It was precisely because he had experienced it firsthand that Uchiha Gen firmly believed such a world could be realized.
Although that world was not yet perfect and still had various unsightly aspects, it was for this very reason that generation after generation of people, carrying the most noble ideals, went to desolate deserts and impoverished mountain villages, rooting themselves in the most difficult places to strive for it.
The smile on Uzumaki Mito's face suddenly became more brilliant, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes overlapping as she spoke.
"How wonderful... child, this old woman also believes that such a day will come. But let me tell you one thing: you don't need to feel lonely anymore, no matter how much this world fails to meet your expectations."
"Hashirama opened this path, and then there was Tobirama, myself, Sasuke, Shota, and the others who walked by Hashirama's side. Then there was Monkey and his group, and now you all, following this path forward."
"Mito-sama!"
The Third Hokage fell to his knees before Uzumaki Mito with a heavy thud. He had heard the name of his father, Sasuke Sarutobi.
Seeing the Third Hokage kneel, the crowd behind him followed suit and bowed down. Uchiha Gen watched this scene from the corner of his eye and immediately knew that he had passed this hurdle. Not only had he passed, but he had also received Uzumaki Mito's personal endorsement. The identity of a "Successor of the Will of Fire" could now be welded firmly to him.
"Alright, Monkey, get up. You've been the Hokage for so many years; why are you still kneeling?"
"Yes, Mito-sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood up and looked at Uzumaki Mito with a complex expression. The crowd behind him followed his lead.
"Little Tsunade, give Grandma a hand."
"Grandma!"
Tsunade hurried forward to support Uzumaki Mito, who slowly sat up in bed. Uzumaki Mito lovingly stroked Tsunade's cheek, then patted the heads of the three young ninja before the bed in turn, finally looking at Kushina.
"Kushina, the one I am most worried about is still you."
"Grandma Mito!"
Kushina leaned gently into Uzumaki Mito's embrace, her eyes welling with tears.
"Remember what I once told you: a vortex cannot be escaped, but it is flat. As long as you find what you love—whether it's a person or a thing—and keep an aspiring heart, the vortex will spread upward into a spiral. That is what is infinite."
Uzumaki Mito patted Kushina's back, comforting her as she stood up.
"Everything that needs to be said has been said. This old woman is going to see Hashirama now. Monkey, begin."
"Yes! Mito-sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood tall, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Security Protocol Number One, disperse!"
With a single command, all the young ninja present with mission orders scattered, disappearing from the spot with the Body Flicker Technique, leaving only Hiruzen Sarutobi, several elders of the Senju clan, and Uchiha Sumi, who was not a shinobi.
"Everyone, let us go outside as well. I will personally guard this final door."
Hiruzen Sarutobi led the group to the courtyard gate and sat cross-legged in the yard, waiting quietly.
From now on, the real test of his days would begin. In his youth, he had the protection of the First and Second Hokage. After becoming Hokage, he had the strong support of Uzumaki Mito and the Senju faction, allowing him to secure his position and develop Konoha into its current peak of prosperity. After today, he would be a true Hokage, no longer bound by any constraints, but also losing the last person who could provide him with a safety net.
Outside the Senju Ancestral Home.
The Orochimaru Squad arrived at a nearby intersection according to the preset security plan, guarding both ends of the street alongside an Anbu squad. During the mission, Sarutobi Enjun seemed to want to say something to Uchiha Gen, and Uzuki Ruri also hesitated to speak several times. They were all stopped by Orochimaru's stern gaze. They were currently performing a top-secret mission, and there was an Anbu squad watching from the other side; anything else should be put aside for now.
After a short while, a tyrannical and powerful aura rose from within the Senju Ancestral Home.
The dark red chakra almost condensed into a wave of air, seeping through the roof of the estate. The terrifying aura made everyone's hearts skip a beat. Everyone instinctively took a combat stance, including Uchiha Gen, who was startled into activating his Sharingan.
As the most powerful Tailed Beast, the Nine-Tails' power was beyond doubt. The fact that it had caught Uchiha Madara's eye and been captured to be used as a summon to fight Senju Hashirama was enough to prove that the Nine-Tails' strength was qualified for battles of a Trans-Kage level.
However, soon, thick chains appeared, emitting a dazzling golden light and suppressing that chakra in an instant.
After a long time, the golden light gradually dimmed. That ominous feeling also quickly disappeared.
"It's over," Orochimaru suddenly spoke, standing with his hands behind his back, looking toward the residence.
A whistle sounded, announcing the end of the alert.
"Gen!" Sarutobi Enjun hurriedly called out.
"If you have something to say, just say it, Enjun."
"It's nothing, it's just... when Mito-sama asked you, that world you spoke of—we will definitely make it happen! Don't forget, we're buddies!"
Sarutobi Enjun gave Uchiha Gen a thumbs-up.
"Yes, the unfulfilled ideal of the Shodai will definitely be realized in our hands!"
Uzuki Ruri also nodded her head. Orochimaru stood to the side, silently watching this scene without speaking.
"Hehe, Orochimaru, your students are really energetic. Seeing them is like seeing us when we were kids."
Jiraiya appeared beside Orochimaru at some point, putting his arm around the latter's shoulder like a close friend. Orochimaru showed a look of disgust and pushed Jiraiya away.
"Shouldn't you be going inside to comfort Tsunade right now? She is the saddest person here."
Jiraiya was taken aback, lowered his head slightly, then immediately raised it again, looking at the Senju estate.
"I think, at a time like this, she probably needs to be alone to calm down. Our presence wouldn't change anything; it would only add to the sorrow."
Orochimaru sneered. What a load of nonsense; he was clearly just chickening out. How could he not understand Jiraiya's personality? If he were just a bit less of a coward, willing to restrain his personality and tidy himself up, spending every day with Tsunade like this, he should have won her over long ago. It could only be said that all those messy erotic romance novels Jiraiya read were a complete waste.
"Whatever you say. Orochimaru Squad is dismissed on the spot. Gen, come with me."
Orochimaru beckoned to Uchiha Gen and then left, leaving Jiraiya to gaze silently at the Senju house. Sarutobi Enjun and Uzuki Ruri looked at each other and then said, "Then Jiraiya-senpai, we will also take our leave."