Chapter 278: Peeping
In the alternate space, Uchiha Dali had already given up struggling and lay flat.
At this moment, he no longer thought about how to break Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's seal, but instead focused on refining his chakra while also trying to further strengthen all the abilities he currently possessed.
If he could integrate all of his powers together, that would be even better.
By continuously raising his own combat strength in this way, it might not be impossible to one day reach the point where sheer force alone could shatter this sealed space—where a single punch could blast it apart.
Of course, he had made progress.
Thanks to the idle time here, the amount of chakra in Uchiha Dali's body had already more than doubled compared to when he first arrived.
In addition, the power of his Heavenly Rinnegan had been developed to an entirely new level. Abilities like Yomotsu Hirasaka, Amenominaka, and Truth-Seeking Balls could now be used with ease.
His Conqueror's Haki, Observation Haki, and Armament Haki had all reached the highest possible level. They could no longer be raised further. If there was still any possibility, it would be in fusing the three powers into one, thereby giving birth to a brand-new ability that encompassed all of them.
And that was exactly what Uchiha Dali was working toward.
The only regret was that, up to now, he still couldn't break this seal by brute force alone.
However, he faintly had a feeling—that day wasn't far off.
Uchiha Dali kept trying.
Meanwhile, in the real world, the ninja world—
On the moon, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, who had been resting and recovering, had already regained about seventy to eighty percent of his full strength compared to before his battle with Uchiha Dali.
However, he didn't act recklessly again, because he was busy familiarizing himself with the new power he had obtained—the Tenseigan.
The insight of these eyes far surpassed even his original perfected Byakugan.
From here, he could directly observe everything happening in the ninja world, whenever he wished.
At this moment, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki was using the Tenseigan to view the situation in Konohagakure.
A halo of light appeared before him.
On the transparent screen, the events taking place in Konoha unfolded.
Senju Hashirama and Sarutobi Hiruzen had returned.
As the man who possessed the Wood Release Bloodline Limit, when Hashirama saw Konoha reduced to near ruins before him, he said nothing and immediately cast his jutsu.
"Wood Release: Three Rooms and Two Halls Technique!"
In an instant, Hashirama restored the destroyed Konohagakure to nearly the same state it had been in before the devastation.
The streets and buildings sprawled across the land in neat arrangement.
However, these structures were built in the style of his own era. The architectural design was simple, and the colors were equally plain.
"First Hokage-sama, it's already been more than fifty years since the founding of the village. Everyone's aesthetic sense has changed greatly…"
Hiruzen quickly snapped out of his amazement at the Wood Release and carefully tried to explain to Hashirama.
He didn't dare directly say that the houses were ugly.
But Hashirama completely misunderstood Hiruzen's meaning.
He responded in a way that was completely off-topic: "Changes in aesthetics are a good thing. It means everyone is keeping up with the times! Hahahaha…"
"First Hokage-sama, what I meant was…"
Before Hiruzen could finish, Hashirama suddenly grew serious and said, "Though I can't revive the ones who sacrificed themselves for now, once Madara returns, it should be possible."
"In any case, have the others return to the village. There won't be any more danger. We'll protect everyone!"
It was clear he still had full confidence in Uchiha Madara.
When he heard Hashirama say Madara would return, Hiruzen was first shocked, then thoughtful.
Just then, Hashirama suddenly looked excited, laughing: "Oh? This chakra feels familiar. Seems like Tsunade!"
As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward the direction of Konoha Hospital.
Hiruzen quickly nodded: "Tsunade has indeed returned. Thanks to her, the lives of many of our fighters were saved…"
Hearing this, Hashirama frowned. "So there are people still injured and in need of treatment?"
"In that case, leave it to me."
He rolled up his sleeves and started toward Konoha Hospital, giving instructions to Hiruzen as he walked: "Don't forget to bring everyone back and reassure the villagers. As the Hokage, one of your duties is to make them feel safe and at ease."
"Y-Yes, First Hokage-sama, I'll notify everyone right away…"
Though it wasn't exactly a scolding, being told this by the First Hokage left Hiruzen deeply ashamed.
Watching the man's retreating back, he wiped cold sweat from his brow.
"Does the First Hokage-sama think I've failed as Hokage…"
As he looked at the fully restored Konoha around him, he thought of the wasteland left behind earlier by Madara's destruction.
Shame welled up inside him again.
"I truly didn't protect the village…"
He pushed aside all other thoughts and quickly followed Hashirama's instructions, ordering his subordinates to summon back the ninjas and villagers who had been evacuated.
Hashirama soon arrived at Konoha Hospital.
Tsunade and the others were still bewildered by the sudden reappearance of the village's buildings.
When they suddenly saw a living, breathing First Hokage appear before them, everyone was struck dumb with shock.
They still had no idea that Hashirama had been summoned back by Orochimaru, nor that Uchiha Madara had already left Konoha.
"F-First Hokage-sama?"
Shizune, standing beside Tsunade in a daze, instantly thought of the First's stone face carved into the Hokage Rock when she saw him.
She blurted it out, then muttered to herself, "He… he looks exactly like the statue on the Hokage Rock…"
Tsunade and the other medical-nin were also frozen in confusion.
"Ah, the reason I suddenly returned here is a long story. I'll tell you another time. But I didn't expect you to have grown so much, Tsunade."
Hashirama smiled warmly at her.
"G-Grandpa…"
Tsunade finally came to her senses and called out.
"Hahahaha! Hearing you call me that makes me suddenly feel so old!"
"But that aside, your medical ninjutsu has improved greatly, Tsunade."
Hashirama turned with a smile toward Jiraiya, who was lying on the hospital bed.
Though still unconscious, Jiraiya looked much better now, his injuries stabilized.
"Compared to you, Grandpa, I'm still far behind."
"But you came at the right time!"
Suddenly, Tsunade stepped forward, grabbed Hashirama's hand, and without another word started pulling him outside.
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