Uchiha… the Fourth Hokage?!
The information was overwhelming. Senju Tobirama couldn't understand at first, as if a thunderclap had struck his mind.
In his lifetime, he had gone to great lengths to restrict the Uchiha clan, dedicating himself to this effort for half his life. Yet, how could it be that, in the end, not only were they unaffected, but one of them had become the Fourth Hokage?!
"Wait, wait, wait,"
Senju Tobirama felt a bit dizzy. He held his forehead and, after a long silence, finally asked, "You say you are a disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
"Yes, I am Orochimaru,"
Orochimaru replied, a smirk appearing at the corners of his mouth. He enjoyed seeing this kind of reaction.
"What on earth is going on?" Senju Tobirama glanced at Uchiha Sogetsu, hesitating to ask.
He wanted to know why, as a disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi, he wasn't the one to become Hokage and instead let the position go to someone who shouldn't be Hokage at all.
"Heh, why does Lord Tobirama ask such a question?"
Orochimaru narrowed his elongated eyes and said meaningfully, "Only those who are recognized can become Hokage, isn't that right?"
"Yes, but…"
Senju Tobirama's mouth twitched, and he struggled to respond.
He wanted to say that while recognized individuals could hold the Hokage position, it shouldn't allow someone from the Uchiha clan to take it!
However, he couldn't voice this thought directly. It remained stuck in his heart, making his face flush with a mix of colors, growing more frustrated.
"Tobirama, isn't this a good thing?"
Coming back to his senses, Senju Hashirama laughed heartily, patting his brother on the shoulder, looking pleased.
"I didn't expect Konoha to develop so well! It seems everyone is getting along nicely. If Madara could see this scene, he would probably be very happy!"
"Shut up, big brother!"
Senju Tobirama shot back, ignoring him, and fixed his sharp gaze on Uchiha Sogetsu. "What's going on here? I need an explanation from you, Uchiha brat."
"What kind of explanation do you want, Second Hokage, Lord Tobirama?"
Facing both Hokages, Uchiha Sogetsu remained seated, a hint of mockery in his eyes. He sneered, "Do you want me to explain how a member of the Uchiha clan, whom you least recognize and even see as a threat, managed to break through the limitations you set and become Hokage?"
Upon hearing this, Senju Tobirama fell silent.
On the other side, Senju Hashirama looked slightly displeased. "Tobirama, didn't I tell you that everyone in the village is a comrade and should be treated equally?"
Faced with his brother's question and the change in tone, Senju Tobirama couldn't ignore it and had to explain stiffly, "You should know that the Uchiha are a naturally sinister clan. If not restricted, they might cause even bigger troubles. This is a necessary precaution!"
"Tobirama, your actions are problematic!"
Senju Hashirama spoke sternly, a hint of severity in his voice. "I warned you not to treat our comrades in the village differently!"
"But, brother—"
Senju Tobirama argued back, believing he hadn't done anything wrong. "Have you forgotten about Madara?"
"Enough!"
The mention of Madara struck a nerve in Senju Hashirama, as if he were hit by a hammer. His voice rose sharply.
Like a dormant volcano awakened, an overwhelming and suffocating chakra erupted, transforming into a storm that spread with astonishing force.
The brown wooden floor was shattered by the invisible pressure, and the walls, ceiling, and beams were all marred by frightening cracks from the burst of chakra.
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, found himself unable to speak, his body stiff with tension.
Meanwhile, Elephant, who stood nearby, had already collapsed to the ground in fear.
Initially, when he first met the legendary First Hokage, seeing him being rebutted repeatedly by his younger brother while drawing circles on the ground made him doubt whether this simple-minded man was truly the one who established Konoha and brought peace to the world.
But now, it was clear—such terrifying chakra could only belong to the First Hokage!
"Alright, stop it, both of you former Hokages."
Uchiha Sogetsu waved his hand wearily, his voice weak. "I didn't bring you back to debate whether the Second Hokage's policies were right or wrong. As for why I'm fulfilling the role of Hokage and the whereabouts of the Third Hokage, I'll explain those later."
Hashirama slowly retracted his chakra. "I apologize; I got too worked up."
Tobirama huffed, turning away and remaining silent.
"The reason I resurrected you two is that Konoha has been pushed to the brink!"
Uchiha Sogetsu's gaze swept over both men. "The four major ninja villages—Mist, Sand, Cloud, and Rock—have declared war on Konoha at the same time. The situation is dire; Konoha was almost overrun by the Cloud ninja, suffering heavy casualties."
"What did you say?!"
At these words, both Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama's expressions changed drastically.
The four major ninja villages, which usually view each other with hostility, have declared war on Konoha at the same time. Is this the sun rising in the west?
"What on earth did Hiruzen do?!" Senju Tobirama's brows twitched in disbelief. What could possibly cause all four villages to put aside their grudges and attack Konoha together?
"Let's discuss the details later," Uchiha Sogetsu said, lightly coughing as he held his mouth, then continued, "A few days ago, the Third Hokage was suddenly ill and is currently in a coma. I have been appointed as the acting Hokage, so I hope that both former Hokages can help Konoha through this crisis!"
"Why you?" Senju Tobirama frowned, unable to accept that an Uchiha was acting as Hokage. "What about Danzo? He should still be alive. Why isn't he the one?"
"Hmph." Orochimaru sneered at the mention of Danzo.
"Uh…" Uchiha Sogetsu hesitated to speak.
"What's wrong?" Senju Tobirama furrowed his brow, noticing the strange expressions on both their faces, and felt that something was off.
At that moment, Elephant couldn't hold back anymore and stepped forward. "Let me explain, Lord Tobirama. If it weren't for Danzo, Konoha wouldn't have been invaded by the Cloud Ninja, and it wouldn't have come to this!"
"What exactly happened?" Senju Tobirama's forehead creased with anger as he turned to Orochimaru, gritting his teeth. "You tell me! What did Danzo do?!"
"Hmph, this all falls back on you, Second Hokage," Orochimaru replied with a mocking smile.
"What does that have to do with me?" Senju Tobirama was confused. He had been dead for so many years; how could the blame still be shifted onto him?
"It's precisely because of the policies you set that Danzo has always harbored hostility towards the Uchiha clan," Orochimaru explained slowly.
"This time, Danzo, fearing Uchiha Sogetsu's strength, intentionally let the Uchiha clan face the main force of the Cloud Ninja alone, resulting in a disastrous defeat."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "The Cloud Ninja broke through several of Konoha's defenses in a single day, launching a lightning-fast assault and deploying Eight Tail jinchuriki within the village, causing massive casualties. If it hadn't been for Uchiha Sogetsu arriving in time, Konoha would have been finished."
"Exactly! It's all that bastard Danzo's fault!" Elephant said with resentment. "Thanks to Lord Sogetsu, who turned the tide and repelled the Cloud Ninja and the jinchuriki, Konoha's foundation was preserved!"
After hearing everything, Senju Tobirama's forehead throbbed with veins, and he clenched his fists. "Danzo… that fool!"
At this moment, Danzo at Root inexplicably shivered.
"Strange, why do I always have this bad feeling?"
After thinking for a moment, he recalled a certain person and gritted his teeth, saying, "Damn Uchiha Sogetsu, he must be plotting against me again!"
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