Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 8: Senju Hashirama Appears!

The cold wind howled.

The aftermath of the clash between the five Kage-level figures had left the previously scenic, unnamed plain heavily battered, with craters scattered everywhere.

Standing on the layers of soil that had been torn apart, Hagoromo Gengetsu paid no attention to the commotion outside the battlefield.

After dispatching one of the Four Kage and severely injuring another, he didn't stop there. Instead, he pressed on to continue expanding his victories.

Boom~~~

A massive Water Release technique erupted from Hagoromo Gengetsu's left palm.

The technique, once wielded by the deceased First Water Kage, Byakuren, was released anew and surged towards the disconcerted Reto, Ishikawa, and A.

Gone were the previous aggressive three Kage. They now appeared grave as they quickly evaded.

Yet, despite their speed, Hagoromo Gengetsu's was even faster.

Bang! Bang!

Two Shadow Clones appeared on either side of Hagoromo Gengetsu.

The three figures moved in an instant, becoming three black lines charging towards the three Kage.

In the blink of an eye, Reto found Hagoromo Gengetsu's real body had already appeared right in front of him.

Meanwhile, Ishikawa and A were detained by Hagoromo Gengetsu's Shadow Clones.

Bang bang bang bang

The sounds of flesh meeting flesh rang out continuously.

Hagoromo Gengetsu preferred to target the weaker opponent first.

Although A had lost an arm, his formidable physique made him difficult to defeat quickly.

In contrast, Reto, with only one arm injured, was more vulnerable.

Realizing time was short, Hagoromo Gengetsu unleashed his full power to quickly take down the First Wind Kage before him.

Clang!

After several rapid exchanges, Reto seized a fleeting opportunity and landed a powerful blow on Hagoromo Gengetsu, leaving only a white mark. His expression darkened as he began to retreat.

But it was already too late.

With his incredible speed, Hagoromo Gengetsu seized the moment, grabbing Reto's wrist. As Reto's face changed dramatically, Hagoromo Gengetsu prepared to finish him off.

Suddenly!

A rapid whooshing sound exploded in their ears.

"So fast!"

Hagoromo Gengetsu's eyes narrowed as he abandoned his intention to seize Reto's neck, and swiftly retreated.

The next second.

As Hagoromo Gengetsu stood back up and looked forward, he saw a new figure had appeared in front of Reto.

Black hair, red armor, and the Konoha forehead protector.

It was none other than the First Hokage, the God of Shinobi—Senju Hashirama!

"Hokage."

Reto, who had narrowly escaped death, didn't have time to celebrate. He looked at the figure he had long feared, opened his mouth, but couldn't continue.

So humiliating!

As a village leader, being beaten to this state and then rescued by another leader of the same village was a bitter pill to swallow.

Senju Hashirama was unaware of Reto's inner turmoil.

Seeing that Reto had only managed to start speaking, he didn't pay it much mind. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Don't worry, leave it to me from here on."

Reto intended to respond but instead let out a sigh.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

With Senju Hashirama's arrival, Hagoromo Gengetsu actively dispersed his Shadow Clones. Ishikawa and A, now free of obstruction, joined the two.

The five—no, four—figures regrouped.

Unlike their initial high spirits, Reto, A, and Ishikawa were now subdued.

On the other hand, Senju Hashirama appeared revitalized, full of energy.

Reto, Ishikawa and A exchanged glances, all revealing a bitter smile.

"Everyone's worked hard. You must be exhausted. Please rest aside. Let me handle Hagoromo Gengetsu," Senju Hashirama spoke first.

Reto, Ishikawa, and A remained silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Although Senju Hashirama didn't explicitly say so, they understood that they wouldn't be of much help and that he didn't need their assistance.

They had hoped they wouldn't need Senju Hashirama's intervention, but in the end, he was the one to resolve everything.

What a situation.

Reto, Ishikawa, and A reluctantly left the battlefield, leaving the remainder of the fight to Senju Hashirama.

No matter what, the goal of completely defeating Hagoromo Gengetsu was now their unanimous focus, and there was no turning back.

Of course, there was a darker thought that if something went wrong—such as both Senju Hashirama and Hagoromo Gengetsu being severely wounded or perishing together—they could step in to mop up. That would be ideal.

Hagoromo Gengetsu wasn't aware of the expectations the three defeated figures had for him.

He was well aware of Senju Hashirama's overwhelming power.

Asura's reincarnation, Wood Release, Sage Jutsu.

Such power far surpassed his own pitiful system.

Especially since he wasn't as unscathed as he appeared.

Though he had triumphed over the Four Kage, the fierce battles had taken their toll.

For example, his chakra reserves.

Despite his superior ninja talent and the immense chakra of the Hagoromo clan, it didn't reach the exaggerated level of Naruto's thousands of Shadow Clones and Wind Release: Rasengan.

His chakra was comparable to a Tailed Beast, but it still fell short compared to their perpetual recovery rate.

After the recent intense battles, Hagoromo Gengetsu's chakra was diminished, though not depleted.

Facing Senju Hashirama at his peak, he was inherently at a disadvantage.

As for resting before the next fight?

Senju Hashirama, though gentle, wasn't someone who simply heeded others' words.

Ninjas were not samurais.

As tools, their primary duty was to eliminate enemies with the most effective methods.

One of the main goals of the Five Kage Summit was to deal with Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Though Senju Hashirama was somewhat reluctant, the mission was set, and as a ninja, he would execute it with full effort.

Senju Hashirama had given Hagoromo Gengetsu face once, refraining from intervening in the earlier battles.

Hagoromo Gengetsu didn't believe he would be given another chance.

So.

Let's give it everything in the final dance!

Hagoromo Gengetsu brushed off the dust on his clothes, calmly facing Senju Hashirama, and said with a faint smile:

"Now the Five Kage are all here."