Senju Hashirama died.
Konoha was shrouded in sorrow.
For the villagers, Hashirama had been their pillar. Because of him, they had a home.
At his funeral, almost all of Konoha attended. No matter which clan the ninja came from, they wore black and laid white flowers at the First Hokage's tombstone.
> "I miss my great-grandfather…"
Little Tsunade wiped the tears from her face.
> "Death is not the end of life."
Shihara Emiya held her hand, standing at the front. His eyes fixed on the photo framed in white flowers.
"As long as Konoha exists, Hashirama's name will live on in people's hearts. They will remember the First Hokage who ended the Warring States Period. Their descendants will remember the founder of Konoha…"
"Human life is always short.
To extend it, humans make endless efforts. Some try every way to prolong life or even achieve immortality. Others choose to let something more precious endure in their place — for example, children who continue their bloodline, or the will that is spiritually inherited…"
His calm, solemn voice echoed around them.
"As long as someone remembers his name and his achievements, Hashirama is not truly dead. He still lives in this world."
> "I will always remember, great-grandfather…"
Tsunade gritted her teeth, her large eyes hardening as her small hand clung to Shihara's cold fingers.
Around them, Konoha ninja could not help shedding tears.
Senju Tobirama stood in the middle of the group, arms folded, expression dark as he gazed at the portrait surrounded by white flowers.
> "Lord Emiya is right,"
Tobirama said, suppressing his grief. His voice sounded cold, almost unsympathetic, but still persuasive:
"As long as the First Hokage's will to protect Konoha remains in us, he will never die."
The funeral ended.
Rain began to fall.
Tobirama led the ninja away.
Elected Second Hokage, he now had much work to do. In the past many of his policies had been blocked by his brother. Now he could stabilize Konoha according to his own ideas — but he also had to plan quickly how to protect the village without his brother's shield.
Little Tsunade stayed alone by the tombstone, unwilling to leave. Shihara Emiya held a large leaf over her to shield her from the rain.
With no one else around, her thoughts wandered.
> "Lord Emiya…"
"Was it because I won that my great-grandfather died?"
Her tear-stained face showed she still blamed herself for her last bet with Hashirama.
"It must be because I won against him…"
> "It's not your fault."
Shihara frowned, sensing someone nearby.
"Tsunade, we should go. Others wish to pay their respects."
> "Don't hide from me, Lord Emiya."
A familiar, arrogant voice whispered in his ear — Uchiha Madara.
Only Madara would appear now. Yet he seemed unconcerned about being seen by Shihara and Tsunade, or sensed by Uzumaki Mito. He feared neither Konoha's watch nor the loss of Hashirama's protection.
As a man who had once been both enemy and friend, and had experienced both rift and pursuit with Hashirama, Madara had finally chosen to bid farewell to his former friend today.
Of course, Black Zetsu, lurking underground, had also arrived — for years he had followed Madara, secretly helping him escape Hashirama's pursuit.
Amid the rain, Madara approached, unfazed by the wet hair clinging to his face.
He held a bouquet of white flowers, which he laid before the tombstone. His gaze on Hashirama's portrait was complex.
> "I was thinking… let Hashirama see the future that I will dominate…"
Little Tsunade hid behind Shihara, afraid.
Although Madara was tall and handsome, with long hair covering half his face, to a child he radiated a ferocious aura.
When Madara turned and saw her, bad memories stirred and he frowned.
Have I been unkind? This brat… what is she afraid of? Do I really look that scary?
> "This is Hashirama's granddaughter."
Shihara knelt, handed the leaf to Tsunade.
"Tsunade, go back first."
> "Lord Emiya…"
She stubbornly tried to stay.
> "Be good."
His stern face made her flinch. She dropped the leaf and hurried out into the rain.
> "I wouldn't bother a little brat."
Madara scoffed, curious.
"It seems Lord Emiya is fond of that child…"
> "She's the most talented student in medical ninjutsu."
Shihara watched Tsunade's small back as she left.
> "I see…"
Madara understood what he meant. He nodded, then spoke seriously:
"Hashirama is dead. If nothing unexpected happens, the peaceful order he left will soon collapse…"
Shihara stayed silent.
Everyone could see it: the ninja world coveted the Fire Country. Whenever there's a hierarchy, others strive for the top. Konoha, home to Hashirama Senju, had been the strongest village. His death signaled that the great Konoha was no longer unassailable.
> "Perhaps it has nothing to do with me. I should return to the underworld."
Shihara's words shocked both Madara and the hidden Black Zetsu.
"Hashirama is dead."
He looked up at the falling rain, then down at the portrait.
"The patient died during treatment. A doctor resurrected through Impure World Reincarnation is naturally useless."
> "That's a waste of Lord Emiya's talents…"
Madara raised his eyes, staring at Shihara like a hungry wolf, eager for his secrets. Shihara was a treasure. Tobirama wasn't the only one who knew it. Madara believed that once he awakened the Rinnegan and received Shihara's guidance, he could master its power faster and implement the Sage's peace plan.
Underground, Black Zetsu panicked. He relied on Shihara even more.
> "Leave early. Mito's perception is strong. She may have noticed you."
Shihara clearly didn't want to speak longer. He only advised Madara not to linger or go to war with Konoha.
"Hashirama has just left this world. If you start a war now, he will not rest easy, and I can spend my last peaceful time…"
> "Don't worry."
Madara chuckled. "Until I gain the Rinnegan, I will take no extra action. Besides…"
He looked at the portrait again, at the still-gentle face.
"I came to Konoha today only to see Hashirama off."
> "That's good."
Shihara nodded lightly.
"As thanks, if you have any confusion before I leave this world, you can come to me again. Hashirama is dead, and you also carry another hope for peace…"
> "Rather than answers…"
Madara laughed. "I'd rather receive guidance from Lord Emiya. Think carefully, Lord Emiya, you'll soon see… this world will plunge back into war. Hashirama's path was doomed to fail. Mine is the right one!"
With those words, Madara vanished, still radiating haughty confidence.
Black Zetsu did not leave quietly. Shortly after Madara departed, he reappeared before Shihara.
But before he could speak, Shihara's few words completely stunned him. His skill at deceiving Black Zetsu was long perfected. Smiling, he looked at him as if to share incredibly good news.
> "Black Zetsu.
I've discovered the Sage of Six Paths.
With the Sage's help, our Moon Eye plan to resurrect Kaguya-sama will go much more smoothly…"
Black Zetsu stayed silent, cursing inwardly.
Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, you bastard.
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