After hearing Byakuren's "bold declaration," Shingetsu froze. This old bastard really had found Hashirama and Madara's sore spots and jabbed at them for all he was worth!
He certainly has guts. With brains like that, how did he ever become Mizukage?
Ishikawa, Reto, and A were also left dumbfounded. Their mouths twitched. Byakuren must have had a death wish to confront the God of Shinobi and the Asura of the Ninja World head-on on Konoha's own turf.
He really seemed afraid he wouldn't die miserably or quickly enough!
Sneaking a glance at Hashirama's gloomy expression, the three Kage felt the pressure mount. They shook their heads imperceptibly and inwardly sighed:
Byakuren has really backed himself into a corner.
Besides wanting benefits, wasn't their shameless flattery of Hashirama precisely because they feared Konoha coming after them?
Silence fell over the room. Everyone, including Hashirama and Madara, was stunned by Byakuren's "courage." After a moment, Shingetsu asked curiously:
"Then what should shinobi be like? Is being able to kill enough?"
Byakuren turned and glared at her with his crossed eyes. His gaze was both chilling and ridiculous. Shingetsu fought back a laugh as a shiver ran up her spine.
"Born for war, honored by war, constantly weeding out the weak and leaving only the strong. That is what Kirigakure-no, all shinobi-should aspire to."
"...That's it?"
Shingetsu's eyes widened in surprise. She had expected some grand theory from Byakuren, but all he had was this survival-of-the-fittest brand of social Darwinism.
And he was actually preaching his war fanaticism right in front of Hashirama. His nerve was unbelievable. Apparently, prodding one sore spot wasn't enough; he had to jab at two at once!
After hearing that utterly absurd speech, Ishikawa, Reto, and A exchanged looks, finding naked contempt in one another's eyes.
Byakuren really