lot of money into it. It's all the hard-earned money your Second Grandpa made working for that Orochimaru over the years. You must keep it safe!"
Senju Tobirama: …
What the hell… Can you stop talking?
However—
Tsunade still took the account information with a complicated expression.
She inherited her grandfather's account!
"Well then… please don't dwell on the past anymore. I believe your parents and Mito wouldn't want you stuck in sadness." Senju Hashirama smiled gently and patted Tsunade's hair. "After this, we might not see each other again. Don't cling to the past. Your life isn't over yet. Keep moving forward! When we meet again in the Pure Land, you must tell me you lived very happily, okay?"
At this moment—
The once emotionally conflicted Tsunade once again felt the love from her First Grandpa and Second Grandpa. She instantly burst into tears, hugging her First Grandpa tightly. "First Grandpa, Second Grandpa, don't leave me!"
"We've already disappeared long ago. Don't dwell in the past! Goodbye, Tsunade!"
With those words spoken—
Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama exchanged a smile. The discomfort in Tobirama's heart seemed to fade quite a bit.
They were all dead!
Why bother caring about so much anymore?
The souls of the two slowly rose under the respectful farewell of the Konoha ninjas.
Eventually, they vanished from the scene.
Just as everyone was mourning the First and Second Hokage—
Suddenly—
A ringtone rang out.
Jiraiya answered the call. "Hello? Minato? What's up?"
As soon as he spoke—
Suddenly—
The expression that was just full of sentiment instantly changed. Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, his face turning serious as he looked at the assembled ninjas. "We have to hurry back to Konoha!"
That—
Otsutsuki Urashiki has appeared!
…
At the same time—
While Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama were ascending, Uchiha Madara in the distance also seemed to sense it. He stopped in his tracks, looked back with a complicated gaze, and muttered to himself, "If we can meet again next time, I'll prove to you… that I was right, Hashirama!"
As he finished speaking—
"Madara-sama! Madara-sama! Are we heading back to the base now? Everyone's waiting for you, Madara-sama!" A White Zetsu grinned as he looked at Madara. "With you here, I'm sure under your leadership, we'll definitely achieve our dream!"
"Mm." Madara nodded slightly, speaking calmly, "It's time to return. I can't last much longer."
"Ah? Madara-sama can't stay longer?"
"This is only Impure World Reincarnation, not true resurrection. That guy deliberately released the ninjutsu so we'd disappear!"
"Then what should we do?" The little White Zetsu's eyes flickered. [Do we need to support a new boss again?]
"I will pass on the next phase of the plan. As long as my will remains, it's enough!" Madara said coldly. "I'll wait for the moment of true resurrection!"
Just now—
Uzumaki Nagato.
Did that guy already find something out?
It seems the original plan has undergone unexpected changes.
But it doesn't matter.
As long as the overall direction is right—
He, Uchiha Madara—
Fears no obstacle!
With that—
He quickly headed toward the base with White Zetsu.
Very soon—
By nightfall, the two of them arrived at the base.
Madara paused in place, gazing at the long-lost cavern, and then looked at those... network cables the White Zetsus had once set up for him back in the day. His heart was filled with emotion.
Has it already been so many years?
White Zetsu at his side saw Madara like this and quickly whispered, "Madara-sama, we should go inside now!"
With those words—
"Mm." Madara withdrew from his thoughts and nodded expressionlessly.
Then—
He raised his foot and stepped into the cavern.
Immediately—
"Whooshhhh!"
A dense crowd of White Zetsu appeared before him, and at the forefront was the will he had created back in the day—Black Zetsu!
"Welcome back, Madara-sama!"
The booming voice echoed throughout the entire cavern.
Uchiha Madara has returned!
…
On the other side—
At the final moment, Orochimaru, who had managed to escape using trickery, crawled out from underground. He looked back at the now-faded light and smiled faintly.
However… he seemed to have taken a significant injury—his face was unusually pale.
In that kind of siege, trying to get away… it was impossible without shedding some skin!
"Hehehe~" Orochimaru smiled cheerfully as he looked ahead. "How lucky~ I almost died!"
And even if he hadn't died… going dancing with Jiraiya would've been worse than death!
What a pity—
The factory he'd spent years building was just gone.
Orochimaru shook his head, sighed inwardly, then turned around.
He figured the entire ninja world must be hunting him down now, so his next move was to go to another secret base and lay low for a while.
However—
Just as he'd taken a few steps—
Suddenly—
The space in front of him twisted.
A space-time ninjutsu?!
Orochimaru's expression changed as he quickly retreated, eyes fixed on the ninjutsu that had appeared. "Who's there?"
As soon as he finished speaking—
A familiar figure carrying a fishing rod and floating beside a giant sphere appeared!
Otsutsuki Urashiki smiled at Orochimaru and said calmly, "Are you Orochimaru?"
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Read upto [V2] Chapter 110 in patreon.com/kurato6180