Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 313: The Decision of the Five Kage Summit Was Correct…

After greeting everyone, Hagoromo Gengetsu finished his round of pleasantries.

Apart from Senju Hashirama, who didn't seem to find anything wrong, the other four First Kage's faces darkened immediately.

Since they were brought back through the Reanimation, why would they need someone else to explain the current state of their villages?

This was another boast!

This was definitely boasting!

Right?

Hagoromo Gengetsu, that bastard! He's just living his second life, has a youthful, vibrant body, and...

Okay.

The First Kage couldn't help but admit that they were indeed somewhat envious.

They were all from the same era, and they were even the victors of the Battle of the Valley of Gods.

But how, after all these years, had Hagoromo Gengetsu suddenly reappeared, achieving unimaginable accomplishments?

Even the usually calm First Tsuchikage, Ishikawa, was now visibly rattled.

He took a deep breath, fixed his gaze on Hagoromo Gengetsu, and said, "Hagoromo Gengetsu, don't get too cocky! You were lucky to survive and should have learned your lesson by now—to live out your days without disturbing others. But here you are, once again wreaking havoc in the ninja world. If there was a first Battle of the Valley of Gods, then there can certainly be a second!"

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at the numerous wounded ninja nearby, some of whom were being treated as they groaned in pain. He smiled slightly and said, "As you said, I've learned my lesson. Just like after the Five Kage Summit when the Battle of the Valley of Gods broke out. To ensure that my future days are peaceful, I've decided to eliminate all of you unstable factors."

The First Five Kage fell silent.

At the first Five Kage Summit, they had concluded that Hagoromo Gengetsu, who was powerful yet unaffiliated with any village, was an unstable factor that could threaten the future peace of the ninja world. Thus, they decided on a beheading operation, which led to the Battle of the Valley of Gods.

But did that bring peace to the ninja world?

Senju Hashirama, well aware of the three Shinobi World Wars that followed, sighed deeply, about to admit fault to Hagoromo Gengetsu.

However, the First Raikage A's expression remained cold as he was the first to conclude, "Looking back now, the decision made at the Five Kage Summit was correct."

The First Kazekage Reto followed, "Indeed! Hagoromo Gengetsu, your ambition to overthrow the world and destroy the entire ninja world is now laid bare. Had we not stopped you back then, this war might have erupted decades earlier!"

The First Mizukage Byakuren summed it up, "Hagoromo Gengetsu, just as we judged, you are the source of all chaos!"

Regardless of whether the initial decision was right or wrong, since it was a topic discussed at the Five Kage Summit, recorded, and executed, it must be upheld as correct.

This wasn't just about the Kage's reputation; it was about the righteousness of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Even if the ninja world continued to be plagued by wars and peace was an illusion, the "fact" that Hagoromo Gengetsu disrupted peace remained unchanged.

Moreover, Hagoromo Gengetsu had now confirmed his role as the greatest villain, aiming to overthrow the ninja world.

So, there was no need to change anything.

Senju Tobirama grabbed his older brother's arm and shook his head at him.

Once certain decisions are made, they must be followed through. Changing course midway often brings even greater problems.

After listening to his old friends, Hagoromo Gengetsu showed no surprise on his face.

"I knew you would say that."

This is what it means to be a Kage, what it means to be in the ninja world, isn't it?

"History is written by the victors."

Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at the Kage, his expression calm.

He had understood this long ago.

And now, he was prepared to truly act on it.

"This will be our last conversation. In the future, your names will be recorded in new historical documents."

Hagoromo Gengetsu's gaze swept over everyone present before looking up at the blood-red moon above, and he calmly declared, "You will fall into the underworld, never to see the light of day again. And I, I will rise above, forever overlooking this land."

"Arrogant fool!"

Tsunade, who had been silent until now, couldn't hold back any longer.

She clenched her fist and loudly declared, "Hagoromo Gengetsu! Your ambition will never succeed! The ninjas won't allow it! The samurai won't allow it! The people won't allow it! This world belongs to everyone, not just you!"

"A loud voice doesn't mean you're right." Hagoromo Gengetsu finally glanced at Tsunade, shaking his head with a smile.

"Since when could the Five Great Shinobi Villages represent all the people? When you speak for them, did you ever ask their opinion?"

Tsunade paused, gritting her teeth as she said, "At least, we won't destroy the world like you!"

"Destroy the world? Did the Great Toad Sage say that? I never said I was going to destroy the world. That old toad saw a fragment of the future in a dream and assumed that's how things would be. It's truly pathetic."

Hagoromo Gengetsu found it even more amusing.

"And you're the same. Mobilizing for a war like this based on the prophecy of a dead old toad. You're even more pathetic for not knowing anything."

"Then why did you create the Ten-Tails?" Senju Tobirama asked at this moment.

"Why? Why do ninjas cultivate chakra?"

Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at Senju Tobirama.

"Don't tell me it's for protecting family, for protecting comrades, for the village, or for peace. Spare me the clichés."

Senju Tobirama instantly understood Hagoromo Gengetsu's meaning and answered, "To become stronger."

Hagoromo Gengetsu nodded.

That's the reason.

Without the interference of the Great Toad Sage, without the disruption of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, he would have become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, gathered the ninja world's chakra, and completed his own Bloodline Limit. All without causing any ripples.

Unlike in the original Fourth Shinobi World War, where the Ten-Tails wreaked havoc, destroying everything in its path, that would not have happened.

As for the possible return of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki...

By then, he would already have reached the level of the Sage of Six Paths and would be able to stop her.

The ninja world wouldn't revert to what it was a thousand years ago. Life would continue as usual.

However, there are always those self-proclaimed guardians of justice who come to interfere.

Especially the Great Toad Sage.

If only he had seen further into the future, witnessing the confrontation between himself and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, wouldn't that have been better?

But instead, the sage only saw Kaguya's return, leading to anxiety and worry, compelling him to take action.

And that's why Hagoromo Gengetsu considered the Great Toad Sage, who only glimpsed a fragment of the future, truly pitiful.

There was no need to act; survival could have been easy.

But they chose to bring about their own downfall.

Not just the sage, but everyone present as well.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

More and more sounds of cutting through the air could be heard at this moment.

While Hagoromo Gengetsu was talking with the Kage, many other powerful individuals, although not Kage themselves, who were also renowned in the ninja world and had been resurrected through the Reanimation, had arrived to join the Kage's ranks.

Hagoromo Gengetsu noticed them but didn't care.

"Now that everyone who needs to be here has arrived,"

"It's time to send you all home."

After brushing the ring on his finger, Hagoromo Gengetsu, with an unchanged expression, waved at everyone before him.

He was in a hurry.

So, let's finish this quickly.