Just as Uchiha Ran was preparing to bring everything to an end, a voice rang out:
"Hey, kid. You must be Uchiha Ran, right?"
The voice was deep and full of vitality, impossible to ignore.
Ran's pupils contracted as he turned toward Senju Hashirama, his heart sinking.
Hashirama?
How could he still exist? Shouldn't the Impure World Reincarnation have been undone after the caster's death?
Ran glanced at Senju Tobirama beside him. Tobirama's body was already beginning to fade.
Perhaps Hashirama was only enjoying a final moment of clarity?
But when Hashirama spoke again, Ran knew that wasn't the case.
"Kid, tell me—what is your relationship with Madara? Your chakra fluctuations, even your Susanoo… they're exactly the same."
Hashirama frowned, staring intently at Ran.
At that moment, Tsunade leapt down from the rooftop.
"Great-Grandfather! Great-Grandfather! Is it really you?"
Her eyes filled with tears, as if she had finally found her family again.
Hashirama was momentarily distracted. He looked at her, hesitated, then suddenly noticed the necklace on her chest.
"Oh!! Tsunade! It's really you!"
He burst into laughter. "So much time has passed—you've grown into a fine young woman!"
"Grandfather!" Tsunade blushed.
"Well then," Hashirama said cheerfully, patting her head, "do you have a man? Any children?"
As he spoke, his reanimated body continued to crumble. Realizing this, he withdrew his hand.
Tsunade didn't care. She grabbed his hand with both of hers, placed it back on her head, and hugged him tightly around the waist.
"Just because I don't have a man or children doesn't mean I can't act spoiled in front of my great-grandfather!"
Hashirama's eyes softened. Tsunade was the only bond he had left in this world.
At that moment, Jiraiya stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Lord First Hokage. I am Jiraiya—one of the Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha."
"Oh?" Hashirama looked him up and down with interest. "The Three Legendary Sannin?"
"Yes. Tsunade, Orochimaru, and myself. Orochimaru was the one who summoned you."
Hashirama slapped his palm with sudden understanding.
"I see! That means you're from the same era as my granddaughter! Young man—do you have a wife? Want one?"
He laughed heartily and winked toward Tsunade.
For once, Jiraiya scratched the back of his head, face flushed, unable to answer.
Hashirama narrowed his eyes—there was potential. Just as he was about to press further, Tsunade panicked.
"Great-Grandfather! How can you say things like that?!"
She swung her fist at him.
Hashirama casually raised a hand and blocked it.
Slap!
Tsunade wasn't surprised—but Jiraiya was stunned. Even in Sage Mode, he wouldn't dare take one of Tsunade's full-power punches head-on.
Ran felt a chill.
Hashirama's current state wasn't even close to one-tenth of his true strength when alive.
Then how terrifying must his real power have been?
Hashirama suddenly turned his gaze back to Ran.
"Young man, you still haven't answered my question."
Ran met his eyes calmly.
"Everyone has their own opportunities," Ran said. "Lord First Hokage—didn't you also awaken Wood Release one day and rise rapidly from that moment?"
Hashirama stroked his chin.
"That… does sound right."
He nodded, then asked solemnly, "Uchiha Ran, are you truly prepared to inherit Konoha?"
A vast surge of chakra erupted from Hashirama's body. At the same time, Ran felt his own chakra roar in response.
"Of course."
Blue chakra surged forth like a tidal wave, colliding head-on with Hashirama's presence.
Hashirama stared at him for a long moment—then withdrew his chakra and burst into laughter.
"I see. Then Konoha is entrusted to you. And the promise between Madara and me… that too is entrusted to you."
"Under your leadership, Konoha will surely reach its peak once again."
Hashirama extended his fist.
Ran raised his own.
One living body, one reanimated body—their fists collided.
The inheritance of the Hokage's will was complete.
Shikaku's people captured the scene. With this image, combined with the Uchiha clan's public statement, Ran's legitimacy as the Fifth Hokage would be unquestionable.
They would not be rebels—but those who cleansed a decaying Konoha.
Green energy drifted out from Hashirama's body and returned to Tsunade's necklace.
Hashirama opened his mouth, hesitated, then smiled gently as his body began to disintegrate.
"Uchiha Ran… if Madara saw you wearing the Fifth Hokage's robes, he would be happy."
"It was I who let him down."
"Carry our original will—and keep moving forward."
Ran spoke quietly, just before Hashirama vanished.
"I will."
Hashirama laughed one last time and faded away.
"Grandfather…"
A tear slid down Tsunade's cheek.
Jiraiya stepped forward and held her. She trembled briefly, but didn't pull away.
"Don't be sad," he said softly. "Lord First Hokage would want you to live happily."
Tsunade finally broke down, sobbing. Jiraiya stayed with her, gently comforting her.
Ran raised a hand, signaling Uchiha Itachi and Shisui to dismiss their Susanoo. He then ordered the Hyūga, Uchiha, and Ino–Shika–Chō clans to clear the battlefield and assess the damage.
All losses would be covered by the Konoha treasury.