Chapter 43

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"After your death, Hashirama returned your belongings to the clan. The elders then followed your emergency plan, quietly dispersing the clan members across the various countries in the ninja world, using new identities prepared in advance to infiltrate and develop."

Samui's cool voice detailed the Hagoromo clan's experiences over the past few decades.

Gensou nodded after listening.

It must be said that Hashirama was quite magnanimous.

Afterward, he returned Gensou's belongings to the Hagoromo clan and didn't think of exterminating them to eliminate all future threats. Instead, he allowed the Hagoromo clan to continue existing and even instructed Konoha not to antagonize them.

Had it been the more ruthless Tobirama or any of the other Kage, they would have seized an opportunity to eliminate such a ticking time bomb.

But one cannot always rely on others.

The elders of the Hagoromo clan, influenced by Gensou's teachings, quickly decided to disperse the clan to ensure their survival.

Without Gensou's protection, the Hagoromo clan, though still a formidable force, was no match for the Five Great Nations, which had integrated numerous ninja clans and boasted vast armies of both elite and average (cannon fodder) ninjas.

Especially after Gensou had killed the First Mizukage and severely injured the First Raikage, there was no guarantee that these factions wouldn't hold grudges and seek revenge.

Indeed, as anticipated, many hostile forces eyed the Hagoromo clan covetously.

Had the Hagoromo clan not evacuated in time, they might have faced the same fate as the Uzumaki clan: complete destruction, with survivors scattered.

The Uzumaki clan, despite having their own country, an independent ninja village, and an alliance with Konoha, still couldn't withstand external pressures and were ultimately annihilated.

The Hagoromo clan, while not as renowned for their sealing techniques as the Uzumaki, had centuries of accumulated wealth and knowledge that would undoubtedly attract greedy adversaries.

Though they suffered significant economic losses by leaving behind their ancestral land and immovable assets, they survived and even thrived by integrating into various nations and leveraging the power of major ninja villages.

Members like Samui, who held significant positions in the Cloud Village, or similar examples in Konoha, Iwa, Suna, and even Kiri, showed that the Hagoromo clan had not only survived but also prospered.

So, one should never judge the merits of a situation solely by its immediate impact.

Gensou thought of the time when Hashirama invited the Hagoromo clan to join Konoha alongside the Senju and Uchiha clans to build a better future. He shook his head.

"Hashirama, did you ever imagine Konoha would end up like this?"

"Clan leader, are you really back this time?"

Having explained the situation of the Hagoromo clan and the information she had gathered, Samui couldn't hold back her long-suppressed question. She looked at Gensou's cracked face, full of hope.

Gensou glanced at the scroll of the Spirit Transformation Technique in his hand and nodded slightly, "Almost."

Samui's cold face lit up with excitement. She knelt again, asking, "Clan leader, what do you need us to do? The Hagoromo clan will always be your weapon and shield."

Gensou hadn't expected members of the Hagoromo clan to appear here.

His plan was to seek out the clan after his resurrection.

He had even prepared himself for the possibility that the clan might be struggling or even destitute.

Unexpectedly, the clan seemed to be doing quite well without his leadership.

"Continue as you are."

Recently returned and still unfamiliar with the current situation, Gensou decided not to change anything for now.

He then looked at the three Cloud ninja corpses nearby and chuckled, "The Cloud ninjas are quite proactive, coming all the way here."

It wasn't surprising for Konoha ninjas to be here, as this was their territory.

But Gensou hadn't expected Cloud ninjas to travel such a distance to snoop around, even sending a team to the Valley of the End to try their luck.

Samui explained, "The Cloud ninjas have always harbored resentment over the First Raikage's severed arm. Upon hearing of your reappearance, the Fourth Raikage quickly dispatched many ninjas to search for you, seeking revenge for their ancestor's injury."

"As I understand it, the Cloud ninjas are contributing the most to this search among the Five Great Villages."

"The First Raikage had such an impulsive character. It's no surprise that the Cloud ninjas he led still follow the same pattern decades later."

Gensou shook his head lightly.

"If they haven't learned their lesson, it's time for a reminder."

"Samui."

"Yes!"

Samui promptly bowed, awaiting orders.

Gensou instructed, "Notify the Raikage and tell him I'm here."

"...Yes!" Samui hesitated slightly but didn't question the order, nodding in agreement.

"And..." Gensou glanced at her, drawing a kunai, "You're too clean."

With that, he swiftly slashed.

Blood flowed freely.

Samui grunted but remained still as the kunai pierced her.

"This will do."

Having fat can be advantageous; the attack meant to hit her heart fell just short.

"Go."

Gensou waved her off.

Samui respectfully bowed and, clutching her wound, swiftly disappeared from the Valley of the End.

With hands behind his back, Gensou's gaze shifted from Samui's departing figure to the statue of himself.

A grand re-entry into the ninja world deserved a fitting audience.

Since the Cloud ninjas were so eager to meet him, he would use them to formally announce his return to the ninja world.

Only gods should be directly beheld by mortals.

Someone akin to a god should be treated likewise.

After Samui left, Gensou cremated the Cloud ninja corpses, then leaped to the top of his statue, sat down, and opened the scroll of the Spirit Transformation Technique, studying it intently.

The Cloud ninjas wouldn't arrive immediately after receiving the message.

Gensou had ample time to learn the Spirit Transformation Technique and complete his resurrection.

Although his notion of "ample" time differed vastly from others.

As now.

What would take others weeks, months, or even years to master, Gensou had almost grasped after reading and attempting the S-rank technique a few times.

With the formula, the answer, and the detailed process laid out before him, learning it was quite straightforward.

Wasn't it?

"It's time to complete the final step."

Gensou rose, resolute in his decision.

(End of Chapter)