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Hashirama blinked, not sure why Manji had picked him for the mission.
Still, the First Elder had entrusted it to him personally. Whatever the reason, Hashirama had no intention of letting him down.
"All right. I'll go."
Izuna, unable to contain his curiosity, bent closer. "Great-Grandfather, when will you hold the Hokage inauguration?"
"..." Everyone else turned toward Manji as well.
"There's no rush." Manji smiled. "Our first priority is integrating the clans we've brought into Konoha. That will take several years. They must come to see themselves as part of the village—not defeated clans forced to live under our rule."
"Until then, I'll stay as Konoha's First Elder. I won't take the title of Hokage until the village is ready."
The others bowed.
"Understood."
..............
Several days later, Hashirama returned from Uzushiogakure wearing an expression Madara had never seen on him before.
Only three people were present in Manji's office: Manji, Hashirama, and Madara.
"First Elder, Uzumaki Ashina agreed to a peace treaty with Konoha." Hashirama twisted the edge of his robe between his fingers, the tips of his ears turning red. "There was one condition. He wants to secure the alliance through marriage—and he specifically offered his daughter to me."
"..." Madara paused.
"You certainly got your money's worth out of that diplomatic mission."
Hashirama's face turned bright red. "I didn't plan any of this! The Senju and Uzumaki have a long history of intermarriage, so I suppose Lord Ashina thought the arrangement made sense."
Manji watched his embarrassment with a faint smile.
"What do you think of his daughter? And more importantly, are you ready to accept the marriage for Konoha and the alliance?" he asked.
The mention of Konoha brought Hashirama's composure back at once.
"I AM."
Then, after a short pause, his voice mellowed.
"Her name is Uzumaki Mito. I spent some time with her during the negotiations, and... I like her. She's smart, capable, and easy to talk to."
Manji nodded.
"Then it's settled. I approve the marriage."
"I OBJECT." Madara folded his arms, suspicion written across his face.
"How do we know this isn't part of Ashina's plan? Hashirama trusts people too easily. Anyone with a little patience could lead him around by the nose." He glanced at Hashirama. "Before long, poor Hashirama will be doing whatever Mito wants."
Manji and Hashirama both turned to him with puzzled looks.
"Madara, I don't think it'll be that bad..." Hashirama scratched his cheek.
"It won't," Manji said.
"I'll keep an eye on the arrangement. Ashina won't have the chance to use Hashirama against Konoha."
Madara still looked unconvinced, but he eventually nodded.
..............
In the years that followed, Konoha changed in many ways.
Hashirama married Mito—which sealed the alliance between Konoha and Uzushiogakure. The other powers in the Shinobi world were relieved when Konoha stopped at the borders of the Land of Fire instead of expanding further.
Manji spent the next five years making sure the village kept everything it had gained.
His guiding policy was simple: every clan's prosperity would become inseparable from Konoha's.
If leaving the village meant losing their jobs, influence, safety, and future, then rebelling would no longer seem like a good idea.
The Akimichi were given support to open barbecue restaurants and expand the food trade, an industry perfectly suited to their clan. The Nara managed venison, antlers, and valuable medicinal goods from their forests, while the Yamanaka took control of Konoha's flower markets and related businesses.
Many Sarutobi and Shimura shinobi became instructors at the Shinobi Academy, where their experience could shape the next generation. The Hatake were placed throughout the ANBU and Intelligence Division, making full use of their discipline, tracking skills, and talent for covert operations.
Every clan found its place in Konoha's growing system.
Soon, hurting the village would mean hurting their own businesses, jobs, and families.
Manji strengthened that bond with village symbols, shared ceremonies, and constant work to build a common identity. The Shinobi Academy was the most important part. Children from different clans trained and competed together, and grew up seeing themselves as Konoha shinobi first.
Even the most stubborn elders started to change.
At first, they rejected every new policy and complained that Konoha was ruining clan traditions.
Then they started enjoying the village's benefits—even while they kept criticizing them out of habit.
After that, they slowly began to approve.
By the end, those same elders could hardly finish a sentence without bragging about how strong 'our Konoha' had become.
Manji's reputation grew every year. Clan heads asked for his advice, civilians praised his leadership, and even the Daimyō and nobles of the Land of Fire respected him.
The Daimyō called him the pillar that held Konoha together.
The clan heads often said, "As long as the First Elder remains in charge, we have nothing to fear."
The villagers went even further than that. "The Sage of Six Paths may have brought Ninshū to the world, but the First Elder gave us peace!"
"Manji accomplished what no god ever did. He brought the clans together as a mortal man!"
For the people of Konoha, the Sage of Six Paths would always come second.
First place already belonged to Manji.
..............
Once Konoha was stable, the long-awaited inauguration of its First Hokage finally began.
The entire village shut down for the occasion.
Merchants closed their shops. Shinobi stopped all but the most urgent missions, and families from every district headed to the ceremonial plaza. The streets emptied as the crowd gathered before the Hokage platform, stretching as far as anyone could see.
Visitors came from across the Shinobi world as well.
Clans from faraway countries sent senior representatives to see the man who founded Konoha and united the Land of Fire. Some came to pay their respects. Others wanted to learn from Konoha's system and try to copy its success at home.
Every one of them wanted to see the legend for themselves.
Banners with Konoha's emblem flew above the plaza. Ceremonial music echoed through the village, and the platform stood at the center of a celebration unlike anything the Shinobi world had seen.
Manji stepped onto the stage wearing the robes of the Hokage.
He was already an old man, but age hadn't lessened his presence. As soon as he appeared, the plaza fell silent and everyone looked at him.
When the final rite ended and Manji formally accepted the position, the village erupted.
"FIRST HOKAGE!"
"FIRST HOKAGE!"
"A NEW ERA HAS BEGUN!"
Thousands of voices echoed through Konoha as the villagers raised their arms and welcomed Manji as the first Hokage of Konohagakure.
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