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The First Shinobi World War had ended. Madara Uchiha and Tobirama Senju were stripped of every position they held and placed under house arrest, leaving Hashirama Senju in control of Konoha once more.
In the Mount Myōboku Group Chat, Manji issued his next set of orders.
Six Paths Founder: @everyone, Black Zetsu and Fukasaku can come home. Tobi, stay in the Land of Rain and continue as you see fit. Leave the Tailed Beasts where they are. Nothing changes for them.
Black Zetsu: Understood.
Fukasaku: Understood.
Tobi: Understood.
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Mū came in person to say goodbye to Black Zetsu on a rocky mountain outside Iwagakure. Wearing a simple robe, the Tsuchikage stood with his longtime adviser, trying not to show how reluctant he was to part ways.
"So this is really goodbye, Sage Black Zetsu?" Mū asked.
"Peace has returned to the shinobi world, which means my mission here is over. Govern Iwagakure well, Mū, and protect your village." Black Zetsu turned toward him as he spoke.
"I understand." Mū nodded, but the thought of losing Black Zetsu weighed on him.
He had every reason to want Black Zetsu to stay. Their years together had forged a real friendship, and the benefits of keeping him close were impossible to ignore.
Black Zetsu could untangle the most complicated affairs, plan several moves ahead of every enemy, and help Mū break through his limits. An adviser that capable was practically a cheat code. Mū would never find another one like him anywhere in the shinobi world.
"Why do you have to leave, Sage? Konoha just agreed to the ceasefire, and things are still uncertain everywhere. We're not close to real stability yet." Mū frowned, making one last effort to convince Black Zetsu to stay.
"Don't worry, Mū. The shinobi world will not descend into chaos again." Black Zetsu answered with an easy smile.
"Sigh... thank you, Sage. I owe you more than I can say!" Mū knew there was no persuading him. He gathered himself and bowed with solemn respect.
"We'll meet again someday. Until then—" A faint smile touched Black Zetsu's lips.
Chakra shimmered around him as he sank into the ground. In seconds, he was gone without a trace.
"Until then..." Mū remained on the rocky summit, staring in the direction Black Zetsu had gone.
He stood there for a long time without moving.
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On a beach just outside Kirigakure, waves rolled onto the shore as a salty breeze drifted in from the sea. Gengetsu Hōzuki stood beside Sage Fukasaku in a loose bathrobe and sunglasses, there to see him off.
"Sage Fukasaku, the war has finally ended, yet this is when you choose to leave." Gengetsu made no effort to hide his disappointment.
"Gengetsu, govern Kirigakure with care, and never start another war on a whim. Everything in this world has its appointed course. Konoha suffered because it tried to force the world out of balance. Every force has its counterweight, and only balance keeps the world in order..."
"...When someone breaks that balance, Heaven will eventually correct it. Konoha is proof enough. Never forget that higher powers are watching. Keep your pride in check, show proper respect, and do not place yourself above the natural order."
Fukasaku's warning seemed like normal advice, but there was a hidden message in it.
Gengetsu was smart, and after thinking it over for a moment, he understood what the old sage meant.
"I understand now, Sage Fukasaku. From this day forward, I'll remember my place, act with restraint, and treat the powers above me with the respect they deserve." Gengetsu's expression grew serious as he bowed.
Fukasaku nodded, jumped into the sea, and vanished under the waves. Gengetsu walked onto a nearby reef and stood alone, hands behind his back as the wind pulled at his robe.
With their work complete, Black Zetsu and Fukasaku returned to Mount Myōboku.
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Another four years passed.
Those years were hard for Konoha. The war left scars all over the village, and recovery was slow.
Hashirama worked from morning until late at night, dealing with crisis after crisis. He made many Wood Clones and sent them across the Land of Fire to build homes, gather timber, and help people rebuild.
He also extended aid to the surrounding minor nations, hoping to repair the reputation Konoha had destroyed during the war. His most important reform was the integration of the Senju Clan into Konoha's civilian population.
The war had taken many civilian lives, leaving communities broken and families apart. Hashirama welcomed people who had lost their homes from all over the Land of Fire and spread Senju families throughout Konoha, ending their separation from the rest of the village.
He managed every step himself and made sure nothing was rushed.
The heavy workload left him exhausted, and with each passing year, age took a toll on his body.
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Izuna Uchiha came back to Konoha with his students, arriving at the edge of the village.
"Teacher, Lord Second probably called you back because he wants you to take over as Hokage," Danzō said as they walked.
Hiruzen Sarutobi considered the possibility and nodded.
"I just wish Lord Second would take better care of himself." Izuna sighed softly. He was getting on in years himself now.
"..." Danzō stayed silent.
Kagami Uchiha, Torifu Akimichi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane looked excited at the idea. They had all trained under Izuna, and the thought of their teacher becoming the Fourth Hokage made them proud.
As soon as he got to Konoha, Izuna went straight to see Hashirama. He stopped in his tracks when he saw him.
Hashirama's once-dark hair had gone completely white.
"Lord Hokage!" Izuna called out.
"Izuna, you're here. Come closer. And there's no need for 'Lord Hokage.' Call me Hashirama, just like you used to. I need to discuss something with you." Hashirama rose to greet him with a warm smile.
"Hashirama, you've aged so much. The years passed too quickly." Izuna looked at him, feeling both surprised and sad.
"Time waits for no one. Little Tsunade is almost old enough to start at the ninja academy." Hashirama smiled.
"Heh..." Izuna laughed as memories of their youth returned.
Back then, they fought across the Land of Fire under his great-grandfather's command. They were young, confident, and ambitious, defeating every enemy and winning battle after battle. Now, both of them had grown old.
They spoke about the past for a while before Hashirama turned the conversation toward Konoha's future.
"I don't have much time left. The village needs a Hokage, and you are the only person suited to take over." Hashirama looked Izuna in the eye.
"I don't have much time left either. My eyesight has deteriorated for years, and now I'm almost blind. I'm afraid..." Izuna closed his eyes and sighed.
Hashirama answered with a bitter smile.
Now Konoha had no clear successor... Could he pick one of the younger shinobi? That seemed impossible. Hashirama had never trained a student, and the clan leaders would never accept a young, unproven leader.
Could he bring Tobirama back instead? That was just as impossible. The people of Konoha and the major clans still hated Madara and Tobirama for starting the First Shinobi World War.
"Then, who do you think should be the next Hokage?" Hashirama asked wearily.
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