"We must head to Wano Country as soon as possible and reclaim the rule that belongs to the Kozuki Family." Kanjuro clenched his fist, his tone carrying a thread of resolve.
Momonosuke puffed out his chest and tried to strike an imposing pose.
"That's right, this young master is the future Shogun, and the people of Wano Country are all waiting for us!"
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi exchanged a glance, a trace of helplessness flashing in their eyes.
They knew that although Momonosuke was young, as the son of Kozuki Oden they had to support him with everything they had.
However, Momonosuke's arrogance and incompetence gave them an enormous headache.
"Young Master Momonosuke, we still need more strength." Nekomamushi said in a low voice, his tone carrying a gentle reminder.
"With just the few of us, I'm afraid it will be difficult to stand against Orochi and Kaido."
Momonosuke frowned, clearly displeased with Nekomamushi's words.
"Hmph, you retainers, do you not even have that much confidence? This young master is the son of Kozuki Oden!"
Inuarashi let out a sigh and said nothing more.
He knew that Momonosuke's arrogance and ignorance were already deeply ingrained and would be very hard to change in a short ti.
Just then, Nekomamushi's ears suddenly twitched slightly and a flash of alertness crossed his gaze.
"Soone has entered the forest." He said in a low voice, a trace of coldness in his tone.
Inuarashi also noticed the irregularity and pressed his hand to his sword hilt, his gaze sweeping toward the depths of the forest.
"And the presence is no weak one, could it be enemies?"
Nekomamushi's claws opened slightly, a trace of killing intent in his eyes.
"Whoever it is, anyone who dares intrude on our territory will pay a price."
The two of them quickly ran toward the other side of the forest, ready to intercept these uninvited guests.
At this mont the Senju Hashirama group was making their way along a forest path, completely unaware that they had already been spotted by Nekomamushi and Inuarashi.
Just as they continued forward, a sudden rustling sound ca from the trees ahead.
The figures of Nekomamushi and Inuarashi erged slowly from the trees, their gazes sweeping coldly over the Senju Hashirama group.
"Who are you?" Nekomamushi's voice was hoarse, carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"Why have you intruded on our territory?"
Senju Hashirama stepped forward, a trace of friendliness in his gaze.
"We are traveling wayfarers who heard so activity on this side, so we ca to have a look."
Inuarashi's gaze carried a trace of wariness.
"Traveling wayfarers? This forest is not a place just anyone can enter."
Senju Tobirama let out a cold laugh, a trace of disdain in his eyes.
"A re stretch of forest, and you think you can block our path?"
Nekomamushi's claws opened slightly, his gaze very wary.
"Are you Kaido's people?"
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi kept their gazes locked tightly on the Senju Hashirama group, wariness mixed with a thread of puzzlent.
Their eyes swept over the garnts worn by Senju Hashirama and the others, dark armor, haori, and forehead protectors, and these clothes bore an extrely close resemblance to the ninja attire of Wano Country they rembered.
"Could you all be ninja?" Nekomamushi narrowed his eyes and suddenly spoke to probe.
Senju Hashirama laughed heartily and nodded.
"Indeed we are, we are ninja from the Village Hidden in the Leaves."
"Village Hidden in the Leaves?" Inuarashi furrowed his brow, clearly unfamiliar with that na, but upon hearing the word "ninja" his expression visibly relaxed sowhat.
A trace of delight also flashed in Nekomamushi's eyes and the corner of his mouth curved slightly.
"So you are ninja from Wano Country, this is wonderful, we are in need of your help!"
Before Senju Hashirama had a chance to respond, a childish yet arrogant voice suddenly ca from behind Kanjuro.
"Hey, you lot, you still haven't knelt before this young master?"
Everyone's gaze was instantly drawn over, and they saw a small boy in a gorgeous kimono jump out from behind Kanjuro, both hands on his hips, chin raised high, with an air of supre self-importance.
His face wore an arrogance out of keeping with his age, and his eyes were filled with a self-satisfied gleam.
"This is Young Master Momonosuke, the son of Lord Kozuki Oden!"
Kanjuro hurried to make the introduction, his tone carrying a trace of deference, though his eyes faintly betrayed a thread of helplessness.
Momonosuke puffed out his chest, his voice sharp and grating.
"That's right, this young master is the future Shogun of Wano Country, and you ninja, why haven't you hurried to kneel and pay your respects before this young master? Do you not know that the ninja of Wano Country are all retainers of our Kozuki Family?"
His tone was filled with a matter-of-fact arrogance, as if Senju Hashirama and the others were simply born to bow before him.
His gaze swept over Senju Hashirama, and seeing that the man did not imdiately kneel, he frowned at once and his voice grew even sharper.
"Hey, are you deaf? This young master is speaking to you!"
Senju Hashirama paused slightly, then frowned.
He had never encountered such a rude child, and in particular the other's insufferably haughty manner gave him a wave of discomfort.
He was about to speak when Senju Tobirama beside him had already let out a cold laugh.
"Heh." Senju Tobirama's mouth curved into a sardonic arc and his cold gaze swept over Momonosuke.
"A re brat, and you dare run your mouth in front of us?"
His voice was low and cold, carrying an authority that left no room for argunt.
Momonosuke took a startled step backward under that gaze, but quickly puffed out his chest again and tried to cover his own unease with an even louder voice.
"You, you dare be insolent toward this young master! Kanjuro, teach him a lesson for !"
Kanjuro showed an awkward expression and was about to step forward to diate, but Senju Tobirama had already raised his hand, chakra condensing at his fingertips.
"Brat, who do you think you are? You are a hundred years too early to put on airs in front of us."
Momonosuke turned pale with fright under Senju Tobirama's imposing pressure and his legs trembled slightly, but his mouth still refused to relent.
"You, you lowly ninja, you dare show disrespect toward the future Shogun! When I beco Shogun I will definitely make all of you——"
"Enough!" Nekomamushi suddenly cut in with a sharp voice, his stern gaze sweeping toward Momonosuke.
"Young Master Momonosuke, please mind your words and conduct! These people are our guests, not your retainers!"
Momonosuke shrank back at Nekomamushi's rebuke, but still muttered in dissatisfaction.
"But, but they are obviously ninja, and aren't ninja supposed to serve us?"
Senju Tobirama's cold laugh deepened, a trace of disdain in his gaze.
"It seems the 'future Shogun' of Wano Country is nothing more than this."
Senju Tobirama swept his cold gaze over Momonosuke, Kanjuro, and the others.
His mouth curved into a sardonic arc and his voice was full of mockery.
"Kozuki Oden? Heh, you an that fellow who supposedly possessed great power, yet struck a deal with Orochi and Kaido to perform a naked dance for five years in exchange for the lives of his hostages?"
His tone carried undisguised contempt, as though even speaking that na aloud had beco a kind of disgrace in his mouth.
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