Within the territory of the Hidden Sand Village, the Sand shinobi were openly mocking him.
Kaito quickly searched through his memories.
“Why did the Land of Wind become like this?
If I remember correctly, the Divine Tree drained the life force of this planet.
And there’s also the Dragon Vein here…”
“Could it be that, in order to preserve itself, the Dragon Vein was forced to absorb the life force of this region, triggering a chain reaction?”
“Looks like the only way to take this place is through force first.”
After figuring it out, Kaito slapped his fist into his palm and burst into laughter.
“I understand now.
How ironic—you were born here, yet you know nothing about the truth!”
Standing beside Reto, his guard Shamon couldn’t stand Kaito ‘s self-righteous attitude and immediately rebuked him.
“What would an outsider like you know?
This land is a cursed land!
The people of the Land of Wind will never tolerate your insults!”
“Secret Technique—Thousand Puppets—”
“Shamon!
Let him finish.”
Unlike his subordinate, the First Kazekage, Reto, sensed something meaningful in Kaito ‘s words and stopped him.
“Hashirama, explain yourself.”
Surrounded by five hundred elite Sand shinobi, Kaito faced the questioning gaze of the First Kazekage.
He explained his theory—the Sage of Six Paths appearing in his dreams, the Divine Tree draining the world’s life force, and the Dragon Vein preserving itself at the expense of the surrounding land.
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Reto scoffed.
“I’ve never even heard of the Sage of Six Paths or the Divine Tree, yet you claim not only to know of them but that they appeared in your dreams?
Ridiculous.”
“System, check the Bond Value between Reto and me.”
[Bond Value between First Kazekage Reto and Host: 34%]
“That’s enough.
Even as an invader, I have a Bond Value this high.
That means he’s already considering my words.”
Kaito looked at Reto.
“Although we can verify everything once we reach Rōran and see the Dragon Vein, judging by your attitude, you won’t let me pass so easily.
In that case, there’s no need for further discussion.”
“The victor decides all.”
Dark markings instantly spread around his eyes as he entered Sage Mode.
At the same time, he pressed his palms together.
Sage Art: Wood Release — True Several Thousand Hands!
“Not good!
Stop him!”
Reto immediately ordered an attack.
Wind Release techniques, puppet attacks, and genjutsu all surged toward Kaito .
Unfortunately, he had already seized the initiative.
Once again, the colossal Thousand-Armed Buddha eclipsed the sky.
In an instant, despair filled everyone’s hearts, leaving them unable to move.
“Damn it…”
Only Reto refused to give up.
“Senju Hashirama!
Don’t think this can force us into submission!
Sand shinobi, think of your families!
If we’re ruled by a man like him, what future will they have?”
Seeing Shamon and the others regain their fighting spirit, Kaito spoke calmly.
“You all know how prosperous the Land of Fire is.
The Daimyō is already dead, and a new era is about to begin.
Happiness and prosperity are waiting for you.”
“I swear that I will solve the Land of Wind’s crisis.”
He then explained the political system, laws, and governing structure of the Universal Shinobi Empire.
Finally, he left them with a single sentence.
“If you wish to end your suffering, then follow me.”
“Destroy the Daimyō.
Welcome the future.”
With that, he controlled the Thousand-Armed Buddha and strode toward the Daimyō’s Palace.
“Stop right there!
Who said you could leave?!”
Reto continued unleashing ninjutsu, but every attack struck the Buddha harmlessly.
The puppet corps fared even worse—their attacks were little more than scratches.
Both Reto and Shamon fell into deep self-doubt.
In the end, they could only lead their forces after him all the way to the capital of the Land of Wind. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
The moment Kaito approached the city, a massive barrier array rose around it.
Countless samurai burst forth, attempting the impossible.
“Onmyōji, huh?”
“The times have changed.
Those who fail to choose the right side will be left behind.”
Sage Art: Wood Release — True Several Thousand Hands: Top Transformed Buddha!
Countless wooden fists smashed into the barrier.
It only lasted a few moments before shattering completely.
Kaito carefully controlled the barrage, directing most of the destruction toward the Daimyō’s Palace.
At that moment, countless talismans rose from the ground, temporarily halting the Thousand-Armed Buddha.
Hashirama increased his output once more.
With overwhelming force, he finally shattered the defenses and utterly destroyed the Daimyō’s Palace.
Following the flow of chakra within the barrier techniques, he roughly located the Onmyōji’s position.
“Sorry.”
“If I want to end this war quickly, sacrifices are unavoidable.”
Countless fists descended once more.
In an instant, the area was reduced to nothing but rubble.
Only then did Reto and the others arrive.
“Damn it!
We’re too late!
Senju demon, I’ll kill you!”
But Shamon stopped him.
“Lord Kazekage, forgive my boldness, but things have already come to this.
Rather than continue fighting, perhaps we should consider whether he can truly change the Land of Wind.”
“If not for ourselves, then for future generations.”
Before Reto could respond, Kaito dispelled the Thousand-Armed Buddha and walked toward them.
At the same time, his guards and three hundred Senju clansmen finally caught up.
Amid the wary stares of the Sand shinobi, Yamanaka Jinan stepped forward and delivered intelligence from the Land of Earth.
“Your Majesty, Lord Hokage has swept through the Land of Earth’s capital with overwhelming force.
We believe their conquest will be completed shortly.”
Kaito grinned.
“Madara works fast.”
“I can’t let him leave me behind.”
He turned to the Sand shinobi.
“Everyone from the Hidden Sand, come with me.
Let’s visit Rōran.”
Then he ordered his subordinates:
“The city pacification and restoration efforts are yours.
Inform the Shinobi Empire to dispatch administrators here as well.”
With that, he vanished.
The journey ahead was surprisingly smooth.
Perhaps because they had once been allied nations, there were almost no traps at the border—only a single outpost.
As they drew closer, Kaito gradually sensed a powerful energy field pulsing around them.
Even he had to concentrate fully to perceive it.
No wonder Reto and the others had lived here their entire lives without discovering the Dragon Vein.
Thanks to Reto’s presence, they entered Rōran without difficulty.
Following his senses, Kaito quickly arrived at the deepest level beneath the royal palace.
The moment he descended the stairs, he saw it.
The sealed Dragon Vein.
It pulsed rhythmically, almost as though it were calling out to him.
“So this is the Dragon Vein?”
Reto stared in shock.
“I’ve never even heard of it.
Could this really be the source of everything?”
“What are you doing?”
Kaito immediately stopped him.
“Destroying it, of course!
This cursed thing ruined our nation!”
“I’ll forgive your ignorance this once.”
“Queen of Rōran, please explain.”
The queen let out a relieved sigh before speaking softly.
After hearing her explanation, the Sand shinobi finally learned that the Dragon Vein was tied to the survival of not only the Land of Wind, but possibly the entire world.
“Now do you believe me?” Kaito asked.
“Based on my observations, if we can restore the energy it requires, not only will the Land of Wind recover, it may even become richer in resources than Konoha.”
“It might even become a better place for cultivation.”
“What?!”
The eyes of the Sand shinobi widened with greed and disbelief.
“The best energy source would be Natural Energy,” Kaito said with a smile.
“Coincidentally, I happen to possess both the method of cultivating it and access to the sacred lands where it can be gathered.”
“Then what are we waiting for?
Hurry and—”
Smack!
Shamon slapped the speaker across the face.
“Idiot!”
He immediately dropped to one knee.
“Your Majesty possesses a body worth more than gold itself.
How dare you speak so rudely?”
Then, in an instant, he prostrated himself.
“Your Majesty, our supreme king, may you live as long as the heavens themselves.
You are wisdom and benevolence incarnate.”
“Please save your suffering subjects.”
“Shamon, have you lost your mind?” Reto shouted in disgust.
Ignoring him completely, Shamon and his followers knelt with their heads lowered.
They had already submitted.
Watching this scene, Kaito tilted his head thoughtfully.
For some reason, it reminded him of Song Jiang kneeling in an old television drama from his previous life.
“So this is what it means to be an emperor.”
“This is imperial authority.”
“It feels amazing.”
Though somewhat intoxicated by the moment, he didn’t forget his real objective.
“Rise.”
He spoke calmly.
“Serve well.
As long as you obey the laws and regulations, your future will be bright.”
Then he looked toward the remaining Sand shinobi.
“And you?”
“Submit to me—or be buried here.”
Reto still wanted to fight, but his own subordinates surrounded him.
“What are you doing?” he demanded.
“Are you rebelling?”
“As His Majesty said,” one of them replied quietly, “the times have changed.”
“We finally have hope.”
“Lord Kazekage…
forgive us, but for the sake of the people of the Land of Wind, please stop resisting.”
Reto froze.
Memories flooded his mind.
The people struggling through the endless desert.
Clans killing one another over food and water.
The powerful hoarding every resource for themselves.
He looked blankly at Kaito .
This man’s reputation was certainly impressive.
But hearing was one thing.
Believing was another.
Kaito seemed to understand his concerns.
“You have to stay alive to witness the future.”
Then he turned toward the Queen of Rōran.
“Your Majesty, I hope you’ll also consider this carefully.”
“If you join me, both you and your people will live better lives.”
The queen bowed slightly.
“As the guardians of the Dragon Vein for generations, we have always struggled between our duty and our people’s survival.”
“I will give Your Majesty’s proposal serious consideration.”
At that moment, Yamanaka Jinan, who was responsible for communications, suddenly appeared beside Kaito .
“Your Majesty!
Urgent report!”
“Lord Hokage has successfully conquered the Land of Earth.”
“However, he was ambushed on the way back.
Deputy Hokage’s forces arrived in time to provide support, but Uchiha Izuna…”