Yet things went against Hashirama's expectations. He had assumed the Nine-Tails would be rather aloof, or at least less than friendly toward him.
After all, Naruto wasn't here, and his own past encounters with the Nine-Tails had hardly been pleasant.
Instead, the Nine-Tails nodded to him, his tone somewhat gentle. "Thanks for your efforts, First... Hashirama."
"?"
This time, Hashirama was the one looking utterly baffled.
What was going on?
Why was the Nine-Tails being so nice?
Had his personality changed?
"Ahem. First, congratulations on winning the Shinobi War." The Nine-Tails seemed to notice his own attitude and deliberately cleared his throat twice. "According to the rules, you can make a request of A-Ling, then enter into a Spirit Pact."
"A-Ling?"
"That's me! Boss Nine gave me that name himself!"
The Zero-Tails hurried to make his presence known.
"Uh... is that really necessary?"
Hashirama looked puzzled.
Others might not know how this process worked, but how could they, the people of Konoha, not know?
The main purpose of the Shinobi War was to select members for the Shin Organization, and the Spirit Pact's actual function was essentially a Sealing Jutsu.
It severed any possible means of surveillance on the victor, as well as genjutsu seals and other formulas that controlled the mind.
And, just as they had said at the meeting, it granted the victor one request and established a link with the tailed beasts similar to that of a jinchūriki.
"Is there nothing you want anymore?"
The Nine-Tails turned the question back on him.
"That's not it, but there's something more important than this. The Reshape Organization has resurrected Kaguya Ōtsutsuki..."
"So what?"
"Huh?"
"What's all the fuss about? Didn't Naruto tell you what to do next?"
Hashirama waved a hand. With the Nine-Tails having interrupted his train of