Hashirama sat up abruptly from the bed, staring at the familiar surroundings before him.
"Am I back?" he murmured instinctively.
It was only then that Hashirama noticed Mito and Tobirama were also in the room.
"Tobirama, you're back too? How did it go?" Hashirama asked.
As soon as he finished speaking, Hashirama glanced up at the sky outside and looked flustered.
Mito was already accustomed to his impulsive nature and didn't pay it much mind.
But Tobirama, standing nearby, was utterly confused.
"What do you mean, 'back'? I've been here the whole time," he wondered, puzzled.
Faced with Tobirama's question, Hashirama quickly waved his hand, indicating that nothing was wrong.
What Hashirama never expected was that despite chatting in the group for so long, only an instant had passed in reality.
This was truly miraculous.
Looking at the still somewhat youthful Tobirama before him, he couldn't help but recall the Second Hokage he had seen in the chat group.
They were the same person, yet the Tobirama before him would still need a few more years to grow into that shrewd and calculating figure.
However, thinking about the plan the Second Hokage had ultimately decided on, Hashirama couldn't help but stare intently at Tobirama.
He never imagined this kid could come up with such a ruthless move. It seemed he had no intention of showing any mercy toward those two disciples of his.
After a moment of thought, Hashirama suddenly laughed out loud.
That's more like it—this was the Tobirama he knew.
One should act decisively and leave no room for error, just like during the battles between the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan.
While he, as the clan leader, was still maneuvering against Madara Uchiha, his younger brother had long been thinking about eradicating Madara and Izuna root and stem.
Unless the enemy was completely eliminated, he would never rest.
Tobirama watched as his older brother inexplicably laughed at him for a long while, muttering to himself all the while, and couldn't help but turn to look at Mito beside him.
Under the gaze of both of them, Hashirama felt somewhat uncomfortable and quickly changed the subject. "How many disciples have you taken on recently?"
"Huh? Well..." Tobirama snapped back to attention and replied.
At the mention of this topic, Tobirama relaxed a little.
"Brother, as you know, I've taken on three disciples: Sarutobi Hiruzen from the Sarutobi Clan, Danzo Shimura from the Shimura Clan, and Kagami Uchiha from the Uchiha Clan. Especially Kagami—although he's from the Uchiha Clan, his heart is with Konoha. He's a good kid."
After hearing Tobirama's words, Hashirama almost couldn't hold back his laughter.
Of course, he knew Tobirama had taken on these disciples. He also knew that two of them would eventually bring ruin to both the Senju and Uchiha Clans.
Thinking of this, Hashirama gave a straightforward order: "Expel Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo Shimura from your tutelage."
"Additionally, keep a close watch on the movements of these two clans."
Though he didn't understand how these two clans had offended his brother, Tobirama didn't hesitate for a moment in accepting Hashirama's command.
Besides, these were only disciples he had taken on recently. Even if he drove them out, it wouldn't be a big deal.
If they dared to offend his brother, then they shouldn't blame him for being ruthless.
It seems these two clans will need to be closely monitored from now on.
Soon, Tobirama left the clan territory with Hashirama's orders.
Not long after, the Sarutobi and Shimura clans were suppressed by Tobirama to the point where they could barely lift their heads.
The members of both clans were utterly confused, only knowing that their own Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo Shimura had been expelled from their master's tutelage by Lord Tobirama.
The clan leaders of both families were instantly furious, their beards practically bristling with rage.
"You two little brats!" one of them roared. "What foolish thing did you do to anger Lord Tobirama so much?"
"It's over, it's all over now!"
…
"Hmm? I'm back?"
Tobirama stared wide-eyed at the familiar surroundings before him.
The capabilities of this chat group truly exceeded imagination.
But when he saw the several people standing in the office, especially the two at the front, the face of the Second Hokage Tobirama instantly darkened.
"Hiruzen, why is the teacher suddenly so angry?" one of them whispered.
"Why do I feel so uneasy inside?"
Seeing the Second Hokage's face as dark as the bottom of a pot, Danzo couldn't help but lower his head guiltily.
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen was completely baffled.
"Why did the teacher suddenly lose his temper?" he leaned closer to Danzo and asked in a hushed voice.
Just as the two were whispering, the anger on Tobirama's face instantly faded, replaced by his usual stern expression.
His gaze swept calmly over the two of them.
"Next, I will announce an appointment," Tobirama declared.
As Tobirama's words fell, the expressions of everyone present instantly turned serious.
But the Second Hokage's next words caused everyone's faces to change.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen is hereby appointed as the Third Hokage of Konoha."
"Danzo Shimura is appointed as Hokage Assistant, to assist Hiruzen in handling administrative affairs."
Upon hearing this, the most intense reaction came from Danzo.
He abruptly raised his head, looking at the Second Hokage Tobirama with utter astonishment, exclaiming in disbelief, "What?!"
"Teacher, isn't this decision too sudden?"
Faced with Danzo's questioning, the Second Hokage offered no explanation, merely watching him quietly, his gaze seeming to see straight through his thoughts.
Danzo's heart trembled, and he quickly lowered his head, not daring to say another word.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was also greatly surprised. Suppressing the overwhelming joy in his heart, he immediately stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Thank you for your trust, Teacher!"
"I will certainly not disappoint your high expectations!"
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen's respectful and delighted demeanor, the Second Hokage Tobirama nearly couldn't hold back a cold sneer.
If he hadn't known about this guy's future pretense of ignorance, he might have truly been fooled by this display of loyalty.
But now…
"Very well, go and prepare. In one month, you and Danzo will lead the team to the location of the alliance ceremony."
"Do well. I have high hopes for you."
"At that time, I will officially announce you as the Third Hokage to the entire Ninja World!"
Hearing the Second Hokage's command, Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly acknowledged, filled with pride and unable to hide the smile on his face.
Watching Sarutobi Hiruzen's smug expression, Danzo stood in place, consumed with jealousy.
"Damn it! Sarutobi Hiruzen!"
"Why does he get to be Hokage? How am I any worse than him?"
Teacher! You're so unfair! Why did you suddenly choose that guy Hiruzen?
Danzo was filled with resentment and unwillingness, but what was done was done, and further words would be of no use.
He could only watch helplessly as Sarutobi Hiruzen ascended to the position of the Third Hokage.
The scene shifted to the world where the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, resided.
In the Hokage building, Tsunade gazed at the familiar surroundings before her, feeling somewhat dazed.
If not for the vividness of everything that had just happened, she might have truly believed it was all just a dream.
"Excellent!" Tsunade couldn't help but whisper in excitement. "In just three more months, when the second group meeting opens, Konoha's current predicament will have a chance to turn around!"
Having found a solution, Tsunade's mood lightened considerably.
But when she saw the report on the desk detailing Jiraiya's death, her newly lifted spirits instantly plummeted to the depths.
"If only it had been a little earlier!"
"Perhaps Jiraiya wouldn't have died."