Chapter 258: The First Hokage's Terror, The Efforts of the Dead!
Land of Rain.
The rain veiled the world, making it appear as if it were shrouded in a gray gauze.
Within the forest, a figure leaped through the trees – it was Rōshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki who had defected from Iwagakure.
His reason for defecting was a disagreement in ideals with the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki.
However, the recent situation also played a significant role.
The assassination of the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure and the extraction of the One-Tails Jinchuriki's Tailed Beast had sent shockwaves throughout the Ninja World.
Although Konoha's attempts to unite the major ninja villages had not been met with a response, it didn't mean that villages possessing Tailed Beasts weren't aware of the crisis.
On the contrary, all the major villages had increased their protection of their Jinchuriki.
However, for an veteran Jinchuriki like Rōshi, even though he wasn't a perfect Jinchuriki like Killer B, he had already mastered the power of the Tailed Beast to a high degree. He was old enough that he couldn't stand being treated as if he were imprisoned.
Coupled with his ideological differences with Onoki, Rōshi defected.
Now, Stone Ninja were in pursuit from behind.
It was no joke; a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki defecting was a massive loss.
However, Rōshi frowned.
The pursuing enemies behind him had decreased!
"Did they split up to flank me?"
Rōshi speculated inwardly, extending his perception.
But he couldn't sense anyone flanking him. Instead, the pursuing enemies he had sensed earlier had also disappeared.
"What's going on?"
Rōshi stopped, a sense of unease creeping over him.
Especially after recalling the incident where the Sunagakure Jinchuriki was captured and the Tailed Beast was lost.
Was he being targeted?
Rōshi's gaze turned cold. However, as he turned around, he was instantly jolted.
Ahead of him, a figure stood, back turned to him, hands clasped behind its back.
And the rain seemed to possess a spirit, deliberately avoiding him.
"Are you from the Akatsuki Organization?"
Rōshi asked, but immediately denied it.
"You shouldn't be."
"The Akatsuki Organization doesn't dress like you!"
Sarutobi Asuma slowly turned around. "It seems Iwagakure and the Akatsuki Organization are cooperating."
He didn't hide his appearance, having changed his plan at the last minute and not using a disguise.
Rōshi's pupils contracted as he looked at Sarutobi Asuma. "You... Sarutobi Asuma!"
"How could you be here!"
"Were you the one who dealt with those pursuing me?"
Although Sarutobi Asuma hadn't appeared in the Ninja World for many years, his appearance hadn't changed much from when he was a teenager, retaining that youthful look.
Therefore, Rōshi recognized him immediately.
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled. "Don't worry, they're not dead."
"But..."
"You're about to die!"
Rōshi's heart clenched, goosebumps rising all over his body. "You want to take the Four-Tails!"
Sarutobi Asuma's name was too famous.
While he was dissatisfied with Onoki, he had to admit that even as the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, wielding the power of the Four-Tails' Lava Style, and even capable of releasing a portion of the Four-Tails' power, he was no match for Onoki.
And back then, this person in front of him had defeated Onoki when he was a teenager.
Now, more than ten years had passed, who knew how strong he had become?
But regardless, he likely wouldn't be his opponent.
This battle would probably be the most difficult of his life!
Rōshi's gaze grew fierce.
Even though he felt outmatched, he didn't give up.
Sarutobi Asuma smiled as he watched. "It's not me who's going to kill you."
"The Akatsuki Organization is capturing Tailed Beasts. Your defection from Iwagakure is practically seeking death."
Rōshi blinked, relieved inwardly, but then snorted, "I'm not some brat like the One-Tails Jinchuriki."
So confident!
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled inwardly and then said, "It seems you don't want to return to Iwagakure."
"If that's the case, why don't we make a bet?"
Rōshi frowned, confused, "What?"
Sarutobi Asuma stated, "If you can escape the Akatsuki Organization's hunt, I can help you find a free land where the Stone Ninja can't track you."
"If you can't escape, then you'll serve me."
Rōshi looked at Sarutobi Asuma, thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "Fine!"
Sarutobi Asuma nodded with satisfaction. The next moment, his eyes changed, and the Dream Eye appeared. Rōshi's consciousness was immediately drawn into a dream.
Simultaneously, the Four-Tails sealed within Rōshi was also controlled by the Dream Eye.
In Sarutobi Asuma's hands, the genjutsu abilities of the Dream Eye were absolutely not weaker than the Mangekyo Sharingan, perhaps even stronger.
Sarutobi Asuma stepped forward, quickly separated the Four-Tails, and took away the Yin Four-Tails.
All of this was accomplished while Rōshi and the Four-Tails were trapped in the genjutsu.
After separating the Four-Tails, Sarutobi Asuma cast another genjutsu on Rōshi and the Four-Tails, preventing them from realizing the Four-Tails had been split.
Even without Uka's clone present, Sarutobi Asuma could easily achieve this with the genjutsu power of the Dream Eye.
When Rōshi woke up from the genjutsu, he found himself bound by pursuit ninja from his village and being hurried back.
"Damn it, how could this..."
Rōshi gritted his teeth in anger.
Furthermore, his chakra was sealed, making it impossible to escape.
Amegakure.
Inside a tall tower.
Tobi exclaimed loudly, "Hey, this is a great opportunity to capture the Four-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Right, Senior Orochimaru!"
Orochimaru glanced at Tobi and smiled, "Indeed."
"The Four-Tails Jinchuriki escaped from Iwagakure, and although he was recaptured, his strength isn't great. He's much easier to capture than the One-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Why don't we assign this to Deidara and Tobi!"
Deidara had only recently joined.
After Sasori of the Red Sand died, Orochimaru, Kakuzu, Hidan, and Deva Path Pain personally went to "invite" them back.
Deidara snorted upon hearing this, "Don't play these testing games!"
Deva Path Pain spoke, "No need!"
"Now is not the time to capture the Four-Tails. We are still cooperating with the Akatsuki Organization."
"Moreover, sealing the Tailed Beasts must be done in order. We need to deal with the Two-Tails first and then find the Three-Tails."
Orochimaru felt a bit regretful.
Having lost the First and Second Hokage, he wanted more powerful Impure World Reincarnation pawns.
However, Deva Path Pain then changed his tone, "But we cannot let the Stone Ninja bring the Four-Tails Jinchuriki back to Iwagakure."
"So, Tobi, Deidara, you two go help him!"
Tobi immediately smiled, "Of course, that's no problem."
"I think Deidara would also be happy to help out his former comrade!"
Deidara snorted and remained silent.
...
Konoha Sage Domain, underground research base.
Sarutobi Asuma placed the Four-Tails into a black bathtub. Next, a shadow clone could research the Four-Tails.
This would further refine the genes of the clone.
Or, it could further refine the genes of the God Tree and the Nine-Tails Mangekyo Sharingan.
Senju Tobirama was very curious about Sarutobi Asuma's shadow clone researching Tailed Beast chakra; he had wanted to do so in the past.
Unfortunately, he was saddled with a prodigal older brother.
When he learned that Sarutobi Asuma intended to reverse-engineer the power of the God Tree from researching Tailed Beasts, God Tree remnants, and Rinnegan genes, his interest grew even greater. He immediately abandoned his own research and joined Sarutobi Asuma's shadow clone to collaborate.
The more time Sarutobi Asuma spent with Senju Tobirama, the more he sensed the man's terrifying nature.
His understanding of chakra and ninjutsu was astonishing, and he was a true all-rounder.
In Sarutobi Asuma's assessment, his Chakra Control had definitely reached level 9, which was the level of the Six Paths.
Furthermore, both Senju Tobirama and Senju Hashirama had mastered all seven chakra nature transformations.
And to a profound degree.
Senju Tobirama, in particular, surpassed Senju Hashirama in this regard.
The difference between Senju Tobirama and Senju Hashirama likely lay in Ashura's chakra.
In fact, Senju Tobirama's mastery of ninjutsu surpassed Senju Hashirama's.
Of course, this might also be because Senju Hashirama's focus was entirely on Wood Release, taking a path of specialization.
Conquering with a single system!
Whereas Senju Tobirama was a jack-of-all-trades.
To counter Uchiha's Fire Style, he was particularly proficient in Water Style.
To deal with the Sharingan, he developed the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, specifically targeting vision.
The creation of the Flying Thunder God Technique was also to counter the Uchiha's Sharingan's powerful perceptive abilities.
This wasn't Sarutobi Asuma's speculation; he had heard it directly from Senju Tobirama during a conversation.
Before the establishment of Konoha, the Senju clan was, after all, mortal enemies with the Uchiha.
Even after Konoha's founding, Senju Tobirama remained highly wary of the Uchiha, even rejecting the proposal to make Uchiha Madara the Second Hokage.
As Orochimaru had said, Uchiha Madara had cast a long shadow over Senju Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama hadn't hidden this fact.
During his research, he had repeatedly mentioned the need to study the Rinnegan and develop countermeasures.
However, Sarutobi Asuma could understand this.
Uchiha Madara had also cast a shadow over him.
What was the purpose of his strenuous training back then if not to utterly destroy Uchiha Madara, and to utterly destroy Ōtsutsuki Kaguya and Black Zetsu!
It could be said that Sarutobi Asuma had also lived under Uchiha Madara's shadow.
...
Returning to the Senju Ancestral Home.
Sarutobi Asuma saw Senju Hashirama teaching Nawaki, while Sarutobi Mirai slept soundly in a nearby baby carriage.
Although Nawaki was primarily taught by Senju Tobirama, neither Sarutobi Asuma nor Tsunade nor Senju Hashirama neglected his upbringing.
After all, Nawaki had also inherited the power of Wood Release.
After a glance, Sarutobi Asuma turned and went to the kitchen.
Shizune was on a mission, leaving only Tsunade and Yūhi Kurenai in the kitchen.
Seeing Sarutobi Asuma return, Tsunade asked, "Did you capture the Four-Tails?"
"Of course."
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled, "Who do you think I am?"
Tsunade pouted, then said, "Grandfather has mastered the Kekkei Tōta Wood Style!"
Sarutobi Asuma was stunned at this, "That fast?"
Tsunade's lips curled, "Naturally!"
Seeing her expression, Sarutobi Asuma laughed, "As expected of the First Hokage!"
Senju Hashirama was truly formidable!
It was just a pity.
However.
Sarutobi Asuma stroked his chin and thought, "Perhaps, when Uchiha Madara is revived, he won't need me to do anything; the First Hokage can suppress him again."
"It's just that while Impure World Reincarnation is extremely difficult for regular ninja to deal with, it has significant flaws for those who possess the Rinnegan and have mastered Yin-Yang Release."
"Kekkei Mōra, combined with Truth-Seeking Balls..."
With these thoughts, Sarutobi Asuma said goodbye to Tsunade and Yūhi Kurenai and returned to his study.
Sitting at his desk, he took out blank scrolls and began to write.
Currently, in all of Konoha, the only ones with the potential to master Kekkei Mōra and Truth-Seeking Balls in a short period were likely the deceased Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
As for his father, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Although he had also mastered all seven chakra nature transformations, and to a considerable extent, he was still a bit short.
And then there was Namikaze Minato, whose mind was heavily occupied by the position of Hokage.
The Sengoku period had lasted for such a long time, and much from the Sage of Six Paths era had been lost.
For example, Yin-Yang Release.
Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama knew of it but did not possess it.
And now, if there was a clear path, it probably wouldn't be too difficult for the two brothers to master with their intelligence.
Although they didn't have the Rinnegan.
But Yin-Yang Release wasn't something that absolutely required the Rinnegan to master.
...
After dinner that evening, Sarutobi Asuma met with Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama in the study and handed them the prepared scrolls.
"Are you researching some kind of ninjutsu?"
Senju Hashirama took one of them and asked.
Senju Tobirama also took one, but didn't speak, instead immediately opening it.
"It's not exactly ninjutsu."
Sarutobi Asuma shook his head and explained with a smile, "While I've developed quite a bit of ninjutsu, much of it isn't suitable for you two."
"Instead, things that are more theoretical are more fitting."
At this point, Senju Tobirama looked up and said, "Indeed."
"Truth-Seeking Balls, the fusion of seven chakra natures... I didn't expect it could be done this way."
"I originally thought it was only Kekkei Mōra..."
As he spoke, he lowered his head to continue reading.
He had never heard of or seen ninjutsu like Truth-Seeking Balls before.
Even though this technique was based on Yin-Yang Release.
Hearing Senju Tobirama's words, Senju Hashirama became even more interested and also lowered his head to read the contents of the scroll in his hand.
The content of the scroll in his hand was Kekkei Mora Wood Style.
The two scrolls could be called ninjutsu, or they could not.
This was because Sarutobi Asuma had written them in a theoretical manner, containing extremely profound chakra theory knowledge and chakra nature transformation knowledge.
There were probably only a few people in the entire Konoha who could understand them.
To be honest, Sarutobi Asuma was already feeling a bit lonely.
And now, with Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, he felt like he had found two more "fellow Daoists."
And indeed, that was the case.
Soon, Senju Tobirama entered a state of questioning, initially posing a question every ten minutes or so.
On the other hand, Senju Hashirama kept his head down, studying, occasionally stroking his chin and muttering to himself.
He would also occasionally split off Wood Clones and go out.
By the time dawn broke, he had already created over a hundred Wood Clones.
The intervals between Senju Tobirama's questions also grew longer, with him asking only once every few hours.
But Sarutobi Asuma was very excited.
By the afternoon, Senju Hashirama finally began to ask questions as well.
Sarutobi Asuma answered everything he knew without reservation.
If Senju Hashirama mastered Kekkei Mora Wood Style and Truth-Seeking Balls, and if Senju Tobirama mastered Truth-Seeking Balls, Sarutobi Asuma felt that even though they were dead, they would have astonishing effects.
Therefore.
He was very much looking forward to it!
-----------
Machine Translation by: beta.randomtranslator.com
Read 1400+ original & fanfic translations and Translate for Free at: www.randomtranslator.com