This was only the second time Hashirama had encountered someone who completely understood his thoughts!
The first, of course, was Madara, with whom he had parted ways!
In the beginning, they both indeed viewed the Village as a vessel and method for peace.
By distributing the Tailed Beasts to each Village, they created a Cold War effect, similar to the nuclear threat in Feng Xu's original world.
But this only moved the overt conflicts into the shadows, and they intensified!
As soon as they, who could suppress all this, died, war was bound to come, and perhaps even more fiercely!
Thus, he and Madara developed a disagreement.
He passed down the idea of the will of fire, entrusting hope to future generations, while he himself escaped into the comfort of the Village.
Madara, on the other hand, with a courage he lacked, resolutely left Konoha to seek the true path to peace.
It was only a pity that in the end, Madara also went astray, attacking Konoha with the Nine-Tailed.
He wanted to destroy Hashirama's ideas by destroying Konoha, thereby making him embark on the path of peace that Madara had found.
Hashirama's question received no answer, nor would it.
Because the Feng Xu before him had already transformed into Naruto, whose face was filled with excitement.
Naruto forcefully broke free from Hashirama's hands and immediately ran to Minato.
Just as he was about to pounce, he suddenly stopped, his face full of hesitation.
"Fourth Hokage..."
Minato also smiled gently, opening his arms.
"Naruto, not Fourth Hokage, but Father."
"Father... My... Father!!!"
Having received confirmation again, Naruto no longer hesitated.
With snot and tears, he threw himself into Minato's embrace.
"After having a brother, I now have a father!"
"It turns out I was never an orphan, never alone!!!"
Minato stroked Naruto's head, his face filled with heartache, regret, and a hint of satisfaction.
The heartache was for Naruto's desperate and dark childhood, a situation that even made him, an adult, feel suffocated.
The regret was for sealing the Nine-Tailed inside Naruto back then, only to have him brainwashed by the Third Hokage, leading to a mental breakdown.
As for the final satisfaction, it was naturally what he couldn't experience with Feng Xu before, but now finally experienced with Naruto.
It was just a pity that Kushina and the others had gone to the Shimura Clan's territory.
Otherwise, if she could embrace Naruto with her own hands now, she would probably be overjoyed to tears, right?
Thinking this, Minato's eyes also became moist.
He looked down at the wailing Naruto and couldn't help but murmur softly.
"Naruto, I'm sorry, you've suffered too much these past years..."
"But it won't be like this anymore. The Third Hokage and Danzo, none of them will escape; they will all pay the price for this!"
Asuma, who passed by the two, heard this murmur and couldn't help but stiffen.
He clenched his fists, his face grim, and walked over to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was slumped on the ground with a lifeless expression, and helped him up.
Seeing Asuma, Hiruzen Sarutobi's lifeless eyes finally showed some vitality.
Although he had fallen, Asuma truly had no knowledge of it from beginning to end.
Coupled with the path he had paved for Asuma, allowing him to take in the direct heirs of the Ino–Shika–Chō clans.
And Asuma's girlfriend, Kurenai Yuhi, taking in the direct heirs of the Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans.
Then, if Asuma were to stage a scene of father-son estrangement, upholding justice over family ties.
Perhaps Asuma could become the next Hokage, or an Elder Advisor!
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's changing expression and the hope in his eyes.
Asuma sighed deeply and crushed the unlit cigarette he held between his fingers.
"Third... Father, you truly made a mistake, and please don't continue to make more mistakes. Please calmly accept your punishment and apologize to the Fourth Hokage and Naruto."
"From now on, you can peacefully enjoy your twilight years. Yuhi and I will both serve by your side, so please stop scheming and plotting..."
"Oh, and I finally understand what important 'Jade' you wanted to tell me about, it's just that you yourself seem to have forgotten what 'Jade' is..."
Asuma previously believed that 'Jade' was the Daimyo, the Hokage, and therefore, sacrificing to protect them was very worthwhile.
But after seeing the First Hokage, Second Hokage, Fourth Hokage, and hearing Feng Xu's explanation of the will of fire just now.
He realized that 'Jade' had always been those new, infinitely potential children, such as the powerful Feng Xu.
If his father could always uphold the will of fire, the powerful Feng Xu would be the stabilizing force of their Village.
He could even, like the First Hokage, the God of Shinobi, single-handedly suppress an era and bring about peace!
However, although his father had always taught him this, he himself had long forgotten his original intention.
Just like Sakumo Hatake, who was equally powerful as Feng Xu at the time, striking fear into foreign Ninja and making the Village's high-ranking officials tremble.
It's just a pity that the proud White Fang of Konoha did not see things as clearly as Feng Xu.
Otherwise, this scene now might have happened twenty years ago.
"You..."
After being lectured by Asuma, the hope in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes vanished, replaced by deep disappointment.
"There is no right or wrong, it's just that I... lost."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply, clearly understanding that he had protected Asuma too well.
Anything involved in politics is dirty; there is no right or wrong, only winning or losing.
Losing is wrong, winning is right.
Feng Xu is strong and won, so he is right.
Even if he killed so many Anbu and Root Ninja, and even the guarding Ninja of his Sarutobi Clan's territory, no one would bring it up.
Tobirama looked at Hashirama, who was forlorn and lost in thought, sighed, and walked forward to pat his shoulder.
Hashirama withdrew his gaze, his mood very low.
"Tobirama, by distributing the Tailed Beasts, I caused the birth of Jinchuriki, fostering greater wars and ambitions. Did I make a mistake?"
"Perhaps the plan Madara spoke of..."
"Big Brother!" Tobirama's sharp shout interrupted Hashirama.
"Nothing is absolutely right or wrong, and besides, now is not the time to discuss this."
Saying that, Tobirama looked around and then at Elephant and Lamp, who wore Anbu masks.
"I, Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, and First Hokage Senju Hashirama, now temporarily assume the roles of Hokage and Hokage Assistant."
"You two quickly go and arrest Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado for investigation."
Elephant and Lamp exchanged glances, then reluctantly walked towards Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo respectively.
"Please help me up." Hiruzen Sarutobi did not resist and was directly hoisted up by Lamp, who carried one of his arms.
As for Danzo, he snorted coldly and waved away his subordinates who were about to act.
"Hmph, don't touch this old man, I'll walk myself!"
...Chapter 123: Jiraiya, Stunned into Silence
Although the remaining members of the Anbu were not too many at the moment.
Their efficiency in handling matters was quite fast.
Soon, they invited the bewildered Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado to the conference room in the Hokage Building.
And all the ordinary Ninja who were observing were dismissed.
Only the heads of the various Ninja clans, and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, remained together in the conference room for judgment and meeting.
After all, they were not like those ordinary Ninja who knew nothing.
Although the quartet of Hiruzen Sarutobi had done many things to suppress others and act selfishly during their tenure.
They didn't solely do these things.
They also did many other things that benefited or protected the Village.
At least, except for the Nine-Tailed incident, there had been no major crisis issues.
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi himself said, he wasn't wrong, he just lost.
Even if their faults outweighed their merits, their crimes were not worthy of death, and their families behind them would not allow them to die.
This was also why Tobirama initially only had them step down, without imposing any punishment.
Of course, the biggest reason was that the two of them were Impure World Reincarnation dead people.
It was ultimately not good for the dead to interfere with the affairs of the living.
After all, they couldn't stay in the Ninja World long-term and would eventually have to return to the Pure Land.
So, the thoughts of the living had to take precedence, so that the Village wouldn't fall into chaos after they left.
After some discussion and with conclusive evidence.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other three, along with their families, would have to pay nearly ten billion in total compensation.
Half would be equally divided among all the Ninja clans present, as compensation for suppression.
The other half would be compensated to Ninja who suffered individual persecution, such as Feng Xu and Kakashi.
In short, taking out this money would be enough to cause significant damage to the four families, making them bleed profusely.
At least their properties across the Land of Fire would shrink by more than half!
After discussing these punishments, the next matter was to discuss the next Hokage.
Based on strength, Jiraiya and Tsunade were unhesitatingly brought up first.
Feng Xu, who had just displayed great power, was brought up by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
Danzo shamelessly nominated himself, and was then directly scolded by Tobirama.
Finally, Feng Xu was quickly passed over due to killing too many Anbu and Root Ninja, and his not-so-normal personality.
Tsunade was also passed over because Hashirama and Tobirama did not want her to get involved in this quagmire again.
Ultimately, the position of Hokage directly fell to Jiraiya.
That's right, it was forced by the First Hokage and Second Hokage!
They stated that once Jiraiya recovered from his injuries, they would personally persuade him.
And they would personally assist Jiraiya for a period of time to help him adapt!
Of course, Jiraiya, who still knew nothing of all this.
Was currently lying on a hospital bed in Konoha Hospital, completely bandaged.
At this moment, his mouth was drooling, his face held a lewd smile, and he was staring intently at the boy naruto in his hands.
Because the battle had taken place quite far from this hospital located deep within Konoha.
So Jiraiya didn't even know what was happening outside.
He just felt that many people were coming to see the doctor today.
It was noisy outside, somewhat disturbing his reading!
Just as Jiraiya reached an exciting part, and blood was faintly seeping through the bandages due to his surging blood, the door to the ward was suddenly pushed open from outside.