The news of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara's deaths spread throughout the entire Ninja World.
Especially among the residents of the Land of Fire.
For a time, in the Land of Fire, whether they were commoners, merchants, samurai, nobles, Daimyo, or Ninja, everyone was shocked and incredulous.
These residents had all personally witnessed Hashirama and Madara's battles.
Those two were no longer normal people.
Extremely dark Ninja, without a shred of vitality.
The scale of their battles was such that even several kilometers away, there would be noticeable tremors.
The aftershocks from the two of them could kill a large number of low-level Jonin.
Yet, even those two incredibly strong individuals were actually killed.
Who killed them?
Five people jointly killed Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara!
Everyone was greatly surprised; it turned out the Four Great Nations teamed up to take down a massive BOSS!
When they learned the names of these people, everyone was startled.
Mu, Hōzuki Gengetsu, Second Raikage, Shamon, Kakuzu.....
Wait!
Did something strange get mixed in?
Something's not right, let me look again.
Kakuzu?!
"Wait, I've at least heard of the first four, but what the hell is this last one, Kakuzu?" a commoner asked, wide-eyed, holding a newspaper.
"The newspaper says this Kakuzu also participated in killing Senju Hashirama....."
"Holy crap, seriously?"
"Yes! The Second Raikage personally admitted it!"
"It's in writing, so now I have to believe it!"
.....
"Lord Raikage, may I ask if this Ninja named Kakuzu truly participated in killing Senju Hashirama?"
As the news spread, reporters from various nations' newspapers came in droves to interview the individuals involved.
The reporters surrounded the Second Raikage, interviewing him.
"Hmm, this matter is true!" The Second Raikage's expression was strained when he mentioned Kakuzu.
But he respected Kakuzu as a true man, daring to assassinate the God of Ninja for the Village.
That courage alone was worthy of praise.
So the Second Raikage did not deny Kakuzu.
Instead, he nodded, indicating it was true!
If he could get an assist, then he'd get an assist.
Anyway, for him, it wouldn't cost him anything.
It was fortunate that Hōzuki Gengetsu wasn't present at this time.
If Hōzuki Gengetsu were there, he would definitely expose Kakuzu.
"Oh! Sugoi!"
"Hiss! It's actually true!"
A group of reporters looked shocked.
Then, seizing this hot topic, they exaggerated it further.
Takigakure.
Inside a tavern, Kakuzu was surrounded by several Genin from Takigakure.
"Senior Kakuzu! Did you really fight alongside those four Lords?!"
"Yeah! Yeah! I heard that none of the four Lords got close to Senju Hashirama, only you successfully got close to Senju Hashirama!"
"Oh my god! I never imagined that our small Village of Takigakure could produce a figure like Lord Kakuzu; it's truly a blessing!"
Listening to the flattery from those around him, Kakuzu smiled and nodded, enjoying the praise and admiration.
Although it was somewhat inexplicable, he absolutely could not admit the fact that he went up, took a punch, and then ran away!
"Hmph! Of course! I'm the one who followed those four Lords to kill the God of Ninja!"
"Mu even personally praised me as a significant figure!" Kakuzu said, taking a full drink of wine and patting his chest.
"Alright, alright!"
"Pour all the good wine into my mouth!" Kakuzu opened his mouth and pointed to it.
Just as Kakuzu was enjoying himself, a Takigakure Jonin appeared instantly.
"Kakuzu, the Leader is looking for you!" (Only the leaders of large Ninja Villages can be called Kage; for small Ninja Villages, I'll just call them 'Leader')
Upon hearing that the higher-ups were looking for him, Kakuzu felt a surge of joy.
Although he benefited from those four, he had also contributed to killing Senju Hashirama.
The mission was considered complete!
He would definitely be greatly praised by the Leader, perhaps even promoted to Leader of Takigakure!
"Hmm! Alright!" Kakuzu was delighted.
He followed the Jonin to the Leader's residence in Takigakure.
Upon entering the house, Kakuzu noticed that the Ninja around the Leader's residence were looking at him strangely, but Kakuzu didn't pay it any mind.
"Lord Leader!" Kakuzu knelt on the ground respectfully.
The Leader of Takigakure sat high on his seat.
His eyes, filled with extreme coldness, looked at Kakuzu, who had returned alive, and a hint of regret arose in his heart.
Originally, it was a suicide mission, deliberately sending Kakuzu to his death.
Now, he didn't expect Kakuzu to actually return alive.
Since he didn't want to be graceful himself, he would help him be graceful!
"Hmph! Kakuzu failed the mission, dereliction of duty! Immediately imprison him!" With the order from the Leader of Takigakure, two Takigakure Jonin pressed Kakuzu to the ground, rendering him unable to move.
"Ah!" Kakuzu was dumbfounded.
He never expected his Village to treat him this way!
He risked his life to take on the mission, and this is how the Village treated him!
At this moment, Kakuzu suddenly realized!
He had been set up by capital!
This was clearly a suicide mission; they just wanted him dead!
"Damn it!!!"
"I've been set up by capital! I hate rich people!"
"Ah ah ah!!!" Kakuzu glared at the Leader of Takigakure, who sat high on his seat, gritting his teeth.
Along with Kakuzu's unwillingness, he was imprisoned in Takigakure's dungeon.
.....
At this moment, the Ninja Allied Forces had already assembled.
After a brief reorganization and resupply, the Four Village Alliance was ready to depart.
The Four Kage had returned to their Villages, entrusting these matters entirely to their successors.
"It's truly magnificent, just like the Ninja Allied Forces I saw in my memories during the Fourth Great Ninja War....." Mu took a deep breath, looking at the Ninja Allied Forces below.
"Alright, stop sighing and let's quickly depart to attack the Land of Fire!" Hōzuki Gengetsu urged from the side.
Mu raised an eyebrow slightly, then stepped forward.
Facing everyone's gaze, Mu slowly raised his arm!
"Advance on the Land of Fire!"
Boom!!!!
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, the Ninja Allied Forces marched majestically towards the Land of Fire!
The Ninja army was in high spirits, while Konoha, on the other hand, was filled with sorrow.
At the funeral of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, all members of Konoha mourned in the cemetery.
Senju Tobirama, Uzumaki Mito, Uzumaki Ashina, Sasuke Sarutobi, and a series of clan leaders were all present.
Uzumaki Mito led Senju Hashirama's son, both looking deeply saddened.
Not only the two of them, but the entire Konoha was filled with continuous weeping.
Senju Hashirama was a very good person; he built houses for them, introduced various welfare benefits, and sometimes even gave them money for free (he always lost at gambling).
Senju Hashirama's death indeed caused everyone extreme grief.
"Big Brother..... I'm sorry....." Senju Tobirama suppressed his tears, gazing at the portraits of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, clenching his fists tightly.
He never expected that his Big Brother would actually lose.
He should have stayed there; it was all his fault for being too confident in his Big Brother.....
He had already announced to the Konoha residents that Hashirama sacrificed himself to protect the Village.
The Four Great Nations wanted to attack Konoha, and Madara and Hashirama stepped forward to sacrifice themselves to protect the Village.
He couldn't possibly say that his Big Brother declared war on the Four Great Nations to protect a rogue Ninja, Madara, and then didn't even win, could he?
As for why he also hung Uchiha Madara's portrait, it was because now that Big Brother was dead, if he continued to be at odds with the Uchiha, Konoha would be embroiled in internal strife. Hanging Uchiha Madara's portrait was also to stabilize the Uchiha hawk faction and prevent them from causing trouble at this time.
"Currently, the priority is to unite the people of Konoha and jointly resist the possible invasion of the Four Great Nations!" Senju Tobirama's brows furrowed.
Based on his judgment, the Four Great Nations might take advantage of the situation and take a bite out of Konoha!
He would absolutely not allow the Konoha founded by his Big Brother to be erased!