Chapter 136: The List!

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The words spoken by Hashirama were calm and indifferent, showing no concern for the stir they would inevitably cause.

The creation of the Senju nation was not something Hashirama yearned for deeply.

It was primarily a means to fulfill an S-rank mission.

However, now that it was established, he couldn't personally manage it all!

That would consume far too much of his time.

He couldn't bring himself to entrust it to someone else, nor could he think of anyone more suitable for the task.

Believing in the principle of not letting good fortune flow to outsiders, he thought, "Since I am now Hashirama Senju, I should leave something for my granddaughter Tsunade. After all, she is my only relative with whom I share a bit of blood."

Those present were surprised by Hashirama's words, but it was not entirely unexpected.

Tsunade would oversee the Senju nation.

Everything fell into place logically.

Below the high platform, in the midst of the crowd, Tsunade listened casually to her grandfather's speech, feeling a swell of pride.

This was her grandfather!

But she never anticipated what would happen next!

Suddenly, an immense burden was thrust upon her shoulders, heavier than the position of Hokage that had been given to Jiraiya.

Swish!

Countless gazes focused on her, filled with admiration.

"Your Majesty!"

The crowd knelt before Tsunade, their sudden reverence startling her.

She was to become a queen?!

This was all too sudden!

She hadn't even processed it yet!

"Rise," Tsunade said quickly, suppressing her shock and adjusting her emotions in that critical moment.

Her grandfather had made such a declaration before the entire village; it was a decision that brooked no refusal!

She had to accept it.

There was no turning back!

Now that things had come to this point, she would embrace her role as queen!

With her simple command, everyone lifted their knees, reflecting on the remarkable nature of human circumstances.

Despite the teachers in Konoha repeatedly instilling in their students that this was an era where hard work could defy fate,

Countless examples proved otherwise.

It was still a world that valued lineage and talent.

While others relied on their fathers,

Her Highness the Queen was leveraging her grandfather's legacy!

No one could rival that!

As the announcement of the Senju nation's establishment was made, the atmosphere of the ninja conference reached a climax.

Hashirama looked at the excited faces in the crowd, a satisfied smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

The villagers had simple desires:

To live in peace, have enough to eat, and be led by a strong leader who wouldn't let them be trampled on.

That was enough.

After that, the conference had little significance left; Hashirama made a few casual remarks, Jiraiya added a few more, and then the meeting was dismissed.

Officially dismissed, that is.

In reality, it hadn't ended.

The representatives of various factions gathered again. This time, there was one additional person in attendance: Tsunade.

At that moment, Tsunade was very familiar with these representatives.

Once they learned that she would be the leader of the Senju nation, they began to curry favor with her.

"The affairs of the nation will be fully entrusted to Tsunade. Her words represent my intentions, and I hope you all understand this!"

Hashirama's first statement at the small meeting firmly established Tsunade's position.

"Who dares to utter a single negative word?"

That would be a denial of his status as Hashirama Senju!

"Yes!"

The envoys responded with grave faces, recalling the historical accounts of Konoha.

At that time, the nominal First Hokage was Hashirama Senju.

However, the one who truly managed the village's internal affairs was Hashirama's brother, Tobirama Senju.

Hashirama had never been suited for governance.

His purpose was to serve as a top-tier deterrent force!

There was no one whose martial prowess could compare!

After everyone had responded, the venue fell silent once more.

Hashirama's gaze swept across each person, lingering on their faces for a few seconds.

Anyone who met his gaze felt a chill, as if they were being scrutinized by a monster from the depths of an abyss, ready to devour them at any moment.

Once he had looked at everyone, his eyes settled on Jiraiya.

"Jiraiya, I asked you to compile a list of the factions that have not chosen to join the Senju nation. Have you finished it?"

While Hashirama's words were framed as a question, the tone was more akin to an accusation. The deep, oppressive timbre made everyone feel as though they were suffocating.

Jiraiya couldn't help but shudder.

He understood that the First Hokage was not targeting him but rather the factions that had refused to join the Senju nation.

Still, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"It's ready," he said hurriedly, pulling out a scroll. He silently mourned for the names listed within as he handed the scroll to Hashirama.

"No need to give it to me; just read it aloud. We're all friends here—let them hear it too."

Hashirama waved his hand lightly.

Upon hearing this, the faces of the envoys changed dramatically.

Was he going to hold a public trial?

They had been contemplating the consequences of not joining the Senju nation, and it seemed they were about to receive an answer!

Everyone present was astute; they understood that as long as the First Hokage held onto the list, there was still room for negotiation.

But once it was made public, it would be tantamount to declaring a hostile relationship.

The Senju nation had only just been established.

The territory had yet to be officially delineated.

The specifics of internal governance were still unsettled.

Legal codes and other standards had not been unified yet.

There was still so much to be done.

But what the First Hokage was most concerned about was who had yet to join.

What a terrifying reaction!

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts, sensing Hashirama Senju's determination to dominate the world.

"Yes."

Jiraiya took a deep breath, slowly unfurling the scroll in his hands. His lips moved as he uttered the first name.

This was the list he had personally compiled.

However, reading it aloud still felt shocking.

The names on it were daunting to confront.

"The Land of Fire!"

As soon as Jiraiya's voice rang out, the venue erupted into chaos, the envoys instantly buzzing with excitement.

The Land of Fire!

The first nation to refuse joining the Senju nation was surprisingly the Land of Fire, which had always maintained a strong relationship with Konoha!

No one had seen this coming!

In their minds, the Land of Fire was almost synonymous with Hashirama Senju!

"Sunagakure!"

Jiraiya continued, naming another shocking entity.

Konoha and Sunagakure had always enjoyed good relations, largely because the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind were allied.

Moreover...

The Land of Wind had already joined the Senju nation, so it was astonishing that Sunagakure had not followed suit.

Hearing two such unexpected names left them in disbelief!

"Otogakure!"

Jiraiya announced the third name, his expression peculiar. This was Orochimaru's village, and no one had attended the ninja conference.

(End of Chapter)