Chapter 539: Kakashi and the Breathing Technique
As for what Hōichi could do after setting aside his methods for countering Tailed Beasts...
It was once again Gaara's turn to use his Talk no Jutsu.
He went on and on.
He told Hōichi that putting this behind him simply meant starting over.
It only meant learning something new from the beginning.
As the disciple of the ascetic monk Bunpuku, was he really incapable of doing even that?
In short, Gaara showered him with praise and gave him plenty of emotional encouragement.
Deeply moved, Hōichi decided to accept Gaara's offer to train in Sage Mode.
"You can continue your training, but there's no need to take on the mission. Don't rush it. Kankurō and I have already mastered Sage Mode, so we can serve as Sage Technique instructors."
Gaara explained the situation.
The purpose of Sage Techniques wasn't to train just a handful of elites.
It was to spread them as widely as possible and turn them into a new source of power, just like chakra itself.
The reason there was such a demand for Sage Technique instructors right now was simply because the Konoha group couldn't remain here forever.
They still had to travel elsewhere.
That was why more instructors were needed.
Hearing this only made Hōichi feel even guiltier.
Just as Uchiha Madara had said...
Gaara truly was thinking about everyone else.
---
The people who had rushed over from afar witnessed everything.
Those who had opposed Gaara...
Without exception...
All gave up.
It wasn't merely because they had personally witnessed Gaara's generosity toward Hōichi.
Kindness alone was useless.
If anything, it would only encourage them to push their luck.
The real reason was that they had seen Uchiha Madara casually show up—apparently because of Granny Chiyo—and instantly defeat Hōichi, who had already obtained Shukaku's power.
To most ninja in the world, seeing someone with a Tailed Beast's power get defeated so effortlessly was equivalent to Orochimaru's reaction upon seeing Yakushi Kabuto during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
'If someone who had already reached that level still lost…'
'Then what chance do I have?'
But the most important factor was that the person supporting Gaara was Uchiha Madara.
If it had been Senju Hashirama, they might still have entertained some hope.
They could have argued that Hashirama had no right to interfere in another nation's internal affairs.
Or perhaps they could have struck first and assassinated Gaara before Hashirama arrived.
Once Hashirama got there, being the good-natured man he was, he'd probably compromise for the sake of the Land of Wind and allow them to continue ruling.
But with Uchiha Madara...
There was no hope.
You couldn't morally pressure him.
If you dared tell him not to interfere in another country's internal affairs...
Uchiha Madara would simply interfere with your lifespan.
Trying to strike first wouldn't help either.
By then they'd certainly be dead.
They might even end up helping someone else seize power.
So faced with this situation...
Everyone reached the same conclusion.
Forget it.
Why would anyone do something that was guaranteed to fail...
And guaranteed to produce absolutely no benefit?
Were they masochists?
---
At the same time, Gaara had successfully convinced Hōichi.
Hōichi joined the second group training in Sage Mode.
The people from Sunagakure and Konoha also gathered around, thanking "Uchiha Madara" for stepping in to help.
Kakashi wasn't sure who the person before him really was.
But he was absolutely certain it wasn't the real Uchiha Madara.
Because Kakashi knew exactly where Obito was imprisoned.
He also knew that Madara was locked up in the same place.
Besides...
With Madara's personality, how could he suddenly undergo such a dramatic change?
That said...
Those words just now really did sound like something Madara would say...
If Madara had actually turned over a new leaf.
Kakashi only refused to believe it because he knew too much.
He knew the entire story.
Everyone else, who had no idea what Madara had experienced, could easily come up with their own explanations for why he had changed.
After seeing "Madara" use Wood Release...
The answer seemed obvious.
It had to be the First Hokage.
"Madara-sama, thank you for your assistance."
Kakashi chose not to expose him.
Because he could also see that the identity of Madara was far more useful.
The others gathered around "Madara" and began asking all kinds of questions.
Hashirama felt that his mission had already been completed.
So he relaxed.
Aside from maintaining Madara's basic demeanor by refraining from laughing loudly or patting people on the head...he didn't bother keeping up his guard.
And so...
When the trio of gossip lovers, who had run over just to watch the excitement, asked,"What do you think of the First Hokage? Have you two reconciled now?"
Hashirama's brain suddenly short-circuited.
"Hashirama…"
"That man is the strongest ninja."
"The so-called geniuses and powerful shinobi of your current era are merely monkeys calling themselves kings because the mountain has no tiger. You're simply ordinary people who happened to be born in an age without us."
"Hashirama…"
"He is handsome. His body is strong and pure. His heart is broad and magnificent."
"Once you truly understand him…"
"You'll inevitably reach the same conclusion I did that He is a great shinobi who has risen above all vulgar desires."
"Listen carefully. I'm not praising Hashirama. He doesn't need my praise. I'm merely stating objective facts."
Using Madara's tone from moments ago, Hashirama praised himself with incredible enthusiasm.
He was having so much fun acting cool that he failed to notice everyone else's increasingly strange expressions.
Especially the three gossip girls.
They had long heard rumors that Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama shared an improper relationship.
According to those stories, when Madara pursued Granny Chiyo, Hashirama had followed behind them like a heartbroken lover, paying the bills and carrying their shopping bags.
Now...
It seemed those rumors really were true.
Just what kind of compliments were those?
"His body is strong and pure."
Why didn't you go all the way and call him sweet and juicy while you were at it?
Now they understood.
Uchiha Madara was actually bisexual.
He believed in monogamy.
Which meant…He wanted both the First Hokage and Granny Chiyo.
---
Meanwhile, Shira had originally planned to say goodbye to Gaara before returning to continue his training.
But after hearing the complete story behind Sage Mode and learning about the threat posed by the Ōtsutsuki Clan...
His mind changed.
"Kakashi-sama, I'd like to work together with you. Please help me redevelop the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, so this taijutsu training system can become something that can be promoted throughout the entire ninja world like Sage Mode!"
Shira bowed deeply to Kakashi.
"Huh?"
Kakashi froze.
Where had that train of thought suddenly come from?
"Why? Why me? Naruto was the one who came up with the shortcut for Sage Mode. If you're looking for someone, shouldn't you ask him?"
After recovering from his surprise, Kakashi asked in confusion.
"That was just a coincidence. Kakashi, as Konoha's Copy Ninja, you've copied over a thousand jutsu and even developed your own original techniques. You are the only hope for making my idea a reality."
"And…When you confronted Hōichi and demanded, 'What do you think life is?!' Those words carried such overwhelming conviction that even my Breathing Technique trembled. I felt it. You...You are my hope."
Shira grabbed Kakashi's hands and continued saying things that Kakashi couldn't understand at all.
(End of this chapter)