Hidden Leaf Village

The thousand arms of the Majestic Attire: Senju Susanoo smashed frantically toward the three Susanoo shadow clones of Otsutsuki Yuhao.

BOOM!

The destructive power of every palm was like a mountain torrent, obliterating everything in its path. The terrifying shockwaves swallowed all surrounding objects, creating a heart-stopping spectacle.

Even the three Susanoo shadow clones struggled to parry the onslaught.

Is he cheating?

Otsutsuki Yuhao muttered inwardly. He had not expected that once Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama elevated their combined strength to the level of four Super Kage, he would actually find himself struggling to hold his ground.

At this moment, Otsutsuki Yuhao was already exerting five times the power of a Super Kage, yet he was still being suppressed by the Majestic Attire: Senju Susanoo.

[King Realm Fist]

A crimson radiance erupted from the body of his Susanoo, roaring as it surged in all directions. Violent red light and fierce energy spiraled around him, whipping up a tempest that tore through the air with a piercing shriek. Within a ten-kilometer radius, mountains and rocks of all sizes were instantly ground into powder.

Ten times the power of a Super Kage.

Although, in theory, this level of power should have been enough to instantly defeat the Majestic Attire: Senju Susanoo, it was merely an external force rather than his own true strength. His actual lethality was only equivalent to six or seven times that of a Super Kage.

[Summoning: Fivefold Rashomon]

Senju Hashirama clapped his hands together, summoning five giant, ghastly-faced gates thousands of meters high to directly seal one of Otsutsuki Yuhao's Susanoo clones.

[Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame]

Uchiha Madara spat a fireball toward the ground that resembled a descending meteor. Upon striking another Susanoo clone, it instantly ignited an entire forest, its power already surpassing most S-rank ninjutsu.

It could be said that this was already SS-rank.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

"What on earth is going on? Are these really just his clones? We were told they only had one-tenth of the original's power. Why do I feel like they're getting stronger?"

At this point, Uchiha Madara began to sense that something was wrong.

"Needless to say, Senior Yuhao must have increased the chakra output to his clones again," Senju Hashirama gritted out.

He watched as the Susanoo controlled by Otsutsuki Yuhao grew increasingly powerful. Even though Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were the favored sons of the Ninja World, possessing power that defied their rank, they still could not overcome an Otsutsuki Yuhao who was ten times stronger. After all, there were limits to how much one could punch above their weight class.

"Let's stop. We've already won anyway!" Uchiha Madara said to Senju Hashirama.

"I have the same thought. Although I love a good fight, I don't particularly enjoy being the one getting beaten up!"

With that, Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara exchanged a glance.

The next moment, both men exerted their full strength. After forcing Otsutsuki Yuhao back with a full-power strike from the Majestic Attire: Senju Susanoo, Uchiha Madara immediately activated his Complete Body Susanoo and carried Senju Hashirama into the sky. By the time they reappeared, they were already standing on a different mountain peak.

This left Otsutsuki Yuhao stunned; he did not understand what Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were doing or why they had suddenly fled.

"We're done fighting. We agreed on using only one-tenth of your power. How is it that I feel it's more than that now? Your chakra is currently twice what it was before, which is already eight times that of mine and Madara's. Senior Yuhao, this graduation battle goes to me and Madara."

Senju Hashirama's laughter-filled voice drifted over from the distance.

Hearing Senju Hashirama's voice, Otsutsuki Yuhao helplessly dispelled his Susanoo, and the other two clones began to vanish as well.

"Fine, then consider yourselves graduated!"

"With the strength you two possess, there are few opponents left in these Five Great Nations. You are ready to venture into the Ninja Holy Land!" Otsutsuki Yuhao said calmly.

"Going to the Ninja Holy Land can wait. For now, I intend to end the war in the Land of Fire," Senju Hashirama said with a serious expression.

Ever since Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma had perished together five years ago, Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara had become even more committed to their dream. Because the clan heads of both the Senju and Uchiha had fallen in battle, other ninja clans had hoped to swallow them up. However, after Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara emerged, they used overwhelming force to slaughter every opposing clan.

This earned the two of them the titles of God of Shinobi and Shinobi Asura.

However, their reputations had not yet spread across the entire Ninja World; they were still confined to the borders of the Land of Fire.

Even so, this was enough to make all the ninja clans in the Land of Fire feel fear, apprehension, or awe.

"The Ninja Holy Land, is it?"

"Legend has it that it is the cradle of the strong. Ninjas at the clan-head level can be seen everywhere, and there are even many who exist beyond the level of clan heads."

Uchiha Madara spoke with a serious expression, though his eyes were filled with excitement.

In the Land of Fire, aside from Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara no longer had any rivals. Furthermore, the Land of Fire was the most powerful nation among the five great nations of the Ninja World.

Although Uchiha Madara had never been to the other nations, he did not believe that anyone in the other four great nations could stand against him; if there truly were any, they would only be those old relics.

Three days later, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama established a ninja village in the most geographically advantageous location in the Land of Fire, naming it the Hidden Leaf Village.

The first ninja village in the history of the Ninja World was born.

The main urban area spanned approximately 40 million square meters, situated in the most prosperous central region of the Land of Fire. The Land of Fire was located at a vital transportation hub, serving as a thoroughfare connecting north and south; its unique geographical position allowed it to gather a large number of talents and resources.

After the two clans recognized as the most powerful in the Ninja World formed an alliance to establish the Hidden Leaf Village, the village's reputation spread throughout the entire Ninja World by the very next day.

Following the alliance between the Uchiha and Senju clans, the Hyuga Clan, the secret-technique-wielding Aburame Clan, the Inuzuka Clan, as well as the Akimichi Clan, Nara, the Yamanaka Clan, and the Sarutobi Clan—these seven prestigious families—began to join the Hidden Leaf Village of their own accord.

At the same time, many other ninja clans of various sizes joined as well, though the majority of the population consisted of ordinary people.

Senju Hashirama became the First Hokage, and Uchiha Madara became the First Deputy Hokage.

In the Hokage system, the Deputy Hokage was regarded as the "reserve Hokage," with primary responsibilities including assuming the position of Hokage should the Hokage be unable to fulfill their duties.

The authority of the Deputy Hokage was second only to the Hokage, viewed as an existence "below one person, above ten thousand."

The Hokage managed internal affairs, while the Deputy Hokage managed external affairs.

Originally, there was only meant to be one Hokage, but due to Senju Hashirama's insistence, Uchiha Madara became the Deputy Hokage, with power just below that of the Hokage.

If it were a Kage from any other ninja village, they would never tolerate the existence of a deputy whose power was just below their own.

After all, power often stems from the recognition of a leader's status and strength by their subordinates; however, a deputy Kage could also challenge this balance with equal or even greater strength.

If that deputy Kage were to harbor any ill intentions one day, then it would be the Kage who suffered the consequences.

Unless this Kage possessed absolute, overwhelming power.

After all, if this deputy Kage were to commit an unwise act one day, it would be the Kage who would be the unlucky one.