Konoha Village, the bustling main thoroughfare.
The sunlight was warm, the breeze gentle.
Four figures walked along the broad street.
They drew no attention, because the protagonist had cast a subtle genjutsu to dampen the perception of those around them. Otherwise, the sight of two long-dead Hokage casually strolling through Konoha would have instantly brought traffic to a standstill.
"This… this is Konoha?"
Senju Hashirama stared around him wide-eyed, like a country bumpkin seeing the world for the first time.
Towering buildings rose on both sides. Shops were neat and uniform. Squads of Military Police patrolled in formation, wearing chakra armor and equipped with Scientific Ninja Tools.
Prosperous. Powerful. Brimming with a sense of modernity.
"So incredible!"
Hashirama couldn't help exclaiming as he patted the Second Hokage on the shoulder.
"Tobirama, look! This is far better than in our era! These buildings are taller than the Hokage Rock!"
Though Senju Tobirama kept his arms crossed and his expression cold, a flicker of unmistakable shock passed through his red eyes.
As a sensory-type ninja, he could clearly feel it—the sheer amount of chakra concentrated within the village was staggering.
Moreover, that atmosphere—where everyone was a soldier, yet lived and worked in peace—was exactly the ideal he had pursued his entire life, yet never managed to achieve.
"Orochimaru."
Uchiha Tobirama walked at the very front, his voice calm.
"Explain the current state of the shinobi world to these two antiques."
"Hehehe… as you wish."
Orochimaru extended his long tongue, licking his lips as he began explaining with an almost fanatical expression.
"First of all—under Lord Tobirama's leadership, Konoha has abolished the Daimyō system."
"As for the other four great nations? Hmph. They're nothing more than cash cows and vassals. With a single word from Lord Tobirama, they wouldn't even dare breathe too loudly."
"And then there are these Scientific Ninja Tools…"
As Orochimaru continued, the expressions of Hashirama and the Second Hokage grew increasingly animated.
Abolishing the Daimyō?
Subjugating the four great nations?
Weapons that allowed a Genin to challenge a Jōnin head-on?
"This… isn't this a bit too domineering?"
After hearing it all, Hashirama frowned deeply, disapproval clear on his face.
"Uchiha lad, even if the village is strong, relying solely on military suppression will only breed endless hatred!"
"True peace comes from people understanding one another, mutual—"
"Shut up, you naïve fool."
Before the protagonist could respond, the Second Hokage let out a cold snort.
He glanced at his brother, disappointment lacing his tone.
"Brother, your 'mutual understanding' philosophy already proved itself a failure back in the Warring States period."
"If you hadn't insisted on distributing the Tailed Beasts back then, the First Shinobi World War wouldn't have happened at all."
The Second Hokage turned his gaze toward the protagonist, his eyes filled with complexity.
"Though I despise the Uchiha—and despise an arrogant brat like you even more…"
"I have to admit… your methods are effective."
"Shinobi wielding real power, backed by absolute military deterrence—that is the most stable foundation for peace."
"On this point, you've done better than I ever did."
The Second Hokage was a pure pragmatist.
As long as it benefited Konoha, even if an Uchiha stood at the top… he could barely endure it—though he still wanted to kill the protagonist.
"Heh. At least you're sensible."
The protagonist's lips curved slightly as he led them into the Hokage Building.
"But I hope you'll still be able to endure it when you hear the next piece of news, Second Hokage."
…
Hokage Office
The protagonist sat casually in the Hokage's chair, pulled out a thick stack of documents from a drawer, and tossed them onto the desk in front of the two.
"Take a look, Second Hokage."
"This is what your chosen successor—the so-called Guardian of Konoha—has done over the past several decades."
"What is this?"
Hashirama leaned forward curiously.
The Second Hokage frowned and picked up a file.
Investigation Report on the Abnormal Deaths and Bloodline Decline of the Senju Clan
Root Human Experiment Records: Victims Include Numerous Senju and Uchiha Clan Members
Detailed Report on Hiruzen Sarutobi's Embezzlement of S-Rank Mission Pension Funds
On-Site Investigation of the Massacre of the Clan and Advisor Families by S-Rank Rogue Ninja Hiruzen Sarutobi
As they read further, the atmosphere in the office rapidly grew oppressive.
The temperature seemed to plummet in an instant.
The smile on Hashirama's face vanished, replaced by stunned grief.
As for the Second Hokage—
His body trembled violently.
Chakra surged around him like an erupting volcano, to the point that even his Edo Tensei body began to show cracks.
"Monkey… Monkey, he…"
The Second Hokage crushed the report on the Senju Clan's extinction in his hand, turning it into powder.
"He actually… wiped out the Senju Clan!"
"To consolidate power, he suppressed loyal contributors—and even colluded with foreign enemies!"
What shattered him completely was the final report.
In his pursuit of power, Hiruzen Sarutobi personally killed his wife and children, massacred his entire clan, and ultimately defected from the village.
"Bastard!!"
Boom!
With a furious roar, the Second Hokage's killing intent exploded outward.
Every pane of glass in the office shattered instantly.
"I was blind—completely blind!!"
"How could I have chosen such a heartless beast as Hokage?!"
"That was the Senju Clan! My brother's descendants!"
"How could he dare—how could he dare do this?!"
All this time, the Second Hokage had believed that although Hiruzen was mediocre, he was at least loyal.
Reality had slapped him mercilessly across the face.
The Senju Clan was gone.
Wiped out step by step, from the shadows, by his own disciple.
Meanwhile, the Uchiha—whom he had feared most—now protected Konoha and had even led it to its peak.
The irony was unbearable.
"Tobirama, calm down…"
Though Hashirama was equally heartbroken, the God of Shinobi's mindset was broader.
He pressed a hand on the Second Hokage's shoulder and sighed.
"It's already happened… and we're already dead."
"The dead shouldn't interfere too deeply in the world of the living…"
"Bullshit!!"
The Second Hokage shrugged him off, eyes bloodshot as he pointed at the protagonist.
"Uchiha brat! Tell me—where is that bastard Monkey now?!"
"I'll kill him with my own hands! I'll cleanse the house!"
"I'll tear out his soul and torture it with forbidden techniques for ten thousand years!"
There was no trace left of the Second Hokage's usual calm and wisdom.
He was now a furious ancestor, betrayed by his disciple and driven to madness by the annihilation of his clan.
Hatred of the Uchiha?
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was his greatest enemy.
"Want to kill him?"
The protagonist remained seated, calmly sipping his tea.
"No hurry."
"I'm keeping him because he's still useful."
"When his remaining value has been squeezed dry, I'll bring him to you."
"You can kill him yourself."
Hearing this, the Second Hokage's ragged breathing finally eased.
He looked at the protagonist, his gaze filled with complicated emotions.
"Uchiha Tobirama…"
"Though I hate to admit it…"
"If it were you in power back then… perhaps the Senju Clan wouldn't have met this fate."
Though his prejudice against the Uchiha remained, the facts forced him to bow his head.
This Uchiha junior was indeed far stronger than his own disciple.
"Enough of this melodrama."
The protagonist set down his teacup and stood, his oppressive presence filling the room once more.
"I didn't bring you here to mourn."
"Orochimaru."
"Here!" Orochimaru straightened immediately, having watched the entire scene with great interest.
"Take them to familiarize themselves with the current ninjutsu system and intelligence structure."
The protagonist pointed at the two Hokage.
"In a few days, I'll be carrying out a complete transformation of the Land of Water, along with several other disobedient minor nations."
"Hashirama—you want to see Madara, right?"
"Then work properly for me."
"Your Wood Release is perfect for infrastructure and riot suppression."
"Second Hokage—your Water Release dominates naval combat."
"I want you coordinating with Madara to guard the Land of Water."
"If even a single small fry slips into Konoha's waters…"
"I'll stuff you back into your coffin."
"Understood?"
Hashirama scratched his head and gave a wry smile.
"Feels like I'm being used as cheap labor… but as long as I can see Madara, I have no complaints."
The Second Hokage snorted coldly. Though displeased, he still nodded.
"As long as it's for Konoha, I'll follow your orders."
"But remember this, Uchiha brat."
"If you ever do anything that harms the village…"
"Even if it costs me my soul, I'll take you down with me!"
"Then you're welcome to try."
The protagonist waved dismissively.
"Take them away."
Orochimaru led the two super Kage-level enforcers out of the office.
The F4 had been dealt with.
Madara had been resurrected.
The First and Second Hokage had also been brought back through Edo Tensei.
In this shinobi world, nothing remained that could obstruct his chessboard.
"Next…"
The protagonist lifted his gaze toward the distant sky, where it felt as though a pair of eyes were watching from beyond.
"The Ōtsutsuki Clan…"