Chapter 166: Hashirama’s Confidence

Seeing everyone suddenly fall into silence, Hashirama turned to Tsunade, blinked, and whispered:

“Did I say something wrong just now?”

As Hashirama spoke, Jiraiya quickly reacted, and answered respectfully:

“Shodaime-sama didn’t say anything wrong… it’s just that Orochimaru is already dead.”

Jiraiya didn’t call Orochimaru a rogue ninja—he only said Orochimaru was dead.

“Ah… that’s really a shame.”

Hashirama frowned slightly, regret on his face.

Then, as if he remembered something, Hashirama looked at Jiraiya again with a puzzled expression.

“I still don’t know what your position is… or who that group behind you are.”

Only then did Jiraiya realize he had only given his name, without explaining his identity.

“Shodaime-sama, I’m the disciple of Sandaime Hokage-sama, Hiruzen-sensei. And Yondaime Hokage-sama, Minato, was my disciple.”

Jiraiya spoke respectfully.

Hashirama’s eyes brightened—Jiraiya’s standing was no small thing.

“The Hokage title has already passed to the Fourth? Which one is the Yondaime Hokage?”

Hashirama looked pleasantly surprised as he asked.

“Minato is dead.”

A dim look flickered through Jiraiya’s eyes as he answered.

Boom!

A terrifying killing intent suddenly burst out of Hashirama. In an instant, it felt like the temperature in the other-dimensional space dropped a degree or two.

“Dead… was he killed by Yuto?”

A cold glint flashed in Hashirama’s eyes as he looked at Jiraiya.

Under that crushing killing intent, everyone’s bodies stiffened slightly.

That “two completely different people” feeling made them realize once again that the Shodaime Hokage—no matter how dopey he looked—was absolutely a ruthless monster when it mattered.

“No. Minato died many years ago. For a long time after that, Hiruzen-sensei was the one managing Konoha.”

Jiraiya hurriedly explained, nervous.

As his words fell, the killing intent around Hashirama vanished instantly.

Hashirama asked curiously, “How did Yondaime die?”

Jiraiya, still respectful, gave Hashirama a rough explanation of how Minato had died.

After hearing it, Hashirama wore a strange expression. After a long pause, he let out a slow sigh, helplessness flashing in his eyes.

“Then… what about the Third?”

“Hiruzen… died in the war caused by First Mizukage Yuto…”

Tsunade stepped up beside Hashirama, her voice low.

“War caused by him? Tell me everything you know about Yuto.”

Hashirama’s expression turned serious.

“Shodaime-sama, I know more about First Mizukage Yuto. I am Danzo, the administrator of Root.”

Danzo stepped forward at once, face full of respect.

As if afraid Hashirama wouldn’t understand Root’s status, Danzo continued:

“Root assists the Hokage in handling special and urgent matters. It is also the Hokage’s直属 ANBU—specifically responsible for training ANBU shinobi.”

Realization flashed in Hashirama’s eyes, and he muttered softly:

“A department like that… sounds like Tobirama’s handiwork.”

Tsunade frowned slightly at Danzo edging closer, but she didn’t speak.

With Grandpa revived, no matter how many schemes Danzo had, they were useless now.

Status, strength, prestige—there was no comparison.

Seeing the understanding on Hashirama’s face, Danzo stood ramrod straight and respectfully recounted everything he knew about Yuto.

After listening, Hashirama frowned, his tone heavy.

“Uniting the power of the Four Great Villages to attack Konoha… that guy really hasn’t changed much from back then.”

“Even after all these years, his ambition probably hasn’t weakened at all.”

After a short silence, Hashirama raised his head to look at everyone, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

“For the time being, I’ll stay in an other-dimensional space and won’t appear in Konoha. And the news of my resurrection is to be kept secret for now.”

“Based on my judgment, it won’t be long before Yuto makes his next move.”

“Yes, Shodaime-sama!”

Jiraiya, Danzo, and the others all replied respectfully.

Seeing that, Hashirama’s dopey expression returned, and he smiled at them.

“I’ll be counting on all of you during this period.”

“Shodaime-sama… you’re really going to stay in this other-dimensional space?”

Jiraiya was a little speechless—normally, people couldn’t survive in a place like this.

“Just give me that key you’re holding. That key doesn’t only serve to lock onto coordinates.”

“And my chakra signature is… a bit special. If I appear in Konoha, there’s a chance Yuto will notice.”

Hashirama spoke casually, smiling.

Jiraiya froze for a moment, then quickly took out the special key and handed it over.

Hashirama accepted it. After giving a few more instructions, he reached out and patted Tsunade’s head.

Once it was confirmed that Hashirama would remain in the other-dimensional space for the time being, it didn’t take long for Jiraiya and the others to withdraw.

As the spatial passage slowly closed, Hashirama’s eyes flickered. His gaze slid toward the large scroll that still lay in the very center of the space.

“Yuto… this time, you won’t have even the slightest chance to escape.”

A firm, confident voice echoed through the other-dimensional space.

“Before that… looks like I need to make a trip to that place.”

Hashirama stood up, stretched lazily, then formed a hand seal in front of his chest.

In the next instant—

Poof!

With a burst of smoke, Hashirama’s figure vanished from the other-dimensional space.

Land of Water · Kirigakure

On a main street, lively calls of vendors rang out now and then.

Ever since the Four Great Villages’ attack on Konoha ended, Kirigakure had welcomed a second wave of prosperity.

As for the first time, that had naturally been thanks to Gato.

And this time, it was because Konoha had been heavily damaged, while the other three great villages had suffered losses to varying degrees.

Only Kirigakure not only showed the entire ninja world its strength, but also emerged as the village with the least damage among the Four Great Villages.

In this situation, for civilians and wealthy merchants looking to commission jobs, Kirigakure naturally became their first choice.

After all, Konoha—formerly the strongest—had almost lost the ability to take missions. And with such a massive volume of commissions, they would naturally be split among the other great villages.

As the biggest beneficiary of this war, Kirigakure had practically taken on two-thirds of the commissions that originally would have gone to Konoha.

It even attracted a portion of commissions that would have gone to the other three great villages as well.

On the bustling street—

Yuto raised an eyebrow, glancing at Haruna who had been trailing behind him the whole time, and asked curiously:

“Where’s your sister?”

Haruna grinned. “My sister? She’s training, of course.”

“Oh.” A look of realization flashed across Yuto’s face. “So you snuck out.”

“I did not sneak out!” Haruna puffed out her cheeks, sounding indignant. “Haruna walked out openly and properly!”