Just as Ao's voice fell,
In the next moment, Ao, who had been calm just moments before, suddenly flushed red, a layer of sweat beading on his forehead.
Mei Terumī's expression remained unchanged, still wearing a faint smile.
Yuto's eyelid twitched, just in time to see Mei Terumī lift her foot from Ao's.
"Is there some new situation in Konoha?"
Seeming to notice Yuto's gaze, Mei Terumī quickly spoke up to change the subject.
Yuto glanced at Ao sympathetically, then spoke calmly:
"That Senju Hashirama guy has revived."
What!
Mei Terumī and Ao couldn't help but exchange a glance, both of their faces showing expressions of disbelief.
Originally, the revival of Uchiha Madara, who was already dead, was enough to throw Mei Terumī into disarray.
And now, even the legendary First Hokage Senju Hashirama had revived!
When did reviving people become so easy?
First Uchiha Madara, now Senju Hashirama—were they going back to the Warring States Period?
Ao couldn't help but swallow, his face stiffening as he momentarily forgot the pain from Mei Terumī's kick earlier.
Mei Terumī's brow couldn't help but furrow. Whether it was Uchiha Madara or Senju Hashirama, neither piece of news was good news for the Hidden Mist Village.
After all, it was Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama who had together sealed away Lord Yuto back in the day.
What Mei Terumī was worried about was precisely this matter.
"This trip to Konoha wasn't just about getting the intel on Senju Hashirama's revival."
"Whether it's Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara, those two probably won't have the opportunity to cooperate again."
Yuto's eyes flickered slightly as he spoke calmly.
With Uchiha Madara's pride, some things only needed to be done once. Uchiha Madara would definitely not lower himself to do it a second time.
As for Senju Hashirama, being the weakest of the three, the current Senju Hashirama would absolutely not want either Uchiha Madara or Yuto to encounter any problems.
Yuto lifted his head to gaze into the distance, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
The future situation was clearly shaping up into a three-way standoff.
All three of them—Yuto, Uchiha Madara, and Senju Hashirama—could vaguely sense this.
But none of them would be happy about such a situation forming.
Because for three proud individuals, this was the most helpless outcome.
"What we should be worried about right now isn't us."
Withdrawing his gaze, Yuto showed a faint smile on his face.
"The Sand Village! The Stone Village! The Cloud Village! Are they our next targets?"
Hearing Yuto's words, Mei Terumī was slightly taken aback before understanding dawned on her, her face showing surprise.
As for the other ninja villages and countries, Mei Terumī didn't pay them any mind at all.
"That's not our target. It's Uchiha Madara's next target."
Yuto stretched his hands behind his head, speaking casually.
Mei Terumī raised an eyebrow, as if not fully understanding Yuto's meaning.
BOOM! BOOM!
Just then, a huge explosion came from ahead.
"What's going on?"
Looking in the direction of the explosion, Yuto's face showed a strange expression.
Mei Terumī looked over as well, then a smile appeared on her face as she chuckled lightly:
"Looks like it's Gaara, the jinchūriki of the Sand Village, again."
Judging by Mei Terumī's tone, this wasn't the first time. Yuto's face showed a curious expression.
"Gaara is, after all, the jinchūriki of the Sand Village, and his identity is somewhat special, so we only temporarily restrained him rather than imprisoning him."
"However, Gaara's temper seems rather volatile, so he occasionally conflicts with the Seven Swordsmen."
Mei Terumī explained with a faint smile.
"So it's intentional, then."
A glint of interest flashed in Yuto's eyes as he spoke with realization.
Mei Terumī nodded. Whether it was the Seven Swordsmen or Gaara, it was intentional.
Zabuza and the others were using Gaara as a whetstone. Having a jinchūriki opponent like Gaara was naturally more interesting than fighting each other.
As for Gaara, he probably wanted to attract someone's attention. But who?
Thinking of this, Mei Terumī turned to look at Yuto, who was already showing a look of interest.
At Gaara's location.
A large amount of sand was attacking a cage completely made of rock in front of him.
BOOM!
Another heavy thud echoed again.
The originally hard stone pillars began to show cracks under Gaara's repeated impacts.
And in the area where Gaara was imprisoned, not far ahead.
"Again, again! Where does this guy get so much energy? Who's going this time?"
Suigetsu Hōzuki slumped on the ground, speaking weakly.
After speaking, Suigetsu looked up at everyone and saw that some were sitting with their eyes closed, absorbing the minuscule amount of natural energy in the air, while others were leaning against trees with their eyes closed, taking a nap. Whether they could actually sleep through such a loud explosion, Suigetsu didn't know.
After scanning everyone, Suigetsu's gaze finally landed on Ranmaru, the smallest person in the group.
Seeing Ranmaru's dazed expression, Suigetsu's face broke into a smile, and he couldn't help but show his sharp teeth.
Seeming to notice Suigetsu's gaze, Ranmaru couldn't help but shrink his neck.
"Little Ranmaru, isn't it your turn this time?"
Suigetsu said with a happy expression.
Ranmaru spoke cautiously: "Is... it really?"
After a while, seeing that Suigetsu wasn't speaking, Ranmaru's face showed a hint of grievance.
"Hey! Hey! I'm not bullying you. That said, your personality is so different before and after transformation."
Seeing Ranmaru's expression, Suigetsu couldn't help but comment.
Seeming to realize it was indeed his turn, Ranmaru stood up, patted the dust off his clothes, and walked cautiously toward Gaara's direction.
As Ranmaru left, the previously listless Suigetsu immediately sat up straight, his face showing an excited expression as he looked into the distance.
"Guess how long Gaara will last this time?"
Suigetsu said without looking back.
"Four minutes."
"Seven minutes."
"Five minutes."
Voices came from behind Suigetsu one after another.
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