The Return Journey
Ryuuzaki Eiji's strength is comparable to that of Madara Uchiha, and he also possesses Kekkei Genkai) Dojutsu.
Ōnoki felt a strong sense of similarity, except that the Madara Uchiha of yesteryear was no longer there, but he appeared before him with a different hair color and eyes.
Things went smoothly after that. Hashirama and Tobirama led everyone back to the somewhat dilapidated tent and held a relatively brief meeting.
At the meeting, Hashirama Senju first inquired about the specific reasons for starting the war. After learning the situation, he fell silent and then stopped speaking, handing over the right to speak to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tobirama Senju.
The two discussed the issue of reparations for the war during the meeting. Hashirama wanted to suggest letting it go, but Tobirama directly scolded him into being honest.
The meeting also discussed the ownership of those white creatures, whose ability to burrow undetected into the soil and implant spores in their bodies to transform into the appearance of others, evading the presence of villagers, puts them under considerable pressure.
This suggests that something similar might exist inside the Village, and it might go unnoticed.
In order to prevent these things from invading, each village wanted to take some back to their Village for analysis to see if they could make tools that could identify them.
In the end, Konoha took half, and the remaining half was divided equally among the villages.
However, in Eiji's opinion, besides wanting to find the spies in each village, they probably also coveted their Wood Release power.
Eiji felt that these corpses weren't of much research value to other Village, and might even get him into trouble.
They were all humans whose energy was drained and assimilated by the God Tree a thousand years ago. The reason they could use Wood Release was entirely because their bodies had become assimilated after staying inside the God Tree for a long time.
While the fact that Madara Uchiha used Hashirama Senju's Flesh and Blood to cultivate him certainly played a role, the extent of that connection remains unknown to Eiji.
Although Madara Uchiha used White Zetsu to repair Obito's body, granting him the ability to use Wood Release: Wood Splinter Technique, this ability is likely limited to the Uchiha Clan.
Without the Sharingan to suppress it, rashly implanting it into the body will only cause internal chaos, as Danzo experienced in the original work.
Eiji absolutely did not believe that these major Shinobi Village would not attempt to implant their cells into humans for experiments, knowing that White Zetsu could use Wood Release.
Initially, they might use Rogue Ninja, but the experiments always require a large sample size, and one day they will eventually target Ninja from their own village.
The meeting proceeded relatively smoothly. After a friendly exchange with Tobirama Senju, all the major Village offered to pay reparations to Konoha, and the meeting quickly concluded in a harmonious atmosphere.
Because the war had ended, Konoha needed to collect the remaining supplies in the Frontline camps and continuously transport them back to the Village, a process that lasted for a full week.
To ensure the safe withdrawal of troops from the Frontline to Konoha, the Senju brothers and others remained at the Frontline for a period of time.
During this period, Hanzō attempted to win over Konoha in order to revitalize Amegakure.
He lifted the ban, allowing Konoha Ninja to spend money near Amegakure for the time being, and Jiraiya, naturally began his research trip with great enthusiasm.
However, upon returning to the camp, Jiraiya told everyone that he had taken in three homeless children as his disciples and therefore hoped to stay in the Land of Rain for a while.
Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to say something, but considering Jiraiya's strength, he ultimately allowed it.
At this moment, Eiji also realized that top-tier Ninja from the original work, led by Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy, were about to be born, and Konoha was about to welcome its "Platinum Generation".
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The Ninja who rushed back to Konoha from the Frontline brought news of the victory back to the Village. Upon learning that it was Konoha that had won, the entire Village was immersed in a joyous atmosphere.
Among them were Ninja who witnessed that earth-shattering battle, and they felt honored to have been able to witness the battle up close and survive.
They spared no effort in spreading the word about how shocking the battle was; discussions about it could be heard everywhere—in ramen shops, food streets, and Bathhouse.
"You people came back too early. Only by experiencing that battle firsthand can you realize that the Ninjutsu you possess is nothing but dust under that earth-shattering power, yet I survived. Now you know why I was chosen as Guard for the peace talks, right?"
"The battle between the First Generation and Madara Uchiha opened the Valley of the End, but I think the battle between Eiji and Lord Hashirama was just as impressive!"
The news spread quickly throughout the Village. When people heard that Danzo and his backers were manipulating the corpses of the First Generation and Second in an attempt to destroy the Shinobi World, Eiji fought them so fiercely that the sky darkened, mountains collapsed, and a giant Buddha statue a thousand meters high stood before them, radiating a dazzling purple light capable of destroying it with a single blow.
The children's eyes lit up, the young people's jaws dropped, and the village elders exclaimed that the old Konoha was coming back.
A burly Konoha Ninja with a scar on his face sat smugly on a small stool, surrounded by a large group of children.
"Boss, tell us about that battle again!"
"Want to hear more? I can't do anything with you guys. Now, sit down." The Ninja cleared his throat and said in a deep voice, "In the 41 seconds before 'Zi' was activated Ryuuzaki Eiji's chanting echoed through the Forest once again."
"Nine Principles," "Polarization," "Crow and Declaration," "Between Inside and Out" —Shimura Danzō understood that he had no chance left to stop the birth of "Zi." The Hollow Technique "Zi" burst into the Forest with a blinding light, like a nuclear explosion...
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At the Konoha, a large force returning from the Frontline appeared.
Boxes of medical supplies were transported by horse-drawn carriage, along with scrolls used to seal a large number of White Zetsu.
Upon arriving at the Village, Hashirama looked up at the village entrance and remarked, "It seems the Village is developing quite well. This is truly a good thing. It seems that even without Konoha, it can still prosper."
"Grandpa, don't forget to visit Grandma at the Ancestral Home. The news has already reached Konoha. If you go back late, Grandma will be angry."
"Haha, of course I won't forget. I left in such a hurry back then, and now that I think about it, I really feel bad for her."
The Ninja guarding the gate went forward to check on the transport team. When they saw Hashirama and Tobirama, they were so shocked that they couldn't speak. Although the news had spread throughout Konoha, hearing about it and seeing it with one's own eyes were still different.
The news of Konoha's victorious army returning to the village and the resurrected First Generation and Second appearing at the village entrance swept through Konoha like a typhoon. The villagers surrounded the victorious team, with the older generation chanting the names of the First Generation and Second, who, to them, were the true symbols of Konoha. Many young people, on the other hand, cast eager glances toward the Third Hokage and Ryuuzaki Eiji.
It's important to know that Tobirama Senju's words were also relayed back to Konoha, meaning that Ryuuzaki Eiji has now been appointed by the Second. Under these circumstances, there are no surprises that he will become the Fourth Hokage.
In other words, Konoha now simultaneously has the First Generation, Second, Third, and Future Fourth Hokage. How could the residents of Konoha not be excited? The era of Konoha is about to return!
Seeing the villagers' enthusiasm, Hashirama waved to them kindly and even saw some familiar faces, which made him feel very warm and fuzzy.