"You're right. They really are a bunch of hopeless fools."
Gekkō Raito wholeheartedly agreed.
Hashirama was left speechless, his face full of disappointment.
It seemed this child's resentment toward Konoha ran exceptionally deep!
"What exactly happened?"
Hashirama still wanted to get to the bottom of it, but Nagato clearly had no intention of giving these two "fellow villagers" time to catch up.
"Enough chatting. Time to get to work, Lord First Hokage!"
"The dead should act like the dead. You don't need to know so much!"
At Nagato's command, the talisman glowed. Hashirama instantly lost control of his body and was forced to attack.
He pushed off the ground with both feet, shooting straight toward Gekkō Raito like a cannonball.
Vast chakra surged through his body. Hashirama threw a simple straight punch, yet it carried monstrous strength capable of shattering mountains and rivers.
"Get out of the way!"
"I used monstrous strength in this punch! You can't block-"
Thud! Whumm-!
Gekkō Raito caught Hashirama's fist firmly in one hand. Waves of air blasted outward around them.
"Can't block it? That outdated notion should have been put to rest long ago. The Shinobi World today isn't the one you remember, Lord First!"
Bam!
Gekkō Raito sent Hashirama flying back with a clean spinning kick.
Hashirama quickly adjusted his posture in midair, dissipated the impact, and landed steadily. When he looked up, his eyes were filled with disbelief.
This brat could actually take his monstrous strength head-on?
How could someone so young have such absurd physical toughness?
"You! Which village's ninja are you now?"
Hashirama could not help asking.
As Nagato moved toward the flank in search of an opening, he introduced him mockingly. "Hmph! First Hokage, allow me to enlighten you! The man standing before you is none other than Kirigakure's