Upon hearing Sasuke's words, even Hashirama was surprised. He struggled to sit up, and Hibari quickly stepped forward to help him, allowing Hashirama to lean against the headboard.
Tobirama was also surprised for a moment, but he quickly stroked his chin and said, "That fellow Byakuren was already quite old. I'd heard he was too aggressive in his youth, accumulating a lot of injuries and chronic illnesses. Now... it's not entirely unexpected."
Hiruzen said with some emotion, "But he was, after all, one of the Five Kage who, like Hokage-sama, brought peace to a chaotic world. He was respected by many. For him to suddenly be gone is somewhat regrettable."
Hibari also nodded along. Although he had never met the old man named Byakuren, he often heard people mention him even in Konohagakure. However, he didn't feel particularly sad; instead, he felt it was somewhat 'deserved.' After all, when you really thought about it, he still had many scores to settle with Kirigakure.
"But regardless, shouldn't we send someone to offer condolences?" Sasuke asked after a moment of thought.
"Condolences for what? As if we had a great relationship with him. When we captured the Seven-Tails before, Kirigakure caused us no small amount of trouble. My not going out to set off firecrackers in celebration is already a sign of great generosity," Hibari said, displeased.
Tobirama also nodded and said, "Our village has just experienced some upheaval. At the same time, as Hibari said, we've had many frictions with Kirigakure before. If we send someone to offer condolences, they might even think we're going to gloat..."
"Cough, cough..." Hashirama coughed slightly upon hearing this, then softly said, "Condolences aren't necessary, but proper etiquette should still be observed. Tobirama, write a letter of condolence and have someone deliver it."
Although Hashirama's condition wasn't good right now, he was still the Hokage, and he hadn't stepped down yet. Therefore, once he spoke, Tobirama could only nod and say, "I understand, Anija. I'll arrange for someone to take care of it shortly."
Hashirama nodded, then looked at Sasuke again, asking, "Since the Mizukage has passed away, have there been any changes in Kirigakure? The possibility of a Second Mizukage..."
Sasuke also nodded at this and said, "Perhaps to minimize instability and chaos, the First Mizukage had already chosen his successor before he passed away. The people of Kirigakure should have been mentally prepared, so it didn't cause any widespread chaos."
"Successor... the Second Mizukage. If I'm not mistaken, it should be that person from the Hōzuki clan, right?" Tobirama asked after thinking for a moment.
Sasuke didn't play coy and quickly nodded, saying, "That's right. If nothing goes wrong, the position of Second Mizukage in Kirigakure will be inherited by Gengetsu Hōzuki."
"Hōzuki, huh... Is that Reigetsu Hōzuki's brother? What a small world," Hibari said with a click of his tongue, somewhat annoyed.
Tobirama then said, "No need to worry. Although you have some conflict with the Hōzuki clan, Gengetsu is different from his brother; he's a very good fellow. I also have some dealings with him; he understands the bigger picture..."
Although Gengetsu had the appearance of a villain, he was actually a very decent person, with a good reputation throughout the shinobi world. Even Tobirama seemed to admire him.
"Perhaps this will be a new era for improving relations between our Konohagakure and Kirigakure..." Sasuke also said with a smile.
Upon hearing these words, Hashirama leaned back against the headboard with a sigh. Then he softly murmured, "Yes, a new era..."
Hibari stood beside Hashirama. After hearing Hashirama's words, he frowned slightly and looked at Hashirama. Sure enough, Hashirama, as if having made some decision, said, "This new era truly is arriving. In that case, I should also step down from this Hokage position, Tobirama..."
Before Hashirama could even finish his sentence, Tobirama frowned and said, "Anija, the Mizukage was replaced because he died. What nonsense are you talking about?"
Hashirama chuckled, then said, "It's all the same principle. My current physical condition is worrying, and I don't know if I'll ever fully recover. Anyway, for a long time, I'll only be able to be an ordinary person..."
"Hokage-sama, you mustn't say that. We will do everything in our power to find a way to heal you!" Sasuke also immediately said in a deep voice.
"What are you all saying...? Can't I take this opportunity to rest?" Hashirama said with a smile.
Then, without waiting for anyone else to persuade him, Hashirama's gaze became somewhat wistful. He then continued, "A long time ago, I already said these things. I'm not suited to be Hokage. After all, I'm not good at politics, policies, and such. I only had some powerful abilities, which forced me to become Hokage during that chaotic era. Now, so many years have passed, and we've achieved the long-awaited peace. The village's focus also needs to shift from external affairs to internal ones. This isn't my strong suit. I used to think of Madara... of letting him be the Second Hokage, but it ultimately failed, and he left. Now, even more so..."
At this point, Hashirama looked at Tobirama, then said in a deep voice, "Tobirama, you possess talents far surpassing mine in governing the village. There's no doubt about that. This era truly needs you to unleash those talents, so don't refuse..."
Tobirama's expression became somewhat conflicted upon hearing this.
Although he had already guessed that one day his older brother would step down as Hokage, and he would be the undisputed choice for the Second Hokage position, this day had come too quickly.
Just recently, they were all sitting together discussing the Academy and the security system, so how did it suddenly turn into a discussion about changing the Hokage?
Moreover, with his older brother currently bedridden, it would inevitably sound bad if he took over as Hokage at this time. Even if the people of Konohagakure supported him, those potential enemies outside would not be so agreeable. They would absolutely spread rumors about Tobirama seizing power to damage his reputation, as well as Konoha's and even the Senju clan's.
However, just as Tobirama hesitated, the brat Hibari spoke up, "In my opinion, Hashirama-jiisan is right. Besides, Hashirama-jiisan has been Hokage for so many years; he deserves a vacation, doesn't he? This is a good opportunity now. Let Hashirama-jiisan retire and live a leisurely life. He can plant flowers, walk birds, and if all else fails, he can even gamble a bit. Hashirama-jiisan has toiled for the village for so many years; shouldn't he finally get some rest? Even whales, when they've been submerged for too long, need to come to the surface to breathe, don't they?"
"Hahahahaha, Hibari is right! I am very tired, and now I'm injured. Even if I wanted to continue being Hokage, my heart is willing, but my strength is lacking. Tobirama, do you really have the heart to see me toil like this? Should I continue working even with these injuries?" Hashirama said with a cheerful laugh.
Hibari chimed in constantly with remarks like 'Exactly!'
Tobirama, looking at the inexplicably united grandfather and grandson duo, was somewhat annoyed. Then he said to Hibari, "Hibari, you should think carefully. If your Ojiisan doesn't want to be Hokage anymore, he won't have any salary. As for the 1.5 million ryo he owes you, you can just wait for him to pay you back in your next life!"
Hibari, who had been firmly siding with Hashirama and supporting his retirement, suddenly froze upon hearing Tobirama's words.
Right, Hashirama still owed him a large sum of money. If he quit, wouldn't he have no income?
If he had no income, how would he pay him back?
Thinking of this, Hibari quickly cleared his throat and said, "Ahem, well, I think Hashirama-jiisan is still sharp as ever and can totally keep going for a few more years. It's just these injuries, right? As Hokage, the symbolic meaning is greater than the combat meaning. I think there probably won't be many situations in the future that require the Hokage to personally step in... So, after careful thought, I still think you should persevere, Hashirama-jiisan. The village can't do without you!"
Hashirama, who was already feeling unwell, almost coughed up a mouthful of old blood when he saw Hibari so decisively betray him...
Seeing this, Hibari, to avoid being branded with the crime of 'enraging his own grandfather to death,' quickly changed his tune and said, "Ahem, well, I think there should also be some advisory positions in the Hokage Residence, right? Then, Hashirama-jiisan could totally be an advisor. With Hashirama-jiisan's experience as the First Hokage, he should at least be given a high salary, right? Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
"Hahahaha, you're truly a sly one, brat," Sasuke said with a laugh.
Tobirama also chuckled, but after laughing, he said, "Although this brat Hibari was just joking, there's actually some truth to this advisor idea... Two heads are better than one, after all. Perhaps we really should establish some advisory roles... But we'll consider these things later!"
Hashirama also nodded, then said, "Jokes aside, Tobirama, you also need to prepare to become the Second Hokage. When the time is right, I will announce my retirement..."
Seeing this, Tobirama finally stopped refusing and nodded, saying, "Anija, I will not disappoint you."
Hibari then smiled again and said, "Whatever happens is fine, as long as Hashirama-jiisan gets paid. Hashirama-jiisan has toiled for the village for so long; we can't just let him be forgotten once he's gone, can we? I think the village needs to take good care of his retirement life."
"You've said all this, and it's just for your money!" Hiruzen remarked, amused.
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