Seeing that she still wanted to keep talking about it, Hikaru quickly tried to change the subject:
"Right, do you happen to know where Lord Hashirama is right now?"
However, the moment he finished speaking, Mito immediately flared up, as if some sensitive nerve had been touched.
"Why don't you go ask Uchiha Madara where he is!" she snapped. "Why on earth did you use Edo Tensei on him? Were you trying to make things worse?!"
Mito's reaction caught Hikaru completely off guard.
He had thought that bringing up Hashirama might help smooth things over. Instead, it just made Mito even more upset.
Seeing her bristling like that, Hikaru found himself at a loss, unsure how to respond.
He hadn't been in Konoha these past few years—he had no idea what had happened between them. He didn't even know where to begin trying to calm her down.
The other girls were just as confused, so Hikaru cast a pleading glance at Izuna.
Izuna gave him a helpless smile and shrugged, indicating he couldn't help either.
Just then, Mito seemed to realize how worked up she was. She took a deep breath and tried to steady her emotions.
Then, with a tone full of exasperation, she finally revealed the reason:
Turns out, ever since Uchiha Madara had been resurrected, Hashirama had been running off to find him whenever he had nothing else to do.
That alone might've been tolerable. After all, Hashirama had always been like that ever since founding Konoha.
But lately, the two had apparently become obsessed with dance battles, and now they danced every chance they got.
That, Mito simply could not accept.
Hearing her explanation, Hikaru only felt more confused.
Sure, Madara and Hashirama being into dancing was… a bit abstract. But wasn't that just a hobby? What was the problem?
Izuna, on the other hand, seemed to suddenly get it. He chuckled and explained:
"Lady Mito is talking about the recent village-wide event. Konoha held a dance competition."
"The whole thing is being played on a loop on the big screen in front of the Hokage Building. Lord Hashirama and Uchiha Madara's dance clip was apparently selected and is being broadcast nonstop."
Only then did Hikaru finally understand. Just imagining the scene made him burst out laughing.
He could already picture how awkward it must be for Mito to walk around the village or meet people while that was playing in the background.
Every conversation would start with that, like public humiliation. No wonder Mito was furious.
Still, Hikaru had a question, so he asked directly:
"Granny Mito, you're still the Hokage, right? Shouldn't you be the one who decides what gets played on that screen?"
The moment she heard that, Mito shot to her feet as if struck by lightning and exclaimed:
"That's right! I am in charge of that screen! No way, I'm going to find whoever's responsible right now!"
And with that, she stormed out of the office like a gust of wind.
Everyone watched her retreating figure, exchanging smiles of quiet resignation.
Uzumaki Mito was still exactly the same as a few years ago. Not even the slightest change.
After she left, Hikaru began chatting with Izuna.
Through their conversation, he learned about all the major developments in Konoha over the past few years.
It started with the Fire Daimyō incident. Just like Satō Ken had claimed, he had successfully taken his revenge.
Afterward, he came to Konoha looking for Hikaru but ended up meeting with Tobirama and having a private discussion.
Izuna didn't know what they talked about.
He only knew that after that meeting, Tobirama suddenly announced that Konoha would become the capital of the Land of Fire—and that the Hokage would now be the nation's supreme leader.
Anyone who opposed it, whether openly or in secret, was swiftly dealt with.
Then the Daimyō of the Land of Snow visited Konoha, bringing with him the agreement Hikaru had left behind. As a result, a collaboration was officially formed.
Afterward, the Land of Snow sent many talented individuals to Konoha.
Orochimaru and Tobirama worked with them to establish Konoha's Research Center.
And that center did not disappoint. The products it produced launched the village into a period of rapid development.
Forget high-yield crops—even electrical technologies had been redesigned to run on chakra.
So now, while Konoha still accepted missions, the village's finances no longer depended on them.
Its elite products brought in more than enough income.
As for the finer details, Izuna didn't go into them one by one.
He simply told Hikaru, "Once you become Hokage, you'll naturally understand all of it."
After finishing, Izuna rubbed his temples tiredly and said:
"You should head back and enjoy a few more days of peace. Once you take the hat, even if you can slack off, you'll still be busy for a while."
Hikaru nodded and left with the girls.
As they walked away, Izuna watched them go, his eyes filled with complex emotion.
"Will this kid really accomplish the dream even Big Brother couldn't?"
Hikaru returned with the girls to the Senju estate. The familiar surroundings made him realize just how much time had passed—he was no longer the boy he once was.
Every corner of the estate was filled with memories. But now, those memories felt more like scenery from a bygone era.
He had grown up. His shoulders were broader, his vision sharper.
Most importantly, his heart now held someone he loved deeply.
Because of that, the Senju estate—the haven it once was—now felt… a bit too small.
A new thought began to take shape in his mind: to find a home for him and the one he loved.
Not just for convenience, but to create a space that belonged to them alone—a place to make new memories together.
And so, this idea rose quietly to the top of his priorities.
While he was still lost in thoughts about the future, familiar voices rang out from the courtyard.
It was Hashirama and Madara. The two were arguing again.
"Hashirama, with footwork like that, you'll never beat me!" Madara declared confidently.
"Madara, it's way too early to be talking big like that!" Hashirama shot back, just as fired up.
Their voices echoed through the courtyard, catching Hikaru's attention.
He stepped outside and saw the two of them dancing.
Everyone was stunned, frozen in place by the sight of the two legendary figures busting moves like madmen.
Even the arrival of others didn't affect them—if anything, it fueled their competitive spirit.
"Madara!" Hashirama shouted, his steps becoming more graceful, each movement flowing like water.
"Hashi-ramaaa!" Madara roared back, dancing more wildly than ever, like he was pouring out all his power.
Just as they reached the climax of their performance, a golden light flashed and bound them in place.
Adamantine Sealing Chains.
In an instant, their dance came to a screeching halt.
"I told you two not to dance around here!"
All heads turned toward the voice.
Uzumaki Mito stood a short distance away, rubbing her temples with a helpless expression.
Clearly, she'd had more than enough of the two of them.