Speech*Platform

It finally moved.

Tobirama lay motionless on the beam until the footsteps of the last advisor disappeared at the end of the corridor. After waiting for a long time, he finally rolled down from the top of the corridor.

The dried bloodstains were still there, dark red, seeping into the cracks in the rocks, blackened by the sun.

Tobirama glanced at the bloodstains, then looked away and followed in the direction Bishamonten had just left.

After Izuna emerged from that Mindscape, he retraced his steps and plundered every single Tsuchigumo clan member who had been separated from him.

Some of these people were even simpler-minded than Ichita. They barely fought; when Izuna went in, they just stood there dumbfounded. Izuna swiftly swung his sword, and they vanished into a white light.

"I'm getting better and better at this job."

After rescuing several people using the same method, Izuna finally found a useful clue in the image of one of them.

The cloaked figure, seemingly convinced the man would never have a sound mind again, smugly uttered a remark.

"Offer everything to the Evil God."

Izuna's expression was strange.

"That thing I acted in back then was actually real?"

Mokushō followed half a step behind him. "Now it seems so."

"Hey, I'm going." Izuna scratched his head. "Not only are there assassins at the Summer Festival, but the Land of Whirlpools' Ruler is watching the show, and members of the Jashin Cult are also getting involved. Why do they like to cram everything into one place?"

"Well, it's Summer Festival after all, it's lively with lots of people."

"Please spare me..." Izuna sighed, "So now we not only have to guard against assassins, but also against Cultists?"

"It seems so."

"But how do we guard against Cultists? Religions are incredibly irrational! Religious influence can extend from the poor to the nobles. If it really is Jashin Cult making a move, then we have to consider whether they have people in the upper echelons of the Land of Hot Water."

He paused, his expression strange.

"Speaking of which, given the doctrine Hidan described, would anyone actually join it?"

Mokushō followed leisurely behind him, "Isn't it obvious they'll have some good reputation? Things like purifying the soul, returning to nature, cleansing sins—first lure people in, then slowly brainwash them. Once they're trapped, they can start harvesting them."

Izuna was exasperated. "And this is a world of superpowers! Cultists really do gain power!"

"This is really bad," Mokushō said.

"Stop making sarcastic remarks!"

"Don't worry, there's always a way."

"They're clearly trying to cause trouble today!" Izuna stopped, turned around, and stared at Mokushō. "Say something useful."

Mokushō: "What can I do? I'm just a pitiful and innocent Inari God."

Izuna couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Forget it, their target isn't that young lady, is it? We'll just wait and see. We're not afraid they won't show up."

Moreover, judging from their methods, these people are not Ordinary People, or even Ninjas, can resist. Izuna's expression was solemn. I have to guard them myself.

Izuna created a clone and instructed it, "Go find Madara and the others. You need to tell them about this and let them know you're safe."

The clone nodded and disappeared from the spot.

Izuna sighed, leaned against the wall at the alley entrance, and looked up at the sky, which was cut into a strip by the eaves.

"Sigh... All I wanted to do was attend a Summer Festival... Why is it so difficult..."

At the same time.

After watching a football match and strolling through the flower-filled Botanical Garden, Chekku and the representatives from the Land of Lightning arrived at the venue for the biggest event of the Summer Festival.

The Kabuki play has begun.

The venue was open-air and already packed with people. Colorful cloths covered the ceilings, and rows of benches were crowded with all sorts of people.

There were merchants, Samurai, and commoners, as well as many foreign Delegation who had been brought there like them.

After Hashirama arrived here, he found no trace of Izuna.

Although he has strong perception, finding someone in such a complex place is still too time-consuming.

He had originally planned to ask Izuna to use his long-range detection to search for Tobirama, after finding Izuna, but Izuna, who always loved to join in the fun, wasn't there.

"What should we do..." Hashirama stood at the back of the crowd, scratching his head.

Just then, he seemed to have stumbled into the middle of a speech.

It was a short, stout man wearing a brightly colored kimono with a gold-embroidered sash around his waist.

His face was round, and when he smiled, his eyes narrowed into slits, giving him a friendly appearance. Standing on the stage, his voice was loud and clear, full of energy.

"We are a thorn in the side of those who take crooked paths! But I believe we cannot lose! Indeed, only the upright receive blessings in the end—that is the truth!"

The people around him applauded after hearing this.

Hashirama tilted his head and asked a passerby in a low voice, "This is...?"

The passerby was a middle-aged man, clutching a string of dumplings in his hand. Hearing this, he turned his head and glanced at him. "You're from out of town, aren't you? This is our Land of Hot Water's rallying cry; we have this every year during the Summer Festival."

"A pep talk?" Hashirama frowned.

"That's one of our Seven Lucky Gods, Lord Fukurokuju." The passerby raised his chin and gestured towards the stage.

Fukurokuju stood on the stage, raised his hands, signaling the crowd to be quiet, and the applause gradually subsided.

"We are able to hold such a large Summer Festival again this year thanks to everyone's hard work," he said, his tone softening and becoming more sincere. "I'm sure you've all been looked at with strange eyes before, haven't you? Sometimes you've even been told you're not smart enough."

Those around him chuckled twice, their laughter carrying a tacit understanding.

Fukurokuju smiled and continued, "But the Land of Hot Water is such a place, isn't it? Those who doubt it cannot sense this Natural Energy. Everyone who comes here has come to a paradise."

He paused, then changed the subject.

"However, this is just the beginning. The world is constantly at war, but we must hold fast to our principles! Please see—"

Fukurokuju raised his hand and pointed towards the Shipyard on the shore.

All eyes turned to him.

Just then, a giant ship emerged from the dock and slowly glided into the water.

The ship was enormous, resembling a floating city from afar. Its hull was painted deep red, and buildings were stacked upon each other on the deck. The masts were towering, and the sails were rolled up, making it seem capable of carrying tens of thousands of people.

The people around gasped in amazement.

Hashirama couldn't help but exclaim "Oh!" What a wondrous ship.

Fukurokuju's voice rang out from the stage. "To prepare for the inevitable catastrophe, we have prepared an ark of redemption! If our Land of Hot Water truly becomes a battlefield, we peace-loving people can also board the ark and escape the calamity!"

The people around were amazed, and some even started to applaud.

Hashirama listened, but something about what he said seemed off.

He suppressed his unease and continued listening.

Fukurokuju then said, "After the earth is destroyed, we will be able to return to the human world and create a new one."

"I'm always troubled. People always ask me, 'Are you worried about the impending disaster?' I say, 'No, that's not it!'"

"Even though the situation is so hopeless, so many people are still unwilling to repent and stop the war. Why is no one taking action to maintain peace? It's truly pathetic and lamentable."

The people around applauded again, this time even more people applauded.

Hashirama frowned.

That's well said, but it sounds like you're trying to incite emotions.

Fukurokuju's tone suddenly rose, carrying an almost impassioned force. "The current situation has developed to the point where our meager strength cannot change it! However, we must strive to the very last moment! Even if our wishes cannot be fulfilled, those who strive to the very last moment will surely attain final peace!"

He opened his arms.

"After our physical bodies are destroyed, we will be reborn as beings with free will! We can ascend to a higher Barrier!"

Hashirama: "?"

Oh, how did this get to a matter of life and death? Is this really the right thing to do?

Fukurokuju didn't stop; his voice grew louder and more impassioned. "There's no need to worry about troublesome interpersonal relationships anymore! Everyone here shares your desire for peace! Let's work together!"

The crowd below seemed to be ignited, responding in unison. "Let's work together!"

Let's work together!

Let's work together!

Let's work together!

Let's work together!

Fukurokuju) clasped their hands together and bowed slightly. "Thank you all!"

Thunderous applause erupted.

Hashirama stood at the back of the crowd, looked around, and saw the passerby who had spoken to him earlier clapping his hands with a satisfied smile on his face.

The Samurai in the front row were clapping, as were the merchants. Everyone seemed perfectly at ease, as if they were listening to an ordinary speech.

After the applause subsided, the curtain rose, and the Kabuki play finally began.

No one around paid attention to the speech; their attention was quickly drawn to the performers on stage.

But Hashirama always felt something was off.

What exactly did that guy just say? Rebirth after death? Ascension? Did he want all of them to die?

The earlier remarks were relatively normal, but as they progressed, they became increasingly chilling.

Does no one doubt the motives of the leader of the Land of Hot Water when he speaks like this?

He turned his head and glanced at the passerby again. The man had already clutched the dumpling again, watching the stage with great interest, his face showing no sign of anything amiss.

Hashirama shook his head. Never mind, it's not important. Let them do whatever they want. The important thing is to find Izuna and Tobirama first.

Hashirama left the square, turned into a relatively quiet alley, leaned against the wall, and closed his eyes.

The senses unfolded layer by layer, spreading outwards like ripples on water.

The traces of Chakra spread outwards from the stone path beneath their feet, passing through eaves, alleys, and the bustling crowds, reaching further into the distance.

I don't know if it's because he just heard that Fukurokuju speech or if he himself is somewhat concerned about it.

He glanced, intentionally or unintentionally, in the direction of the giant ship he had just seen.

A quick scan revealed that the leak of energy had occurred just in time.

A surge of violent Chakra rushed into his mind through his senses.

Hashirama suddenly opened his eyes.

This is!

What an enormous Chakra reaction!

He had only ever felt that level of Chakra, density, and oppressive feeling once, when he almost lost his life!

Tailed Beasts!

Only Tailed Beasts possess this level of Chakra, so vast it's almost tangible, enough to make the hairs on his skin stand on end even from this distance.

But weren't those ships built by the Land of Hot Water?

Why is there Chakra reaction from the Tailed Beasts?

Hashirama frowned, his mind racing. There were no Tailed Beasts in the Land of Hot Water, that was for sure.

Where did this reaction come from? Did someone bring the Tailed Beast onto the ship, or was the ship itself made of something special?

No! I have to go check it out!

He raised his hand to form a hand seal, creating a Wood Clone.

"Find Tobirama and Izuna," Hashirama said, his tone faster than usual. "Once you find them, bring them to Madara."

The clone nodded, then turned and ran towards the plaza.

Hashirama didn't look again, turned around, and ran towards the cruise ship.

Meanwhile, Tobirama followed Bishamonten and his party to a secluded Yamanaka retreat.

The villa is built halfway up the mountain, backed by a cliff and facing the sea, naturally sheltered by the mountains and forests.

The mountain road winds its way up, with dense pine trees on both sides blocking out most of the sun.

The gray-white stone walls are embedded among the rocks, as if they grew out of the mountain.

Instead of confining himself to the rooftop, Tobirama found an old pine tree with a wide view, climbed up, and hid himself among the branches and leaves.

From this tree, you can overlook the entire Summer Festival grounds.

The colorful tents, the streets and alleys adorned with lanterns, and the bustling crowds were all within sight.

Further out, there's the sea.

The grey-blue sea stretched from the dock to the horizon, and the huge cruise ship was slowly sailing out of the dock, like a floating city.

The courtyard was wide open, with a corridor extending from the main house, turning a corner at the edge of the cliff, and forming a spacious terrace.

A row of low chairs was placed along the edge of the terrace, and tea and fruit platters were laid out on a small table.

Several Military Advisors were led to sit on low chairs. Some picked up their teacups, while others turned their heads to look at the scenery. Their expressions were more relaxed than when they were at the residence of Bishamonten.

Bishamonten stood in the center of the terrace, with his back to the sea and facing several advisors.

"This is absolutely safe territory," he said, spreading his arms as if embracing the expansive view behind him. "The grand spectacle to come is about to unfold before your eyes."

Tobirama, perched on a pine branch, frowned upon hearing this.

A grand show? What grand show?

This person has been keeping everyone in suspense ever since that demonstration in the mansion.

They talked a lot of nonsense about Evil Gods, Heavenly Punishment, and making Ninjas disappear from the world, but they didn't leave out a single word about their specific plans.

Now they've brought people to this secluded courtyard halfway up the mountain to watch a "grand show"—what exactly are they trying to achieve?

Bishamonten turned around, faced the advisors, and gave a slight bow.

"Well then, please enjoy the scenery here," he said, a gentle and considerate smile on his lips. "I have something to attend to, I'll be right back."

After saying that, he walked along the corridor toward the main house.