Kitagawa Gen had always thought of himself as a good person.
Since he was a good person, he had always upheld the principle of "sending them on their final journey."
Take Uchiha Itachi, for example—the very first Akatsuki member he ever encountered.
Didn't he fulfill his wish by letting Sasuke personally kill him?
And afterward, he even let him reunite with his family—happily and warmly tangled together.
And Uchiha Madara as well—he had longed so much to witness Wood Release, hadn't Gen also granted that wish?
'There really aren't many good people like me left!' Kitagawa Gen sighed, feeling worried about the current state of the shinobi world.
"Gen, what are you thinking about?"
Just as he was sighing with emotion, Senju Tobirama couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Nothing, I was just thinking about some other things."
Kitagawa Gen came back to his senses and shook his head.
By now, they had already returned to Konohagakure. The issue of Iwagakure's reconstruction had been resolved—and it had to be said, the rebuilding speed of shinobi was truly astonishing.
Especially since, in a certain sense, Iwagakure had quite a number of experts in earthwork and construction.
When they were about to leave, Deidara even wanted to "send them off." Back then, it was he who had carried Kitagawa Gen, Jiraiya, and the others all the way back to Konoha.
But this time Ōnoki could not possibly agree and directly pinned Deidara down.
Thinking about it carefully, it was only natural. Although Iwagakure's reconstruction was progressing fast, the losses were indeed immense.
No one knew whether the Akatsuki would strike again, so there was absolutely no way Deidara could be released.
"By the way, Ōnoki also said that once Iwagakure stabilizes, he hopes to convene a Three Kage Summit."
Recalling what Ōnoki had said before they left, Kitagawa Gen scratched his head and spoke to the others present.
"But I think we might as well invite Sunagakure's Gaara too. After all, he's still the Kazekage—even if their situation isn't great."
"Their situation may not be great, but it's still better than Kumogakure's, isn't it?"
Jiraiya couldn't help but complain from the side, and Kakashi nodded in agreement.
"They lost so much money, suffered so many casualties, and even had to relocate Kumogakure itself. On top of that, our policies have made them extremely impoverished."
"By now, they absolutely hate us."
Senju Hashirama sighed and said helplessly.
"If they lacked the strength, they probably would have acted long ago; but continuing like this isn't very good."
"Not good?"
Kitagawa Gen looked at the First Hokage with a puzzled expression.
"Isn't it still not chaotic? If it's not chaotic, that means there's no problem; I even think we're being too lenient!"
"Exactly."
Senju Tobirama nodded, which immediately caused the Third Hokage to wince—their sensei and Gen were simply too much alike in temperament.
"They are no longer untroubled; they are already suffering greatly."
"Ah~ Third Hokage, what you say is wrong."
Kitagawa Gen shook his head at once and spoke seriously.
"No one in the izakayas is complaining, I haven't seen anyone in the brothels voicing dissatisfaction, and even bread sales haven't reached 500,000 ryō, which shows we've been very merciful."
"You call that merciful?"
Senju Hashirama was somewhat speechless. Tsunade, who had long refused to discuss these matters, could no longer hold back.
"How can you still say that—haven't you been strictly inspecting and even sealing these places at any time? Forget the brothels, why the izakayas and casinos too? There's no fun left; isn't that already enough suffering?"
Even Tsunade spoke like this, so it was plain to see how harshly Kitagawa Gen had cracked down on those in Kumogakure.
This caused him to fall silent for a moment, and that silence made Senju Hashirama and the others breathe a little easier.
When dealing with enemies, one must use both reward and punishment; one cannot rely solely on "heavy blows."
"Then—"
But Kitagawa Gen only remained silent for a short while before speaking after some thought.
"Shall we just wipe them all out?"
"Hiss."
Senju Hashirama, the Third Hokage, and the others all drew a sharp breath; Senju Tobirama, however, silently nodded.
"Indeed, they are suffering so much—better to give them an end."
"Right, right!"
Kitagawa Gen felt his mind was truly on the same wavelength as Senju Tobirama.
"And besides, families should be kept whole so they can reunite peacefully in the Pure Land and not be lonely on the road to the afterlife."
"Stop!"
Kakashi could no longer contain himself; he swore he had heard this line before—the last time it sounded like the employer who scammed them on a mission.
"All right, all right, enough."
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately tried to smooth things over; he felt he could hardly bear it.
"Let's talk about the Impure World Reincarnation instead—this is important for everyone."
"Exactly."
Senju Hashirama immediately shifted the topic as well; he too did not wish to continue.
"Tobirama, Little Tsunade, how's your examination going? What exactly is that thing?"
"Tch, boring."
Senju Tobirama still seemed somewhat unsatisfied, but for now he no longer dwelled on it and followed the question.
"It's already been examined. The method used is extremely advanced—it's a humanoid organism and even possesses vital signs."
"That's right. The most remarkable thing is that they possess the same kind of power as Grandpa, though with some differences."
These years, Tsunade had been working in the Medical Division. Apart from slacking off and gambling recklessly with Senju Hashirama, she truly had been conducting research.
"With the line of thought Gen provided, along with the information from the stone tablet and tree bark, all of them mentioned the power of all creation. This lifeform seems to be exactly that."
"It seems Madara really made an incredible amount of preparations."
Senju Hashirama couldn't help but sigh; his expression turned serious as well.
"With such a lifeform in his hands, his power would become even stronger—he might even be able to obtain that power."
"It's hard to say whether he's already obtained it. It's just that the Impure World Reincarnation cannot release his full strength."
Senju Tobirama couldn't help speaking, though there was a faint hint of excitement in his eyes.
"In that case, Big Brother, it seems you too might have the chance to gain a similar power. Even though you're only in a reanimated state, your strength would probably still increase. That way—"
In truth, what he wanted to say was that not only his dear big brother—he himself would as well!
He certainly had no intention of being a burden. Back then, he had been powerless; Uchiha Madara had simply been too strong.
Now, even though their opponent was far more terrifying, the Impure World Reincarnation had no fear of death.
And unexpectedly, the Impure World Reincarnation even seemed to bring some new possibilities—how could he not be excited?
"And also, Gen, that 'evolution' mentioned by Ōtsutsuki Genshiki—could it also be Yin–Yang Release?"
Lifting his head, Senju Tobirama looked toward Kitagawa Gen. Yet that question made even Kitagawa Gen feel a bit awkward.
"Well, I don't know."
He truly didn't know how to answer this question, since it was something he had just casually made up.
He could simply say he didn't know, and that would be fine.
As for verifying it?
They could go ask Ōtsutsuki Genshiki!
"I see."
Senju Tobirama nodded and did not say more; it was normal not to know.
"By the way, I heard you plan to truly resurrect the Fourth Hokage. Are you sure that's feasible?"
"This matter requires careful study. In fact, every technique carries risk—the Impure World Reincarnation is no exception, isn't it?"
Although Kitagawa Gen already knew how to do it, before that he also intended to visit the Uzumaki Clan's Shrine of Masks.
After all, he was quite curious about that Shinigami; he truly didn't know what kind of existence that god of death was.
This world was absurd—there were exaggerated beings like the Ōtsutsuki and the Sage of Six Paths, yet at the same time there existed the Pure Land and all sorts of chaotic gods.
Leaving aside the Shinigami summoned by the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, wasn't that Hidan—whom he had already beaten into a "piece of trash"—serving a so-called evil god?
'Moreover, the status of this so-called 'Shinigami' and even that 'evil god' doesn't seem to be as lofty as one would imagine.'
The Shinigami, for instance—as long as one used the right method, it could also be "tricked," and the souls trapped in its stomach could be released.
If the practitioner's strength was high enough, it seemed the Shinigami could no longer help the caster pull out the enemy's soul, while that "evil god" had even let Hidan starve to death.
'So these gods don't seem to be true gods in the literal sense, but more like techniques—or perhaps certain concretizations of rules that can be used?'
Kitagawa Gen didn't quite understand, which was why he planned to take a look himself. As for whether there would be results, he wasn't too concerned.
If there were results, that would naturally be best. If not, then trying to learn a little about the Pure Land through this "Shinigami" to prepare for finding Nohara Rin wouldn't be bad either.
'I remember that Nohara Rin seems to be in the space between the Pure Land and the human world. Not only her, but Kakashi's father as well.'
In that place, whether one could be brought back with the Impure World Reincarnation was hard to say, so he naturally had to make thorough preparations.
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