Chapter 143: Surpassing Oneself, Surpassing the World

Chapter 143: Surpassing Oneself, Surpassing the World

"That guy Nagato is pretty strong. Just judging by his chakra, it's almost half of mine."

Senju Hashirama turned his head to look at Kagami.

"Hey, Kagami, do you know him? Could he really be my grandson?"

Uchiha Kagami smiled faintly. "Want to go play with him?"

Nagato's strength was slightly beyond Kagami's expectations. It seemed his development of Wood Release had surpassed Obito's.

Perhaps it was the benefit of his Uzumaki bloodline.

More importantly…

The White Zetsu cells had enhanced Nagato's physical strength, allowing him to tap into the Rinnegan's potential more deeply.

That last Shinra Tensei was practically an Ultra Shinra Tensei, yet Nagato didn't seem particularly strained.

With a team of skilled allies, Nagato could potentially hold his ground against Hashirama.

Hashirama pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

"Forget it. I'm not really interested."

"By the way… are you planning to hold the second round here as well? If Nagato unleashes a few more attacks like that…"

"The surroundings of Konoha will be full of canyons. That wouldn't be ideal, right?"

"I've already arranged the location for the second round. As for the damage…"

"It doesn't matter. I'll use Earth Release to reshape the terrain, and you can plant trees afterward."

"Bringing you here was partly for that reason. Even I have to admit your talent for reforestation."

"Well, that's rare. I finally have a talent you recognize, Kagami."

Uchiha Kagami glanced toward the Forest of Death, where many teams were hiding amidst the chaos caused by the Akatsuki and the Fire Team.

Some had clearly decided to hide until the three days were up, gambling on the chance of being one of the ninety survivors.

How dull.

Kagami extended a finger and softly chanted:

"Burubu Yura Yura."

Onggg—

A colossal Magu Rō appeared, standing dozens of meters tall, with eyes on either side of its head, each the size of several people.

"So that's the beast you've been raising, huh?"

Hashirama murmured, sensing the creature's energy up close. His understanding of the Magu Rō deepened.

Its energy leaned toward Yin Release, but there was something different about it.

In terms of raw power, it was as formidable as the Nine-Tails.

If this thing didn't belong to Uchiha Kagami, I'd definitely seal it without hesitation.

"What are you planning to do?"

"Adding some excitement to the game."

Whoosh!

The Magu Rō's massive body was teleported to a corner of the Forest of Death.

Some sharp-sensed ninjas noticed it from afar.

The next moment, Kagami's voice resonated throughout the barrier.

"Temporary rule update."

"The Magu Rō will begin sweeping the forest from the outer edges. Simply put…"

"Either head toward the center or prepare to kill the Magu Rō."

Kagami's voice carried a trace of amusement.

"Feel free to try. By any means necessary—whoever lands the final blow will receive an additional ultimate reward."

"How about the prize? Will it be doubled?!"

Kagami blinked, noticing Kakuzu shouting from atop a large tree.

They spoke across the distance.

"Kakuzu, where does your confidence come from?"

"That's none of your business. I'm just asking—will the prize double?"

Kagami fell silent.

He had always assumed Kakuzu's obsession with money was driven by a need to fill an emotional void.

Surely he couldn't be a comedic character whose only drive was money, right?

But now…

In Kakuzu's eyes, Kagami saw the same pure determination that he'd seen in Orochimaru.

I see…

Kagami chuckled.

"Alright, Kakuzu."

"If you kill the Magu Rō, I'll give you five billion ryo."

"Good. Deal!"

Kagami, still curious, couldn't help but ask:

"Kakuzu, aren't you afraid I'll just rob you again?"

Kakuzu paused for a moment.

"Should I stop earning money just because you might rob me?"

"If you can kill me, go ahead."

"In my long life, counting money is the only thing that ever stirs my emotions."

"Well then, good luck, Kakuzu."

Hashirama, observing the scene, also recognized Kakuzu—the very shinobi from Takigakure who once tried to assassinate him.

"Those green eyes… I remember him. He's still alive? That's some longevity!"

Aside from Tsunade, this was the first time Hashirama had seen someone from his era still alive, and he was genuinely delighted.

Kagami, amused by the memory, turned to Hashirama with a smile.

"I heard Kakuzu once tried to assassinate you. How did that happen?"

Hashirama fell into thought, slowly recalling the past.

"Back then, many tried to assassinate me. Establishing a new system wasn't easy."

"If someone wasn't inherently malicious, I spared them whenever possible. Most were just pawns pushed by their leaders."

"Kagami, both Madara and I spent our lives striving for peace."

"I don't know what method Madara sought, but I couldn't find a better one myself."

Hashirama paused, returning to a conversation interrupted years ago by Tobirama's bluntness.

"Kagami, do you know what Madara planned?"

"To cast a genjutsu over the entire shinobi world."

"Oh, alright. If you don't want to—"

"WHAT?!?!"

Hashirama's eyes bulged comically.

He hadn't expected an actual answer from Kagami.

"Did you just say… Madara wants to do WHAT?!"

Kagami smiled faintly. "Simply put, he wants to kill everyone. Understand?"

It took Hashirama a long moment to process the immense weight of that revelation.

His expression grew uncharacteristically serious.

"Kagami… if you know the future, why aren't you stopping Madara?"

"How do you know I haven't tried?"

"Because you—"

"Do I have to chase him across the world for it to count as stopping?"

Kagami spoke calmly:

"The future isn't something set in stone. I've never believed in fate. My existence alone has already reshaped the future."

"I'm not here to follow some predetermined path."

"As long as I'm the strongest and can face any situation…"

Kagami glanced into the barrier, though it seemed he was looking past the people and events within.

As though he gazed through the fabric of space and time, envisioning the future through his own eyes.

"Madara, the Sage of the Six Paths… I don't care about their schemes."

"The only thing I need to surpass is myself."

Hashirama, seeing the unwavering resolve in Kagami's eyes, couldn't help but feel moved.

After a long silence…

Hashirama chuckled softly.

"Kagami, I'm starting to really want to fight you."

"Too bad my current body is far too weak."

Who was Senju Hashirama?

The man who ended the Warring States Era—a legend hailed as the God of Shinobi.

He could bow and humble himself for peace.

He was a caring brother, a devoted husband…

The kind-hearted Hokage the people of Konoha revered.

But beneath all those roles, he possessed a more primal identity:

The strongest of an era.

Even Madara, with his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, couldn't defeat Hashirama.

Madara had always pursued a greater goal.

But atop the summit of strength, Hashirama stood alone.

Strength doesn't always lead to loneliness.

But true strength always craves battle.

To struggle against nature, against rivals—that was the nourishment of growth.

Kagami's words rekindled a long-extinguished flame in Hashirama's heart.

Sensing this shift, Kagami's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Just wait."

"I wouldn't want the grand stage of the future to lack such an interesting character as you."

"Let's hope you're worthy enough to be the stepping stone that helps me transcend this world."

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