Seeing that Hashirama and Tobirama still looked completely bewildered, the group exchanged glances. In the end, Minato was the first to step forward.
"Uh… allow me to explain the current situation to the two of you, Hokage-sama."
Hashirama glanced at the ceremonial Hokage cloak behind Minato and instantly became excited.
"That robe—looks like you're the current Hokage! Not bad, not bad. You already look far more reliable than me and my little brother."
Three black lines appeared on Tobirama's forehead as he couldn't help complaining:
"Don't lump me in with you."
Minato forced a small smile, then bowed formally to the two of them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, honored predecessors. I am Konoha's current Fifth Hokage—Namikaze Minato."
"Huh?!"
Hashirama cried out exaggeratedly.
"It feels like I haven't been dead for that long, and we're already at the Fifth Hokage? What about the Third and Fourth? Tell me about them—maybe I know them!"
Hearing this, Tobirama also perked up his ears. Though he looked perpetually grumpy, when it came to serious matters he was never careless, and he certainly wasn't going to miss important information like this.
After organizing his thoughts, Minato began:
"The two of you may not feel much time has passed, but in reality, nearly sixty years have gone by since your era. In those sixty years, many things happened—there have already been two ninja world wars like the ones Second Hokage-sama experienced.
As for the Third and Fourth Hokage: the Third Hokage is someone you know well, Second Hokage-sama. He was your direct disciple—Sarutobi Hiruzen, whom you personally appointed.
After Lord Hiruzen stepped down, the one who inherited the position of Hokage was your granddaughter, Lady Tsunade."
Hearing this, both Tobirama and Hashirama exchanged glances, shock clearly visible in their eyes. Hashirama burst out laughing:
"So it was Tsuna! Back before I died, all she ever did was gamble. I never imagined she'd grow to the point of becoming the leader of an entire village! Hahahaha!"
Cold sweat instantly appeared on the foreheads of everyone present. Hoshiyomi, in particular, wore a strange expression, suddenly recalling the somewhat bratty and willful blonde little girl from when he first transmigrated.
Tobirama keenly noticed the change in Hoshiyomi's expression and subconsciously gave him another look. That glance left Tobirama stunned—this man, who looked roughly the same age as him, possessed strength that was unfathomably deep.
To be honest, this was the first time Tobirama had sensed such immeasurable power in anyone other than his elder brother or Madara. The shock compelled him to ask:
"And you—young man—what is your name? With such an outstanding shinobi like you around, Tsunade was still able to become the Fourth Hokage? Does that mean her strength surpasses yours?"
The expressions of everyone present instantly became incredibly colorful. After exchanging looks, Minato was the one who finally explained:
"Second Hokage-sama, there's been a misunderstanding. This is Gekko Hoshiyomi—my sensei. He is also… your granddaughter's husband."
The moment the term "granddaughter's husband" was spoken, everyone's expressions turned extremely strange.
Hoshiyomi's status in Konoha was practically supreme. Looking across the entire village, aside from Sarutobi Hiruzen—who had a slightly higher seniority—Hoshiyomi was basically regarded as someone of great-uncle status by everyone else.
And yet now, this great-uncle-level figure was being described as someone's grandson-in-law. The massive contrast in identity made it impossible for everyone present not to find it oddly amusing.
Hoshiyomi himself felt even more awkward. How was he supposed to address these two—"Mr. Grumpy and Mr. Scatterbrain"? Was he really supposed to follow Tsunade's side and call them Grandfather and Grand Uncle?
Fortunately, Tobirama immediately noticed the issue. He first gave Hoshiyomi an exceptionally friendly smile, then spoke:
"No need to be so restrained. Tsunade may be our granddaughter, but we'll keep things separate. My brother and I will just call you Hoshi, and you can simply call us by our names."
Hearing this, Hoshiyomi finally relaxed. He returned the courtesy with a bow and said to the two of them:
"Then I'll address you the same way Minato does—as Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama. Once we return to Konoha, you must go see Tsunade and the two children."
"Children?"
Hashirama immediately perked up at that. Brimming with curiosity, he leaned in and asked:
"You have children too? Hm, if that's the case, wouldn't they be our great-grandchildren?"
Hoshiyomi smiled at Hashirama and replied:
"Yes. Tsunade and I have a son and a daughter. Our son is named Ryūshin, and our daughter is named Rinne. In addition, Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki, inherited the Senju clan—once you return to Konoha, you can go see him as well.
But for now, let's continue discussing what just happened."
Minato, standing to the side, was very tactful. Hearing this, he quickly took over and began explaining the Akatsuki, Madara's resurrection, and how the two of them had been revived.
After hearing the full story, the Senju brothers finally gained a clear understanding.
"So we were summoned by Madara himself, only to be used against Madara?" Hashirama laughed loudly. "That guy is just as arrogant as ever, hahaha!"
Tobirama shot a sideways glance at his grinning elder brother and snorted coldly.
"An arrogant army is doomed to defeat. Someone who looks down on the entire world like that is destined to fail."
Minato, naturally, didn't interrupt the brothers' discussion about Madara. Instead, he deliberately changed the topic:
"Lord Hokages, now is not the time to debate this. Our top priority is to return to Konoha as soon as possible, inform everyone of what's happened, and contact the other four great ninja villages to convene a new Five Kage Summit.
Madara now controls seven tailed beasts and possesses the Rinnegan, said to belong exclusively to the Sage of Six Paths. His power is no longer what it once was. His challenge to the entire shinobi world may sound arrogant, but we must not treat it lightly."
Though Hashirama and Tobirama both had very distinct personalities, when it came to matters of great importance, their judgment was perfectly clear.
They strongly agreed with Minato's assessment. After exchanging a glance, they took the initiative to suggest returning to the village.
And so, the group from Konoha—along with the First and Second Hokage—made their way back to Konoha together.
Minato had originally planned to convene a jōnin meeting upon their return to announce the Fourth Great Ninja War and the revival of the two former Hokage.
However, before they even reached Konoha, the village's high-ranking officials had already gathered at the entrance.
Upon inquiry, they learned that Madara had already paid Konoha a visit while they were explaining the situation to the two former Hokage.
This time, Madara had kept his word. He did not massacre anyone. After offering a casual critique of the present-day Konoha, he strolled into the Uchiha district, took the clan's supreme treasure—the Uchiha Gunbai—and then departed at his leisure.
...
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