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Hashirama's figure swiftly dashed across the rooftops of Konoha Village. With each leap, he covered a significant distance at a remarkable speed.
After a few quick movements, Hashirama arrived at the rooftop of the Hokage's office. From this vantage point, he could clearly see the four faces carved into the Hokage Rock. The one on the far left was the First Hokage—his own face.
"Who would've thought?"
Hashirama glanced at the Hokage Rock. Even he hadn't anticipated arriving in the Hokage world in such a dramatic manner.
He then walked toward the door at the back of the rooftop, opened it, and entered the Hokage's office.
A curved corridor appeared before him. He could go left or right, and both directions stretched out of sight.
Hashirama suddenly realized something very amusing. As the esteemed First Hokage, he had no idea where the Hokage's office was located.
"Strength in numbers."
Hashirama formed hand signs, and instantly, wooden figures resembling him emerged from behind him.
"Wood Release: Wood Clone!"
With his voice echoing, a dozen Hashirama clones appeared in the corridor, immediately splitting up to explore every corner and room.
...
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was sitting in a chair organizing scrolls. Not far behind him stood Shikaku Nara.
Knock, knock...
A knock sounded at the door.
Before Hiruzen could respond, the door creaked open. A familiar and shocking face appeared—it was the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
"First Lord!"
Hiruzen immediately stood up, his old face filled with shock. He had anticipated this moment might come, but still...
Despite his preparations, his heart pounded fiercely.
"So this is where you are!"
Hashirama smiled at Hiruzen but didn't enter. Instead, he pulled back, leaving the door half-open.
"???"
A bunch of question marks popped up in Hiruzen's mind. What does this mean? He didn't understand at all.
"?"
Similarly, a question mark appeared in Shikaku Nara's mind. Even with his high intelligence, he couldn't figure out what was happening.
Moments later, Hashirama Senju entered through the doorway once again, looking exactly the same as before, with no discernible differences. The earlier figure had been a wood clone; this was the real Hashirama.
"Uh..."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was momentarily taken aback as he stared at the approaching Hashirama, his eyes filled with bewilderment.
"You should leave," Hashirama said, glancing at Shikaku Nara, who stood behind Hiruzen. This man was too clever! Such intelligence had no place here right now.
Hashirama didn't want anyone too perceptive to be present when he spoke.
"Yes!"
Shikaku immediately nodded in response, recognizing Hashirama as the First Hokage of Konoha Village. Being commanded by him was unquestionable. Without hesitation, Shikaku quickly exited the room, sensing that the conversation between the two Hokages was something he shouldn't overhear.
He closed the door behind him as he left.
Now, the office was occupied by only two people: the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Monkey, how have you been lately?" Hashirama stepped forward, and a surge of powerful chakra flowed into the ground, causing vines to sprout and intertwine, forming a chair. He sat down without hesitation.
However, while Hashirama could sit comfortably, Hiruzen didn't dare to. Standing rigidly before Hashirama, Hiruzen's posture was so stiff that if his Hokage robes were swapped for a suit, he would resemble an old butler.
"The village is doing well," Hiruzen hastily nodded, though his words lacked confidence.
"It seems to be quite well. I've gathered that the village has gone through three Shinobi World Wars since my departure," Hashirama said calmly, as if discussing everyday matters. Yet, his words caused Hiruzen to break into a cold sweat.
"Y-Yes..."
Hiruzen nodded again, wanting to explain, but the current atmosphere didn't allow for any justifications.
"The Land of Wind, the Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning, and the Land of Water—all have attacked Konoha Village. None of them are innocent. Now that I have returned, it is time to settle the score."
Hashirama tapped his fingers on the wooden armrest of his chair, producing a rhythmic creaking sound that deeply resonated with the Third Hokage.
"Indeed!"
Hiruzen nodded immediately, his eyes reddening.
"Lord First Hokage, since your passing, the peace agreement between the Five Great Nations shattered instantly. The leaders of the four nations turned their attention to Konoha, seizing the opportunity while the village was without a Hokage, and launched a large-scale attack!"
Hiruzen's eyes widened as he spoke, the memory of those times haunting his childhood.
"If it hadn't been for the Second Hokage stepping up, the consequences for Konoha would have been unimaginable. Even so, the Second Hokage ultimately sacrificed his life!"
Hiruzen took a deep breath, his emotions complex. It was the events of that time that led him to become the Third Hokage, struggling to protect the village up to this day.
If the four nations hadn't attacked Konoha, if the Hidden Cloud Village hadn't launched its surprise attack, the Second Hokage wouldn't have sacrificed his life. If the Second Hokage were still alive...
The village wouldn't have fallen into such a state of decline!
The Third Hokage didn't realize that under his rule, the village had deteriorated. He understood very well that, without the pillar of support he once relied on, he had to become the new pillar himself.
Perspective changes with position.
Now that the First Hokage had returned, tears welled up in Hiruzen's eyes as he recounted those past events, his words sounding more like a child lamenting to an adult than a Hokage reporting to another Hokage.
"I understand all of this."
Hashirama nodded, a cold smile curving his lips.
"From the very beginning, Konoha was founded to protect its people."
"For many years, the major shinobi villages have caused trouble."
"This has severely threatened the safety of Konoha's residents!"
"How you endured it is not my concern."
"Now that I am back."
"It's time to settle old debts!"
Hashirama rose, his dark eyes gleaming with a fierce light, like a sword aiming directly at the Third Hokage.
"Immediately send invitations to the Kazekage, Tsuchikage, Raikage, and Mizukage, calling them to Konoha for a Five Kage Summit to discuss the current situation and future of the shinobi world."
"And the inviter is..."
"Hashirama Senju!"
(End of Chapter)