Onigashima had been almost completely destroyed in the fierce clash between Senju Hashirama and Kaido, the island torn apart and seawater pouring in, on the verge of sinking to the ocean floor at any moment.
Senju Hashirama and the others stood in the distance, watching from afar as Kaido, Ulti, and the rest fled in sorry disarray.
The entire Beasts Pirates had suffered devastating losses in the aftermath of the battle, with ordinary pirates almost completely wiped out, and only Kaido, Ulti, and a handful of other powerful fighters barely managing to escape.
A flicker of cold light passed through Senju Tobirama's eyes, and he furrowed his brows slightly and asked in a low voice, "Brother, why did you not finish them off completely? Kaido's power is too great, and letting the tiger return to the mountain will bring endless trouble."
Hearing this, Senju Hashirama laughed heartily, clapped Tobirama on the shoulder, and said in a relaxed tone, "Tobirama, this is someone's instruction. That fellow probably intends to recruit Kaido in the future."
Senju Tobirama was taken aback for a moment, then nodded with dawning understanding.
Given Roy's strength and methods, it was entirely possible that he could take someone as powerful as Kaido into his service.
What was more, Roy's ambitions extended far beyond that, and he needed even greater power to realize his plans.
"And besides," Senju Hashirama said with great confidence, "I will grow stronger than Kaido, so there is no need to worry."
Senju Tobirama looked at his older brother's confident smile, and the doubts in his heart gradually faded.
Senju Hashirama's strength had long since surpassed the peak of his life, and even in this world there were very few who could rival him.
At this point, Kaido had been repelled, the Kozuki remnants had been thoroughly swept away, and the entirety of Wano Country had fallen under their control.
Senju Hashirama stood at a high vantage point and looked out over this land, and a sense of feeling welled up in his heart.
"Hmm, what to call it? Hidden Leaf? No, that won't do..."
Senju Hashirama scratched his head, looking somewhat torn.
He wanted to give this land a new name but could not think of a fitting one at that moment.
Meanwhile, in a hidden room somewhere in the Flower Capital, Kurozumi Orochi was speaking with several CP0 members dressed in white suits and wearing masks, a strange smile hanging on his face. "You want Sea-Prism Stone? What you're offering is nowhere near enough."
The several CP0 members exchanged glances, clearly dissatisfied with Kurozumi Orochi's attitude.
However, just as they were about to continue haggling, the communicator of one of them suddenly went off.
He listened for a brief moment, and his expression instantly changed completely.
"Senju Hashirama... has actually gone this far." that CP0 member murmured in a low voice, his tone carrying shock he could not conceal.
The others heard this and each checked the intelligence in turn, their expressions immediately turning grave.
They had just learned that Senju Hashirama had not only appeared in Wano Country but had also engaged in a fierce battle with Kaido, and what was even more unbelievable was that Kaido had actually lost.
"This... how is that possible?" another CP0 member said in a low voice, clearly shaken by the intelligence they had just received.
Under the orders of the World Government, Senju Hashirama, as the criminal who had killed a Celestial Dragon, had to be completely eliminated.
Yet they had just learned that Senju Hashirama had actually defeated Kaido, one of the Four Emperors.
"We must report to our superiors immediately!"
"What happened?" Kurozumi Orochi also panicked, for he had never seen these normally lofty CP0 members in such a flustered state.
"Kaido has lost. You have no value anymore." A CP0 member cast a cold glance at Kurozumi Orochi.
The color drained instantly from Kurozumi Orochi's face, and he leaped to his feet, his voice carrying a hysterical edge. "Kaido lost? That's impossible! He is the strongest creature alive! How could he possibly lose to some nobody who came out of nowhere!"
However, the CP0 members paid no attention to his ranting and hurriedly left the room.
Their mission was complete, and Kurozumi Orochi, the former shogun of Wano Country, had now lost all his usefulness.
Kurozumi Orochi collapsed onto the floor, his eyes filled with despair.
He had completely lost his backing, and Kaido's defeat meant that his own rule would crumble along with it.
Meanwhile, the upper echelons of the World Government in Mariejois had also received the urgent intelligence transmitted by CP0.
The Five Elders sat in the conference room, their expressions grave.
The atmosphere in the room was so oppressive that it made breathing difficult, and every face was written with seriousness and unease.
"Senju Hashirama... has actually defeated Kaido." one of the Five Elders said in a low voice, his tone carrying disbelief.
His fingers tapped lightly on the table as he thought continuously.
"The one who killed a Celestial Dragon must die." Saint Saturn slammed the table hard, his voice filled with fury and murderous intent.
"Who will go and kill him?" another of the Five Elders asked in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.
The conference room fell into a brief silence, and the Five Elders looked at one another, with no one speaking.
Senju Hashirama's strength had already exceeded their expectations, and an enemy capable of defeating Kaido in a one-on-one fight in a short period of time was simply incomprehensible.
"Being able to defeat Kaido one-on-one in a short time is astonishing." one of the Five Elders said quietly, filled with deep wariness.
"The current Whitebeard certainly could not do it, and even Whitebeard at his peak might not necessarily have been able to either."
"The five of us act together?" one of the Five Elders proposed, his tone carrying a hint of tentativeness.
However, this proposal was immediately rejected.
Another of the Five Elders shook his head, his tone very cautious. "It is too dangerous. Even if we could win, if one or two of us were to be taken out, the consequences would be unthinkable."
The conference room fell into silence once more, as the Five Elders all understood that Senju Hashirama's strength had reached a point that inspired genuine dread.
Even the five of them acting together had no absolute certainty of being able to kill him.
"We can only report this to Lord Imu." one of the Five Elders finally said in a low voice.
The others heard this and nodded one after another.
Lord Imu, the supreme ruler of the World Government, possessed power that defied all reason.
Only he could decide how to respond to a threat like Senju Hashirama.
Meanwhile, Senju Hashirama and the others had already returned to the Flower Capital.
Senju Hashirama stood at a high vantage point, looked out over this prosperous city, and his heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment.
"Wano Country is ours." Senju Hashirama said quietly.
Senju Tobirama stood at Senju Hashirama's side, eager and ready to act.
The scene before him could not help but remind him of the circumstances when the Hidden Leaf Village was first founded.
Back then they had also carried their ideals and convictions with them, building the Leaf step by step into the center of the Ninja World.
Now, Wano Country would become their new starting point.
Senju Hashirama smiled faintly. "From here on, this place will become our foundation."
Senju Tobirama nodded. "Then I will go and take care of that Kurozumi Orochi."
The words had barely left his mouth when his figure vanished from the spot like a phantom.
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