Everyone entered the conference room and took their seats one after another.
Seated at the head in the middle was Madara Uchiha, with Hashirama to his right. To his left should have been Tobirama Senju, but that seat was currently empty.
Directly facing them were the various Tailed Beast clones, who sat casually on the front row of tables.
The second row held the heads of the various clans and their representatives.
The village's core backbone sat in the third row.
Madara cleared his throat and announced, "I declare the first general assembly of Konoha officially open."
Hashirama said, "Everyone, first report your issues and difficulties. Let's start with the Hyūga clan."
"Currently, the Hyūga main family and branch family… the actual problem…"
Omitted…
"Alright, now I announce the candidates for the First Hokage. Raise your hand if you agree to Senju Hashirama becoming Hokage!
Raise your hand if you agree to Senju Tobirama becoming Hokage!
Raise your hand if you agree to Uchiha Madara becoming Hokage!
After tallying, the votes are as follows:
Senju Hashirama – 17 votes
Senju Tobirama – 10 votes
Uchiha Madara – 20 votes!
Congratulations, Madara, you are currently in the lead! Once the results from outside come in, the true decision for the First Hokage will be made!"
While Hashirama was making the announcement, Tobirama, who was paying close attention backstage, secretly sent someone out to speed up the voting outside.
However, after a short while, that person hurried back:
"Lord Tobirama, this is bad! For some unknown reason, those people all voted for Lord Hashirama!"
A cold glint immediately flashed in Tobirama's eyes!
He coldly issued an order: "Redistribute the ballots, order them to gather together to supervise each other and be cautious and vigilant."
Having said that, he quietly stepped out from the shadows, raised a finger towards Hashirama, and channeled chakra.
Hashirama immediately sensed it and understood the hint: Black Zetsu had indeed arrived…
Before he could speak, Kurama, the Nine-Tails, who was sitting on the front table across from him, suddenly spoke in warning: "Everyone, excuse the interruption! I sense a malicious presence lingering nearby…"
"And it's getting closer!"
Hashirama quickly nodded to Madara, Tobirama, and the head of the Uzumaki clan: "No need to rush. Let's pretend nothing is happening. Everyone proceed according to the plan. It's best to eliminate this hidden threat in one go!"
"Tobirama, is the emergency evacuation plan ready?"
Tobirama responded in a deep voice: "Monkey, Danzō, and Kagami are standing by."
"Good! Then let's continue!"
…
Outside the conference room, Black Zetsu was imagining the wonderful expressions on the faces of those in Konoha when they discovered all the votes had been cast for Hashirama.
"Hmph, hopefully, it causes internal conflict. That would be even more perfect."
Suddenly, those Konoha small fry gathered together to vote again, becoming mutually vigilant.
This caught Black Zetsu off guard. He hadn't expected that even after handing the knife to Tobirama, there was still no reaction from him.
What was happening now?
To avoid exposing himself, he gave up trying to influence the vote further. There were still plenty of other ways to sow discord between those two.
He was now more interested in those inside the conference room, so he slowly sank his body into the ground, as if melting into water, until he was completely submerged.
Secret Technique: Mayfly Jutsu!
He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. This was a unique ability bestowed upon him by his mother!
This was precisely why he could remain undetected by Hagoromo and create trouble without a trace.
Arriving outside the conference room,
Black Zetsu surveyed the area. There were over twenty elite jōnin openly and covertly stationed, and the barriers, three layers in total, covered the conference room from all directions.
"Not bad! Too bad they're up against me." Black Zetsu's raspy voice was filled with mockery for Konoha and its powerful fighters.
"No matter how strong, what of it? They all died eventually. I am the strongest!"
With that, ignoring the barrier's restrictions, he infiltrated directly from underground. Unexpectedly, when he touched and passed through the barrier, he did not trigger any alarms or countermeasures.
This was Black Zetsu's unique talent. Mayfly Jutsu not only allowed him to pass through earth but also to ignore barriers!
He wondered if it could also bypass those sealing techniques.
"Hashirama, I never imagined you were hiding things so deeply. You have more cunning than Asura…"
After entering, the more he listened, the more alarmed he became. Not only was Madara announcing harsh measures to rectify ninja discipline and training,
and Hashirama willingly offering his support, but what was even more surprising was Tobirama's tacit agreement to the arrangements and his willingness to serve as the Deputy Kage, overseeing internal administration!
"What in the world is happening?"
He finally understood where the problem lay. Those three had all undergone strange changes, the most obvious of which was "Hashirama Senju" – this person had become smoother, more rational, and his thinking was more realistic!
Now his worldview was shattered. He had to take action, or there would be no chance left to revive his mother!
In an instant, Black Zetsu's entire form dissolved into black water that sank into the ground, silently moving towards Tobirama, who was standing in the corner. He slowly crawled up along Tobirama's shoe.
"Hm?" The moment Tobirama sensed something was wrong, it was already too late.
Black Zetsu directly controlled half of his body, restricting his movement.
"Mmph, mmph, mmph~"
Using Tobirama's own hand, he covered his mouth to prevent him from calling for help, then used a secret technique to slowly invade his brain, attempting to gain complete control.
After a moment…
The first general assembly of Konoha was drawing to a close.
"Based on the voting results of the entire village, I announce! Uchiha Madara is officially appointed as the First Hokage of Konoha. This result is fair, open, and just. Does anyone have any objections?"
"I object!"
The entire hall erupted in an uproar!
A voice of intense dissatisfaction echoed from the shadows, causing a commotion among the crowd…
"Who is that? So bold, daring to defy the decisions of those two lords? They must be tired of living."
"That voice sounds familiar. Could it be him? If it is him, it might be understandable."
Everyone looked towards the source of the voice.
As expected, a silver-haired figure emerged from the shadows, a hint of resentment in his eyes, expressing strong opposition.
"Big brother, have you forgotten how many of our Senju clan were killed by the Uchiha? Have you forgotten the hatred between our clans? They are all evil Uchiha!"
As he spoke, he walked to the center of the front row and, visibly agitated, shouted at the clan heads: "We Senju are the victors, the founders of this village who ended the era of warring states! Other countries are following our example! My brother should be the First Hokage!"
He tried to sway them: "My brother's reputation for benevolence is known throughout the world. If he becomes Hokage, you will all receive better treatment!"
But despite his fervent words, no one else was moved.
They thought to themselves: "Are you kidding? Those two fierce gods haven't spoken yet. You're Hashirama's own younger brother, you won't die, but I might."
When Tobirama's impassioned speech led to a slight lapse in his guard, Hashirama signaled everyone to retreat.
Most of the people, including the Tailed Beasts, quickly flashed away!
Before Tobirama could react, Hashirama made the first move!
Tiger → Ox → Horse → Boar → Snake
Wood Release: Wooden Man Jutsu!
"What?!" Though startled, Black Zetsu controlled Tobirama, preparing to use the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Suddenly, three golden chains appeared beside him, firmly binding his entire body.
Uzumaki Secret Technique: Adamantine Sealing Chains!
The chains originated from the Uzumaki clan head, who had remained behind.
"Damn it, what is this? Big brother, it's me, your brother Tobirama!"
Hashirama did not respond. Instead, he nodded towards Madara.
Madara instantly summoned natural energy, patterns reappearing around his eye sockets.
Sage Art: Yin Release Lightning Dispatch!!!
A thick black lightning bolt shot from his mouth, rapidly branching out like tree limbs as it streaked towards Tobirama.
"What?! You bastard, are you trying to kill me? Big brother, save me!"
His peripheral vision caught Hashirama, whose expression was cold as frost, still unmoved.
Black Zetsu's heart sank. "Damn it, have I been discovered? That's impossible!
No, if I get hit by that, I'll definitely get hurt."
Seeing the Sage Art about to hit him, he had no choice but to release his control, quickly sinking from Tobirama's feet back into the ground.
Tobirama immediately regained control of his body, and the chains vanished.
Just as he was about to be struck, a blue light flashed, and his figure reappeared on a tree branch thirty meters away, a strand of his hair singed by the lightning.
"Boom!" The lightning struck the ground, creating a massive, deep crater with scorched cracks, but there was no figure inside.
"Don't worry. Kurama, where is he?" Hashirama immediately asked.
"Underground to the right, near the entrance!" Kurama said, immediately jumping onto Hashirama's shoulder.
"Madara, let's go."
"You don't have to tell me!"
The two of them followed in pursuit…