...
Ao wisely kept his mouth shut — the last thing he wanted was to accidentally touch on Terumi Mei's well‑known sensitivity about marriage and lose his life over it…
"So adorable!"
Aoi never imagined Terumi Mei would be so carefree as to pick him up and hold him tight against her chest.
In fact, even back in his old world, fans had long wondered: Did Terumi Mei have a soft spot for young boys?
She teased Chōjūrō more than once, and upon first seeing Sasuke, she couldn't help but remark on how handsome he was.
There was definitely a hint of "an older woman fancying younger men" about her — but who could possibly hold that against someone as charming as her?
All Aoi could feel was being sunk deep into two soft, pillowy mounds.
They yielded so easily that the slightest touch made his whole hand sink right in, and it was hard not to keep pressing.
Standing nearby, Chōjūrō's face turned green with envy. Those were supposed to be my exclusive privileges…
"Mizukage — aren't you even curious about who this 'Senju Hashirama' is?" the Raikage asked, looking quite amused.
Unlike the others, he had already met Aoi before…
"Not in the slightest," Mei replied casually, still patting and pinching Aoi's cheeks with delight.
"This little one's skin is so soft and smooth!"
It certainly is…
At that moment, the Tsuchikage stepped forward, his expression grave.
"Mizukage, you did not live through those days — so you likely have no idea just how fearsome Senju Hashirama truly was!"
After all, back when Hashirama and Madara ruled the ninja world, Ōnoki — later known as the "Two‑Scales" — was still just a little boy sucking on a lollipop…
"Enough of this nonsense!" Danzō could no longer hold back. He slammed his fist down hard on the table and stood up.
"My teacher died decades ago! This is nothing but a fraud. I am leaving!"
The moment the words left his mouth, a hearty, familiar voice suddenly rang out — seemingly coming from right between Mei's bosom:
"Danzō — have you really forgotten the voice of your own master?"
"What?!"
Danzō's eyes flew wide open, and he fixed his gaze intently on the spot, sharp and piercing as a hawk's.
"Take your eyes off her this instant, Danzō!"
Ao and Chōjūrō immediately drew their blades. One more look, and they would not hesitate to slice him to pieces.
"..."
Danzō's face twisted with frustration.
Mei, too, looked perplexed. The voice had clearly come from the child in her arms, yet it was far too deep and mature for someone so young.
Now that his cover was blown, Aoi could no longer linger in such pleasant company.
With a smile, he wriggled free and hopped down onto the conference table.
"Who exactly are you?" Danzō hissed, his face dark with malice.
Anything this strange is bound to be dangerous — and this boy gives me a terrible feeling.
"Little Danzō — have you truly forgotten your old teacher?" Aoi shook his head in mock disappointment.
"I am Senju Hashirama — your master."
"How dare you speak such insolence!"
One of Danzō's guards shouted in outrage, while Danzō himself turned purple with rage.
To be called "little Danzō" by a mere child was an insult he could not bear.
Mei's face flushed bright red, realizing just how embarrassing the whole situation had been.
The faint marks of her fingers on Aoi's skin still felt warm and tingling…
"My teacher has long been dead," Danzō said coldly, shaking his head.
"I do not know who put you up to this foolish act, boy — but you will not be forgiven for it."
"Clang!"
Danzō drew his sword and lunged forward like a gust of wind.
The blade glinted with icy light, and its sheer force split the solid wooden table beneath Aoi's feet.
This was no mere warning — Danzō struck with killing intent. He cared nothing for age or innocence; throughout his life, the lives he had taken most often were those of children.
But it was to no avail…
The shattered table suddenly came alive, and a massive shield of wood erupted from its surface, rising up to block the blow.
"CRACK!"
The sword struck the shield with incredible force, tearing through the wood at first.
Yet the moment it broke through, new branches and roots began to grow again, endlessly, as if the forest itself was regenerating.
"Squeak… screech…"
The blade ground against the wood, sending out a high‑pitched shriek.
Sharp steel met unyielding timber in a stalemate — and in the end, the sword could not break through.
"Wood Release?!"
Danzō stared in shock, instinctively looking around.
"Yamato?"
"No — not him." He quickly turned back, his eyes narrowing on Aoi.
"So you were sent here by Orochimaru, weren't you?"
True to his years as leader of the ANBU Root, the moment he saw Wood Release, his mind immediately jumped to the one man who had once shared a dark alliance with him.
But again, he was wrong.
"Guess again. I am Senju Hashirama," Aoi said with a grin.
"I always thought you were merely less capable than Hiruzen — but I never imagined you would fall so far from grace."
"Insolent brat — speak no more lies!"
The name of Hiruzen Sarutobi was a wound that never healed for Danzō.
Burning with rage, he threw all caution aside and unleashed his full power, determined to strike Aoi down where he stood.
He refused to believe Hashirama had truly returned.
Even if he had — if the First Hokage dared to stand in his way and threaten his position, Danzō would kill him all the same.
"Flying Raijin!"
Aoi laughed and vanished from the table, reappearing instantly a short distance away.
"Afraid now, Danzō? Afraid I will tell everyone what you have done all these years?"
"Flying Raijin?!"
The onlookers gasped in astonishment.
Was that not the signature technique of Senju Tobirama?
This child possesses both Wood Release and the Flying Raijin?
If he truly was Senju Hashirama, his power was beyond terrifying.
More importantly, the Flying Raijin was one of Konoha's most closely guarded secrets.
Only a handful of the highest‑ranking officials ever studied it — which only lent more weight to the claim that this child might indeed be the legendary God of Shinobi.
Senju Hashirama…
Danzō hesitated for a split second, then gritted his teeth.
Even if it really is him, he must be weakened just like Madara was.
This might be my only chance to strike first and finish him off!
With that thought, Danzō tore off the bandages and seals covering his arm.
Even if it meant exposing his greatest secret, he would stop at nothing to kill Aoi.
But just as he was about to move, a figure crackling with lightning stepped between them.
"Danzō — no need to be so hasty," the Raikage said with a smirk, blocking his path.
"Whether he is Hashirama or not, he is the one who called this summit!"
At his words, the other Kage rose to their feet as well, forming a barrier between Danzō and Aoi.
Seeing the situation was now hopeless, Danzō lowered his blade with a scowl and sat back down.
"Very well — let us hear what this little imp has to say."
The Raikage turned back to Aoi and nodded with a grin. "Now we are even. I owe you nothing more."
After all, Aoi had helped him find out the truth about Killer Bee — a debt no proud warrior would leave unpaid.
"Not so fast," Aoi replied with a faint smile, stepping forward and speaking with weight and authority.
"You may not owe me yet — for I have news: a member of Akatsuki is hiding right here among us!"
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