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Hashirama's sudden question caught the Third Hokage off guard.
He hadn't expected such a question.
Why was the First Hokage suddenly interested in the Second Hokage's students?
Nevertheless, even though he had questions, the Third Hokage had to answer.
"The Second Hokage had six students: myself, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Torifu Akimichi, and Kagami Uchiha, who died unexpectedly."
The Third Hokage couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
Five of them had lived quite long lives, surviving in this tumultuous ninja world and reaching over 60 years old.
Only Kagami Uchiha had died young—at 25.
If the First Hokage hadn't brought it up, the Third might not have remembered Kagami Uchiha's name.
"Hmm."
Hashirama nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips, making him look a bit eerie.
"Monkey, handle the Five Kage Summit arrangements. Also, have the four remaining students of Tobirama come to the Hokage's office. I have questions for them."
Hashirama spoke nonchalantly, then walked to the chair behind the desk and sat down.
That seat was reserved only for the Hokage.
Seeing the First Hokage sitting there, the Third Hokage didn't find it inappropriate.
"Yes!"
The Third Hokage responded immediately. He didn't understand why the First Hokage wanted to see Tobirama's students.
Perhaps it was out of nostalgia!
Without further thought, he quickly left the Hokage's office to personally organize the Five Kage Summit.
This was a big deal!
The task of notifying Tobirama's four students fell to Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki.
…
Half an hour later.
Footsteps echoed outside the Hokage's office.
Two elderly figures arrived at the door.
A man and a woman.
The man wore dark green glasses and a disheveled coat.
The woman had her white hair neatly pinned up with a hairpin, and green bead earrings dangled from her ears.
These two were Konoha's advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
Just as they were about to knock and enter, they noticed someone approaching.
This person wore a dark green coat wrapped in bandages.
It was Danzo Shimura, responsible for the Anbu and Root organizations.
"Danzo, why are you here too?"
Koharu's eyes flickered with confusion. Summoning the two main advisors was already significant. With Danzo, all of Konoha's high-ranking officials were gathered here.
"To see the Third Hokage."
Danzo's tone was indifferent. The last thing he wanted was to be here, seeing the Hokage. Despite the decades that had passed, he still believed that position should be his.
"What is Sarutobi up to?"
Homura frowned slightly. He had only been told to come to the Hokage's office, with no other information.
"Who knows!"
Danzo's deep voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction with the Hokage.
Tap, tap, tap...
At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed from the curved hallway behind them.
A large figure soon came into view.
This person wore a Konoha ninja headband, splitting his hair in two, and donned the standard Konoha ninja uniform. On his chest was a red circle with the kanji for "food" inside.
"Torifu Akimichi!"
The three exclaimed in unison, their eyes widening in surprise. Ever since the Nine-Tails' rampage, Torifu Akimichi had retired and stayed away from Konoha's affairs.
Why was he now at the Hokage's office door?
"You're all here?" Torifu wheezed, out of breath from running a few steps. His body wasn't what it used to be.
"Looks like Hiruzen Sarutobi wants a class reunion!" Danzo Shimura's voice dripped with sarcasm, his words filled with irony.
"..."
Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Torifu Akimichi were speechless.
However, upon reflection, it made sense. They were all former classmates.
"Let's go in. There shouldn't be anyone else."
Danzo headed straight for the Hokage's office door, brushing past Homura and Koharu, and reached for the handle without knocking, as if it were his own home.
Creak!
The door opened with a grating sound, and Danzo walked in first.
The other three exchanged glances and followed him.
As they entered the office, their eyes fell on the desk.
At that moment, a chair faced away from them, obscuring the person sitting in it. But they knew someone was there.
"Sarutobi, why did you call us here? There's no need for such theatrics," Danzo said irritably. Among them, only he could speak to the Third Hokage in such a manner.
"It's been a long time."
A calm voice emerged from behind the chair, clear in everyone's ears.
Not the Third Hokage!
Instantly, they all realized it wasn't Sarutobi's distinctive voice.
Their next reaction was recognition. The voice seemed familiar, as if they had heard it long ago, but they couldn't place it.
"How dare you!"
Danzo's voice instantly became severe, pointing towards the Hokage's office, his uncovered half-face filled with anger.
"How dare you sit in the Hokage's seat!" Danzo shouted.
This was the position he coveted most. His intense reaction was partly driven by fear—fear that the Third Hokage had called them here to announce his choice for the Fifth Hokage.
"Do you think I shouldn't be sitting here?"
The voice behind the chair carried a hint of mockery. Under their watchful gazes, the chair slowly turned around.
In an instant, the face of Hashirama Senju came into view.
Whoosh!
In almost the same moment, the expressions of the four people changed dramatically!
They all had seen the First Hokage before. The person sitting in the Hokage's chair was indeed Hashirama Senju.
Still as youthful as ever, his unassuming face seemed to exude an air of invincibility.
"Lord First!"
Without any hesitation, the four elders controlled their less-than-agile bodies to kneel on one knee and bow their heads in reverence.
For a moment, their hearts were in turmoil, utterly unable to remain calm, even losing the ability to think temporarily.
Shock.
Astonishment.
Joy.
Fear.
A mix of emotions flooded their minds, making each of them feel incredibly complex.
"Little Danzo, do you still think I shouldn't be sitting here now?"
Hashirama's face bore a kind smile as he leaned forward slightly, staring at the kneeling Danzo.
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(End of this chapter)