"Here's your ramen, sir."
While Ryūjin was chatting with Hashirama Senju, Teuchi walked over and placed a steaming bowl of ramen in front of him.
"Thank you, it looks so good I'm already drooling," Hashirama said, picking up his chopsticks without hesitation.
Teuchi paused, clearly conflicted. He stared at Hashirama for a moment, as if debating whether to speak. In the end, he could not hold it back.
"Sir, I don't know why you're pretending to be the First Hokage, but that's disrespectful. Please stop."
This time, Hashirama was the one caught off guard.
"I see, so that's how it is." He scratched his head and laughed, his expression softening. Even after all these years, the villagers still respected him deeply. That alone was enough to put him at ease.
"Sorry, I wasn't thinking."
With that, he formed a hand seal and used the Transformation Jutsu, taking on the appearance of an ordinary villager.
Teuchi quietly exhaled in relief.
Ryūjin watched the entire exchange, amused. He gave a faint smirk, then placed money on the counter.
"Teuchi-san, this should cover it."
"Ryūjin-sama, that's too much. This is enough for ten bowls," Teuchi said quickly.
"Keep it. I'll take the extra next time. I don't know how much the First Hokage eats, so better safe than sorry."
Ryūjin waved him off casually.
"Take your time eating," he added, glancing at Hashirama. "I'll leave you to it."
Then he walked out.
"Ryūjin-sama, take care!" Teuchi called after him.
He did not question the nickname Ryūjin used, assuming it was just a joke.
Behind him, Hashirama continued eating enthusiastically.
"Ah, that was satisfying. I haven't eaten like that in decades."
After finishing, he thanked Teuchi and left, still in disguise. Remembering the earlier warning, he chose not to reveal his true form again. Instead, he wandered the village quietly.
"Hokage Rock… the Memorial Stone… the Academy…"
Every place carried memories, yet everything had changed. The village felt both familiar and distant.
By the time he realized it, night had already fallen. Moonlight covered Konoha, and the streets grew silent.
Elsewhere, the sound of wooden sandals echoed through a narrow alley.
Jiraiya walked with a scowl.
"This is ridiculous. Those idiots have no backbone."
He could accept supporting Tsunade as Hokage. That made sense. But supporting Ryūjin now, even with Hashirama back, felt absurd to him.
"I'm not done yet. I'll convince them tomorrow."
He soon arrived at his old house. The village had maintained it despite his long absence.
As he stepped inside and reached for the light, his body froze.
Someone was already there.
A figure sat casually on the sofa, legs crossed, completely at ease.
Cold sweat formed instantly on Jiraiya's forehead.
"Are you here to kill me?" he asked, forcing himself to stay composed.
"If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't be standing there."
Ryūjin stood up slowly. His eyes shifted into the Rinnegan.
"Banshō Ten'in."
Jiraiya was pulled forward instantly, unable to resist. Before he could react, Ryūjin grabbed him.
"Preta Path."
Jiraiya's chakra drained rapidly. No matter how he struggled, he could not break free. His expression twisted with anger and disbelief.
Ryūjin did not hesitate. Once Jiraiya was completely drained, he lifted him effortlessly.
Then his eyes changed again.
Jiraiya's gaze went blank.
"Ryūjin-sama."
"Drop all that pointless resistance," Ryūjin said flatly.
"Yes, Ryūjin-sama."
A spatial vortex appeared, swallowing Ryūjin completely.
The next day, Nara Shikaku, Hyuga Hiashi, Morino Ibiki, and others noticed something strange.
Jiraiya had completely changed his stance.
No one said anything. They understood more than they let on.
With his opposition gone, preparations for Ryūjin's inauguration moved forward smoothly.
As for Ryūjin, he did not involve himself.
He had something else to do.
At a barbecue restaurant, he sat across from Kurenai Yuhi.
"Not easy, Kurenai. Your father finally let you see me?"
She smiled faintly.
"He said you're about to become Hokage. As shinobi, we support the Hokage, not oppose them."
Ryūjin let out a quiet laugh.
"Guess I should thank him. Or better yet, thank my future father in law."
Kurenai shook her head, but her expression softened.
Things between them felt normal again.
Soon, Might Guy appeared, dropping into a seat without ceremony.
"You two didn't even wait for me."
Two days later, the village buzzed with energy.
The day had arrived.
"Ryūjin-sama is finally becoming Hokage."
"The other villages won't dare act anymore."
"He might be the strongest Hokage since the First."
Everywhere, people spoke of him.
Even Hashirama, moving quietly among them, heard it all.
"Hope," he murmured.
That was what Ryūjin had given them.
Strength, certainty, and the belief that Konoha would no longer suffer as before.
Hashirama had already made his decision.
At the Hokage building, all Jōnin and Special Jōnin gathered.
Under Koharu Utatane's supervision, the vote began.
The result came quickly.
Unanimous approval.
"From this moment, Uchiha Ryūjin is the Fifth Hokage of Konoha."
Koharu handed him the robe.
Ryūjin put it on without hesitation.
No excitement, no pride, just acceptance.
Then he stepped into the plaza.
The crowd roared.
"Ryūjin-sama!"
Koharu raised her voice to speak.
But before she could continue, a figure appeared on the platform in an instant.
Dressed in clothing from the Warring States era, the man stood firm.
"Wait."
His voice cut through the noise.
"If Uchiha Ryūjin wants to be Hokage, he answers to me first."
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