Chapter 420: Ōnoki's Psychological Shadow
"Who are you? That kid from Iwagakure? Looks like you've grown into quite a capable ninja."
After taking a closer look, Hashirama still managed to recognize Ōnoki.
Senju Hashirama didn't suffer from the same face-blindness as Might Guy.
Back when the ninja villages had just been established, Hashirama held no prejudice between villages. He treated ninjas from other villages the same way he treated those from Konoha.
Whenever he saw talented shinobi from other villages, he would genuinely feel happy for them.
A classic example would be Kakuzu, who once tried to assassinate him.
Ōnoki naturally fell into that category as well.
"Yes… Impure World Reincarnation, huh? Sigh, compared to Hashirama-sama, I'm still far inferior. At my age, with one foot already in the grave, I still have quite a few regrets."
Ōnoki quickly realized that the Hashirama in front of him had been revived through Impure World Reincarnation.
Because the "contribution points service" from Amegakure's Akatsuki had already spread throughout the ninja world, he wasn't particularly surprised anymore.
Instead, it felt as though he had met an elder he could confide in, and he began speaking about what weighed on his heart.
Senju Hashirama was a ninja from the same era as the First Tsuchikage.
And that First Tsuchikage, Ishikawa, had been Ōnoki's first sensei in his youth.
As the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki's experiences were quite similar to those of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, both had been taught by the First and Second Kages of their villages.
"Regrets, huh? A person's life is always full of imperfections. We don't have to accomplish everything ourselves. As long as we nurture those willing to stand behind us and let them inherit our will and carry it forward. Your granddaughter, the Fourth Tsuchikage, isn't she doing quite well?"
Hashirama's tone carried comfort and guidance.
"Kurotsuchi really is doing well. That's exactly why I want to resolve all my regrets before I die."
Ōnoki acknowledged Hashirama's praise of Kurotsuchi, but then shifted his tone.
"Why?" Hashirama asked, puzzled.
"If you train the next generation and entrust your will to them, wouldn't you be able to die without regrets?"
"When the time comes, death would be like a cool armp, ah, I mean, a cool summer night, offering peaceful rest without worries."
"Because it's impossible."
Ōnoki let out a long sigh, looking troubled, "I know my granddaughter's personality. There's a good chance that before the first seven days after my death even pass, she'll have already summoned me back with Impure World Reincarnation."
"…Ah. Right."
Hashirama looked embarrassed.
Only then did he realize that Impure World Reincarnation had become widespread.
And the key point was, his own younger brother had invented it.
"Still, wouldn't that be a good thing? You could continue contributing to the village and protect it." Hashirama countered.
"Yes… but at that point, would I still have any chance to rest? Any chance to make up for my regrets?"
"…"
That question left Hashirama speechless.
He immediately thought of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Also a Third Generation, also an old man, after Hiruzen had been revived through Impure World Reincarnation, Tsunade used him without hesitation as a tool.
After all, everyone knew that those revived by Impure World Reincarnation didn't feel fatigue, didn't need sleep, couldn't die, and had infinite chakra.
Tsunade and Kurotsuchi even had somewhat similar personalities.
When it came to elderly seniors, they were willing to show some respect.
Like now, Ōnoki could leisurely enjoy his retirement.
But if he died and was brought back with Impure World Reincarnation…
Then death wouldn't be a cool summer night, it would be a summer night of hauling bricks.
"How about this, tell me your regrets, and I'll see if I can help you resolve them?"
After thinking for a moment, Hashirama decided to play the role of a helpful wish-granter.
"…Alright."
Ōnoki didn't refuse.
As mentioned before, in Ōnoki's eyes, Hashirama belonged to the same generation as his sensei, the First Tsuchikage. Right now, he felt like a child confiding in an elder.
…Thinking about it that way, a certain someone currently acting as an "elder" while targeting a "child" really deserved to get struck by lightning.
Just like that, Ōnoki and Hashirama walked toward the outskirts of the village, talking as they went.
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Ōnoki currently had only two regrets.
He was no longer worried about Iwagakure. Kurotsuchi had already been serving as Tsuchikage for some time, and he had seen her capabilities firsthand.
One of his regrets concerned the jinchūriki.
His conflict with Rōshi had led to Rōshi living outside the village for years. And there was also Han, who trained alone.
As a result, although Iwagakure appeared to have two jinchūriki, in reality, it had no usable combat power from them.
Especially now, with talk of the Ōtsutsuki and others whose goal was to capture tailed beasts, those two being alone outside made their situation extremely dangerous.
"So you're worried about the safety of these two old friends? I might not be able to solve it myself, but I can find someone to help bring them back."
At first, Hashirama had frowned while listening, thinking Ōnoki was troubled by the village lacking two fighting forces.
If that had been the case, it would've meant he still harbored thoughts of starting a war.
But after hearing everything, it turned out he was simply worried about his old friends' safety. That was a relief.
"Really?"
Ōnoki became visibly excited upon hearing this.
For Hashirama, capturing two jinchūriki by force would be effortless.
But that would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause.
So when Hashirama said he could "find someone else to help", it immediately reminded Ōnoki of the organization where Deidara was.
In fact, he could also mention it to Kurotsuchi and have her seek help.
But the issue was the same as before, Ōnoki could confide in Hashirama because he saw him as an elder.
Could he lower himself to confide in Kurotsuchi?
He'd be laughed at, wouldn't he?
And besides this regret, there was another classic one.
Ōnoki recounted how, back then, he and Mū had gone to meet Uchiha Madara, only to be traumatized by Susanoo. It caused him to lose his "Will of Stone", making him become paranoid, utilitarian, and fearful of the strong.
It was the first time he truly understood what "absolute overwhelming power" meant.
Even if Dust Release could break through Susanoo's defense, what did it matter?
A kunai could also injure Hashirama's body. But would anyone believe that a single kunai could kill him?
From that moment on, Ōnoki seemed to have inherited "Uchiha Madara's will" instead.
He became obsessed with the idea that power was everything.
Above himself, all were equal. Below himself, strict hierarchy ruled.
If he was stronger than his opponent, he would attack mercilessly without restraint.
If he was weaker, or if it would harm his interests, he would do everything possible to avoid or escape.
Even during the great ninja wars, Ōnoki had never considered risking his life to fight powerful enemies.
Even though his Dust Release could greatly boost morale and potentially eliminate enemies instantly, he never used it that way.
"A psychological shadow caused by Madara?"
Hashirama's expression turned a bit strange.
He couldn't help with the first regret.
But this one… right now, Madara had also been revived through Impure World Reincarnation, and was much weaker than before.
Maybe… he could take Ōnoki to see him?
And then…
A rather mischievous idea suddenly formed in Hashirama's mind.
(End of this chapter)