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As soon as Hashirama spoke these words,
Kakashi was left stunned.
In that moment,
It felt as though Kakashi was undergoing an interrogation from his very soul.
What's this?
How…
Should I respond?!
If it weren't for his mask concealing his expression, Kakashi's reaction would surely have been quite dramatic.
"Lord First Hokage…"
Kakashi was frozen for several seconds, staring at Hashirama as he approached, rendered speechless.
"Kakashi."
"Young people should learn moderation."
"Don't be too reckless."
Hashirama gave Kakashi a nod, his expression seemingly saying, "I understand you!"
"…"
Kakashi was inwardly flustered. He wanted to explain but didn't know how, and was unsure how to address someone like Hashirama.
"It's fine. You all carry on. I'll just take a stroll."
Hashirama waved casually and continued to walk along the riverbank.
"Yes, sir!"
Kakashi responded immediately, his gaze fixed on Hashirama's retreating figure, lost in thought.
…
As Hashirama was touring Konohagakure, the entire ninja world was stirred up by a whirlwind.
Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
In a building with the character "Wind" written on it,
Ninjas from Sunagakure were gathered around a round table for an emergency meeting.
Sitting at the head of the table was the young Gaara.
Gaara's eyes looked somewhat dazed,
The scene from his battle with Naruto during the Chunin Exams still echoing in his mind.
It was as if the world wasn't so bleak after all.
To Gaara's left was his Jounin mentor, Maki, and to his right were two elderly advisors.
These two elders were Sunagakure's advisors:
Chiyo.
Ebizō.
The rest were high-ranking officials of Sunagakure.
At this moment,
Maki stood up,
His gaze sweeping over everyone around the table, his expression extremely serious.
"I've gathered you all because there is a very important matter to discuss."
Maki took out a scroll, unrolling it to show the gathered crowd.
"This is an invitation from Konohagakure, inviting our Fifth Kazekage to attend the Five Kage Summit…"
As soon as Maki mentioned this, the room erupted in discussion.
"What?! We haven't even selected a Fifth Kazekage yet, and now there's a Five Kage Summit?"
"Exactly! Is Konohagakure just idle?"
"Hahaha, a Five Kage Summit? And they dare to organize one now!"
"The Third Hokage of Konohagakure nearly died, and they're arranging a Five Kage Summit without a hint of fear?"
"I don't get it. Why does Konohagakure think they can summon the other four Kages for this so-called Five Kage Summit? Do they still think it's decades ago?"
"Is this really worth calling us all here?"
"…"
The round table was abuzz with chatter. Everyone's gaze was fixed on Maki, and from their expressions, it was clear they thought Maki was overreacting.
"Everyone, please be quiet."
Maki's voice was low, his gaze sweeping over everyone once more before resting on the scroll in his hand.
"I advise you to read the scroll before making any judgments."
"Take a good look at the name of the sender."
"Decide after you've seen it!"
After Maki finished speaking, he placed the scroll in the center of the table.
Clunk!
The scroll hit the table with a sharp sound.
"Tch!"
"Sigh!"
"How tedious!"
"…"
The others didn't even have the inclination to take a look. Given their understanding of the current situation, they believed a Five Kage Summit was impossible.
It was pointless!
Not to mention a Five Kage Summit!
They couldn't even summon the second Kage!
Even if Sunagakure had a Kazekage, and even if the Kazekage attended, it was unlikely anyone else would.
This was the reality everyone was thinking.
"Just take a look."
Chiyo, with her eyelids lowered and a demeanor that seemed almost sleepy, spoke with a touch of laziness. Yet, her words carried significant weight.
A ninja at the round table, visibly impatient, picked up the scroll and immediately focused on the name of the sender.
The scroll was horizontal,
Written from right to left.
The sender's name appeared on the far left side.
The ninja's eyes were fixed on the sender.
In the next moment,
The ninja's expression changed dramatically, shifting from initial disdain to profound shock. His pupils constricted in disbelief.
"Sen… Senju… Hashirama!"
After uttering the name, the ninja threw the scroll back onto the table as if it were burning hot.
"What's going on?"
"Who?"
"Who are you talking about?"
"Impossible!"
"…"
The expressions of everyone in the room became a complex mix of confusion and alarm. They quickly grabbed the scroll from the table, crowding around to see for themselves.
The sender.
Senju Hashirama.
Everyone read the name that filled them with both surprise and deep fear.
"This can't be real!"
"Isn't this the First Hokage?"
"Didn't the First Hokage die a long time ago?"
"How could the First Hokage still be alive?"
"Are you kidding?"
"…"
All eyes were now on Maki, sweat beading on their foreheads.
Confusion.
Disbelief.
A swirl of complex emotions filled their minds, making it hard to accept what was happening.
"The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, is indeed dead, but he has been resurrected through a summoning technique by Orochimaru."
Seeing that the crowd was finally paying attention, Maki began to explain what he knew.
"What exactly is going on?"
"Please clarify quickly."
"This is a serious matter!"
"What's the situation?"
"…"
The Sunagakure officials were stunned, unable to believe their ears or eyes, and struggling to accept that what was happening was real.
Is this really not a dream?
"Our mission to Konohagakure involved witnessing Orochimaru use the Reanimation Jutsu to summon the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama!"
"Orochimaru intended to control the First Hokage."
"But he faced severe backlash."
"Now Konohagakure is using the name of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, in their invitation."
"It seems…"
"The Five Kage Summit was requested by Senju Hashirama!"
"We cannot ignore it!"
Maki's words came one after another, each sentence hitting the audience like a thunderclap.
"But… we don't have a Kazekage!"
Someone raised this concern, intensifying the already tense atmosphere in the room.
"This is why we urgently convened this meeting."
Chiyo opened her eyes. Her words, as soon as she spoke, brought an immediate hush over the room.
"Not only do we need to attend the Five Kage Summit in Konohagakure, but we must also immediately select a new Kazekage," Chiyo commanded with an authoritative tone, as if she were informing rather than negotiating.
…
Similar scenes were unfolding simultaneously in other ninja villages.
Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, sat in his chair, carefully reading the scroll in his hand.
"This is serious!"
After finishing the scroll, Onoki threw it onto the table, his face grim.
"Lord Tsuchikage, what's the matter?" asked Akatsuchi, who stood behind Onoki. Akatsuchi hadn't looked at the scroll himself; he was simply inquiring, not particularly interested in seeing it for himself.
If the Tsuchikage was willing to share, he would find out. If not, he wasn't overly curious—just playing his role.
"The ninja world is about to undergo a major shift!" Onoki took a deep breath. He didn't reveal the specifics to Akatsuchi but knew he had no choice but to attend the Five Kage Summit.
An invitation from Senju Hashirama.
How could he refuse?
Who would dare refuse?
Onoki wasn't worried that it might be a forgery.
If all five Kage gathered in Konohagakure and Senju Hashirama didn't appear, given the current Third Hokage's strength, it would be tantamount to self-destruction.
"Akatsuchi, get ready. We will head to Konohagakure immediately."
Onoki instructed calmly, already contemplating how to handle the situation.
"Do you intend to go personally?" Akatsuchi asked, stunned.
"Yes, personally. And you will accompany me!" Onoki nodded.
"But our Land of Earth has ongoing conflicts with the Land of Fire, with battles frequently occurring at the border. Is it appropriate for you to go to Konohagakure?" Akatsuchi couldn't help but question.
"Are you the Tsuchikage or am I? Just follow along and don't ask questions."
Onoki glared at Akatsuchi, who usually didn't ask many questions but seemed unusually curious now!
…
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
The Fourth Raikage sat casually in his seat, reading the scroll in his hand.
"Hahahahaha…"
The Fourth Raikage burst into hearty laughter, tossing the scroll to the floor, leaving the other ninjas in the room bewildered.
"The Third Hokage of Konohagakure is up to some trickery, organizing a Five Kage Summit—this is hilarious!"
"Hahahahaha…"
"And they're doing it in the name of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama!"
"Who are they trying to scare?"
"Has he lost his mind?"
The Fourth Raikage's laughter filled the Raikage's office, causing everyone around to join in the uproarious laughter.
"Raikage-sama, should we go?" asked a young man standing not far from the Raikage.
This young man had dark skin and white hair styled into a side part, giving him a rather imposing appearance. He had tattoos of the characters for "Lightning" and "Water" on his arms.
He was Darui, the Raikage's bodyguard.
"No," the Fourth Raikage waved dismissively, his mouth curling into a contemptuous smirk. "I have no interest in indulging that old man in such childish games. Why not just call it the Sage of the Six Paths?"
"Hahahahaha…"
The room echoed with laughter as everyone was swept up by the Fourth Raikage's infectious mirth.
…
Land of Water, Kirigakure.
In the Elder's office,
An elderly man with a bald head, holding a snake-shaped staff in his right hand and tremblingly clutching the scroll with his left, stood with his lips quivering without teeth.
This elder was the Mizukage's advisor,
Genji!
He held power and authority equal to the Mizukage, overseeing all affairs of Kirigakure. For the most significant matters, the village consulted him, making him the actual power behind Kirigakure.
"Bring me Mei Terumi and notify the entire village to immediately begin the succession ceremony for the Fifth Mizukage!"
(End of Chapter)