Senju Hashirama's vision focused on a young man standing before him.
Tall and handsome, wearing crimson robes embroidered with a golden dragon coiled across the fabric. The character for "Emperor" decorated his chest. Long golden hair with butterfly-tail ends floated freely around his shoulders. Azure blue pupils held depths like miles of ocean, mesmerizing and unfathomable.
The blonde youth watched him with obvious expectation. Hashirama couldn't quite interpret that eager gaze.
But he was definitely the one who just spoke, Hashirama concluded.
After sizing up this extraordinary young man, Hashirama scanned his surroundings. He spotted an Uchiha immediately—the Sharingan was unmistakable, giving him an overwhelmingly familiar feeling. After all, he and Madara had shared a lifetime of emotional entanglement.
Strong kid, Hashirama noted approvingly.
Next, his gaze fell on Nagato. Red hair, Uzumaki clan features. That stirred memories too—his wife Mito had been Uzumaki. The clan's distinctive appearance was impossible to forget.
But the figure behind Nagato stopped him cold.
Nine-Tails. Nine-Tails.
Memories surged. Many years ago, he'd sealed Nine-Tails into Mito's body. The fox had been so powerful, yet Hashirama had caught it with one hand, compressed its massive form like a house cat, and—
His thoughts derailed as he met Nine-Tails's gaze.
The fox was also remembering. That day, this man had defeated him single-handedly, sealed him away, and casually remarked that for something so strong, Kurama sure couldn't put up much of a fight.
But years following Naruto had mellowed Kurama's temperament considerably. Seeing Hashirama again didn't trigger resentment or fury. Instead, Kurama's eyes held an almost playful glint.
Because Naruto had said he wanted to become good friends with Hashirama.
This is going to be entertaining.
A goat wandered past Hashirama at that moment. It glanced at Naruto, bleated in terror, and bolted.
Hashirama blinked. "This is..." He recognized Konoha's back mountain area instantly. But why were there livestock? Free-range animals grazing in what should be training grounds? Confusion colored his voice. "Isn't this Konoha?"
"Senior Senju Hashirama, this is now called ranch land," Naruto explained gently. "Animal husbandry. Sheep, cattle, that sort of thing."
The words struck Hashirama like lightning. His expression shattered. "So Konoha is... gone?"
The possibility hit harder than any jutsu. The village he'd built with his own hands, gone when he was resurrected? Unacceptable. Incomprehensible.
Naruto recognized the misunderstanding but decided against immediate clarification. The explanation would take too long, involve too many details. Better to explain after they became friends.
"Senior Senju Hashirama," Naruto said, "let's be friends first. After we become friends, I'll explain everything that's happened over the years."
Hashirama studied Naruto carefully. The others clearly deferred to this young man's authority. These people had resurrected him. They'd definitely explain about Konoha eventually.
"Alright. We're friends now." Hashirama smiled. "Tell me about Konoha."
"No." Naruto shook his head. "Since I was born, I've heard legends about Senior Hashirama from countless ninja. They say you're the God of Shinobi, possessing incredible strength. I want to have a friendly exchange with you. First, because becoming my friend requires this process. Second, because I genuinely want to know how strong the legendary God of Shinobi really is."
Hashirama's eagerness to learn about Konoha made him readily agree. "Very well. Let's do as you suggest."
He was curious too. Had the shinobi world produced any truly outstanding ninja during his absence?
Fighting spirit blazed between them—Uzumaki Naruto who'd unified the ninja world into a Confederation, and Senju Hashirama who'd established Konoha Village.
Nagato immediately dispelled the resurrection technique. The King of Hell's figure slowly faded.
He'd watch this battle carefully.
Though when Nagato noticed Sasuke and Kurama had already produced small benches, sunflower seeds, and drinks, he smiled and began helping himself to their snacks despite their obvious displeasure.
Hashirama's mouth twitched at their behavior. Something feels off about this.
Then Naruto charged forward with explosive speed, fist already extended.
Hashirama immediately activated his technique. Purple light enveloped his entire body—the Strength of a Hundred Seal pattern spreading across his face.
Naruto's fist connected with Hashirama's forearm. The First Hokage slid backward, boots tearing furrows in the earth.
Good. Solid strength, Hashirama acknowledged.
WHAM. WHAM. WHAM.
The ensuing combat brought Hashirama a particular flavor of suffering. A helpless kind of pain.
No matter what ninjutsu he employed—sage techniques, bloodline limits, his legendary Wood Style—Naruto still crushed him in close combat.
The young man before him radiated overwhelming power. His entire body glowed golden. His strength defied comprehension. And he apparently possessed zero respect for his seniors, because despite Naruto's incredible speed advantage, every single punch targeted Hashirama's face specifically.
After hundreds of exchanges, Hashirama's face burned with pain. Worse, his usually rapid self-healing had slowed to a crawl. The damage accumulated faster than his cells could repair.
My face must look like a prize-winning pumpkin by now.
Kurama watched with undisguised glee. Seeing Hashirama getting violently beaten by Naruto filled him with vindictive joy. A sense of revenge finally satisfied.
Hmph! Remember being so arrogant? Remember beating a fox senseless with one hand? Now do you understand the pain?!
The fox's entire face was one enormous smile.
WHAM. WHAM. WHAM.
Even activating Sage Mode couldn't help Hashirama escape Naruto's fists. The speed was too much, too fast. Hashirama suspected even his brother Tobirama—famous for the Flying Thunder God technique—couldn't match the boy's velocity.
An hour and a half later, the legendary God of Shinobi whose body remained coveted by many ninja even after death... lay in a deep crater, face a mask of pain.
Nothing divine about him now. Just a mess. Swollen face elevated to comical proportions.
"Senior Senju Hashirama, you're truly amazing!" Naruto descended into the crater, helping Hashirama to his feet with genuine enthusiasm. "Now we're good friends!"
Hashirama looked at Naruto. During their entire battle, he hadn't detected any chakra fluctuations from the blonde. The conclusion was inescapable: Naruto had defeated him without using a single ninjutsu technique.
Times change. While pleased that later generations had progressed so far, Hashirama also felt the weight of his age. His era had passed.
"You're very powerful," Hashirama admitted. "It seems many things have happened in this world during my death."
"Senior Senju is also very powerful," Naruto said with complete sincerity. "Among my friends, you can be ranked second."
First place naturally belonged to Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
As expected of the God of Shinobi. Someone whose single cell could make others incredibly strong had actually lasted an hour and a half under Naruto's friendly discussion.
"We'll have to compete several more times in the future," Naruto added cheerfully.
Hashirama's mouth twitched. He didn't need a mirror to know his face's current state. The idea of repeating this experience held zero appeal. He still valued his dignity.
"You brought me back to life," Hashirama said, steering toward his priority, "so you must know about these past years. Please tell me everything."
"Of course. Let me explain the changes, Senior."
Naruto began his account. The Kurama attack. The Uchiha massacre. Hiruzen Sarutobi's failings. The establishment of the Ninja Confederation with himself as Shadow Emperor.
He explained why Konoha had become ranch land.
The narration lasted half an hour.
Hashirama listened without interruption. When Naruto finished, he released a long sigh. "So many things happened after my death. You've accomplished what I once wanted to achieve. I established Konoha to end endless war, but when I actually created the village, I discovered war couldn't truly end..."
His voice carried profound emotion. "Now I genuinely want to see this current world. I'm looking forward to it. Hoping it's exactly as you described."
He didn't comment on Naruto killing Hiruzen. That was Naruto's personal grievance, not his concern.
What mattered was that Naruto had achieved what Hashirama had failed to accomplish.
"That's precisely why I resurrected Hashirama-senpai," Naruto explained. "To realize my dream of becoming friends with you, and to let you see whether this unified shinobi world matches your expectations."
He paused. "Also, Tsunade-neesan misses you very much."
"Tsunade!" Hashirama spoke the name with obvious affection. His granddaughter. He loved her dearly. "I'll visit her soon. After hearing everything you've said, I must thank you. It's all my fault she inherited my gambling addiction."
"You're welcome. It's what I should do." Naruto smiled, remembering how after returning from his journey, Tsunade's gambling urge had become unbearable. She'd tried to escape and gamble, so Naruto had helped her quit.
The system had provided a gambling addiction treatment manual. With Naruto's assistance, Tsunade began her recovery. Whenever she wanted to gamble, Sasuke's Kirin technique would deliver pointed reminders about poor life choices.
After six months, Tsunade's mindset shifted completely.
Now, over three years later, she worked diligently every day. She hadn't approached a gambling table once.
"Naruto, who should we resurrect next?" Nagato asked.
"Obviously Uchiha Madara-senpai," Naruto said with a smile. "Senior Hashirama's equal and opposite."
"Madara..." The name triggered memories. He and Madara had first met by the river, later establishing deep friendship. Though they'd experienced difficulties, they'd ultimately joined hands to create Konoha Ninja Village.
But later... that had been awkward for everyone involved.
"Senior Brother Nagato, please begin." Naruto helped Hashirama out of the crater—the pit formed during their battle.
Hearing Naruto's instruction, Nagato immediately cooperated with Kurama. The King of Hell reappeared.
Instantly, Uchiha Madara's form materialized in the deep crater.
The moment Madara appeared, Naruto and Hashirama leaned over the crater's edge, peering down.
The newly resurrected Madara opened his eyes. Looking up, he saw two faces: one young and handsome, the other bruised and grotesquely swollen.
He didn't recognize the young, handsome face.
But that swollen face... Madara would never forget it. Even beaten until his own mother wouldn't recognize him, those features remained unmistakable. His friend Hashirama.
"My friend, Hashirama," Madara said, voice thick with emotion. "We meet again."
Hashirama glanced at Naruto, then back at Madara. "Madara, now my friend is Naruto."
Madara's expression crumpled into betrayal: (╥﹏╥)
Though they'd fought at the Valley of the End, deep down Madara had always believed their relationship fundamentally unchanged.
Seeing Madara's face, Hashirama immediately smiled. He extended his hand. "Madara, come up."
Madara looked at the outstretched hand and snorted. "Who says I want your help?" But his hand still grasped Hashirama's, allowing himself to be pulled from the crater.
"Madara," Hashirama said, pulling him up, "I've lifted you from the deep pit. I hope your resurrection means you won't fall into another one."
The metaphor wasn't subtle.
Madara understood perfectly. He snorted. "What I do is none of your business. Besides, I'm no longer part of Konoha. No longer under your authority."
"As expected of the Uchiha clan," Naruto observed. "That tsundere personality is exactly the same across generations."
Madara turned to study Naruto. "You're the one who resurrected me?"
"That's right." Naruto nodded. "Senior Madara, I advise you to behave yourself. In this world, everyone is Uzumaki Naruto's friend. If you refuse to change your thinking and attempt to hurt my friends, I can bring you back to life... and I can make you dead again just as easily."
"Young man, you're quite arrogant." Madara's voice turned cold, though a smile played at his lips. "Then why resurrect me at all?"
"I resurrected Madara-senpai because naturally, I want to be friends with you." Naruto's expression shifted to pure, sincere warmth.
"Be friends with me?"
Ten minutes later.
WHAM. WHAM. WHAM.
Senju Hashirama sat beside Nagato, Sasuke, and Kurama, enjoying sunflower seeds and drinks. He watched Madara getting violently beaten by Naruto in the distance, face split by an enormous smile. "Madara's temperament really does require good friends like this."
"We completely understand," Sasuke and Nagato said in unison.
Since experiencing the process themselves, they'd discovered unexpected joy in watching Naruto befriend others. Some indescribable happiness filled their hearts every time.
WHAM. WHAM. WHAM.
An hour and a half later, Madara lay in the crater once more.
Ninety minutes ago, Nagato and the others had resurrected him in that pit. Now, after a comprehensive friend-making session with Naruto, Madara had returned to horizontal residency in the exact same hole.
Naruto admired Madara as a person. From beginning to end, genuinely.
So he jumped into the crater, helped the bruised and swollen Madara to his feet, and spoke with admiration and enthusiasm. "Madara-senpai, now we're friends."
Madara looked at Naruto. This resurrection might not have been the triumphant return he'd envisioned. But he wasn't someone who couldn't accept loss.
After a moment of silence, he met Naruto's gaze directly.
"I would like to call you the strongest!"