Chapter 622: A Fine Young Senju, Ruined by His Mouth

Even without testing the other party's strength firsthand, the Third Raikage wasn't foolish enough to believe he could rival Senju Hashirama.

The title God of Shinobi wasn't just for show.

That name was earned by dominating an entire era.

Back in Hashirama's time, aside from Konoha, the other nations and villages didn't even have the guts to act out.

Only after his death did they dare to make a move.

That alone was proof enough.

Before the God of Shinobi, all the so-called powerhouses of the ninja world were nothing but mere juniors.

The negotiation process for the Five Kage Summit went so smoothly that it was almost terrifying. Having grown accustomed to endless disputes and arguments, Minato couldn't help but look on in admiration.

"As expected of Lord First Hokage. He effortlessly got the Hidden Cloud Village to agree to the Five Kage Summit, and the Third Raikage even volunteered to contact the other villages."

If this were in the past, Minato wouldn't have even dared to dream of such an outcome.

"Of course," Nawaki chimed in smugly. He couldn't help but bask in the reflected glory. After all, that was his grandfather.

What was he so smug about?

That was all because of the First Hokage's reputation. What did that have to do with Nawaki?

Minato shot a look of disdain at Nawaki's self-satisfied expression.

Kushina wasn't any kinder, her face full of exasperation.

"Anyone possessing the power to crush the entire ninja world would command respect wherever they went. Plenty of people would be eager to get on their good side, offering an easy way out of any situation."

"Of course, there are exceptions—like Uchiha Madara. Back in the Warring States period, his strength was no weaker than the First Hokage's, but he never commanded that same level of respect."

"Oh?"

Nawaki leaned in, raising his brows with a shifty grin.

Takuya's eyelid twitched. He had an overwhelming urge to kick Nawaki away.

If you've got something to say, just say it. Stop making those weird faces—it's unsettling.

If it were a cute girl, maybe he could tolerate it. But Nawaki? A rough-looking dude with a face like that? No thanks.

Takuya could never understand how, while he and Minato kept getting better-looking, Nawaki just kept getting rougher.

And his genes weren't even bad! So how the hell did he turn out like this?

Anyone who didn't know better would never believe he was Tsunade's younger brother.

Was he adopted?

Takuya lifted his foot slightly in warning. Take one more step, and you're getting kicked.

Nawaki let out an awkward chuckle and wisely stopped.

Satisfied that he had successfully stopped him from getting any closer, Takuya finally spoke.

"Even though both the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara demonstrated overwhelming strength to crush other villages, only the First Hokage earned the world's respect, while Madara did not. There's a reason for that."

"Aside from a few extreme cases, not many people are fond of someone who would wipe out an entire village or slaughter their entire family on a whim."

"On the other hand, someone like the First Hokage—who had a soft spot for the weak, who genuinely wanted to help others, and yet was absurdly powerful—was much easier to accept."

"My grandfather did things like that?" Nawaki blinked in surprise. "Doesn't seem like him."

"It really doesn't…"

Takuya's mouth twitched.

"Your grandfather was the kind of person who would happily use Wood Release to push the entire Hidden Mist Village into the ocean, then cheerfully stroll onto enemy territory to capture Tailed Beasts—before sitting down to 'negotiate' after the fact."

It's not the Wood Release that was terrifying—it was Senju Hashirama himself. That statement couldn't be more accurate.

Just look at Yamato, another user of Wood Release.

Poor kid was given to Tsunade for safekeeping, secretly protected, even held to high expectations.

But in the end, his performance was… underwhelming. Forget using Wood Release to suppress entire villages—he could barely manage basic landscaping.

"And then there's Madara, who never bothered with negotiation. His approach was either beating you into submission or straight-up wiping out your entire family. If that didn't work, he'd just destroy your village. So tell me—who do you think people would like more?"

"Both of them were unparalleled powerhouses. One had a good heart, was willing to lower himself to talk things out, to make compromises, to even take minor losses for the greater good."

"And the other? A man who killed first and asked questions never."

"When you put it that way… yeah, I get it."

Nawaki nodded thoughtfully. Then he glanced at Takuya, then at Minato, and casually said:

"So it's just like how Minato is more popular in the village than you—because most people are scared of you, right?"

"…"

You really don't value your life, huh?

Minato's smile froze.

Even Kushina stopped laughing, staring at Nawaki like he was the biggest idiot on the planet.

Did you seriously just say that out loud?

Takuya sighed, lifting his foot and aiming it straight for Nawaki's increasingly middle-aged-looking face.

"Ow—! I get it! Don't kick my face—it hurts!!!"

Even though everything Nawaki said was true, Takuya still couldn't resist beating him up.

Because that mouth of his was just too damn annoying.

Sure, Minato had that sunshine-like warmth that made people feel at ease. His friendly, easygoing nature let him get along with everyone.

But Takuya? He wasn't the type to go around smiling at people. The idea of being warm and approachable to everyone he met just didn't sit right with him.

"Whoa, what happened to your face? Did Kushina beat you up?"

There were so many matters to discuss that Tobirama, worried Hashirama would start making reckless promises, had kicked him out of the negotiations.

Now with nothing to do, Hashirama wandered over to the lodging Cloud Village had arranged for Takuya and the others—only to find his grandson looking absolutely wrecked.

Even in their short time together, Hashirama had come to understand his eldest grandson pretty well.

The boy was a bit slow on the uptake, had a tendency to say things that made people want to punch him, and frequently got beaten up by Kushina and Tsunade.

But this time, the beating seemed a bit more severe than usual.

"You're hopeless," Hashirama chuckled, patting Nawaki's shoulder. "You can't even handle a girl?"

Grandpa, are you trying to make things worse?

Nawaki rubbed his swollen face, muttering sullenly, "It wasn't Kushina—it was Takuya. I pissed him off. And besides, it's not like I can't beat Kushina. I just don't want to hit my own sister, okay?"

"Oh, it was Takuya?"

Hashirama's grin widened.

Sure, keep talking. If you can actually beat Kushina, I'll run laps around the Hidden Cloud Village upside down.

"My sister always says that Grandpa used to get beaten up by Grandma. Grandpa, could you really not win against her?"

"…"

Hashirama nearly choked on his own breath.

Good thing he was an Edo Tensei summon—otherwise, he might've actually died again from sheer frustration.

I think I finally understand why Takuya beat you up.

Without a word, Hashirama slowly raised his hand and smacked Nawaki upside the head.

You had it coming. Absolutely no common sense whatsoever.

A perfectly fine kid, but he just had to have that damn mouth.

"Not good, Takuya! Nawaki's getting beaten up—it's Grandpa First Hokage this time!!!"

Kushina's urgent voice rang out, prompting both Takuya and Minato to glance out the window—only to witness Nawaki wailing as he got pummeled.

What the hell did he say this time to make Hashirama enforce the Senju clan's 'family discipline'?

Damn, that's brutal.

That fist is bigger than a sandbag, and he's swinging it right at his face. Even worse than what I did.

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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read the rest of the Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01. 

DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING