"You don't seem to be from Konoha. What's your purpose here?" The man wearing a strange spiral-patterned mask spoke first.
Although his voice was extremely deep, giving the impression of an elderly person, Meruem knew his identity - Kakashi's good friend who would later have a love-hate relationship with Kakashi, Uchiha Obito.
He was actually the same age as Kakashi, only around 20 years old.
The mask Obito wore at this time wasn't the earth-colored spiral mask from later, but a white one with many flame-like strange spiral patterns.
"I should be the one asking that. What's your purpose here?" Meruem lifted a Root ninja of special jonin level by the neck, and the Taotie behind Meruem devoured him in one bite. The ninja then turned to white dust before Uchiha Obito's eyes and scattered in the wind.
Taotie, this special type of Nen beast, could only be seen by those who had learned Nen. The Naruto world seemingly had no one who cultivated Nen abilities, and the Sharingan couldn't see Taotie's form. At most, they could sense a strange energy mass behind Meruem. Perhaps the Hyuga clan's Byakugan could see roughly, but there were no Hyuga here.
Obito could only subconsciously assume Meruem had used some strange ninjutsu that his Mangekyou Sharingan couldn't copy.
Of course, there were plenty of ninjutsu in the Naruto world that the Sharingan couldn't copy, so Obito wasn't particularly surprised.
Feeling his body and internal energy recover somewhat more, Meruem was in a very good mood. In just that short time, Meruem had already killed dozens, nearly a hundred ANBU and Root ninjas, plus quite a few Uchiha clan members.
It could be said that Root and ANBU's massacre operation against the Uchiha had suffered the most losses at Meruem's hands.
After post-war statistics, Danzo and the Third would probably die of heartache.
Having Taotie "eat" so many elite ninjas allowed Meruem to recover considerable strength, and now he completely didn't fear Obito.
"Who exactly are you?" Obito said gravely. He no longer had patience to continue arguing with Meruem here. This good massacre night now had such a variable - he didn't know if it was good or bad.
However, from Meruem's previous performance of killing Uchiha, Root, and ANBU together, he probably wasn't external aid for the Uchiha.
"Me? Want to know who I am? I don't mind telling you - I am Senju Hashirama. Rude fellow, you should give your own name before asking others', shouldn't you? Who are you?"
Meruem's eyes turned, suddenly thinking of a name and saying it mischievously.
You like claiming to be Uchiha Madara? Then I'll claim to be Senju Hashirama.
Too bad he didn't know Wood Release, or he could have bluffed Obito.
"...I am Uchiha Madara! Your age, and your techniques aren't Wood Release at all. You're definitely not Senju Hashirama. Who exactly are you?" Although you couldn't see Obito's expression behind the mask, you could imagine it was very pained right now.
This fake Uchiha Madara meeting a fake Senju Hashirama, especially when the other party looked like a child - what would you think?
"Who told you I only know Wood Release? As for you, you dare claim to be Uchiha Madara? From my understanding of Madara, if he wanted to do something, he would definitely do it openly and honestly, never hiding and concealing like you, not even daring to show your true face. Most importantly, others might not recognize Madara's Mangekyou Sharingan, but I remember it clearly. Your Sharingan clearly shows everything - you're definitely not Uchiha Madara. As for my current appearance? Haven't you heard of a certain jutsu? Living Corpse Reincarnation. A jutsu that can grant immortality."
"Back then, my battle with Uchiha Madara at the Valley of the End left me severely injured. If I hadn't used the reincarnation technique, I might have died there."
Meruem began seriously spouting nonsense again. Living Corpse Reincarnation did exist - it was Orochimaru's signature body-switching technique. But Meruem didn't know it at all; he'd only heard the name. Since Obito didn't know either, it was perfect for bluffing him.
Anyway, neither Hashirama nor Tobirama were here. Facing just Obito, relying on not fearing his strength and familiarity with plot characters, he was just deceiving him - what could he do about it? No one could expose him anyway.
Moreover, Meruem spoke with reasoning and evidence. Unless someone who understood Hashirama's character - with Hashirama's personality, even if he died, he wouldn't use such an evil jutsu.
But the key was Obito didn't know! How many years apart were Obito and Hashirama?
"Uchiha junior, step back. There's nothing for you here anymore." Seeing Obito actually getting tangled up in thought by his nonsense, Meruem struck while the iron was hot.
Wasn't this guy Obito using Uchiha Madara's name to bluff people precisely because no one understood Uchiha Madara's character and personality anymore?
Otherwise, let him try in front of the Edo Tensei'd Hashirama - see if Hashirama would recognize him.
"Whoever you are, if you want me to leave just like that, let's see if you have the ability." Finally, Obito made his decision. Although this person spoke with reasoning and evidence, even gaining 50% credibility in Obito's mind.
However, Obito still wanted to test Meruem's strength. This person of unknown origin suddenly appearing on the night of the Uchiha massacre was too bizarre.
But might makes right - the ninja world was originally such a place. If the opponent was truly Senju Hashirama, then he might not be his match.
But with Kamui space, he could still escape if needed. The Senju clan was most famous for Wood Release. Until he personally saw Meruem use Wood Release, Obito wouldn't completely believe.
"Junior... since that's the case, let me educate you."
Perfect timing to test the strength of Uchiha Obito, one of the strongest bosses in the later Naruto world.
Although Meruem's speed had dropped significantly compared to his adult period, having devoured large numbers of elite ninjas earlier, his current strength had recovered to nearly 20% of his peak condition.
His current physical strength, while not invincible in close combat, wouldn't be taken seriously by Meruem unless it was Guy with the Eight Gates opened.
When Obito faced Meruem, he fell into disadvantage the moment they made contact.
But at least relying on his Mangekyou Sharingan's perception, Obito barely kept up with Meruem's movements.
This was just Meruem with slightly over 20% strength. You could imagine how terrifying Meruem, who stood at the pinnacle of combat and physical prowess in the Hunter world, truly was.
If comparing raw strength, Senju Hashirama might not necessarily be stronger than Netero.
Meruem's fists were hard and extremely powerful. If you weren't careful and got hit, it would likely result in broken bones and limbs.
Tsunade's punches were formidable, right? One punch would create a big hole in the ground. But Uvogin's Destruction Fist from the Hunter world's Phantom Troupe combat members wasn't much inferior to Tsunade's.
But Meruem's fists were even stronger than Uvogin's.
When Meruem threw a punch at Obito, Obito used Kamui space's intangibility to dodge. The moment Meruem's fist contacted the ground, spider web-like cracks instantly appeared, followed by a huge deep pit at the attack location.
Just being grazed by Meruem's punch wind made Obito feel unable to withstand it. After seeing Meruem's attack, a drop of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. This felt even more vicious than Tsunade's punches...
"Such terrifying power, such terrifying fists. This guy's speed and strength are far above mine. Continuing to fight probably has no meaning and would attract Konoha's attention. Whatever, I've mostly achieved my purpose. Even if a few Uchiha survive tonight, I don't believe they can escape my pursuit." For some unknown reason, Obito temporarily didn't want to go all out against Meruem. His Kamui space hadn't gone full power yet, so after probing Meruem's approximate strength, he decisively made his decision.
Meruem's battle commotion was simply too large - it was impossible not to attract attention. Just those few exchanges had already drawn several nearby ANBU toward them.
"Your strength is formidable. Please forgive my previous rudeness. I have no intention of being your enemy." Obito somewhat softened his stance. Facing this muscle monster that appeared from nowhere, Obito didn't want to fight to the death.
"I'll leave now and won't disturb your elegant mood. I think we'll meet again." As he spoke, Obito's figure began to fade, slowly disappearing before Meruem's eyes.
Truly coming and going hastily. From Obito's appearance to departure, he only learned part of Meruem's strength and gained nothing else useful.
Moreover, from the previous probing battle, Obito realized that Meruem claiming to be Senju Hashirama was just as much bullshit as his own claim to be Uchiha Madara.
But Meruem seemed to know many secrets, so Obito speculated Meruem's true identity wasn't simple.
So finally, for unknown reasons, Obito said something cryptic. He probably planned to have Zetsu investigate him later.
But unfortunately, before transmigrating, Meruem had left no traces in the Naruto world whatsoever. As if they could investigate anything.
Although Black Zetsu was called the earth's incarnation, his name wasn't Bai Xiaosheng. He wasn't omniscient, nor did he have the ability to know everything 300 years forward and backward.
At most, he could start paying attention to Meruem from now on, but with En's top-tier perception ability, would Meruem be easily tracked by Zetsu?
"Space-time ninjutsu? What a convenient ability. I'll spare you today. Don't think I have no way to deal with you just because of body intangibility... I also know spatial abilities." Meruem looked at where Obito departed with an intriguing expression.
Then, sensing Konoha's ANBU were about to arrive, he showed a bloodthirsty expression. Today he'd have a good big "feast." There wouldn't be such good opportunities in the future.
Unless declaring war on ninja villages, where else would there be such good opportunities to fish in troubled waters?
Recovering strength was currently the most important thing.
(End of Chapter)
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