The Third Hokage and Jiraiya were utterly shocked upon seeing the Senju brothers.
Hiruzen then became furious, blaming Orochimaru for disturbing the dead and playing with forbidden soul techniques.
However, Tobirama said, "Don't be in such a rush to blame the Fourth, Saru. Now that Konoha has fallen into such a state while you're still alive, do you bear no responsibility?"
He wasn't referring to the prison riot but to the internal strife and power struggles among the villagers, leading them to kill each other.
Hiruzen, naturally understanding Tobirama's implication, broke into a cold sweat and acknowledged his fault in a low voice.
Back then, it was the Second Hokage himself who had entrusted Konoha to him.
Now, seeing the disgraceful state of the village through his deceased teacher's eyes filled Hiruzen with guilt and unease.
"What happened to the Hokage Rock?" Tobirama asked again.
At this, everyone's gaze instinctively shifted to Tsunade.
Tsunade, feeling a bit awkward, averted her gaze and said, "I smashed it. Those four stone faces together were an eyesore..."
Hashirama burst into laughter. "It seems we didn't do a good enough job back then."
Hiruzen's shame deepened upon hearing this.
Tobirama frowned and scolded, "You're already an adult; how can you still do such childish things?"
Tsunade just pursed her lips without retorting.
There was no one left who could scold her like this anymore.
Hashirama chuckled lightly. "Enough idle talk; let's get down to business. Since the village needs us now, why don't we help clear up some doubts?"
Minato, witnessing the scene, suddenly felt the situation seemed to be turning more favorable.
Jiraiya asked, "What do you mean by clearing up doubts?"
Tobirama said calmly, "When the descendants are killing each other, how can we stand idly by? Since the village is in chaos, let us clean it up properly!"
"Innocent people should not bear unjust accusations and infamy, and troublemakers must not be allowed to roam free!"
"Saru, do you have any objections?"
Hiruzen was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly responded, "None at all!"
If the First and Second Hokages were to take charge of the current situation, it would undoubtedly be the best outcome for them.
Hashirama nodded and said, "Fourth Hokage, please gather the relevant people."
A few minutes later, on the rooftop of the Hokage building.
The Senju brothers stood there, overlooking the entire village.
Hashirama sighed, "Konoha has grown much larger compared to our time."
He recalled when Konoha was first built, this place was nothing but a vast primeval forest.
They had chosen this location because it was near the Naka River, which bordered Uchiha territory.
Tobirama said, "Saru has been Hokage for so long; he should have accomplished something. The village will continue to grow in the future."
Hashirama asked, "What do you think of the current Fourth Hokage?"
"I don't know him well enough to judge."
Hashirama pondered for a moment and said, "I feel like he might have questionable intentions."
Tobirama countered, "Brother, there's no such thing as pure or impure intentions. What matters is his attitude toward the village."
As he spoke, Tobirama suddenly sensed a gaze from below.
When he looked back, he only saw a young man dressed in black formal wear.
"A member of the Hyuga clan?" Hashirama said with some surprise, noticing the clan emblem on the young man's clothing.
But why weren't the boy's eyes white?
Hashirama chuckled lightly. "It seems that most people in the village are no longer the ones we knew."
Tobirama remarked, "So many years have passed. Even Saru has grown old."
"Times have changed," Hashirama sighed again.
At this moment, Tobirama suddenly said, "Big Brother, I'll teach you how to sever the connection of the Edo Tensei technique."
"What do you mean?"
"If the Fourth Hokage forcibly cancels the Edo Tensei, you can still remain in this world. You're the only one who can do it."
Meanwhile...
After the initial shock of seeing the Senju brothers, Makoto gradually calmed down.
He hadn't expected Orochimaru to pull off such a move.
In the previous confrontation, the Third Hokage and Jiraiya were fighting the Raikage.
Tsunade, in her current state, had little combat strength, and Orochimaru could have easily focused on dealing with Minato.
But why escalate the conflict to this point?
With the First Hokage present, everyone else's combat strength was practically negligible.
The situation ahead would no longer be a mere battle of strength, which gave Minato a chance to regain the upper hand.
What exactly was Orochimaru planning...
Makoto quietly gave secret instructions to the Anbu member Hyuga Kiyomi beside him, sending him off to carry out his orders.
In the conference room, ten seats were set up—four at the top and six below.
Orochimaru sat directly at the far edge of the top four seats, followed by the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, and finally the First Hokage Senju Hashirama.
After Makoto entered the conference room, he couldn't help but glance at Orochimaru, only to find that Orochimaru was also watching him with a faint smile on his lips.
Seated in the lower row of six were Namikaze Minato, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Yamanaka Inoichi, Hyuga Makoto, and Uchiha Fugaku.
Those present were already the highest-ranking individuals in Konoha.
"This gentleman is the head of the Uchiha clan, correct?" Hashirama asked kindly, looking at Fugaku.
"Yes, Lord First Hokage. My name is Uchiha Fugaku, the current leader of the Uchiha clan!" Fugaku immediately stood up, his face filled with excitement.
How could he not be moved when standing before such a legendary figure?
Fugaku had not been among those summoned by Orochimaru; it was Makoto who had called him.
Tobirama looked at Fugaku with a calm expression.
Earlier, from the rooftop, he had noticed many buildings bearing the Uchiha clan emblem near the village center.
During his tenure, he had placed the Uchiha clan's territory on the outskirts of the village.
Now it seemed the Uchiha had climbed back into the village's power center.
Hashirama then looked at Makoto. "And this young man is from the Hyuga clan?"
Speaking to the God of Shinobi for the first time, Makoto stood up and respectfully responded, "I am Hyuga Makoto, the head of the Hyuga clan."
This young clan leader seemed almost absurdly young.
Was it because his father had passed away early, causing the clan's leadership to fall to him?
Moreover, it was strange that a Hyuga didn't possess the Byakugan.
Yamanaka Inoichi also introduced himself to the Senju brothers.
Afterward, Hashirama spoke, "You are all the pillars of Konoha today. Gathering here is for the sake of the village's long-term peace and stability."
Tobirama also spoke, "As I said at the beginning, who is guilty and who is innocent will be judged here. I have already set up a sealing technique — no one can leave until everything is resolved."
"First matter."
"The Fourth Raikage, as a prisoner, how did he escape from prison?"
Makoto's expression subtly shifted upon hearing this, and his gaze once again turned toward Orochimaru.
--------------
Exclusive access : All novel on paetron
Genshin impact 270+ch, Naruto birdcage 400+ch, Overlord Complete novel
From the apocalypse 100+ch, Fairy tail Destiny 200+ch
Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz