The Wood Release Clone easily sensed the resonance of their souls when he arrived near Shikkotsu Forest. Clearly, the original's soul had remained here all these years. He must have undergone arduous training here, though the clone did not know whether the sealing on his body had been removed. With that thought, the clone followed the soul resonance into the miasma ahead.
Anyo's body was still bathed in acid rain. What had once easily pierced his flesh could now only leave faint burns, which quickly faded.
Anyo's body had long since grown accustomed to Shikkotsu Forest's natural energy. But unless he resolved the estrangement between his flesh and soul, his strength could advance no further. Against someone like Hashirama, he would have no power to resist. That was something Anyo could not accept.
Inside the soul space, the situation was the complete opposite of what the clone had expected. Four Soul Bodies were enthusiastically playing—or, more precisely, gambling.
"Hahaha, I won!"
Hashirama's Soul Body laughed heartily, pushed over the mahjong tiles in front of him, and shouted, "Fourth Hokage, well played! A worthy successor of mine indeed, carrying on the Hokage's will!"
"So letting you win off a discard means he's inherited the Hokage's will? Don't exaggerate, Hashirama," Anyo quipped.
Minato asked Anyo, "Is it really all right to address Lord First by name?"
"It's just a name. None of that matters. Damn it, I haven't won a single round. Human gambling is no fun." The Katsuyu Sage had taken on a human soul form and entered the soul space as well. Having always lived alone in Shikkotsu Forest, she had been easily led astray.
Her luck, however, rivaled Tsunade's.
Hashirama rubbed his head and said, "Fourth Hokage, Katsuyu is right. No need to stand on ceremony. Playing mahjong all