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"What?!"
Everyone in the room displayed expressions of astonishment. No one expected to hear such words.
From Sunagakure: Fifth Kazekage Gaara, Maki, Temari, and Kankuro.
From Iwagakure: Third Tsuchikage Onoki and Akatsuchi.
From Kirigakure: Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi.
All these figures were gathered in the venue for the Five Kage Summit, and their gazes were fixed on the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hokage-sama, are you certain this is the intention of the First Hokage?" Onoki asked, his brow furrowed deeply, his eyes reflecting confusion.
"Hokage-sama, we traveled a long distance from Kirigakure to be here. If you had decided to hold this meeting in Kumogakure from the start, we wouldn't have had to come so far!" Mei Terumi also voiced her dissatisfaction.
Only Gaara, the Kazekage, remained silent, not uttering a word. However, Maki's expression changed noticeably.
"This is indeed the will of the First Hokage."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, scanned the room before his gaze settled on Mei Terumi, a cryptic smile appearing on his face.
"Mizukage-sama, if you had chosen not to come like the Raikage, it would have been more convenient in terms of distance."
Upon hearing this, Onoki fell silent.
No matter how much dissatisfaction he felt,
he dared not voice it.
"What do you mean?" Mei Terumi's brows furrowed tightly, sensing that the Third Hokage's tone was somewhat mocking.
"My meaning is quite clear. If you had not come, the First Hokage would have simply moved the Five Kage Summit to your village in Kirigakure. At that point, it would have been us traveling the long distance to find you, which would have made it more convenient for you!" the Third Hokage said coldly.
For so many years!
To maintain the stability of Konoha!
He had endured as Hokage.
To preserve peace, even if it meant accepting minor grievances and making some concessions, he refrained from starting wars.
Even when war seemed inevitable, as long as there was a slight advantage or balance, negotiations would be initiated immediately, even if it meant Konoha had to make concessions.
Everything done had only one purpose.
To protect the lives of the ninja in the village as much as possible!
But now,
things had changed!
The tide had turned!
The situation had returned to Konoha!
The Third Hokage no longer needed to bear the burden alone; with support behind him, he could speak more assertively.
"You…"
Mei Terumi's gaze hardened, and the atmosphere grew tense, hinting at the potential for a serious conflict. Even her bodyguard, Ao, became more serious.
"Do not cause trouble in Konoha!"
Suddenly,
a voice imbued with chakra rang out, carrying a soundwave-like attack with a hint of genjutsu, directly impacting everyone's eardrums.
Buzz!
Everyone in the room felt their chakra flow become obstructed, their faces changing dramatically, their eyes filled with fear.
This sensation was fleeting.
In the blink of an eye, everyone returned to normal.
But even this brief feeling had left everyone shaken.
Then,
two figures entered.
A man and a woman.
Jiraiya.
Tsunade.
Both of them were legendary Sannin from Konoha.
Their entrance immediately drew everyone's attention; all eyes were fixed on the two.
In the next moment, a man clad in maroon battle armor made a dramatic entrance into the Five Kage Summit venue, which had been remodeled in Konoha.
His appearance gave everyone a sense of awe and intimidation.
The name of the man was as imposing as his presence.
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju!
He was a living legend in the ninja world!
With Hashirama's arrival, the summit venue fell into a profound silence. Everyone could clearly hear their own breathing and heartbeat, and the atmosphere became intensely oppressive.
"Hokage."
"Kazekage."
"Tsuchikage."
"Mizukage."
"Hmm…"
"The Five Kage Summit has now turned into a Four Kage Summit."
"It seems the Raikage is unwilling to show any respect to an old-timer like me!"
Hashirama spoke with a nonchalant tone, his words devoid of any visible emotion, neither anger nor irritation.
Even so,
everyone's heartbeat quickened.
"Jiraiya."
Hashirama called out softly.
"Here!"
Jiraiya immediately knelt on one knee and bowed to Hashirama, a gesture he would not normally make even to the Third Hokage.
"You will act as the acting Hokage during this time and handle the various affairs of Konoha. If you have any issues, consult Nara Shikaku."
Hashirama spoke calmy, directly taking over the management of Konoha's affairs from the Third Hokage.
This was, in fact, an overreach of authority!
Hashirama was no longer the Hokage and held no actual power. His words were technically without effect.
However…
No one truly believed Hashirama's words were ineffectual!
"Yes!"
Jiraiya twitched his mouth slightly. He had hoped to go see the commotion in Kumogakure, but with the First Hokage's directive, he had no grounds to refuse.
"Everyone else, come with me to Kumogakure!"
Hashirama's tone seemed to be inquiring, but his attitude made it clear that it was a command.
No one could refuse!
Buzz!
At that moment,
Hashirama keenly sensed a surge of chakra from the Mizukage's side. He turned his head slightly to see Ao's right eye twitching, with veins bulging on the right side of his face.
"What terrifying chakra!"
Ao's body wobbled slightly, nearly collapsing to the floor as he used his Byakugan.
In the past, whenever he used it,
he could clearly see the chakra pathways of his opponent, like rivers flowing through their body, spreading throughout their limbs and organs.
But the man before him…
Showed no visible pathways at all.
His entire body was filled with chakra.
Endless as an abyssal sea!
Just a glance made Ao's Byakugan ache!
"Have you seen enough?"
Hashirama's cold voice cut through the tension, his tone dropping the temperature of the room.
"Enough… enough!"
Ao swallowed hard, deactivating his Byakugan. His forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and his back was soaked.
"What's wrong with your eyes?"
Hashirama asked knowingly. He had intended to address Ao's issue at the official Five Kage Summit, but since Ao had exposed himself now, he couldn't just let it pass.
"My… my right eye…"
Ao swallowed again, a deep-seated fear surfacing. Previously, he had spoken of the Byakugan with pride, but now he felt profound unease.
"This is…"
"This eye…"
"Cough cough!"
"It's… a trophy I obtained during a battle with the Hyuga clan!"
After speaking, Ao felt a cold shiver down his spine, his limbs growing numb, and he was visibly distressed.
"So, you consider this a trophy?"
Hashirama's lips curled into a cold, disdainful smile as he stepped forward, slowly advancing toward Ao.
At that moment,
Ao felt a terrifying aura lock onto him, making him unable to move. He could only watch as Hashirama approached.
All eyes in the room followed Hashirama's movement, filled with confusion and puzzlement.
"The Hyuga clan is a prominent family in Konoha."
"The main house has set up the 'Caged Bird' seal to protect the Byakugan and prevent it from leaking out."
"To obtain a Byakugan…"
"It's indeed quite rare."
"However…"
Hashirama continued, suddenly reaching out with lightning speed, grabbing Ao's right eye and slicing it open with a flash of blood.
"Ahhh!"
Ao screamed loudly, clutching his right eye. His eye socket was left empty; the Byakugan had been removed.
"First Hokage, what are you doing?"
Mei Terumi's face showed anger as she immediately shielded Ao, glaring at Hashirama, demanding an explanation.
"This eye…"
Hashirama looked at the Byakugan in his hand, shaking his head faintly with a mocking smile.
"Is now my trophy!"
(End of Chapter)