After entering the conference room, everyone took their seats.
At the center of the head table sat Uchiha Madara.
To his right was Hashirama.
The seat to his left, which should have belonged to Senju Tobirama, remained empty.
Directly opposite them sat the Tailed Beast clones, who casually occupied the front row of tables.
The second row was reserved for the clan heads and their representatives.
The village’s senior officials occupied the third row.
Madara cleared his throat.
“I hereby declare the First General Assembly of Konoha officially in session.”
Hashirama continued:
“Let’s begin with reports on any problems and difficulties.
We’ll start with the Hyūga Clan.”
“The current issues regarding the Hyūga main and branch families…”
After a lengthy discussion, Hashirama finally stood.
“Now, we will vote for the First Hokage.”
“Those in favor of Senju Hashirama becoming Hokage, raise your hands.”
“Those in favor of Senju Tobirama becoming Hokage, raise your hands.”
“Those in favor of Uchiha Madara becoming Hokage, raise your hands.”
After tallying the votes, he announced the results:
Senju Hashirama — 17 votes
Senju Tobirama — 10 votes
Uchiha Madara — 20 votes
“Congratulations, Madara.
You’re currently in the lead.”
“Once the village-wide vote is completed, the true First Hokage will be decided.”
While Hashirama announced the results, Tobirama—who had been observing everything from behind the scenes—quietly dispatched a subordinate to urge the villagers to speed up the voting process.
However, only moments later, the man hurried back.
“Lord Tobirama, something’s wrong!”
“For some reason, everyone is voting for Lord Hashirama!”
A cold light flashed through Tobirama’s eyes.
“Conduct another vote.”
“Gather them together so they can supervise one another.”
“Increase security.”
After issuing the order, he quietly emerged from the shadows and raised a finger toward Hashirama, channeling chakra.
Hashirama immediately sensed the signal.
Black Zetsu had indeed arrived.
Before he could react, however, the miniature Nine-Tails sitting in the front row suddenly spoke.
“Everyone, excuse me for interrupting.”
“I’ve sensed malicious intent nearby.”
“And it’s getting closer.”
Hashirama quickly exchanged glances with Madara, Tobirama, and the Uzumaki clan leader.
“Don’t panic.”
“Act as though nothing has happened.”
“Proceed according to plan.”
“Let’s resolve this threat once and for all.”
He turned to Tobirama.
“The evacuation preparations?”
Tobirama nodded.
“Hiruzen, Danzō, and Kagami are already standing by.”
“Good.”
Hashirama smiled.
“Then let’s continue.”
Outside the conference room, Black Zetsu was imagining the chaos that would erupt when Konoha discovered that all the votes had somehow gone to Senju Hashirama.
“Heh heh…”
“It would be perfect if they started fighting each other.”
Then, to his surprise, the villagers gathered together and began voting again while carefully monitoring one another.
Black Zetsu frowned.
He had practically handed Tobirama the perfect weapon.
Why hadn’t the man used it?
And what was happening now?
To avoid exposing himself, he abandoned his efforts to manipulate the voting.
There were always other ways to drive a wedge between those two.
At this point, he was far more interested in what was happening inside the conference hall.
His body slowly sank into the ground as though entering water.
Secret Technique: Mayfly Technique.
He couldn’t help feeling proud.
This was the unique ability his mother had bestowed upon him.
Silently and invisibly, he had manipulated the world from the shadows for a thousand years.
Arriving outside the conference hall, Black Zetsu surveyed the surroundings.
More than twenty elite jōnin guarded the area both openly and secretly.
There were also three separate barrier formations completely surrounding the building.
“Impressive.”
His hoarse voice dripped with contempt.
“Unfortunately for them, they encountered me.”
“No matter how powerful they are, they’ve all died eventually.”
“I’m the one who’s truly invincible.”
Without hesitation, he slipped directly through the barriers.
No alarms triggered.
No countermeasures activated.
This was the true terror of Black Zetsu’s unique ability.
The Mayfly Technique allowed him not only to travel through solid matter, but also to bypass barrier techniques entirely.
Though whether it could ignore sealing techniques remained to be seen.
“Senju Hashirama…”
“I never expected you to hide your true nature so well.”
“You’re even more calculating than Asura.”
After entering, the more he listened, the more shocked he became.
Not only had Madara announced sweeping reforms to Konoha’s military structure, laws, and shinobi training systems—
Hashirama had willingly agreed to support him.
Even more unbelievable was the fact that Tobirama had accepted these arrangements and was prepared to serve as Deputy Hokage, overseeing the village’s internal administration.
“What in the world happened?”
At last, Black Zetsu understood where the problem lay.
All three men had changed.
And the one who had changed the most was Senju Hashirama.
He had become more rational.
More pragmatic.
More politically savvy.
Black Zetsu felt as though his entire worldview had shattered.
He had to act immediately.
Otherwise, reviving Mother would become impossible.
Instantly, his entire body transformed into black liquid and silently flowed through the floor toward Tobirama, who stood in the corner.
The black liquid crept up Tobirama’s shoe.
Then his leg.
Then his body.
“Hm?”
By the time Tobirama sensed something wrong, it was already too late.
Black Zetsu had seized control of half his body.
Tobirama’s movements froze.
“Mmph!”
Black Zetsu used Tobirama’s own hand to cover his mouth, preventing him from calling for help.
At the same time, he began using his secret technique to invade Tobirama’s mind and seize complete control.
Moments later…
The First General Assembly of Konoha reached its conclusion.
“Based on the results of the village-wide vote,” Hashirama announced calmly,
“I hereby declare that the First Hokage of Konohagakure shall be—”
“Uchiha Madara.”
“The process was fair, open, and impartial.”
“Does anyone object?”
“I OBJECT!”
The shout exploded through the conference room.
Everyone was stunned.
A voice filled with anger echoed from the shadows.
“Who dares oppose the decision of those two?”
“Does he have a death wish?”
“That voice sounds familiar…”
“Could it be him?”
Everyone turned.
As expected, a silver-haired figure emerged from the darkness.
Hatred burned in his eyes.
“Brother!”
“Have you forgotten how many members of the Senju Clan were killed by the Uchiha?”
“Have you forgotten our clan’s hatred?”
“They’re the evil Uchiha!”
As he spoke, he strode to the center of the room and shouted at the clan heads:
“We, the Senju, were the victors!”
“We founded this village!”
“Other nations now follow our example!”
“My brother should be the First Hokage!”
He then attempted to persuade them.
“Hashirama’s reputation for compassion is known throughout the world!”
“If he becomes Hokage, all of you will receive better treatment!”
Despite his passionate speech, no one responded.
Everyone was thinking the same thing:
“Are you kidding?”
“Neither of those monsters has spoken yet.”
“You’re Hashirama’s younger brother, so you’ll survive.”
“We won’t.”
Once Tobirama’s speech reached its climax and he lowered his guard, Hashirama signaled everyone to retreat.
The majority of the villagers, clan heads, and even the Tailed Beasts instantly vanished.
Before Tobirama could react, Hashirama struck.
Dragon → Ox → Horse → Boar → Snake.
Wood Release: Hells Embrace Technique!
“What?!”
Although startled, Black Zetsu immediately attempted to use Tobirama’s body to perform the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But three golden chains suddenly appeared around him.
They wrapped around his body and bound him tightly.
Uzumaki Secret Technique: Adamantine Sealing Chains!
The chains originated from the Uzumaki clan leader.
“Damn it!”
“What are you doing?”
“Brother, it’s me!
Tobirama!”
Hashirama didn’t answer.
Instead, he nodded toward Madara.
Madara instantly drew upon natural energy.
The markings of Sage Mode spread around his eyes once more.
Sage Art: Yin Release Lightning Dispatch!
A massive bolt of black lightning burst from his mouth.
It branched through the air like the limbs of a tree and shot directly toward Tobirama.
“What?!”
“Are you trying to kill me?!”
“Brother, save me!”
Black Zetsu glanced toward Hashirama.
His expression remained as cold as ice.
Black Zetsu’s heart skipped a beat.
“Damn it.”
“Have I been discovered?”
“Impossible!”
“If that attack hits me…”
“I’ll definitely be injured.”
Just before the lightning struck, he had no choice.
He released his control over Tobirama and instantly sank into the ground through the man’s feet.
Tobirama immediately regained control of his body.
The golden chains vanished.
At the last possible moment, blue chakra flashed.
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Tobirama appeared thirty meters away atop a tree branch.
A single lock of silver hair had been scorched.
BOOM!
The black lightning struck the ground.
A massive crater erupted.
The earth within had been completely charred and shattered.
But there was no sign of Black Zetsu.
Hashirama immediately turned toward Kurama.
“Kurama, where is he?”
The miniature Nine-Tails leapt onto Hashirama’s shoulder.
“Underground.”
“To the right.”
“Near the entrance.”
Hashirama grinned.
“Madara.”
“Let’s go.”
“Tch.”
Madara smirked.
“You didn’t need to tell me.”
The two of them immediately vanished using the Body Flicker Technique and gave chase.