Chapter 67: The Oppressive Presence of the God of Ninja

Jiaodu stood in place, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

He hadn't even started to act when his body refused to obey.

This is the legendary God of Ninja!

He sensed that as soon as he made a move, he would surely die!

Lian Ye and Hashirama naturally noticed Jiaodu, who was standing a short distance away, staring blankly.

Lian Ye instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword, recognizing the ninja identity from Jiaodu's attire.

Encountering a fellow ninja outside requires caution, after all no one knows whether the other harbors ill intent.

If the guy in front of him made any move, he would strike without hesitation.

Senju Hashirama had no such concerns; he even gave Jiaodu a friendly smile.

But to Jiaodu, that smile was terrifying.

Seeing the two approach from afar, Jiaodu's legs went weak and he almost turned to run.

Sending him to assassinate the God of Ninja? What a joke!

Jiaodu can't be blamed; Senju Hashirama exuded an overwhelming pressure.

He began to doubt himself: 【Can I really assassinate the God of Ninja? Isn't this just a suicide mission? In fact I haven't even met the target…】

But soon he mustered courage again: 【No, I am the pride of Longyin Village! If I succeed in assassinating Senju Hashirama, I will be the village's hero!】

Thinking that, a fighting spirit ignited in Jiaodu's eyes.

But when he saw Hashirama, the hard‑won fighting spirit vanished instantly without a trace.

Even as the two passed by his side, Jiaodu still lacked the courage to act.

Lian Ye gave Jiaodu a strange look, feeling something off about the guy, but since the other showed no hostility, he paid it no mind.

Jiaodu now hadn't obtained Chidō, and his appearance was vastly different from the Akatsuki era, so it was normal that Lian Ye couldn't recognize him.

At that moment, he saw the portrait in Jiaodu's hand, his eyes flickered, and he suddenly recalled something…

So this guy was Jiaodu after all!

Lian Ye had previously seen some of it in the Elder's memories of Longyin Village, but hadn't seen Jiaodu's face clearly; seeing the portrait jogged his memory.

But he didn't rattle the snake; he pretended not to know.

When the two were far away, Jiaodu's knees gave way, and he knelt on the ground, gasping heavily.

The oppressive presence of Senju Hashirama moments earlier had nearly taken his breath away.

"This... is this the God of Ninja?"

Just a smile was enough to keep him from forming any thought of resistance.

Jiaodu dropped a fist onto the ground, muttering, "Damn, why am I so useless!"

He was at least a prodigy of Longyin Village, yet he lacked the courage to act.

If he hadn't encountered Senju Hashirama it would be fine, but meeting him without courage leaves him wondering how to report to the village's higher-ups upon return.

Thinking that, Jiaodu rose from the ground, looked toward Hashirama's departing direction, and said, "For Longyin Village's glory, I will risk everything!"

He then took out the intelligence the higher-ups had given him from his waist.

Earlier he hadn't taken Senju Hashirama seriously and had no intention of examining the Scroll.

But after confronting Hashirama in person, he realized the gap between them.

"Let me see the God of Ninja's weakness!" Jiaodu slowly opened the Scroll, then was completely stunned.

"How can there be nothing?!" Jiaodu exclaimed, unable to make sense.

He thought his eyes were playing tricks, closed the Scroll again and reopened it.

It was still blank.

Only then did Jiaodu realize that Senju Hashirama had no so‑called weakness.

If there were a weakness, could he still be called the God of Ninja?

Having come to that conclusion, he tossed the Scroll onto the ground and chased after Hashirama's direction.

……

"Xiao Lian Ye, was that person just now Jiaodu of Longyin Village?" Hashirama asked curiously.

"That's right, Uncle Hashirama," Lian Ye nodded, "I saw a bit of it in that old guy's memories of Longyin Village."

"Haha, so that's that," Hashirama said, showing no concern at all.

After all, he could even let someone who attacked him go, let alone Jiaodu who hadn't even made a move.

That was also why Lian Ye hadn't acted earlier...

Since the parties involved didn't mind, why should he worry pointlessly?

If he were to stir up trouble, then Uncle Hashirama would just promote his peace doctrine again.

At that moment, the two turned their heads simultaneously.

They saw Jiaodu sprinting toward them at incredible speed.

Lian Ye was somewhat stunned; Jiaodu really dared to act!

He had thought the other had abandoned the mission and fled.

But unexpectedly, he came over unafraid of death...

"Doton: Doryūheki!"

Jiaodu said nothing and launched an attack directly at the two.

He knew a direct fight was no match for Hashirama, hoping a surprise strike could severely wound him.

But he overthought it; the two easily evaded the attack.

"Your name is Jiaodu, right?" Senju Hashirama asked.

Jiaodu heard that, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he was extremely shocked in his heart.

How did the God of Ninja know his name?

To know him, he didn't say a single word!

"I advise you to stop; I don't want to hurt you," Hashirama said.

He saw from Jiaodu's earlier attack that the opponent only had Elite Jonin strength, far from being his match.

Jiaodu ignored him and continued the attack.

Hashirama, seeing this, felt a bit helpless; why do these guys never listen to advice?

He was just about to act when he heard Lian Ye's words.

"Uncle Hashirama, let me handle it."

Lian Ye drew his Tachi, eager to try.

Jiaodu's strength is great, perfect for using him as practice.

Even if he can't win, it's fine; after all, Uncle Hashirama is nearby.

"Alright, you be careful," Hashirama said.

With me watching nearby, there's no need to worry about Lian Ye's safety, but I still couldn't help giving a reminder.

"Got it, Uncle Hashirama."

Jiaodu looked at the Lian Ye who stepped forward, and silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately his opponent is the youth before him, not the God of Ninja…

"Kid, you think you can block me?" Jiaodu showed his stark white teeth.

He can't beat the God of Ninja, can he also not beat the youth before him?

Before the words finished, the earth spear thrust straight at Lian Ye's throat.

Lian Ye activated his Sharingan, the Three Tomoe spun at extreme speed, captured the attack trajectory, and easily dodged.

"Sharingan?" Jiaodu was somewhat surprised.

Lian Ye Shisui came to the front of Jiaodu, and slashed at Jiaodu with his Tachi.

Jiaodu quickly sidestepped.

But Lian Ye had already used his Sharingan to anticipate his move; his wrist turned, the blade skimmed Jiaodu's neck, leaving an extremely thin wound on the skin.

Jiaodu retreated rapidly, creating distance from Lian Ye, his face full of shock.

If he hadn't reacted quickly just now, his head would have split apart.

Jiaodu's expression grew solemn as he looked at Lian Ye, his voice hoarse:

"Kid, I have to admit you have some strength... but compared to me, there's still a gap."

Lian Ye's gaze fell on Jiaodu's neck, where a thin line of blood slowly appeared.

Only the blood wasn't red, but black...

Jiaodu was somewhat puzzled, what is this kid looking at?

He followed Lian Ye's gaze, instinctively touched his own neck, feeling a sticky sensation in his hand.

He looked down; the blood on his fingertip was black.

Jiaodu: "???"

ps: Everyone, generate more power, I want to add updates.