"Hahaha…"
"Sorry, sorry—I misunderstood the situation."
Hashirama scratched his head, apologizing to Uchiha Ren.
His tone was carefree, but his expression soon turned serious.
"Then, Third Hokage… has Konoha encountered some crisis?"
For Ren to summon a dead man's soul,
there must be something grave happening.
Hashirama sensed his own condition.
Heavy. Suppressed.
Even using Wood Release felt difficult.
Large-scale techniques were completely out of reach.
But if it was for Konoha,
he would fight regardless.
"No, Konoha is relatively stable right now."
Ren calmly explained the current situation.
Tobirama's death had been the most dangerous moment.
Internal conflict could have erupted.
But with Ren's rise,
that danger had passed.
"…So Tobirama also died for Konoha."
Hashirama's expression dimmed.
His younger brother had given everything.
Just like him.
"Even in death… he would not regret it."
Hashirama sighed softly.
War had taken countless loved ones.
It was the very reason Konoha was created.
"Wait…"
"Then why did you summon me?"
Hashirama suddenly realized the contradiction.
If everything was fine—why call him back?
Ren spoke steadily.
"Tobirama-sama died during negotiations."
"One of his guards returned, claiming succession."
"But the clans did not recognize him."
"They chose me instead."
"I was just an ordinary Uchiha shinobi."
"Yet I accepted the responsibility."
Ren's voice grew firm.
His posture straight, dignified.
"I will dedicate everything to Konoha."
Hashirama listened silently.
No suspicion crossed his mind.
Unlike Tobirama,
he held no prejudice against the Uchiha.
Perhaps because of Madara.
"First Hokage-sama…"
Ren continued.
"You created Konoha to end clan divisions."
"To bring peace."
"The Will of Fire—"
"—where Konoha thrives, the flame endures."
"That is my path."
"I summoned you…
to tell you this flame lives on."
"And to ask for your acknowledgement."
No one spoke
Then—
A smile appeared on Hashirama's face.
Warm. Proud.
"Congratulations, Third Hokage."
"I acknowledge you."
At that moment,
a system notification sounded.
Recognition acquired: Senju Hashirama.
Task Progress: 1/2
Ren's heart stirred.
Halfway done.
Everything was going smoothly.
"I wish Madara could see this…"
Hashirama murmured.
"If he saw you…
he might not have left."
Ren's expression twitched slightly.
Again with Madara.
"First Hokage-sama…
you really care about him."
Hashirama looked distant.
"If we weren't born into opposing clans…"
"we would've been brothers."
His voice carried regret.
From birth,
Senju and Uchiha were enemies.
Kill on sight.
No exceptions.
That hatred ran deep.
Even their first meeting,
they hid their names.
Fear ruled everything.
"I still want to see him again…"
Hashirama said softly.
"To apologize."
"My brother killed his brother."
"And I killed him."
Ren nodded instinctively.
That was… accurate.
The Uchiha brothers really got the worst of it.
"Madara must still resent me."
"It's been so long…"
"He never came to see me."
"Still holding a grudge…"
Hashirama sighed.
Then, like before—
He kept talking.
About the past.
About sunsets.
About running together.
About everything.
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