Chapter 123: You're Tired!

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As soon as Hashirama spoke, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all froze.

Especially Naruto.

He was completely dumbfounded.

He had just made a bold declaration, only to have the First Hokage douse him with a bucket of cold water.

If it had been anyone else, Naruto could have brushed it off.

But the person saying this... was the First Hokage!

In that moment, Naruto's confidence crumbled.

Even Sasuke was taken aback.

He instinctively glanced at Naruto, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. Sasuke didn't believe Naruto could become Hokage, but he would never have been so blunt about it.

At least he would have been considerate of Naruto's feelings.

As for Sakura...

Her mouth was wide open in an "O" shape, big enough to fit a banana.

This...

Was a bit too direct!

It was kind of crushing, honestly!

"Ahhhhh! You're underestimating me! Even if you're the First Hokage, I will surpass you!" Naruto jumped up, landing back on his feet, pointing at Hashirama. His blue eyes burned with determination.

"Then keep working hard," Hashirama said casually, lifting his hand to pat Naruto's head.

The moment Hashirama's hand touched Naruto's head...

Hashirama felt something strange.

Resistance.

A deep resistance.

"Hmm?"

Hashirama frowned slightly, pulling his hand back. He gave Naruto a long, thoughtful look. "You all have fun. I'll be going now."

And just like that, Hashirama vanished.

Naruto watched in confusion as the First Hokage came and went so quickly, unsure of why the legendary figure had shown up in the first place.

Not far from the forest...

Hashirama stood on a tree branch, his eyes filled with thought.

"Hey, did you sense that earlier?" Hashirama asked the small, winged creature beside him, its adorable form fluttering near.

"Sensed what?"

Caught off guard, the little sprite was bewildered. It had gotten used to Hashirama's indifference, so being addressed was unexpected.

"You didn't feel it?" Hashirama's brow furrowed. When he touched Naruto, he had sensed a strong rejection coming from within him.

It was as if Naruto's body had repelled his touch.

That feeling...

It didn't seem like the Nine-Tails.

Could it be...

Asura's chakra?

Hashirama considered many possibilities, but the more he thought about it, the only thing that made sense was Asura's chakra.

After all, Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, was the previous reincarnation of Asura's chakra.

After Hashirama's death, Asura's chakra reincarnated into Naruto Uzumaki.

"Could it be Asura's chakra resisting me?" Hashirama pondered. He realized this was something worth researching. However, studying Asura's chakra would have to wait until after his own resurrection.

For now, his primary focus remained on coming back to life.

...

Three days later.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, returned to the Leaf Village alongside Tsunade.

Compared to when he left, Hiruzen's mood was entirely different.

Back then...

He had thought his youth was restored, imagining himself once again traversing the shinobi world alongside the First Hokage. Who could have predicted that in their first meeting, he'd be the first to be dismissed?

His hopes were grand, but reality was harsh.

The bitterness he now felt was too intense to ignore.

As soon as Hiruzen returned to the village, he was immediately summoned to a meeting in the Hokage's office.

Half an hour later.

In the Hokage's office.

A long table stood in the center of the room, surrounded by people.

Sitting on the main chair at the head of the table was none other than the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

The others were seated on either side.

On the left sat the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Acting Hokage Jiraiya, and Shikaku Nara.

On the right sat Danzo Shimura, missing an arm, along with Konoha's advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

It didn't look like a large crowd, but every one of them was a key figure in Konoha's leadership.

At this moment, the room was deathly silent. The tension was palpable as everyone waited for Hashirama to speak.

Tap... tap... tap...

Hashirama's fingers rhythmically drummed on the table, the sound echoing through the room.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.

"Ahem..." Hashirama cleared his throat, instantly drawing everyone's undivided attention. The tension in the room skyrocketed as each person braced themselves.

"I've gathered you all here to discuss a few matters," Hashirama began, his tone unusually serious, setting the tone for the meeting.

No one said a word.

But...

Everyone knew.

When Hashirama spoke, it wasn't really up for debate. There was no room for negotiation when he made a decision.

"The first matter…"

Hashirama raised a finger and waved it in front of everyone.

"I've already discussed this with Jiraiya," he said.

"Konoha will officially sever its ties with the Land of Fire."

"From now on, Konoha will no longer be part of the Land of Fire."

"So…"

Hashirama's voice paused slightly as he turned his gaze toward Mito Gate and Koharu Utatane.

"The work of the two advisors is coming to an end."

"You've dedicated much of your lives to Konoha."

"You're tired!"

"It's time for you to enjoy your retirement."

"As for the issues within the village…"

"Let the younger generation handle them!"

Hashirama's tone was firm yet polite, which still made everyone's hearts skip a beat.

Just with this first matter,

He had dismissed two advisors.

No, more precisely,

He had cut off ties with the entire Land of Fire!

Instantly,

Mito Gate and Koharu exchanged a glance, seeing calm acceptance in each other's eyes, and nodded together.

"Yes!"

Mito Gate and Koharu responded in unison. They had anticipated this day would come, though they hadn't expected it to be so soon.

What surprised them even more was

The direct severance from the Land of Fire.

This move left them puzzled, but they dared not question it.

After all, Konoha's connection to the Land of Fire was established by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

If anyone had the authority to sever that connection,

It was Hashirama.

Any other Hokage would have had to contend with these advisors, and wouldn't have easily achieved such a decision.

"Secondly,"

Hashirama raised a second finger, his tone carrying an undeniable firmness.

This was not a meeting for discussion.

It was a notification!

Of course,

Everyone had prepared themselves mentally.

"Jiraiya will succeed Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Fifth Hokage of Konoha."

Hashirama's gaze shifted to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Monkey."

"You've held the position of Hokage for decades, with both achievements and issues. We've already discussed these during the Fourth Hokage Summit."

"After so many years as Hokage,"

"You must be tired."

"Enjoy your retirement."

Hashirama swiftly arranged the Third Hokage's departure, leaving a look of bitterness and resignation on Hiruzen's face.

There was no choice.

This was the First Hokage for you.

If it had been anyone else,

They would have likely said...

"I'm not tired!"

(End of Chapter)