The Great Ninja War

In the first year of Konoha, Uzumaki Mito became the wife of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.

That year, Sarutobi Hiruzen was 6 years old, while Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzo were 5. [As pointed out by Feng Mingjun and Sixth Sister, the four are the same age. The reason Sarutobi is listed as a year older in the Data Book is simply because he had already celebrated his birthday.]

In the third year of Konoha, Senju Hashirama's son, Senju Heiwa, was born.

At this time, Senju Hashirama was 21 years old, and Uchiha Madara was 21.

Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna were both 19. [I couldn't find on Baidu how old Senju Hashirama was when he founded Konoha Village, so I'll just make it up.]

There has long been controversy regarding the timing of the First Ninja World War, a debate that continues to this day.

The first viewpoint holds that the war broke out at the time of Konoha's founding, and that Hashirama eventually quelled the conflict by distributing the Tailed Beasts.

The second viewpoint argues that the war in which the Second Hokage fell was the First Ninja World War. Political Relations in the Ninja World and Konoha Chronicles also present these two differing perspectives respectively.

Neither feels accurate, so I'll just sort it out myself.

In the fourth year of Konoha, the First Ninja World War broke out.

Beyond the Land of Fire, the Land of Water clashed with the Land of Earth, while the Land of Lightning faced off against the Land of Wind.

Because Konoha's strength was so overwhelming, no one dared to provoke the Land of Fire.

However, Senju Hashirama was in a foul mood. Whenever he thought of the chaotic era, he remembered how various ninja clans were hired by whoever paid the highest price to carry out assassinations and extermination missions.

Back then, in order to survive, ninjas couldn't even casually reveal their surnames.

Even young children were forced onto the battlefield to fight for their lives.

His dream was to keep children away from war.

Even if that war was happening in other countries.

Thinking of this, Senju Hashirama felt quite troubled.

"That's it, I must stop the wars in other countries.

Is this what Senior Yuhao meant by 'the greater the strength, the greater the responsibility'?" [Yuhao: I recall saying 'the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility'.]

"I understand, Senior Yuhao!

I know what to do. With Konoha's current strength, we can easily stop the wars in other countries.

Izuna's Mangekyo Sharingan seems to have evolved into the Eternal Mangekyo!

And my brother has also completed his awakening of Wood Release.

With two additional Super Kage-level powerhouses, plus Madara and me, we can each handle one country."

Thinking of this, Senju Hashirama's expression brightened instantly.

"Nara Ruten, go call the high-ranking officials for a meeting."

Nara Ruten: The grandfather of Nara Shikaku and the current patriarch of the Nara Clan.

"Understood, Lord Hokage!"

Nara Ruten nodded; he knew Senju Hashirama was surely calling this meeting because of the wars among the other four great nations.

About ten minutes later.

The high-ranking officials of Konoha arrived at the Hokage's office.

The patriarchs of the Hyuga Clan, Aburame Clan, Inuzuka Clan, Akimichi Clan, Yamanaka Clan, Sarutobi Clan, and countless smaller clans all gathered in the office.

Finally, the four Super Kage-level powerhouses arrived: Uchiha Izuna, Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Madara, and the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.

"I've gathered everyone today because of the wars among the four great nations.

I intend to put an end to this conflict. The Ninja World has finally regained peace; we cannot allow war to break out again."

Senju Hashirama said with a serious expression.

"Lord Hokage, but the wars in other countries shouldn't have anything to do with us.

Besides, even if we could defeat the four great nations, Konoha would pay a heavy price."

The Hyuga patriarch said earnestly.

"The Hyuga patriarch is right. Furthermore, letting other countries fight each other and exhaust their strength is actually of great ben—"

Before the Sarutobi patriarch could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by Senju Hashirama.

"Silence! I did not establish Konoha for personal gain or power.

I truly hope for a Ninja World without war; that is my dream.

In the future, do not speak such words again!"

Senju Hashirama's face turned stern. His earnest demeanor and sharp gaze were enough to intimidate everyone present.

Usually, Senju Hashirama had a gentle personality; even when facing ordinary villagers, his tone was mild.

This gave everyone the impression that he was easy to get along with and had a good temper.

But at this moment, the serious Senju Hashirama suppressed everyone in the room instantly.

The Sarutobi patriarch felt his heart sink the moment Senju Hashirama's gaze landed on him.

In that instant, he felt as if he were being targeted by some terrifying beast; the sheer horror of that chakra left the Sarutobi Clan head stunned.

Cold sweat broke out across his body in an instant.

"Well said! I support the Hokage! Since our Konoha has the ability to stop this Ninja World war, then let us, Konoha, be the saviors of this world."

The Hyuga clan head, feeling the terrifying chakra radiating from Senju Hashirama, quickly recovered from his shock and hurried to voice his support.

"That's right, count the Nara Clan in as well."

Nara Ruten spoke up as well.

Seeing this, the other clan heads hurriedly chimed in to support Senju Hashirama.

Seeing everyone else pledging their support to Senju Hashirama, the Sarutobi Clan head secretly regretted his actions. If he had known, he wouldn't have been the first to stick his neck out. If Senju Hashirama were to blame him or form a poor impression of him, it would be a massive problem.

Will the Sarutobi Clan be purged for offending Senju Hashirama?

The Sarutobi Clan head lamented inwardly.

Hearing everyone pledge their support, Senju Hashirama smiled.

"Very good. It is truly wonderful that you all share this sentiment. However, the four of us—Madara, Tobirama, Izuna, and I—are enough. If Konoha were to mobilize our troops as well, more people would die, and I do not like large-scale wars. Therefore, the task I give you is simply to protect Konoha."

Senju Hashirama said with a look of righteous integrity.

"What, Hokage! Is that really alright?"

As Nara Ruten spoke, his gaze fell upon Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama.

It wasn't just Nara Ruten; the others also turned their eyes toward Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama.

They were well aware of Uchiha Madara's strength, given that Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara had both achieved the feat of taking on an entire nation single-handedly.

But as for Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama, while the two were certainly powerful, they still seemed far inferior to Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara in everyone's eyes.

"Hmph, what's the matter? Looking down on us?"

Uchiha Izuna let out a cold snort, and a powerful aura of chakra erupted from his body—a terrifying presence comparable to Senju Hashirama three years ago.

Although Senju Tobirama said nothing, the aura he emitted was not a whit inferior to Uchiha Izuna's.

"Super Kage!"

Feeling the terrifying chakra signatures of the two, these were the only two words that surfaced in everyone's minds.