Gin also felt anxious in his heart. He didn't understand what the actual purpose was for the First Place of the Gold List bringing him here.
Initially he thought following First Place would bring great benefits, such as rapid strength increases when entering the Sacred Ruins Trial Tower. However, this black-robed figure instead brought both of them to the Naruto world; it seemed he had a certain purpose.
Tobirama narrowed his eyes and asked: "May we know, what guidance does Senior wish to give by visiting Konoha?"
The black-robed figure said flatly: "I've just recruited these two subordinates. Their battle experience is still too little, so I want to ask you three to give guidance and temper them a bit. Would you mind?"
Hashirama and the other two were momentarily stunned.
Guidance? Tempering? What did this mean?
Enel and Gin's faces paled. Both of them turned to stare at the black-robed figure simultaneously.
Good heavens, what kind of situation was this? Asking top 20 fighters of the Gold List to temper and guide them? Wasn't that the same as looking for trouble? Was this serious?
Hiruzen immediately said: "Senior is too modest. We dare not call it giving guidance, but since Senior requests it, we're naturally willing to help. It's just that right now we have an urgent matter; how about we do this another time?"
They were in a hurry to deal with Akatsuki members attacking the village. How could they have time to deal with something like this? Asking for guidance and tempering? Was he lacking something to do!
The black-robed figure made an "Oh. So, you don't want to give me face?" sound.
He snorted softly from his nose, appearing slightly dissatisfied.
Instantly, cold sweat poured profusely from all three foreheads.
This was First Place of the Gold List. Especially for Tobirama; he had witnessed the terrifying power of Third Place of the Gold List. He was certain he wouldn't even be able to withstand a single punch from that person. If he angered this First Place, wouldn't that be looking for great disaster?
It wasn't impossible that this First Place would level the entire village in an instant due to his anger.
Hashirama and the other two were caught in a difficult situation.
"If so, let me stay while those two go first. How about that?" Tobirama made a suggestion.
He was ranked 19th on the Gold List; giving guidance to these two people was more than enough.
Hiruzen added: "I can also stay. Let the First Hokage go."
With Hashirama's strength, he alone was enough to suppress any chaos in the village.
The black-robed figure snorted coldly: "Do you not understand my words? No one may leave—everyone stays here!"
Hashirama and the other two's faces immediately became very ugly. They couldn't understand why this mysterious First Place was targeting all three of them. Moreover, this happened at a very crucial moment.
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In the underground base.
The Gedo Mazo stood firm. A black shadow sat in a stone chair in front of the statue. The back of his neck was connected to three white pipes extending from the statue; he survived only by relying on life energy supplied by the statue.
"Hehehe, I didn't expect it. That boy's acting is actually pretty good—he even managed to bluff Hashirama. Really interesting... *cough cough*!" He coughed violently but couldn't hide the smile on his face.
"Using the name of First Place of the Gold List... although the real First Place never explicitly acknowledged it, that name is still used. I wonder if this will make that existence angry..."
Madara frowned for a moment, then relaxed again: "Should be safe for now. This isn't the first time. If the other party felt it objectionable, they should have acted long ago. Right now the big picture hasn't been decided—it's not yet time for me to step in. Hashirama, don't rush, soon I'll come out..."
He looked down at his hand. A strange doll appeared, with large letters "Substitute" on its chest. This was the reward from the Gold List: Death Substitute Doll.
Actually, there was an easiest way for him to be resurrected—deliberately using this doll to die, then he would automatically be resurrected to the peak of his power. However, he knew very well how rare and amazing the Gold List's reward was; he truly felt it would be a waste to use it now. Executing his plan could also achieve the goal of resurrection, and besides, now wasn't the time for him to reveal himself to the world.
Currently the world order was chaotic with many parties playing chess. Standing from the perspective of a player behind the scenes to move everything was actually better. If he emerged to the surface now, there was a possibility he would instead become someone else's chess piece, and that was something he didn't want to see. Since the Gold List's appearance, he had just realized there were so many extraordinary existences in this world.
His goal now wasn't just to bring people from the Naruto world into the Mugen Tsukuyomi world, but he wanted the same thing to happen to all Three Realms.
"Otsutsuki Kaguya..." He also kept thinking about that existence.
The Naruto world still hid an existence like that; not only was he hiding behind the scenes, Kaguya was the same—never appearing. Before he detected the other party's movement, Madara wouldn't act rashly.
"Hashirama, I want to see if you dare attack this 'First Place of the Gold List'?" Madara smiled.
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"Really outrageous!" Hashirama couldn't take it anymore.
He felt this First Place might have a problem in his head. Right now Akatsuki had invaded the village, and their numbers weren't few, including those who had Rinnegan. If he didn't go, most likely there would be casualties, and that was something he didn't want to see.
He knew very well how crazy and cruel Akatsuki members were; with unpredictable tactics, Jiraiya and the others might not be able to handle them alone. He deeply understood how powerful the Rinnegan was.
*CLAP!*
Both his palms clapped suddenly. He prepared to form seals and attack this figure called First Place. He wanted to see for himself how terrifying the First Place of the Gold List actually was.
"Don't!" Tobirama was startled and immediately restrained Hashirama's hand. Cold sweat poured on his forehead.
'Brother, don't be rash! Emotions are demons! This existence isn't something we can oppose.'
He knew very well how terrifying this First Place was. Though he'd never seen this person fight seriously, just the comparison with that bald Third Place was enough to give an idea. The prestige from that punch was still clearly recorded in his memory until now.
"What do you mean?" Hashirama felt dissatisfied.
'Why are you stopping me? Underestimating me?'
Tobirama put on a bitter face.
'Brother, I'm really truly underestimating you. The three of us combined aren't a match for this person! Don't advance just to hand over your life for free. We've all just been resurrected—wouldn't it be better to stay alive?'
Hiruzen also had a strong temperament. Initially when he saw the First Hokage wanting to attack, he also almost couldn't stand it. However, seeing Tobirama's action, he instantly didn't dare act rashly.
"Fine, we agree!" Tobirama stared at the black-robed figure, nodded, then pointed at Enel and Gin: "You two, come forward. We'll hold back a little."
The corners of his mouth curved into a cold grin.
'Hold back? Just wait and see—if I don't beat you half to death! Asking for guidance, right? Today I'll really guide you!'