In Konoha Year 1, Uzumaki Mito became the wife of the First, Senju Hashirama.
That year, Sarutobi Hiruzen was six, while Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō were five. [Kaede Mingjun and Sixth Sister pointed out that all four were the same age. Hiruzen was a year older in the Scroll of the Ninja Academy because he had just celebrated his birthday.]
In Konoha Year 3, Senju Hashirama's son, Senju Heiwa, was born.
At the time, Senju Hashirama was twenty-one, as was Uchiha Madara.
Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna were both nineteen. [I couldn't find anything online about how old Senju Hashirama was when Konoha was founded, so I'm just making this up.]
There has been debate about when the First Shinobi World War took place for a long time, and the debate continues to this day.
One view holds that the war broke out when Konoha was first founded, and that Hashirama eventually brought it to an end by distributing the Tailed Beasts.
Another view holds that the war in which the Second Hokage fell was the First Shinobi World War. Political Relations in the Ninja World and Konoha Chronicles both put forward the two different views above.
Neither seems accurate, so I'll just make up my own version.
In Konoha Year 4, the First Shinobi World War broke out.
Apart from the Land of Fire, the Land of Water faced off against the Land of Earth, while the Land of Lightning fought the Land of Wind.
Konoha was so powerful that no one dared provoke the Land of Fire.
But Senju Hashirama was troubled. He thought of the age of turmoil, when ninja clans worked for anyone who paid enough, carrying out assassinations and exterminations.
Back then, to survive, ninja couldn't even reveal their surnames freely.
Even young children had to go to the battlefield and fight for their lives.
His dream was to keep children away from war.
Even if the war was happening in another country.
Just thinking about that made Senju Hashirama feel uneasy.
"That's it. I have to stop the wars in other countries.
Is this what Senior Yuhao meant when he said that the greater your strength, the greater your responsibility? [Yuhao: I remember saying, 'With great power comes great responsibility.']
I understand, Senior Yuhao!
I know what to do. With Konoha's strength right now, we can easily stop the wars in other countries.
Izuna's Mangekyō Sharingan seems to have evolved into the Eternal Eye!
And my younger brother has awakened Wood Release.
With two more Super Kage-level fighters, plus Madara and me, we can each take on a country."
At that thought, Senju Hashirama's expression brightened.
"Nara Ruten, gather the High Command for a meeting."
Nara Ruten was Nara Shikaku's grandfather and the current head of the Nara Clan.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Nara Ruten nodded. He knew that Senju Hashirama was calling a meeting because of the war between the other four great nations.
A little over ten minutes later,
Konoha's High Command arrived at the Hokage's office.
The heads of the Hyuga Clan, Aburame Clan, Inuzuka Clan, Akimichi Clan, Yamanaka Clan, Sarutobi Clan, and countless smaller clans all came to the Hokage's office.
Finally came Uchiha Izuna, Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Madara, and the last to arrive, the First, Senju Hashirama—the four Super Kage-level powerhouses.
"I called everyone here today to discuss the war between the four great nations.
I plan to stop it. The Ninja World has only just returned to peace; we can't let another war break out."
Senju Hashirama spoke with a serious expression.
"Lord Hokage, wars in other countries should have nothing to do with us.
And even if we could defeat the four great nations, Konoha would pay a heavy price."
The Hyuga Clan head spoke gravely.
"The Hyuga Clan head is right. Besides, letting the other countries fight among themselves and wear down their strength would be very beneficial to Konoha—"
Before the Sarutobi Clan head could finish, Senju Hashirama cut him off.
"Enough! I didn't found Konoha for personal gain or power.
I truly hope for a Ninja World without war. That is my dream.
Don't say things like that again!"
Senju Hashirama's expression turned stern. His serious gaze alone was enough to intimidate everyone present.
Senju Hashirama was usually gentle. Even when speaking to ordinary villagers, he was kind and mild.
That made everyone feel he was easy to get along with and good-tempered.
But the moment he grew serious, Senju Hashirama instantly cowed everyone in the room.
The moment the Sarutobi Clan head saw Senju Hashirama's gaze fall on him,
he felt as if some terrifying beast had fixed its eyes on him. The dreadful chakra left him utterly shocked.
Cold sweat broke out over his body.
"Well said! I support Lord Hokage! Since Konoha can stop this war, then let us become the saviors of the Ninja World!"
After feeling the terrifying chakra radiating from Senju Hashirama, the Hyuga Clan head was stunned for a moment, then quickly recovered and voiced his support.
"Indeed. The Nara Clan stands with you as well," Nara Ruten added.
Seeing this, the other clan heads hurried to voice their support for Senju Hashirama.
When the Sarutobi Clan head saw everyone else supporting him, he regretted speaking up. If only he'd known, he wouldn't have stuck his neck out. If Senju Hashirama blamed him and thought poorly of him, it would be a disaster.
"Could the Sarutobi Clan be struck from the rolls for offending Senju Hashirama?"
The Sarutobi Clan head lamented inwardly.
Hearing everyone's support, Senju Hashirama smiled.
"Good. I'm glad you all feel that way.
But Madara, Tobirama, Izuna, and I will be enough. If Konoha sends out its forces too, even more people will die. I don't like large-scale wars.
So your task is simply to protect Konoha."
Senju Hashirama spoke with righteous conviction.
"What? Lord Hokage, can the four of you really do that?"
As Nara Ruten spoke, his gaze fell on Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama.
Nara Ruten wasn't the only one; the others also looked toward Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama.
They knew how strong Uchiha Madara was. After all, Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara had both fought entire nations single-handedly.
But though Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama were powerful, too,
they still seemed far weaker than Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
"Hmph. What, you think we can't handle it?"
Uchiha Izuna snorted. A powerful wave of chakra burst from him, its terrifying aura matching Senju Hashirama's from three years earlier.
Senju Tobirama said nothing, but the aura emanating from him was no weaker than Uchiha Izuna's.
"Super Kage!"
Feeling the two men's terrifying chakra, those two words rose in everyone's minds.
Before you continue