Senju Tobirama, the future Second Hokage of Konoha.
Yayoi already knew most of his accomplishments.
Many of Konoha’s important facilities and organizations were established under his guidance.
For example, the Ninja Academy that opened paths for ordinary people, the Anbu organization that centralized power and solidified the Hokage’s position, and the Police force status given to the Uchiha clan — all of these indirectly became one of the triggers for the Uchiha clan’s future downfall.
In short, he was one of the early heroes, a man who continued to influence Konoha’s fate in every aspect even after his death.
Regardless of his actual abilities, he was an extremely capable individual in terms of political insight and execution.
“I hope I have not disturbed your rest by visiting at such a late hour.”
Tobirama tried to soften his tone, but his cold and stern demeanor still made those around him feel uncomfortable.
He kept his gaze fixed on Yayoi and Kichou, as if observing, planning, or confirming something.
“No, not at all.
Rather, I am deeply honored.
I have long admired Lord Tobirama, who is known for his astonishing speed.”
Yayoi smiled lightly and answered in a calm tone.
Kichou also smiled and quietly sat beside Yayoi, gently pouring tea into his cup.
“Yes, the daytime is extremely busy, so this is the only chance I have to get a little free time like this.”
Tobirama nodded and looked away.
Normally, the Shogun of the Night Kingdom should have been dispatched by the daimyo of the Land of Fire, just like the delegations from the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth.
However, considering the special nature of the Night Kingdom, Tobirama judged that it would be best for him to take action personally.
This was because the ruler of this Night Kingdom was not only the head of state but also a powerful ninja.
The world’s foremost puppeteer who had wiped out the resistance forces of the Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Crystal with absolute power and used that as a foothold to found the Night Kingdom… there were too many rumors about this person, and even Tobirama in the Land of Fire had paid more or less attention to him.
However, since there were no conflicts of interest between the Senju clan and the Night Kingdom, and there was a rival like the Uchiha clan, the two sides had never made contact until now.
“Let’s skip the formal greetings.
Shogun, the reason I came to visit you is to discuss a business transaction.”
Tobirama got straight to the point.
Time was precious to him, and there was no need for lengthy conversation.
This Shogun also did not seem like the type who enjoyed verbal sparring.
Rather, he was the type who valued efficiency in important matters, just like himself.
“Please speak.”
Yayoi’s expression instantly became serious.
Without hesitation, Tobirama said directly, “As far as I know, there are several mining areas in the eastern part of the Night Kingdom that produce high-quality minerals that can be processed into various types of chakra metal.”
The eastern part of the Night Kingdom was originally called the Land of Crystal, the land of warriors.
Furthermore, this region was rich in mineral resources and produced many minerals that could be processed into excellent chakra metal, making it an important strategic resource.
In the past, the warriors of the Land of Crystal had used the abundant mineral resources of their country to forge many armors and swords, which became the foundation of their nation.
Of course, the Land of Fire also had similar minerals used for forging chakra metal.
However, when the types of chakra metal differ, their properties also differ greatly.
The metal ores of the Night Kingdom possessed several characteristics that the ores of the Land of Fire did not have.
“So, does that mean we need to exchange what we have with each other?
In that case…”
Yayoi thought about it and judged it to be an acceptable transaction.
“No, I want to purchase processed chakra metal in bulk, not raw materials.”
Tobirama shook his head and revealed his true objective.
There might be differences in chakra metal, but that was merely a difference in their respective inherent properties.
In terms of quality, looking at what was circulating in the market, the finished products made in the Night Kingdom clearly surpassed those of the Land of Fire.
This Shogun of the Night Kingdom was also a first-rate craftsman as a puppeteer.
Tobirama suspected that the reason the Night Kingdom had recently been able to produce large quantities of high-quality chakra metal was closely related to Yayoi, the Shogun of the Night Kingdom.
Thanks to this outstanding technology, the manufacturing of chakra metal had become one of the main industries of the Night Kingdom, bringing enormous profits to the kingdom every year.
The problem was that the amount of finished chakra metal flowing out of the Night Kingdom was still too small.
“Lord Tobirama seems to require a considerable amount of finished chakra metal.
Could you tell me more specifically?”
“Approximately 1,000 tons will be needed.”
“…”
Yayoi’s lips twitched.
Was Konohagakure planning to start the Fourth Great Ninja War?
Did he know how many ninjas could be armed with this amount of chakra metal?
This future Second Hokage was demanding an outrageous amount.
Chakra metal was different from ordinary steel.
By adding a small amount of chakra metal to iron weapons, their performance could be multiplied many times over.
After all, ninjas fought using chakra.
Weapons that could not effectively conduct chakra were nothing more than junk to ninjas and could not harm them.
Ordinary weapons could also conduct chakra, but their conductivity was poor and their destructive power was insufficient, so they were never included in the choices of ninja weapons from the beginning.
Therefore, ninja tools used by ninjas, such as kunai and shuriken, had a certain percentage of chakra metal incorporated to enhance chakra conductivity.
This was also one of the reasons why even ninjas, who possessed physical abilities clearly superior to ordinary people, could be killed by a small kunai.
Because ninja weapons were not made of ordinary metal.
(In the official manga, it is suggested that ninja tools such as kunai, shuriken, and ninja swords all possess the ability to conduct chakra, which is fundamentally different from ordinary steel weapons.
Furthermore, ninja tools require regular and expensive maintenance, otherwise they will break, which would be very regrettable because they are extremely expensive.
Thinking this way, ninjas might look poor, but the tools they use are actually quite expensive.)
For example, the spirit sword “Beast Cutter” used by Kichou was made entirely of special chakra metal and was worth more than a dozen of Sarutobi Asuma’s heads.
For example, the necklace owned by Senju Hashirama resembled special chakra metal.
It was made from an extremely rare chakra crystal and possessed the power to restrain Tailed Beasts.
Its value was equivalent to three mountains.
Most of the chakra metal produced in the Night Kingdom was conventional metal, but its synthesis technology was outstanding.
Even if the Night Kingdom operated at full capacity, it would be difficult to synthesize 1,000 tons of high-quality chakra metal in a year.
Even if they could manufacture it, it would be impossible to sell all of it to Konoha.
Many facilities in the Night Kingdom required large amounts of chakra metal.
“Lord Tobirama is joking.”
“Then… 500 tons?”
“200 tons at most.”
Yayoi’s eyebrows began to twitch, and he reluctantly gave a few numbers.
This amount was actually quite large.
If used sparingly, it would be sufficient to meet Konoha’s current needs.
As long as the ninja tools we forge were not made entirely of chakra metal, but rather a certain percentage of chakra metal was incorporated into iron ninja tools, 200 tons of chakra metal could produce at least one million kunai, shuriken, and other common ninja tools.
The number of ninja tools such as kunai, shuriken, and ninja swords that the average ninja possessed was very limited, unless they were highly skilled in handling ninja tools.
Therefore, with this amount of chakra metal, at least tens of thousands of ninjas could be armed.
Currently, all the ninjas in Konoha were from ninja clans, so there could not possibly be as many as 10,000 ninjas no matter how you counted them.
Needless to say, ninja tools were different from ordinary cold weapons — they could be recycled and reused, and with proper care, they would last a long time.
“We have a deal.”
Tobirama answered immediately, but Yayoi suddenly felt uneasy that he might have said too much.
Fortunately, 200 tons of standard chakra metal was not a great burden for the Night Kingdom, and in the first place, they were not selling that much every year.
There were more than 1,000 tons of chakra metal stored in the warehouse of his Shogun’s residence, but that was an important strategic resource that the Night Kingdom had accumulated over several years and absolutely could not be sold.
…
Over the next few days, Yayoi hardly left the guest house.
He met with everyone he needed to meet, and negotiations with various countries were almost complete.
After that, all that remained was to attend the inauguration ceremony of the First Hokage and then return to the Night Kingdom.
However, just because he remained silent did not mean the other countries would follow suit.
Delegations from other major nations such as the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water arrived one after another.
Whether due to personal grudges or not, the delegations from the Land of Water and the Land of Earth began a fierce argument as soon as they met, and the ninjas accompanying them nearly came to blows.
If the ninjas from the Senju and Uchiha clans had not intervened, it could have developed into an all-out battle.
Yayoi watched the conflicts between the two countries as a bystander.
The captain of the escort unit of the Earth delegation was a tall, thin ninja named “Mū,” whose expression remained blank the entire time, making it impossible to read his thoughts.
The captain of the escort unit of the Water delegation was Hōzuki Gengetsu, a member of the Hōzuki clan.
He was the head of the Hōzuki clan in the Land of Water, a ninja with a small mustache and no eyebrows.
Among the ninjas fighting on both sides, these two were the most ferocious.
It was clear that both sides had held back their power during the battle and had not gone all out, which was why it had ended in a draw.
“What an amazing stealth ninjutsu!
Even the Byakugan can only vaguely capture the flow of chakra.
If you’re not careful, you’ll lose sight of him.
And he can even fly in the sky.”
Kichou observed the battlefield using the Byakugan.
Mū of the Land of Earth used a strange transparency ninjutsu.
Only those with the Byakugan and powerful sensory abilities could vaguely sense his location.
Furthermore, this person could fly in the sky using Earth Release, making him an extremely rare flying ninja in the ninja world.
Hōzuki Gengetsu of the Land of Water had only demonstrated Water Release techniques.
For him, releasing powerful Water Release techniques in places without water was an easy task.
He had not shown any other abilities, but judging from his unrestrained attitude, he undoubtedly had even more powerful trump cards hidden.
“Bloodline Limit — Dust Release, in addition to transparency and flight ability.
This guy’s techniques are a bit dangerous.”
Setting aside Hōzuki Gengetsu, who had not shown any particularly dangerous abilities, Yayoi thought that Mū of the Land of Earth was more dangerous.
Dust Release — this was the Bloodline Selection ninjutsu that the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, had used during the Five Kage Summit in the original work.
By combining the nature transformations of Wind, Earth, and Fire, it released a semi-transparent barrier that changed shape to envelop the enemy.
Once trapped, the enemy was broken down to the atomic level and reduced to ashes.
Of course, Mū had never demonstrated this technique in previous battles, but his reputation as a Dust Release ninja had already spread throughout the Land of Earth.
In addition to the stealth performance and flight ability that had been demonstrated this time, if this person targeted someone, it would become a very troublesome situation.
“Will he become the next Second Tsuchikage of Iwagakure?”
Yayoi speculated.
Since Bloodline Selections did not have the ability to be inherited, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, must have learned Dust Release through training.
The reason Mū was presumed to be the Second Tsuchikage of Iwagakure was because the strongest ninja in the Land of Earth was a ninja named Ishikawa.
According to the information he had obtained, Mū had been a follower of Ishikawa.
Therefore, it was highly likely that Ishikawa had been the First Tsuchikage of Iwagakure.
“Hmph, that’s enough for today.
Next time, I’ll turn you into a mummy.
Remember that!” Find the original chapter at g.com.
Through the mediation of the ninjas from the Senju and Uchiha clans, Hōzuki Gengetsu ended his battle with Mū, but left behind a harsh threat before departing.
“That’s what I should be saying.
I’ll erase you with my Dust Release, you eyebrow-less bearded bastard.”
Mū was also extremely angry, his expression dark and his voice filled with killing intent.
Gengetsu’s lips twitched, and his trademark mustache trembled, revealing the anxiety in his heart.
“Your Excellency, do these two have some kind of grudge?”
Kichou turned her face away.
It was clear to anyone’s eyes that the two were irreconcilable enemies.
“No, I don’t know.
It seems like personal grudges were involved.
There is no need to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.”
Yayoi shook his head.
What he understood about Mū and Hōzuki Gengetsu was based solely on information gathering, which allowed him to have a rough idea of their ninjutsu and combat styles.
He had found nothing about their specific actions.
Apart from the Land of Earth and the Land of Water, other countries also held personal grudges against each other, but fortunately, they all exercised considerable self-restraint and had not caused any major disturbances.
Amid the tense yet restrained atmosphere in each country, the day finally arrived when Senju Hashirama assumed the role of the First Hokage.
The heads of the ninja clans of Konoha, as representatives of Konoha’s high officials, dressed in more formal attire and attended the ceremony one after another.
These clan heads were led by Uchiha Madara, followed by the heads of clans such as Sarutobi, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Nara.
Except for Uchiha Madara, an extraordinary ninja, the other clan heads were also formidable existences.
The fact that they had gathered in one place made the participants from various countries feel unprecedented pressure.
Various clans and ninjas who had made names for themselves even in the strongest Land of Fire had gathered around Senju Hashirama.
“From this moment on, I am the First Hokage, the ruler of this village.
Thank you all for coming.
And…”
On top of the tall building engraved with the character “Fire,” Senju Hashirama, the head of the Senju clan, dressed in white sacred robes and a “Kage” hat, solemnly declared himself the “Hokage.”
From that moment on, he took on the role of the “First Hokage” and was to lead and protect the newly established ninja village, Konohagakure.
However, in Yayoi’s view, at this moment, words or expressions were unnecessary.
The mere fact that Senju Hashirama stood there symbolized the arrival of a new era that completely shattered the old Warring States period, accompanied by an unparalleled torrent.
Because, for the first time, clans had formally begun to unite in the form of sharing common interests and a common leader.
They would cooperate, compromise, and communicate closely in Konoha, and eventually form a unified group.
It possessed the power to forcibly reverse the flow of history.
“Haa… haa… You must be joking, something like this is… just…”
“Unbelievable.
Has a new era really arrived?”
“In this new era, will our countries and clans truly be able to survive?”
“One country, one village… the Land of Fire too, Konoha too, damn it… why has such an era come… the ninja world shouldn’t be like this…”
The visiting ninjas, including powerful figures like Mū and Hōzuki Gengetsu, also began to tremble unconsciously, their faces covered in cold sweat from fear, their breathing becoming labored, and an undeniable terror seeping into their words.
Those filled with longing, those filled with fear, those filled with anxiety, those filled with anger, those gritting their teeth… the expressions of the representatives from various countries who had gathered here to watch the ceremony were truly complex.
They witnessed Senju Hashirama finish his speech, don the white sacred robes symbolizing the Hokage, and raise the straw hat engraved with the character “Fire.”
The entire venue instantly fell silent.
At that moment, everyone was convinced of one fact.
A village!
A ninja village!
The Land of Fire possessed this, and all other countries should possess it as well!
Without a ninja village, we would undoubtedly be left behind by the era!
They roared with indignation in their hearts and resolved to create ninja villages in their own countries!
Ninja clans must unite.
This was no longer the Warring States era where they fought alone.
Next would be competition and conflict between nations, where the ninjas of a certain country would unite.
This was not merely the inauguration ceremony of the First Hokage, but a ceremony declaring that a new era had officially begun through Konohagakure.
“The current situation… can only be described as terrifying.”
In the audience seats reserved for national leaders beside him, on the left sat his wife Kichou, and on the right sat Irori, who was acting as her escort.
Yayoi unconsciously pursed his lips and uttered those words in a hoarse voice, unconsciously lowering his gaze.
Except for Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, those clan heads were also experienced veterans, and some exuded immeasurable auras.
Although the other clan heads were slightly inferior in power, they all maintained extremely high abilities.
Those who had survived and made names for themselves from the fierce competition of the Warring States era to the present day were almost all elites among elites.
Needless to say, these were individual clans, and their strength came not only from the clan heads but also from the many powerful ninjas within each clan.
The ceremony was simple and efficient, with no delays whatsoever.
After delivering the standard speech, Senju Hashirama successfully completed the Hokage inauguration ceremony.
At this moment, the title of First Hokage was officially established.
Konohagakure had now entered its first year since its founding.
The Land of Fire and Konohagakure had concluded the one country, one village agreement…
A new era had arrived, and everyone was tormented by confusion and fear.
Whether they acknowledged it or not, it certainly existed, and the concept of equality weighed heavily on the heads of everyone in the ninja world.