"Awooo—"
The beast let out a mournful cry, a head soaring into the air. Its body crashed to the ground with a thud. Ana, who had slain the beast, lowered her hand from the air, landing behind the beast's body. She held her scythe-like weapons level, crouching on the ground in a pose akin to a side split.
The beast's head landed in front of Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others. The air currents stirred up sand. Ritsuka Fujimaru raised his hand to cover his mouth and nose, preventing the sand from getting in.
"We encounter beasts when we're away from Uruk," Mash, who was holding a shield, sighed.
"Yeah," Ritsuka Fujimaru nodded. There were indeed no beasts near Uruk.
Merlin moved two steps to stand in front of Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash, providing them with some information: "This fellow's name is Mushussu, one of the eleven beasts birthed by the Primordial Goddess Tiamat, the Babylonian Dragon."
Saying this, Merlin closed his eyes and held up a finger, his tone as if he were showing off his knowledge: "There are others... the mysterious child Lahmu, the giant lion Ugallu, and then... the interesting ones are still to come..."
At this point, Merlin suddenly opened his eyes, his upper body leaning forward slightly, his tone a little excited, but there was nothing in front of him.
Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash completely ignored Merlin, having already joined Ana and headed off into the distance while he was still talking.
Merlin quickly chased after Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others, shouting, "Hey, wait for me!"
Ritsuka Fujimaru didn't even turn his head as he said, "We'll listen to you later."
The group proceeded along the winding mountain path, completely leaving the barren, rock-filled desert area. They arrived at an area near the river, where a few patches of lush, green vegetation were scattered along the riverbank and the nearby stone mountains.
"Ur is in that jungle."
At the river, Ritsuka Fujimaru's gaze swept across the rushing, surging river, looking towards the lush, verdant jungle on the opposite bank. The loud sound of flowing water filled their ears.
"How are we going to cross the river?" Mash looked left and right, but couldn't find a bridge or a boat.
Merlin's gaze drifted through the trees on the riverbank for a moment before he suggested, "Erm… How about we build a raft? We have plenty of wood, and there are vines…"
Before anyone could respond, an unfamiliar voice entered the ears of the five people: "Yo! Are you guys trying to cross the river?"
The group looked in the direction of the voice and saw three people in yukata robes approaching. The black-haired man in the front was waving at them.
"Are they... Servants?" Ritsuka Fujimaru guessed, looking at the three people.
People wearing yukata robes appearing in Mesopotamia in the BC era... there was no way they were locals.
"No." Merlin stepped forward, placing himself in front of Ritsuka Fujimaru.
"Prepare for battle..."
Usui Wakawakamaru, Ana, and Mash Kyrielight immediately gripped their weapons tightly, warily watching the three people slowly approaching.
At the same time, on the opposite side...
Tobirama saw the wary expressions of the group opposite him and raised an eyebrow. His gaze swept over the rushing river; the current environment was very suitable for him to fight in.
Hashirama also noticed the change in those people, but he didn't care. Perhaps it was because he was confident in his abilities, or perhaps it was just his personality.
Uchiha Madara was contemplating whether to strike first. The other party might attack; since there was a possibility, it was better to knock them down first, just in case.
A moment later...
Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others were standing ten meters away. Hashirama said with a hearty laugh, "You guys want to cross the river, right? If you don't have a boat, I can give you a ride."
Merlin and the others looked at each other for a moment, communicating with their eyes—
Merlin: What do you think? Should we agree? In my perception, they have no ill intentions.
Ana: Those three... are very strong!
Usui Wakawakamaru: "Master Fujimaru, what do you think?"
Mash: "Senpai?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru: "Let's talk to them first."
The brief exchange ended, and Ritsuka Fujimaru stepped out from behind Merlin.
"May I ask, who are you...?"
Hashirama heard this and introduced himself, "I am Hashirama..." Then, pointing to Tobirama and Uchiha Madara in turn, he said, "That's my brother, Tobirama, and my dear friend, Madara."
"Mr. Hashirama, Mr. Tobirama, Mr. Madara, hello." Ritsuka Fujimaru greeted the three of them in turn, then introduced them one by one, "I am Ritsuka Fujimaru, this is Merlin, Mash, Ana, and Usui Wakawakamaru."
Hashirama's expression was normal, "Yo~ Hello, everyone."
Tobirama nodded slightly, his face stern, while Uchiha Madara's expression remained unchanged.
No reaction to Usui Wakawakamaru's name...
Ritsuka Fujimaru pondered this.
To be honest, Usui Wakawakamaru's legend was widely known. People of later generations had, to a greater or lesser extent, heard of Usui Wakawakamaru's name through various channels, knowing her to be a historical figure.
The two groups looked at each other in silence for a moment. Ritsuka Fujimaru broke the silence, laughing heartily, "Thank you for the invitation, Hashirama-sensei. Let's cross the river together."
"Oh~" Hashirama turned and beckoned, "Follow me."
With that, the three of them walked along the riverbank.
Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others didn't ask any questions, assuming Hashirama's group's boat was docked elsewhere.
Ritsuka Fujimaru quickened his pace, catching up to Hashirama and asking, "Mr. Hashirama, what were you doing going to the other side?"
Merlin looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru in surprise: So direct?
Mash and Usui Wakawakamaru also looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru with astonishment: Senpai (Master Ritsuka) is so direct!
Ana walked in silence, her grip tightening on her weapon, ready to attack at any moment. Because Ana's change in aura was quite obvious, it caught the attention of Tobirama and Madara.
"We came from the other side." Hashirama didn't try to hide anything from Ritsuka Fujimaru's question, answering without any concern.
The other side…
Ritsuka Fujimaru nodded slightly. Merlin's eyes narrowed, having already guessed the identities of the three people in front of him.
"Is it Ur City?" Ritsuka Fujimaru asked.
"Ur? No, it's the Eridu Temple." Hashirama said, looking at the lush jungle on the opposite bank. A city-state was vaguely visible within the jungle, and he looked enlightened: "So that city is called Ur!"
A temple, is it?
Merlin listened to the conversation between Hashirama and Ritsuka Fujimaru, and vaguely had some ideas.
During the conversation, the group arrived at their destination.
Hashirama stopped and said to Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others, "We're here~"
Ritsuka Fujimaru looked around, focusing mainly on the riverbank. He didn't find any boats within sight, but he did find a pile of the remains of magical beasts in the gully between the two hills.
It was a mountain of meat made up of the incomplete bodies of magical beasts, and the strong smell of blood permeated the air, with streams of fresh blood flowing across the pitted land, leaving web-like marks.
"That... Mr. Hashirama..."
Ritsuka Fujimaru's gaze returned to Hashirama: "I don't see a boat."
"No boat needed." Hashirama waved his hand.
Before Ritsuka Fujimaru could ask, "Then how do we cross the river?", he saw Hashirama clap his hands. The earth trembled, and several saplings sprouted from the ground, growing rapidly. As the trees grew, thick roots tore through the soil, sending earth and stones flying into the air, kicking up dust.
Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others saw the trees inflate rapidly, and without hesitation, they retreated, immediately entering a battle stance.
However, they didn't attack right away, watching as the trees intertwined to form a towering Wood Golem, reaching a height of a hundred meters. The giant Wood Golem stood behind Hashirama and slowly bent down, extending a palm between Ritsuka Fujimaru's group and Hashirama's group.
Under Ritsuka Fujimaru's gaze, Hashirama jumped into the Wood Golem's palm, followed by Tobirama and Uchiha Madara. The three of them stood in the Wood Golem's palm, looking at Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others.
"Come on up! It'll be quick to cross the river riding the Wood Golem."
Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others: "..." After a moment of silence, the group boarded the Wood Golem's palm.
After all the passengers were aboard, the Wood Golem slowly stood up. The movements of its massive body created quite a commotion, with the rumbling sounds echoing along the riverbank, mixing with the rushing water…
Once the Wood Golem had fully straightened up, its other empty arm slowly lifted. Dozens of wooden strips suddenly emerged from the Wood Golem's arm, extending at an extremely fast speed towards the mountain of魔獸残躯, intertwining to form a basket and packing the remains inside.
The Wood Golem turned and stepped into the river, dragging the basket as it slowly advanced, sending water splashing everywhere.
Ritsuka Fujimaru pointed at the oversized basket behind them and asked, "That… Hashirama-san, what are you taking those for?"
"To have someone research whether that meat is edible," Hashirama stated his thoughts directly.
"No, no, no, that 魔獸肉 is harmful to the human body and cannot be eaten."
Merlin crossed his arms in front of him, making an X with his fingers.
"It's fine. We'll have someone research it. Even if it's not edible, it's no big deal." Hashirama didn't seem to mind.
"Is that so..." Ritsuka Fujimaru didn't press the matter, instead asking about the situation at the Eridu Temple, "How many people are there at the Eridu Temple?"
"At least... a hundred, I think!" Hashirama's tone was uncertain.
When he left the Eridu Temple, there were only about twenty or thirty people. However, nearly a day had passed since then, and he wasn't sure how many new people had arrived.
"Why are you asking a question?" Ritsuka Fujimaru's expression was a little strange.
You don't know how many people are in the place you usually stay? That's pretty ridiculous!
"Heh~" Hashirama scratched the back of his head, chuckling foolishly, "I've been gone for a day, so I don't know how many people are there. Ahahaha..."
Just one day...
Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others silently complained in their hearts. What could possibly change in a single day? It's not like they're playing a game where you can speed up time.
During the conversation, the Wood Golem had crossed the river and arrived on the riverbank on the opposite side.
"Where are you heading?" Hashirama asked.
"…Ur," Ritsuka Fujimaru replied.
"It's on the way, I'll take you there." Hashirama controlled the Wood Golem, heading towards the town in the jungle.
The giant Wood Golem slowly approached, and the residents of Ur were in a panic, fleeing to the other end of the town, trying to get away from the Wood Golem.
"Is that a magical beast? Why is a magical beast here?"
"Why? Why is there a magical beast?!"
"Run—"
After the goddess occupied this place, the traces of magical beasts disappeared. The sudden appearance of such a large magical beast caused everyone to panic.
Merlin, with his excellent eyesight, saw the scene inside the city, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly: "Aha—!"
"What's wrong?" Ritsuka Fujimaru looked at Merlin with a puzzled expression.
"It's nothing, I just suddenly realized that the residents of Ur are quite energetic~"
Merlin watched the people running along the streets, each one faster than the last.
Ritsuka Fujimaru heard this and looked toward Ur, but the distance was too great, and he couldn't clearly see the specific scene inside the city.
"Rather than energetic, it's more like they're frightened," Tobirama observed for a while and voiced his thoughts.
"Indeed, but what are they frightened of?" Hashirama looked puzzled.
"It's you!" Uchiha Madara said.
Seeing a Wood Golem as tall as a mountain approaching, how could an ordinary person not be frightened?
"Ahahaha…" Hashirama scratched his head and gave an embarrassed laugh.
"Mr. Hashirama, please put us down here," Ritsuka Fujimaru requested.
If the Wood Golem continued to approach Ur, the people of Ur might get hurt, such as injuries from falling or being trampled…
"Okay."
The Wood Golem immediately stopped its advance, slowly bent over, and touched the ground with its back hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Hashirama."
After Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others expressed their gratitude to Hashirama, they ran along the dirt road toward Ur.
Hashirama watched their backs as they disappeared into the distance and called out, "Ritsuka, remember to come play at the Eridu Temple after you're done! We're holding an event!"
"I will if I have the chance," Ritsuka Fujimaru's voice drifted back.
After watching them for a while longer, Hashirama controlled the Wood Golem and turned to leave, heading towards the Eridu Temple.
Before reaching the Eridu Temple, Hashirama saw a jet-black giant beast lying beside the temple. His expression remained unchanged, betraying no surprise.
Even if Godzilla were to participate, he wouldn't worry at all.
Just consider the Myriad Hands!
Even if Godzilla were hit, the least severe consequence would be a serious injury.
Uchiha Madara's expression didn't change either, a Susanoo, you know.
Tobirama wasn't flustered at all. He hadn't participated in the activities and didn't need to consider what it would be like to encounter Godzilla.
The Wood Golem placed Hashirama and the others on the ground, then quickly transformed into a giant tree like an arched bridge, standing at the entrance of the Eridu Temple, somewhat like an archway.
"A complete mess!"
Hashirama and the others stood in front of the archway, looking at the scene near the temple, their mouths twitching slightly.
A pile of people were lying on the ground, skewers and wine bottles littered everywhere.
On both sides were rows of stalls, the aroma of food still lingering.
Besides that, on the outer side were tents, because not everyone was drunk and passed out on the ground.
......
At the same time, Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others entered the city of Ur.
Due to what had happened previously, the people of Ur had all fled to the other side of the city and hadn't yet returned.
Therefore, after entering the city, Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others didn't see a single person. They proceeded along the streets while observing the situation within the city.
"So, this is Ur? The tree's erosion has already spread into the city."
Speaking of trees, Ritsuka Fujimaru couldn't help but think of Hashirama, mainly because the previous moment when Mr. Hashirama clapped his hands to summon a giant Wood Golem had left a deep impression on him.
-----------------------
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