And just as Naruto had finished assembling his main force and was marching south at full speed, heading straight for the heart of the Land of Fire—Konohagakure—the First, Second, and Third Hokage had already returned to the village one step ahead of him. The three hadn't entered through Konoha's front gate. Familiar with the village's barrier, they slipped back inside with ease, without alerting a single guard or setting off any alarms.
The scene in Konohagakure was so familiar, yet just a little strange.
Senju Hashirama and Tobirama Senju both wore rare expressions of deep emotion. Sarutobi Hiruzen was much the same. He had only been dead for about three years, but the combined assault by the Sand and Sound Ninja during the Konoha Crush Plan three years ago had devastated large areas of the village. The buildings rebuilt since then felt unfamiliar to the Third Hokage.
But the first thing to catch their eyes—and the most familiar sight of all—was Kage Rock, carved into the village's highest peak. Looking at those familiar faces, and the face of his own granddaughter, now carved there as well,
Hashirama couldn't help smiling.
"I already knew from Madara that little Tsunade is the village's Fifth Hokage, but it still didn't feel real. Seeing her face on Kage Rock, though, I have to admit, it really is something. Little Tsunade actually became Hokage."
"First, Tsunade had already become a formidable ninja in her own right after the Second Shinobi World War."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said softly from behind them.
"Hahaha, I wasn't worried about little Tsunade's talent or strength as a ninja. I was just wondering whether she'd dip into the village funds to gamble once she became Hokage. She didn't learn a thing from me except how to gamble. If someone told me she'd