Hashirama Senju had died.
All of Konoha was shrouded in sorrow.
To the villagers, Hashirama had been their pillar of strength, the very foundation of their existence. Without him, there would have been no village for them to call home.
At Hashirama's funeral, nearly the entire village attended. Ninjas from every clan gathered at the cemetery, dressed in black, placing white flowers at the first Hokage's gravestone.
"I miss Grandpa…"
Tsunade wiped the tears from her small face.
"Death is not the end of life."
Shigen held the child's hand, standing at the forefront of the crowd. His eyes fixed on the portrait of Hashirama, framed by white flowers. He spoke calmly:
"As long as Konoha continues to exist, Hashirama's name will live on in the hearts of its people. They will remember the First Hokage, the man who ended the Warring States Era, and their descendants will remember the founder of this village."
"Human life is always fleeting.
"To make their existence last longer, humans instinctively strive for many things. Some desperately seek to extend their lifespan or achieve immortality, while others choose to leave behind something far more precious as their legacy…"
"Children, who carry their bloodline…"
"Or ideals, which carry their spirit…"
Shigen's voice was steady and solemn, reverberating in the ears of everyone present.
"As long as someone remembers his name, as long as someone recalls his deeds in bringing peace to the warring world, Hashirama has not truly died. He still lives in this world…"
"I'll always remember Grandpa…"
Tsunade bit her lip, her large eyes filled with determination. She gripped Shigen's cold fingers tightly.
"…"
The gathered ninjas wept silently as they listened.
Standing among them was Tobirama Senju. With his arms crossed and his expression dark, he stared at the framed portrait of his brother surrounded by white flowers.
"Lord Shigen is right."
Tobirama, suppressing his sorrow, spoke in a cold, almost detached tone, though his voice carried conviction:
"As long as the will to protect Konoha that Hashirama left behind continues within us, he will never truly be gone…"
The funeral ended.
Raindrops began to fall from the sky.
Tobirama led the ninjas away.
With Hashirama's passing, he had stepped into the role of the Second Hokage, as the people's unanimous choice. There was much work to be done.
In the past, Hashirama had often blocked some of Tobirama's more hardline policies. Now, Tobirama could implement his plans to stabilize Konoha's internal affairs and prepare for the challenges that would come without his brother's protection.
At the cemetery, only Tsunade remained. She refused to leave, still clinging to her grief. Shigen stood silently beside her, holding a broad leaf to shield her from the rain.
With the others gone, Tsunade's thoughts began to wander.
"Lord Shigen…"
"Was it because I won that Grandpa passed away?"
Tsunade's tear-streaked face was filled with guilt. She blamed herself for winning the last bet she had made with Hashirama. "It must be because I won that final game…"
"This isn't your fault."
Shigen frowned, sensing the presence of someone nearby. He crouched slightly and spoke gently. "Tsunade, we need to go. Someone else is here to pay their respects."
"No need to avoid me, Lord Shigen."
A familiar, arrogant voice echoed through the rain.
Uchiha Madara.
Only Madara would appear at a time like this.
Yet, Madara didn't seem to care about being discovered by Shigen or Tsunade. He also showed no fear of being sensed by Mito Uzumaki or the danger of entering Konoha without Hashirama's presence as a deterrent.
As a man who had been both a friend and rival to Hashirama—having experienced their bitter fallout and years of pursuit—Madara, upon hearing of Hashirama's death, had decided to come and bid farewell to his old companion.
Of course, he wasn't alone.
Lurking beneath the ground, as always, was Black Zetsu.
For years, Black Zetsu had shadowed Madara, subtly aiding him in escaping Hashirama's relentless pursuit.
Through the rain, Madara approached slowly.
His long hair clung wetly to his face, but he paid no mind.
In his hand was a bouquet of white flowers, which he laid at Hashirama's grave. He looked at the framed photo, his expression complicated.
"I thought…"
"I'd get to show Hashirama the future I was destined to create."
"…"
Tsunade hid behind Shigen, frightened.
Madara's imposing height, his wet, disheveled hair partially obscuring his face, made him appear both intimidating and dangerous to a child.
"This little one…"
When Madara turned, he noticed Tsunade's reaction. A flicker of irritation crossed his face, along with an unpleasant memory.
He'd tried to act amicable.
Why is this child so scared of me?
Do I really look that terrifying?
"She's Hashirama's granddaughter," Shigen said, crouching to hand the leaf to Tsunade. "Tsunade, you should go back now."
"But Lord Shigen…"
Tsunade hesitated, stubbornly wanting to stay.
"Be good."
Shigen's tone grew serious, prompting Tsunade to shrink back. She clutched the leaf, her hands trembling, and ran off into the rain.
"I wasn't going to harm the child," Madara scoffed, his curiosity piqued. "You seem rather fond of her, Lord Shigen…"
"She has the greatest potential as a medical ninja," Shigen replied, his gaze following the small figure disappearing into the rain.
"I see…"
Madara nodded, understanding Shigen's priorities. Changing the topic, he spoke bluntly: "With Hashirama gone, the peace he left behind will soon crumble."
"…"
Shigen remained silent.
It wasn't a matter of if—it was only a matter of when.
The nations around them would undoubtedly covet the power vacuum left by Hashirama's death. Konoha, once unassailable, would now seem vulnerable.
"Not that it concerns me."
Shigen's voice was detached as he continued, "I should be returning to the Pure Land soon."
Madara's eyes narrowed. "Returning?"
Shigen looked up at the rain falling from the sky, then back at the grave. "The patient has died. A doctor summoned back by the Reanimation Jutsu is no longer needed."
"That would be a waste of your talents," Madara said, his gaze like a wolf's, sharp and hungry. "There's still so much I want to learn from you."
Shigen was a treasure trove.
Madara, like Tobirama, recognized this. He was confident that with Shigen's guidance, he could unlock the full potential of the Rinnegan and execute the Sage's vision for the world.
"Leave soon," Shigen said curtly, his tone brokering no argument. "Mito's sensory skills are sharp. She may already know you're here."
"You needn't worry."
Madara chuckled softly, showing no intention of staying long. "Until I awaken the Rinnegan, I won't act."
"Besides…"
He turned back toward Hashirama's grave, his voice low but resolute. "I came here only to bid farewell to Hashirama."
"That's for the best."
Shigen nodded lightly. "Before I leave this world, if you have questions, feel free to seek me out. Hashirama is gone, but you still carry the hope for a different kind of peace."
Madara laughed, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Questions? No… I'd rather have your guidance, Lord Shigen."
"Think it over…"
Madara's figure began to vanish into the rain, his parting words lingering.
"You'll see soon enough, Lord Shigen…
"This world will descend into chaos again. The path Hashirama walked was a mistake. My path is the one that will bring true peace!"
When Madara was gone, Black Zetsu emerged from the ground, appearing before Shigen with an anxious expression.
However, before it could speak, Shigen's calm voice left it utterly bewildered.
"Black Zetsu," he said with a faint smile, "I've found the Sage of Six Paths."
"With his help, reviving Lady Kaguya through the Moon-Eye Plan will undoubtedly be smoother…"
"…"
Black Zetsu was silent, inwardly cursing.
Damn you, Hagoromo!
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Powerstones?
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