The First Great Ninja War had ended.
As Uchiha Madara and Senju Tobirama were stripped of all positions and placed under house arrest, Senju Hashirama regained control...
[Six Paths Patriarch: @Everyone, Black Zetsu and Fukasaku can come back now. Tobi will continue staying in the Land of Rain and act freely. The nine tailed beasts will remain unchanged.]
[Black Zetsu: Received.]
[Fukasaku: Received.]
[Tobi: Received.]
———
[Outside Iwagakure, On A Rocky Mountain]
Mu stood there personally seeing Black Zetsu off, wearing a plain-colored robe.
"Sage Black Zetsu, how should we say goodbye?", Mu asked softly, reluctance showing between his brows.
Black Zetsu turned to look at him and slowly said, "Peace has finally come to the ninja world. My mission also ends here."
"Mu, govern Iwagakure well from now on and protect your village."
"I understand."
The reluctance in Mu's heart instantly surged up.
Whether because of benefits or the feelings built through long companionship, he truly did not want Black Zetsu to leave.
This sage could help him plan everything and sort out all complicated matters, while also helping him break through bottlenecks and greatly improve his strength.
A cheat this powerful could never be found a second time in the entire ninja world.
"Sage, why must you leave?"
"Konoha has only just stopped fighting. The situation in the ninja world is still unclear. It's far from truly stable.", Mu frowned slightly, his tone full of sincerity.
Black Zetsu smiled lightly and calmly said, "Don't worry, Mu. The ninja world won't fall into chaos."
"Ah..."
Seeing this, Mu could only sigh helplessly in the end. Then he steadied his emotions and deeply bowed respectfully toward Black Zetsu.
"Thank you, Sage. Thank you for helping me all this way. I am deeply grateful!" Mu said .
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Black Zetsu's mouth. "We'll meet again. Until next time."
As soon as he finished speaking, faint chakra fluctuations spread around Black Zetsu's body, and his figure instantly sank into the ground beneath his feet, completely disappearing.
"Until next time..."
Mu quietly stood there on the rocky mountain, staring blankly toward the direction Black Zetsu had left. He remained there for a long time without moving a single step.
———
[Kirigakure]
Waves lightly hit the shore on the beach by the sea, and the salty sea breeze slowly drifted by.
Hozuki Gengetsu wore a loose bathrobe with sunglasses on his face as he bid farewell to Sage Fukasaku.
"Sage Fukasaku, the fires of war in the ninja world have finally calmed, yet you choose to leave at this time.", Hozuki Gengetsu said.
Sage Fukasaku gently stroked the beard beneath his chin and smiled, "Gengetsu, govern Kirigakure carefully from now on. Don't easily start wars again."
"Everything in the world follows a fixed order. Konoha ended up like that before because it acted against the heavens and violated the natural order."
"Where there is yin, there is yang. The balance of yin and yang is the proper way of heaven and earth. Once that balance is recklessly broken, heaven itself will step in to correct it. Konoha's ending is the best proof of that."
"As the saying goes, there are gods three feet above your head. Never act arrogantly. Always keep reverence in your heart and never go against the heavens."
Fukasaku's words carried hidden meaning. It sounded like ordinary advice, but he was secretly giving guidance.
Hozuki Gengetsu had always been sharp-minded. After thinking slightly, he instantly understood the true meaning behind the words.
Hozuki Gengetsu's expression immediately became serious.
"So that's how it is. This junior completely understands now. From now on, I will always keep reverence in my heart and stay within my proper place.", Hozuki Gengetsu quickly bowed and said.
Fukasaku nodded, then jumped into the sea and disappeared.
Hozuki Gengetsu stood alone on the reef with his hands behind his back, letting the sea breeze blow over him.
Black Zetsu and Fukasaku had returned to Mount Myoboku.
After Fukasaku and Black Zetsu left, another four years passed in the ninja world.
These four years were fairly difficult years for Konoha.
Because of the wounds and aftereffects of the war, Konoha was slowly recovering.
During these four years, Senju Hashirama handled Konoha's government work day and night without stopping. He even used large numbers of wood clones to help villagers throughout the Land of Fire.
For example: building houses and creating lumber.
He personally handled everything carefully and seriously.
At the same time, Senju Hashirama also helped the nearby small countries with construction.
All for the sake of restoring Konoha's reputation in the ninja world.
And Senju Hashirama pushed forward an important policy.
That was integrating the Senju into the civilian population.
Because this war caused massive civilian casualties in Konoha, Senju Hashirama took in civilians throughout the Land of Fire while also arranging for the Senju to integrate into Konoha.
Senju Hashirama was practically working himself to death, and on top of that, his body was getting older and older...
———
[Outside Konoha Village]
Uchiha Izuna returned with a group of disciples.
"Teacher, the Second Hokage calling you back this time is probably because he wants you to take over the position of Hokage.", Danzo said from the side.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also nodded thoughtfully.
Izuna, who was already close to becoming an old man, sighed slightly. "Ah, I only hope the Second Hokage takes care of his health..."
Danzo did not speak after hearing that.
Uchiha Kagami, Akimichi Torifu, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu all looked very happy.
They were Izuna's disciples.
Now that Izuna might become the Fourth Hokage, how could they not be happy?
After arriving in Konoha, Uchiha Izuna immediately went to see Senju Hashirama without stopping.
When he saw Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Izuna was still stunned for a moment.
He had not expected Senju Hashirama's hair to already be completely white.
"Hokage!", Uchiha Izuna spoke.
"Izuna, you're here. Come over quickly. No need to call me Hokage, just call me Hashirama, like before. I have something to discuss with you.", Senju Hashirama stood up with a warm smile and said.
Uchiha Izuna nodded after hearing that.
"Hashirama, you've become so old. Time really passes quickly..."z Uchiha Izuna sighed.
Senju Hashirama smiled slightly. "Haven't you heard? Time passes like a galloping horse under the whip, and the sun and moon flow away like falling flowers. My granddaughter Tsunade is almost old enough to attend the Ninja Academy..."
"Hehe..."
Izuna gave a bitter smile and could not help recalling the days when they fought for dominance under great-grandfather's command.
Back then, they were full of spirit, sweeping through the Land of Fire, undefeated in battle and unstoppable in attack!
Now, they had all grown old.
The two chatted for a while before Senju Hashirama brought the topic to the Hokage position.
"I'm almost done for. The ninja village needs a Hokage. In the entire village, only you are suitable!", Senju Hashirama looked at Uchiha Izuna seriously and said.
Uchiha Izuna closed his eyes after hearing that, then sighed and said, "I also don't have much time left. Over these years, my eyes have nearly gone blind. I'm afraid... I worry..."
Senju Hashirama also gave a bitter smile after hearing that. Then there was really no one left.
Could they directly choose a young person?
What a joke. He himself did not even have a disciple. If they directly picked a young person, would those clan heads accept it?
Could they choose Tobirama?
That would not work either. The people of Konoha and the major clans deeply hated Madara and Tobirama, those two war fanatics.
"Who do you think can become Hokage after you?", Senju Hashirama asked helplessly.