Chapter 233: The Bombardment Begins

Ever since the founding of Konoha, Tobirama Senju had been researching ninjutsu and some forbidden techniques.

Of course!

He believed that these forbidden techniques were necessary for the rapid development of the ninja world.

However, Hashirama Senju didn’t see it that way. He thought the jutsu Tobirama was studying were too dangerous.

Take the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, for instance. While they could use it without issue, if others made too many clones, it could put an immense strain on their bodies!

Most of the jutsu Tobirama created had flaws. Although they could greatly enhance a ninja’s power, they came with unknown side effects. Some were so difficult to master that it was nearly impossible to train in them.

Some even carried life-threatening risks, and in the end, they were all sealed away in the Book of Seals.

Now, with such a perfect space for experimentation, Tobirama’s mind was filled with creative ideas that he could no longer suppress.

Moreover, this time, his older brother wasn't around, and the evil Uchiha probably wanted him to develop even more powerful jutsu.

After all!

There was no more Konoha!

Tobirama didn’t see any conflict with his principles.

So, he didn't bother to worry too much about it.

"But Tobirama, while I trust you, you're not very familiar with this world!"

"So, take some time to get acquainted with the sea and the environment before starting your research."

"Of course, you can also take a look at the achievements of Konoha’s outstanding younger generation to broaden your horizons."

"For now, you can act as my secretary. This will give the Uchiha a chance to develop some basic trust in you."

Raijin smiled as he spoke to Tobirama.

Tobirama, with his arrogant nature, probably didn't care much about life and death.

So, Raijin had to figure out a way to make him submit completely.

A good amount of training was in order!

"Uchiha, I was once the Second Hokage. When I helped build Konoha, you weren’t even born yet."

Tobirama's face darkened. Wasn't this an insult?

The dignified Second Hokage of Konoha acting as Raijin's secretary?

What a joke!

And when he meets Madara Uchiha in the future, would he have to bow his head?

Other matters were up for negotiation, but anything related to Madara Uchiha was non-negotiable.

Although Tobirama didn’t know whether Raijin intended to resurrect Madara Uchiha, it was clear that with Madara’s immense power, Raijin wouldn't let that opportunity slip away.

However, Raijin was being overly ambitious.

He was actually asking the Second Hokage to be his subordinate.

"For now, follow Genma Shiranui and get familiar with the process."

"I'll activate your Flying Thunder God mark later so you can respond whenever needed."

"By the way, your Flying Thunder God Technique—this body should be able to use it, right?"

Raijin glanced at Tobirama’s body, which was still a White Zetsu form.

Although it had absorbed his chakra and grown, he wasn’t sure of its capabilities.

"I can use the Flying Thunder God Technique! The ability to use it stems from the soul, not the body."

"My research on the soul is quite advanced, and using the Flying Thunder God Technique is child’s play."

Tobirama said proudly!

His talent wasn't solely due to the Senju bloodline.

Unlike Hashirama, Tobirama didn't have an enormous chakra pool.

Hashirama’s chakra alone could overwhelm him three or four times over.

Tobirama also lacked the Sage Mode or Wood Release.

What he relied on was the ability to surpass people like Hashirama with his human abilities.

However, sometimes, no matter how much talent one had, it was impossible to compete with those who had cheat-like powers.

Even with all his expertise in ninjutsu, Tobirama was still just a toy in front of Madara Uchiha.

Even the speed of the Flying Thunder God Technique could be nullified if he was caught off guard.

Against Madara’s invincible power, no matter how well Tobirama mastered his techniques, it was useless.

"Leave your Flying Thunder God mark for me, and let Genma show you around the work environment!"

Raijin waved his hand dismissively.

Genma Shiranui appeared immediately, and Tobirama placed his Flying Thunder God mark on a kunai.

Tobirama’s face darkened again, but he didn’t say anything more.

That’s just how it is when you’re living under someone else’s roof!

"You're a ninja from Konoha, right? You actually mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique!"

"Your talent must be impressive by Konoha’s standards."

Tobirama looked at Genma and asked.

"Me? My talent isn’t great. I used to guard the gates at Konoha."

"Being able to use the Flying Thunder God Technique is all thanks to Lord Raijin."

Genma replied humbly.

"???"

Tobirama widened his eyes and looked Genma up and down.

What?

Someone capable of mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique was actually guarding the gates in Konoha?

Tobirama’s vision went black.

It was a huge mistake to leave Konoha in the hands of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

That guy!

He completely wasted talented individuals.

Back then, Tobirama had wanted to build an entire army of Flying Thunder God users.

But he found that there were only a handful of people in Konoha who had an exceptional ability to sense space.

And none of them were able to master the Flying Thunder God Technique!

Thus, his dream of creating a Flying Thunder God army was shattered.

But it turns out that in the future, Konoha did indeed produce talented individuals.

Hiruzen Sarutobi just didn’t know how to make use of them!

Tobirama Senju frowned deeply as he was led away by Genma Shiranui.

For a while now, the seas had been relatively calm, with no major incidents from the powerful pirates or important naval officers who had returned.

These individuals were either licking their wounds after suffering losses or scheming larger plots.

Meanwhile, a person had appeared who could fly through the air and spoke a language no one understood.

This individual targeted World Government allied nations that brutally oppressed civilians and struck them hard!

However, his methods were extreme, as he had already overthrown the royal families of three nations.

He preached that only by tasting pain could people truly understand it.

This figure had caught the attention of the World Government.

The Navy finally took action.

Borsalino was sent out!

His mission was to capture the man who had already amassed a bounty of 500 million Beli and called himself a god.

Borsalino, wearing his yellow-tinted sunglasses, observed a nation that had recently suffered a horrific attack.

On the streets, a group of people dressed in black robes with red clouds was helping evacuate civilians.

In no time, Pain had gathered hundreds of followers.

These followers were once civilians from the kingdoms whose royal families Pain had destroyed.

Having witnessed Pain's power, they believed he was the only one who could save this wretched world.

A world overrun by pirates, where even kings lived lavishly by oppressing their people.

These followers had long been suffering, but when Pain appeared, they saw the true light.

"Oh, so this guy has two ninjas under his command? It seems like he has some connection to Dressrosa."

"But his first appearance was in the East Blue, and now he's on the Grand Line. Quite a bold guy."

Hearing about the presence of ninjas, Borsalino’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent.

Dressrosa was already dealt with, but thanks to a few smooth-talking individuals within the Navy, the place was thriving in the New World.

Borsalino couldn’t touch Dressrosa anymore, as it had placed agents within the Navy, and some naval officers even sided with them.

Even if Dressrosa did something outrageous, those in power would act like nothing had happened.

As long as Dressrosa didn’t become a pirate nation, there wouldn’t be any major issues.

So now, Borsalino could only target the individuals that Uchiha Raijin had sent out.

He had to cut off Uchiha Raijin's influence!

"Admiral Borsalino, there are still civilians ahead. Should we disperse them before attacking?"

A naval officer asked.

"Hmm? These people could all become rebels. Just start the attack and wipe out everyone from the Akatsuki."

A cold glint flashed in Borsalino’s eyes!

When it came to anything involving ninjas, he showed no mercy.

He wouldn't tolerate these people in the slightest.

"Yes, sir!"

The officer beside him looked at Borsalino, a bit unsettled.

Why?

Lately, Admiral Borsalino had become increasingly terrifying!

He was starting to resemble Admiral Akainu from before.

In fact, he was even more ruthless than Akainu.

"What are you waiting for? Start the bombardment!"

Borsalino adjusted his glasses.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

The sound of artillery fire was relentless!

Dozens of warships fired with all their might at the island.

In an instant, flames erupted as black cannonballs rained down.

Within moments, fire engulfed houses, and the destructive power left the streets littered with bodies as screams filled the air.

This was a World Government allied nation, and Borsalino was here to quell an internal uprising.

In principle, he was acting within his authority, so aside from a few bleeding hearts, no one would raise an issue about it.

Most naval officers had already accepted the harsh realities of this world.

Someone as idealistic as Zephyr was an extremely rare case in the Navy.

"Has the Navy arrived?"

Pain ascended into the sky, his Rinnegan scanning the port.

He saw a dozen warships bombarding the port in waves.

A surge of anger welled up within him!

The Navy allowed this world to be overrun by pirates and chaos, yet they mercilessly attacked the civilians of a nation at a moment like this.

These people had the nerve to call themselves justice?

Pain landed on the ground and sent the surrounding enemies flying with a blast.

In the sky, a figure wielding a large sword, stained with blood and wearing a wicked smile, strode confidently toward Pain.

Zabuza Momochi had no power to solve Kirigakure’s problems, but here, he could make a difference.

Zabuza felt exhilarated.

"Leader! Are we going to fight the Navy?"

Zabuza asked, glancing toward the port, where his Executioner’s Blade gleamed in the light.

They had encountered the Navy before, and while Observation Haki could be troublesome, Zabuza believed his strength could make up for it.

"You take care of the remaining enemies and have Kisame gather our forces. Be ready to retreat at any moment."

"I’ll handle the Navy. They sent someone troublesome this time, and you won’t be able to deal with him."

Pain glanced at Zabuza as he spoke.

When the time came, he would simply retreat with his true body.

No one could stop him with this current body.

Pain already had a good understanding of this world’s power structure.

He believed that his strength was more than enough to deal with the Navy.

"Understood!"

Zabuza, though disappointed, didn’t argue with Pain’s decision.

Even though the sea was their domain, the presence of so many naval forces made things troublesome.

Pain slowly floated toward the port.

At some point, five figures appeared on the streets, quickly gathering beneath Pain as they ran toward the port.

"Is that Pain?"

Ivankov widened his eyes as he looked at the figure floating in the sky.

He wasn’t sure what kind of Devil Fruit ability this was!

But it sure looked impressive!

"Heh, although his methods are extreme, his goals align with ours."

"We could use some like-minded allies in this sea!"

"Ivankov, have our people protect the civilians on this island!"

"Coordinate with the Akatsuki to evacuate and shield them."

"I’ll follow him!"

Dragon glanced at the figure in the sky, pulling his hood lower to conceal his face before quickly following Pain.

They had been keeping an eye on Pain for a while now, and even had spies within the Akatsuki.

They had reported Pain’s ideology, experiences, and words back to Dragon.

Dragon's assessment of Pain was that he was once an idealist pursuing peace, but after having his hopes crushed, he no longer believed in it.

Now, Pain’s goal was to use immense power to shock the world!

He even aimed to overthrow the Celestial Dragons, believing that without them, nations would no longer wage war.

In his vision, the seas would be free from pirates who could rob and kill at will.

Though his methods were extreme, Dragon felt a twinge of regret.

He wished he had met the idealistic Pain earlier.

If he had, perhaps the Revolutionary Army would have gained a kind and noble figure.

Instead of the current path of destruction.

But!

It wasn’t too late.

Dragon felt they had much to talk about.

Their shared goal was to overthrow the corrupt World Government.

To bring peace to the seas.

Dragon pulled his hood lower, glancing at Borsalino.

Even Kizaru was changing.