Chapter 117

Fire Temple has such a master?

I've never heard of such a person before?

Hashirama Senju's mind went on full alert.

Although he was confident no one in the ninja world could pose a lethal threat to him,

it was always better to be cautious,

a lesson he had learned from countless historical texts,

arrogance is the original sin!!!!

【Fourth Raikage: Is Fire Temple's strength strong? Or does it harbor some special master? Why does the First Hokage seem to place such great importance on this man?】

【Jiraiya: When I was young, I visited Fire Temple, but there were no particularly outstanding masters inside—the strongest were merely jōnin-level…】

【Orochimaru: This monk seems far from ordinary. Before the First Hokage, he shows no pressure at all, as if completely unaffected, as if the First Hokage were merely an ordinary person to him.】

【Tsunade: Old man… you've had more contact with Fire Temple. What do you know about this monk? You must know his background, right?】

【Hiruzen Sarutobi: I've never seen this monk before. In my memory, the monks of Fire Temple, though high in status, have never had any particularly powerful figures…】

【Madara Uchiha: Hah!! … Based on my observations, this monk is very likely a master equal to Hashirama… I can clearly see in his eyes his utter indifference to all things in this world.】

【Tobirama Senju: Impossible!! I've had plenty of dealings with Fire Temple—there are no true masters there. This man is not a monk of Fire Temple!!】

【Sasuke Uchiha: Damn it!! … Why have I never encountered so many strong ones? If only I could take him as my master, I would gain the power to kill that man!!】

…

Within the Pure Land space,

the Sage of Six Paths frowned at the screen,

the monk in the image

gave him a strong sense of familiarity.

Especially his eyes,

sent a shock through the Sage of Six Paths!!!

What an utterly detached gaze!!!

As if nothing in this world could truly concern him!!

The last time he saw such a gaze,

was from his mother, Kaguya Otsutsuki.

…

"Master Ciqian, hello, this way…"

"The abbot has been waiting for you for a long time."

"Knowing you came specially to discuss the Dharma with him, the abbot has been delighted for days."

The red door on the left suddenly opened,

a young monk stepped forward and bowed slightly to Ciqian.

This was a renowned great master,

whose understanding of the Dharma

even their Fire Temple's abbot deeply admired,

so the young monk naturally dared not neglect him.

After Master Ciqian entered,

the young monk turned and noticed another person standing nearby.

"You are… the head of the Senju clan?!"

He recognized Hashirama Senju's identity at once,

though he was not a ninja,

during previous gatherings in the Land of Fire,

he had seen Hashirama Senju from afar.

But relations between Fire Temple and the Senju clan were poor,

though they had no direct conflict,

the patrons behind Fire Temple were the daimyō,

and the daimyō had publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Hashirama Senju and the Senju clan more than once!!!

This caused the people of Fire Temple to keep their distance from the Senju clan.

"What brings the head of the Senju clan to Fire Temple?"

"If needed, I shall immediately inform the abbot and have someone come to greet you, Lord Senju."

The young monk's entire body tensed.

A man's name, a tree's shadow!!!

Facing this legendary number-one ninja up close,

he found Hashirama Senju even more terrifying than imagined.

Merely standing there,

he felt as if a monstrous beast had locked its gaze upon him.

This was even more terrifying than the feeling he got from the beast sealed behind their temple!!

"No need for such formality. I came here specifically because I require Fire Temple's assistance."

"I've heard the legendary artifact, Kusanagi Sword, is kept at Fire Temple…"

"It's not fitting for a place of good fortune to house such a vicious weapon."

"So... I've come specially to help everyone at the Fire Temple resolve this trouble."

Staring at the nervous young monk before him,

Hashirama Senju said with a smile!!!

Hearing this,

the expression on the young monk's face changed abruptly.

From Hashirama Senju's words he had already sensed the visitor bore ill intent,

but the man before him

was not someone he could stop!!

"This matter is of great importance; this humble monk also has no right to decide on it..."

"I need to return and report to my lord the Head Priest, and only with his permission can I reply to Clan Head Hashirama."

Having said this,

the young monk hurriedly turned around, preparing to leave the place.

Before he could even shift his feet,

Hashirama Senju opened his right hand and pressed down on his shoulder.

"No need for such trouble. I'll go in with you; you just lead the way in front..."

While a conversation was taking place inside the temple,

the monk named Jigen seemed to have sensed something.

He turned his head to look toward the main gate,

the corners of his mouth curving up into a faint smile,

as if he had seen something interesting.

"What does Clan Head Hashirama mean by this? Coming all the way to our Fire Temple without even notifying me."

The old monk draped in a kasaya, seeing Hashirama Senju walking in from outside the door,

his expression turned utterly grim.

From the look of terror on the young monk beside him, one could tell

Hashirama Senju had come prepared this time!!!

"It's been a long time, Head Priest."

"I've come this time because I truly have a matter I need your help with."

"I've heard the Kusanagi Sword resides in the Fire Temple, so I've made a special trip to broaden my horizons."