The shimmering green light was exceptionally eye-catching in the night.
Even though they were separated by decades, and the power within had diminished over time, Kakashi could still sense enough chakra from the First Hokage's necklace to unleash two S-rank jutsu.
Should one say, as expected of the God of Shinobi?
Even after being dead for so many years, the gift he originally crafted for his granddaughter still retained such power.
As that candle-like green glow gradually faded in the night, the chakra representing Hashirama Senju fully merged into the Yin Seal on Tsunade's forehead.
Accompanying the dissipation of the chakra within it, the First Hokage's necklace, which was originally crystal clear, now became dim and lusterless.
A single clear tear slid from the corner of Tsunade's eye.
She felt it.
The chakra of her closest relative. Feeling that long-lost yet familiar power again made her heart tremble uncontrollably.
She couldn't wait—she was desperate to see her grandfather one more time.
"Tsunade..."
Jiraiya watched the woman in the night breeze, sighing lightly in his heart.
Kakashi waited for Tsunade's move without saying a word.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Tsunade with equal expectation, wanting to see his teacher again.
Under the night sky, Tsunade clasped her hands together. As the night wind blew away the tear on her cheek, her thin lips parted slightly:
"Wood Style: Wood Clone Jutsu."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
Can Tsunade use Wood Style by borrowing the power of Hashirama Senju's chakra...?
A shadow emerged behind Tsunade. The chakra representing Hashirama Senju now transformed into the power that once suppressed the ninja world.
Wood emerged from behind Tsunade, finally taking the form of a figure with eyes closed tight.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched that figure, his breathing trembling uncontrollably.
Black hair cascading like a waterfall, a broad and resolute face, and red armor over black combat gear under a white haori that flapped loudly in the night wind. The other party possessed a compelling power just by standing there.
It's just a clone...
No.
This clone is the Wood Clone that is closest to the power of the actual entity!
It was more solid, more resistant to attacks.
Theoretically speaking, this clone possessed seventy percent of the original body's strength!
Just the appearance of this clone caused a tyrannical power to sweep through the surroundings!
This was the God of Shinobi who once suppressed the ninja world, Hashirama Senju!
"Grandfather."
Tsunade looked at the existence of this clone before her, her pure, bright eyes trembling.
At this moment, the Wood Clone's eyes opened slightly.
"Little Tsuna... You've worked hard all these years."
Looking at the weeping Tsunade before him, his voice was incredibly gentle, as if he already knew everything.
"Grandpa!"
With Hashirama Senju's words, Tsunade could no longer contain the longing in her heart and threw herself directly into Hashirama's arms.
Hashirama looked at his granddaughter in his arms with eyes full of heartache, holding her tightly.
As if to comfort her for the scars of so many years.
Kakashi watched this scene with a calm gaze, his heart moving slightly.
Judging by this appearance, Hashirama Senju is very clear about matters of the outside world.
That's right...
He should know.
Minato Namikaze's chakra was similarly deposited inside Naruto.
Minato could see Naruto's life through Naruto's perspective.
When Naruto fought Pain and the Nine-Tails went on a rampage, Minato clearly mentioned this issue when he helped Naruto suppress the Nine-Tails.
If Minato could do it, there is no reason Hashirama Senju cannot.
"Grandpa..."
Tsunade sobbed softly in Hashirama's arms.
Only in front of this man was Tsunade the child who never grew up.
She could be as willful and playful as she wanted in front of Hashirama.
Even if she caused trouble, in the end, that hand—which everyone but Tsunade feared—would gently pat her head, and he would say softly...
You can't be so willful when you grow up...
Hashirama looked at Tsunade with heartache.
Just as Kakashi had guessed.
He knew everything.
After his death, the death of his younger brother Tobirama Senju, the death of his grandson Nawaki, the death of Tsunade's lover Dan Katō, three consecutive Great Ninja Wars, and the deaths of countless Konoha shinobi.
As a medical ninja, Tsunade had even developed hemophobia due to a series of blows.
He knew all of this.
He was crystal clear about everything Tsunade had seen and heard.
"It is my fault that you have suffered such hurt."
Hashirama gently pushed Tsunade, who was wiping her tears, away from his chest.
"It's not Grandpa's mistake."
Tsunade wiped her tears and sobbed quietly.
"Monkey, long time no see."
"You've gotten old."
"I have seen everything you have done over these years. It can be considered not bad."
Hashirama turned to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Teacher..."
Hiruzen looked at Hashirama trembling, tears glistening in his eyes.
It felt as if all the hard work of so many years had been rewarded at this moment.
His gaze swept over Jiraiya, and finally, Hashirama looked at Kakashi.
"The new Hokage..."
Hashirama murmured to himself.
Through Tsunade's perspective, he was naturally aware that Kakashi was Konoha's current Hokage.
Regarding this young Hokage, he both approved and disapproved.
He approved of the fact that the other party would absolutely not allow Konoha to be infringed upon in the slightest, but he did not approve of the handling of the Uchiha matter.
In Hashirama's view, they should have done everything within their power to find a better solution.
But... the moment he thought of the consequences produced by his own actions, Hashirama felt he had no face to lecture this new Hokage.
However...
"Hahahaha, the new Hokage is really young and promising!"
The slightly heavy atmosphere from just a moment ago was swept away in an instant. Hashirama scratched his head and looked at Kakashi with a silly grin.
Jiraiya looked at Hashirama, a bit bewildered.
Just a moment ago he had the air of a ruler descending upon the world, iron-blooded yet tender... how come right now he's like...
Like Naruto?
"First Hokage, I have admired you for a long time. This is our first meeting. I am the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, Kakashi Hatake."
Seeing this, Kakashi took a step forward, extended his hand, and spoke calmly.
"Hahaha, that's great! Konoha already has a Fifth Hokage!"
"I am Hashirama Senju. Nice to meet you, please take care of me."
Hashirama laughed loudly, reaching out to shake hands with Kakashi.
Thus, the First Hokage who founded Konoha and the incumbent Fifth Hokage officially met.
"You brat, show some respect, you bastard!"
Tsunade looked at Kakashi with a face full of dissatisfaction.
"No need to mind, I don't mind."
Kakashi spoke calmly.
?
A question mark popped up over Tsunade's head.
"You think I'm talking to you, bastard?!"
Ignoring Tsunade on the side, Kakashi's gaze landed once again on this honest and thickset man before him.
Although it was merely a Wood Clone, it possessed seventy percent of the original body's strength.
Kakashi could clearly sense...
I seem unable to beat him.
The current me is still too weak.
"I would like to ask, approximately how long can Lord First maintain this clone state?"
Kakashi looked at Hashirama.
"Not very long. If I don't fight, about two months or so."
Hashirama answered very honestly.
Two months?
Kakashi had already prepared himself, but he still felt a trace of surprise in his heart.
He originally thought it would be ten-odd days at most.
But if it's like this, the time should be sufficient.
Two months!
Hearing this, Tsunade's eyes immediately lit up.
"Lord First, I have a request."
Kakashi looked solemnly at Hashirama before him.
If it didn't work with Hashirama, then Kakashi would have to give up on the option of Sage Mode and turn to attempt other powers.
"I know. Sage Mode, right?"
As the chakra inside Tsunade's necklace, Hashirama was clear about outside matters and naturally knew Kakashi's goal.
But...
"Before that, I want to know the answer to a question first."
Hashirama kept him in suspense.
"What question? I will speak without reserve."
Seeing Hashirama's attitude, Kakashi couldn't help but relax slightly.
"I have also heard of the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku. His prophecies are often incredibly accurate."
"So, given that he prophesied you will set off the flames of war in the future, what kind of feelings do you yourself have about this?"
"Or rather, what are your thoughts?"
Hashirama looked at Kakashi with a burning gaze.
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen also turned to look at Kakashi in unison.
Leaving Hiruzen aside, Tsunade and Jiraiya had been avoiding this question.
Because they knew Kakashi's nature. It could be said they watched Kakashi grow up.
Even if there had been changes in recent years, in their view, this was the sign of truly growing up because of past pain.
So they believed in Kakashi; he would absolutely not lead Konoha to destruction.
"Thoughts?"
Facing the night wind, Kakashi chuckled low.
"It seems Lord First also believes in so-called prophecies?"
Hearing Kakashi's words, Hashirama was just about to explain, but he saw Kakashi continue speaking:
"Using future events to question the current me... don't you feel that is too inexplicable?"
This was exactly the reason why Jiraiya had never asked Kakashi from start to finish why he would start a war in the future.
Just like Kakashi's attitude toward Itachi Uchiha.
Even if one commits a mistake or a crime.
How can one apply the blame of future crimes onto a person who has not yet committed them in the present?
Therefore, Kakashi was willing to accept Itachi Uchiha.
By the same logic, Hashirama using future events to question Kakashi was, in his view, simply nonsense.
"Everything in the future has causes that can be traced. Every clue in the present is one of the essential conditions for creating the storm of the future."
Hearing Hashirama speak like this, Kakashi did not refute him; after all, it made some sense.
"In that case, Lord First, in your opinion, are you a qualified Hokage?"
Kakashi's question was too baffling, causing Tsunade to furrow her brows.
In everyone's eyes, he was naturally a Hokage so qualified he couldn't be more qualified.
If Hashirama Senju, who founded Konoha, isn't a qualified Hokage, then who is?
"I naturally am not. My original intention in founding Konoha was to hope that children would no longer step onto the battlefield, and at the same time, I hoped the ninja village system could bring peace to the ninja world."
"Looking at it now, the 'me' of back then was wrong."
"I am a sinner of this ninja world."
Three consecutive Great Ninja Wars, the scale of war growing explosively.
Hashirama saw all of this and felt the pain in his heart.
He had no words to say he was a qualified Hokage.
His words made the three people, including Tsunade, look at Hashirama in astonishment.
They didn't expect Hashirama's evaluation of himself to be so low.
"If you were given a choice to go back to the past, would you still choose your original methods?"
Kakashi's gaze was calm as he continued to speak.
"I..."
Hashirama opened his mouth, somewhat speechless.
But Kakashi already knew his choice.
If he knew beforehand that the ninja world would suffer such frequent and large-scale wars because of him, then Hashirama Senju would absolutely not repeat his past mistakes.
Even without needing Madara Uchiha, he alone could encompass the entire ninja world within Konoha.
Hashirama would use the fastest speed and the most ruthless methods to suppress everyone under his unparalleled power.
So much so that the moment Madara Uchiha rebelled and left the village, Hashirama would absolutely not give him the chance to look for opportunities.
The moment Madara left Konoha would be his date of death!
The current Hashirama clearly knew that as long as he was alive, the ninja world would absolutely not fall into chaos.
So Hashirama would strangle any sprout that threatened him.
He would firmly control the entire ninja world in his own hands.
All under heaven belongs to Konoha!
This was Hashirama's answer.
If he knew all the answers in advance.
It's a pity... there are no 'ifs'.
"If the future is truly like that so-called prophecy..."
Kakashi's eyes were deeply dark, causing Hashirama to narrow his eyes.
"Then it must be a war for peace."
"To fight out all the wars of the next hundred years in one go, seeking five hundred years of stability for the ninja world."
Five hundred years.
Kakashi's ambition was large enough.
If he really set off war and fire as the prophecy said, that would be the moment Konoha possessed enough power to overturn the entire ninja world.
He wanted to secure five hundred years of peace for the ninja world in one battle.
In this ninja world where mighty power belonged to individuals, nothing was impossible.
In my previous life, there were dynasties that unified the world for four hundred years; in this special world, can five hundred years of peace not be achieved?
There are no difficulties that cannot be solved.
As long as the right method is found, anything is possible.
"Five hundred years of stability..."
Hashirama looked at this junior before him. While shocked in his heart, he seemed to see the figure of a certain person in him.
Tobirama Senju.
His younger brother.
If it were Tobirama, he would definitely get along with this junior.
"This world has bled for too long, has been in chaos for too long."
"A thousand years of bloody war needs a peace."
"So, I have come."
That is...
Kakashi's words carried an unquestionable certainty.
Such a ninja world annoyed him, and since Kakashi couldn't change himself, he could only make others and this broken world change.
As for the Rinnegan and Sharingan in the prophecies?
In Kakashi's view, they are nothing but the barking of defeated dogs.
After all, biting dogs don't bark.
"You have sufficient ambition."
Hashirama looked gravely at the man before him.
"If I didn't have ambition, I wouldn't be sitting in this seat."
"Instead, I would be quietly acting as an ordinary Konoha Jōnin, constantly sinking into the insignificant pain of the past."
Kakashi responded to Hashirama without a trace of hesitation.
And Hashirama's words made the three people beside them feel as if they were waking from a dream.
They all looked at Kakashi with disbelief.
They hadn't expected that this Kakashi, whom they watched grow up, actually held such terrifying thoughts in his heart.
"Both you and I are unfortunate people who suffered from war. Lord First, since you believe you made a mistake, you should approve of my philosophy."
Kakashi's words continued.
He was attempting to get Hashirama to approve of his ideas.
"You are right. I have already failed."
"And the entire ninja world, including Konoha, has paid a heavy price because of me."
"The mistakes of the predecessors should not be paid for by the descendants."
"Looking at it now, for a predecessor like me, my fame truly outweighs my ability."
"Fifth Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, was it?"
Hashirama smiled. That gaze, which seemed gentle to Tsunade, now erupted with a soul-shaking, fierce spirit, like a tiger in the mountains.
"I approve of you."
The words fell.
Konoha's oldest Hokage and its youngest Hokage—their hands clasped tightly together.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched this scene in a trance.
He looked at the white-haired Hokage. He used to think the other party's goal was merely to govern Konoha.
He hadn't expected such ambitious thoughts to be in his heart.
And...
The First Hokage, who had always made peace his life's goal and died for it, actually approved of Kakashi's ideas.
But, since Hashirama, his teacher, approved of Kakashi, then he, the retired Third Hokage, naturally would not interfere.
He could only add another bundle of dry firewood to this roaring fire for the sake of Konoha!
Burn, burn!
Burn the entire ninja world into Konoha's territory!
The moonlight was like a curtain, spilling onto the rooftop of the Hokage building.
The cold wind howled, and the Hokage robes stirred the hearts of everyone present.
Jiraiya looked at the scene before him, his heart trembling while also carrying a trace of excitement.
He knew that the sky of Konoha...
No, the sky of the ninja world... had changed.
Even if it was just a clone of Hashirama Senju.
Even if this clone could only exist for barely two months.
But this was Hashirama Senju.
Two months. Kakashi will learn the Sage Mode belonging to Hashirama Senju.
This is the power that will change everything in the future.
"One last question. Do you intend to suppress the ninja world with your strength alone?"
Hashirama looked at the young Hokage before him and asked.
"Of course not."
"No matter how strong the power of one person is, it is only my own power."
"If so-called peace is maintained only because of one person, then that only proves the person maintaining the peace is nothing but a waste."
"I need comrades, more comrades and capable subordinates. Even if I am not there, they can maintain the situation and continue the peace."
Facing Hashirama's query, Kakashi spoke without hesitation.
Pursuing power was just a relatively important link on the road to peace.
But more importantly, how to maintain this hard-won peace once it arrived.
Therefore, Kakashi was likewise seeking all powers that could stabilize the situation.
————
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