Chapter 122: I'm Afraid You Can't Do This

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The Akatsuki organization is now completely under Hashirama's control.

There is no need for any other external forces to interfere.

Moreover, Hashirama's actions indirectly saved Jiraiya's life, pulling him away from the brink of death.

"Understood."

Jiraiya nodded in response. He didn't understand why the First Hokage would say such things, but since it was an order from him, it had to be followed.

"Apart from this, there's something else you need to know. From now on, the Village of Konoha has no ties with the Land of Fire. The advisors responsible for maintaining relations between the village and the Land of Fire can retire and enjoy their old age."

Hashirama said this lightly, as though it were just a casual matter.

"This..."

Jiraiya stared blankly at Hashirama, questions filling his mind, but he remained silent.

The connection between Konoha and the Land of Fire was originally established by none other than the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.

So now...

For him to sever that connection, there really wasn't anything more to be said.

If it were any other Hokage making such a statement about cutting ties with the Land of Fire, there would certainly be opposition from the higher-ups in Konoha.

This is a huge matter, one that could have far-reaching consequences!

"I understand!"

Jiraiya quickly nodded again, just as he had done before, without asking further questions. The only thing on his mind now was to find a suitable candidate for the position of the Sixth Hokage as soon as possible.

If it weren't for the First Hokage's sudden appearance, Jiraiya would have passed the position on to the First Hokage's granddaughter, Tsunade, who was also one of the legendary Sannin.

But now, there was no way he could do that.

Even if Jiraiya had the courage, he wouldn't dare suggest Tsunade in front of Hashirama.

"For now, continue serving as the acting Hokage. Once the Third returns, we'll hold the formal Hokage inauguration ceremony. Also, I have some other announcements to make."

Hashirama spoke with utmost seriousness.

"Understood!"

Jiraiya nodded once more. At this point, he had accepted his fate. All he could do was remain in the Hokage's office, which now felt like a prison.

"That's all for now. I'm going to take a stroll."

Hashirama gave Jiraiya a final pat on the shoulder before turning and leaving the Hokage's office.

In no time, Hashirama's figure vanished from sight.

"Ah..."

Jiraiya let out a deep sigh, turning to face the towering pile of scrolls. He couldn't help but feel that his days of hardship had just grown even longer.

"There's no helping it."

With a sigh of resignation, Jiraiya put away the unfinished romance novel on his desk and began sifting through the unopened scrolls.

"I originally wanted to leave this work to the Third, but in the end, it's all fallen on me."

Jiraiya let out a bitter smile. It seemed there was no escaping this. It really was too much to bear.

Hashirama had just left the Hokage's office and was now leisurely strolling through the streets of Konoha, taking in the village's scenery and enjoying a moment of peace.

But this peace wouldn't last long.

Soon, the ninja world would change because of his presence. A violent storm was on the horizon.

As he walked, the sound of a heated argument reached his ears.

"Naruto, stop bothering me! Spare me your empty words—you don't understand my pain at all!"

The voice was somewhat familiar.

Hashirama stopped in his tracks.

He turned toward the source of the sound and immediately spotted a young Uchiha boy, wearing a blue T-shirt and white shorts, his expression brimming with arrogance.

Isn't that Sasuke?

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Hashirama's lips. He didn't expect to come across the infamous "Second Pillar" of the Uchiha clan at this moment.

"We're comrades!"

Another voice sounded, this one belonging to none other than Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist of the series.

"Stop arguing, you two! Sasuke's wounds haven't even healed yet!"

A female voice chimed in, unmistakably belonging to Sakura.

It seemed he had stumbled upon the entire Team 7.

"Naruto, I said, stop bothering me!"

Sasuke spat each word out coldly before turning and walking away, clearly frustrated. His face was a mask of irritation.

"What kind of attitude is that?"

Naruto muttered, pouting, equally annoyed. Though he didn't want to deal with Sasuke anymore, his body instinctively followed.

"Naruto, if you take one more step, I'll beat you up!"

Sasuke suddenly whirled around, his Sharingan activated, the two tomoe spinning in his eyes as his frustration peaked.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! No need to get so worked up, young man."

A playful voice cut through the tension.

The voice was clear, and it reached the ears of Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura.

"Who's there?"

Sasuke glanced around, unable to see anyone. His voice was cold as he said, "Mind your own business. My problems have nothing to do with you!"

"You're more arrogant than I expected."

The voice came from directly behind Sasuke. He spun around immediately, only to find himself face-to-face with a man in orange-red armor.

At the same time, Naruto and Sakura saw the man as well, their eyes widening in surprise.

What incredible speed!

Neither Naruto nor Sasuke could make out how Hashirama appeared.

He was even faster than Kakashi-sensei!

"You... you're..."

Sasuke's Sharingan eyes widened in shock, the scarlet pupils reflecting nothing but fear and awe.

He had seen him before!

There was no mistake!

This man was none other than Senju Hashirama, the First Hokage, summoned through Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation.

For Sasuke, the memory was still fresh.

It was during the third stage of the Chunin Exams.

At that time, Sasuke was fighting Gaara, and had already forced some of the monster inside Gaara to emerge.

Then, chaos struck.

The Konoha Crush operation began.

The arena, which had been the Chunin Exam venue, turned into a battlefield. A powerful barrier appeared around the Hokage and Kazekage, and a fierce battle erupted within it.

The Chunin Exam was halted, and the entire event spiraled into disorder.

However, the battle ended as quickly as it had begun.

All because Orochimaru summoned a figure that should never have appeared in the world again—Senju Hashirama, the First Hokage.

Sasuke had witnessed it all firsthand in the arena.

At the time, he had thought Orochimaru was incredibly powerful, but in front of Hashirama, Orochimaru was completely helpless.

That battle left Sasuke even more confused about power than he already was.

It was then that he saw what true power looked like.

"I'm the 'Big Pillar,'" Hashirama laughed heartily, watching the young Sasuke in front of him, struggling to suppress the urge to tease him.

"You... you're... the First Hokage?!"

Naruto finally processed what was happening, his expression exaggerated in disbelief, as if he couldn't trust his own eyes.

That face...

He had doodled it countless times on the Hokage Rock.

But now, here it was, right in front of him!

Naruto, who had always dreamed of becoming Hokage since childhood, couldn't contain his excitement upon seeing the very first Hokage.

"First Hokage, I'm Naruto Uzumaki! I'm going to become Hokage, and I'll surpass every Hokage who's come before me!"

After recovering from the initial shock, Naruto pumped his fist with a confident grin aimed at Hashirama.

Hashirama glanced at Naruto's classic gesture, pressed his lips together, and spread his hands in a resigned manner.

"I'm afraid that's something you won't be able to do."

(End of Chapter)