After learning that Konoha had transformed from a village into a country, the First and Second Hokage had complicated feelings.
One had founded Konoha, while the other had inherited it and established its development strategy and direction.
But Konoha was no longer the Konoha they knew.
Deep down, neither of them could fully accept Konoha standing above a country.
This complete transformation had drastically changed even the identity of Konoha and its ninja.
It was plain to see that Konoha had become more prosperous, with far more residents and ninja than before.
Although it had broken with tradition, Konoha truly was becoming better.
Yet Tobirama always felt that however glorious Konoha was now, its eventual collapse would be just as tragic.
It was like when the First Hokage had founded Konoha, pacifying the chaotic era and giving ninja a place to belong. How incomparably glorious had that been?
If something went wrong with Konoha's leadership now, who could still keep the Uchiha in check?
The entire Konoha Country would rapidly fall apart!
However, Konoha was not suffering from a generational gap right now. The Uchiha were still the strongest.
Tobirama sighed and looked at his brother.
"The next Hokage will probably be an Uchiha."
Hashirama did not mind. The current Uchiha were willing to fight for Konoha, so there was nothing wrong with making an Uchiha the Hokage.
"This is what Konoha owes the Uchiha."
The First Hokage sighed. Konoha had originally been founded jointly by the Senju and Uchiha. The Senju had served as Hokage for two terms, then handed the position over to civilians.
The Uchiha were clearly powerful, and Uchiha Jonin had contributed greatly to the village, yet they had never become Hokage and had instead endured the village's suspicions.
This was what Konoha owed the Uchiha.