After dealing with Toroi, Kazekaze did not encounter any more ninjas sent by the Hidden Cloud Village in the following days. If his guess was correct, the Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village had only dispatched two ninja squads to kidnap Uzumaki Yuna. By the time they realized Toroi had failed, Kazekaze figured he would already be back in Konoha. With Hashirama overseeing the peace agreement, the Raikage had no choice but to accept the loss without complaint.
What Kazekaze did not expect was… Uzumaki Yuna, who had initially been hostile, had completely changed after his battle with Toroi. Not only did she start calling him 'Kazekaze-nii,' but she frequently spoke with him. Although Kazekaze didn't dislike this situation, he couldn't say he liked it either. Moreover, since they hadn't encountered any more enemies along the way, the remaining days were quite relaxed.
Before they knew it, the group arrived at the Hidden Whirlpool Village in the Land of Whirlpools. As the clan leader, Uzumaki Weiming intended to warmly welcome Kazekaze and the others, hoping they would stay in the Hidden Whirlpool Village for a few more days as a gesture of gratitude. However, Sarutobi rejected the offer. In the end, Kazekaze only had lunch in the Hidden Whirlpool Village, rested for an afternoon, and then followed Sarutobi back to Konoha.
On the way back, Kazekaze couldn't help but complain,
"There's no need to rush back to the village so quickly."
But no matter what he said, Sarutobi was the captain of Team 7, and when it came to decision-making, both Kazekaze and Sakumo had to follow his lead. This was also something Tobirama specifically instructed.
After all… Kazekaze was only seven years old. Although he had shown monstrous talent, repeatedly astonishing Tobirama, Tobirama felt that Kazekaze's thinking was not mature enough and needed cultivation. If the command were given to Kazekaze, who knows what chaos might ensue.
"Haha, the Hidden Whirlpool Village is indeed nice, but if we miss the Chunin Selection Exam because of it, we'll have to wait until next year." Sarutobi thought for a moment and took this opportunity to bring up the Chunin Exam.
Whether it was Kazekaze's learning talent, combat thinking, practical experience, or psychological quality, he displayed monstrous talent. If he were Kazekaze's supervising Jonin, he would definitely not let Kazekaze miss this Chunin Exam.
"I think the reason Lord Tobirama appointed Kazekaze as a Genin at this time is precisely to let him participate in this Chunin Exam." Sarutobi couldn't help but feel emotional.
With Lord Tobirama's mind, calculating every step Kazekaze would take was not difficult at all.
"Chunin Exam?" Sakumo was taken aback, his expression seemingly asking what the Chunin Exam had to do with them.
Aren't Kazekaze and I just newly appointed Genin? We shouldn't be eligible to participate in the Chunin Exam, right?
"That's right, the Chunin Exam." Sarutobi nodded and then explained.
"Now it's the tenth year since the Warring States period became history. Various clans have set aside their grudges and formed ninja villages. It's worth mentioning that the first person to establish a ninja village was Kazekaze's grandfather, Lord Hashirama. Don't be fooled by Lord Hashirama often being suppressed by Lord Tobirama. Once he gets serious, he's quite formidable, the only one hailed as the God of Shinobi." Sarutobi boasted.
Sakumo's eyes immediately lit up with admiration. In contrast, Kazekaze remained calm. It wasn't that he didn't believe Sarutobi; on the contrary, apart from Uchiha Madara, Kazekaze felt no one understood Hashirama's strength better than he did. Once serious, he's quite formidable? He's super formidable, alright! He could flatten a ninja village in minutes! And such a great figure was his own grandfather!
"However, establishing a ninja village is just the first step. How to perfect the village's system is also a subject of study. For example, the five great ninja villages now known as Konoha, Hidden Cloud, Hidden Mist, Hidden Stone, and Hidden Sand all use different methods to train ninjas. And the promotion system created by Lord Tobirama is through exams! All children can attend the ninja academy to learn knowledge and become Genin after passing the graduation exam."
Sarutobi paused slightly, deliberately creating suspense.
"And then?" When Sakumo eagerly asked for more details, Sarutobi continued,
"After becoming a Genin, as long as you complete eight missions, you can qualify for the Chunin Exam, provided you have a supervising Jonin's recommendation. And the Chunin Exam is held twice a year, with the second one this year on July 1st, a week from now. If you miss it, you'll have to wait until next year. So, do you still want to stay in the Hidden Whirlpool Village for a few more days?" Sarutobi joked at the end.
"I see." Sakumo nodded slightly, realizing, "As long as we complete seven more ninja missions, we can participate in this exam. Only a week left."
Since they didn't have to protect Yuna, the return to Konoha was much faster than the journey to the Land of Whirlpools. If they ran at full speed, it would take about two days to return to the village. Then...
In the next five days, complete seven ninja missions!
"And then— the fourth check-in." Kazekaze took a deep breath.
Since he could catch this Chunin Exam, he naturally had no reason to miss it. The most crucial thing was that he could soon perform the fourth check-in. By then, he could shine brightly in the Chunin Exam!
"My goal is to replace Sarutobi and become the Third Hokage. Hiding my strength is simply counterproductive. I want the entire village to witness just how terrifying my 'talent' truly is! Let them realize that I am the most suitable person to inherit the title of Hokage!"
Thinking of this, Kazekaze began to stretch his muscles and then said to Sarutobi and Sakumo, "Let's hurry back to the village!"
Land of Whirlpools. Hidden Whirlpool Village. The old clan leader Uzumaki Ashina privately received Weiming and learned about their experiences along the way.
"I never expected that the guys from the Hidden Cloud Village would target the abilities of our Uzumaki clan." Ashina couldn't help but clench his fists, anger growing in his heart.
In his view, the reason the Hidden Cloud Village dared to act so recklessly was mostly related to Hashirama's terminal illness. Although Tobirama was excellent, his strength was far from as terrifying as Hashirama's. The future ninja world might become even more turbulent.
"Thanks to you and Konoha's Sarutobi Hiruzen, Yuna didn't fall into the hands of the Hidden Cloud Village! You did well, Weiming."
Ashina praised.
However… Kneeling on one knee before him, Weiming was taken aback.
"The reason we managed to avert disaster this time was actually... thanks to Kazekaze-sama." Weiming paused, then recounted the process of Kazekaze's battle with the Cloud ninjas.
Initially, Ashina still had a smile on his face, but as Weiming's story unfolded, his smile turned into astonishment, then from astonishment to shock. Finally, it turned from shock to silence...
What do you mean a seven-year-old Kazekaze single-handedly took down the Hidden Cloud Village's ninja squad? Are you sure you weren't caught in a genjutsu? Hallucinating?
Uzumaki Ashina really wanted to retort, very much so...
Chapter 57: I Once Had a Close Friend, His Name Was Madara
Original title :
After about two days of traveling, Kazekaze finally saw the gates of Konoha Village. However, what Kazekaze did not expect was the sight before him—his grandfather, Hashirama, clad in a haori, casually leaning against the massive gates of Konoha Village, as if he had been waiting for someone all along.
Kazekaze gradually slowed his pace and walked over slowly. Meanwhile, Sarutobi quickened his steps and bowed to Hashirama, "First Hokage-sama!"
Sakumo's eyes widened in disbelief. He never imagined he would see the First Hokage in such a place. Throughout the journey, he had often heard Sarutobi recount stories of Hashirama's exploits. To Sakumo, Senju Hashirama was a god-like figure!
However... despite his excitement, Sakumo was still aware of the situation. A person of Hashirama's stature appearing here couldn't possibly be to welcome him. 'It must be because of Kazekaze.' Sakumo glanced at Kazekaze's profile, feeling a twinge of envy.
"Oh, you're back, Hiruzen! Hahaha, no need to be so formal! After all, I can't really call myself Hokage anymore, can I?" Hashirama laughed heartily, crossing his arms. He never had the airs one would expect from the God of Shinobi.
"Oh, you must be Sakumo of the Hatake clan." Hashirama looked Sakumo up and down. He was indeed a promising young man.
"First Hokage-sama, you know me?" Sakumo's eyes widened even more, feeling both honored and surprised. He never expected the First Hokage to know his name!
"Of course, it was I who recommended to Tobirama that you and Kazekaze form a team. You are both the future of the village, so grow well." Hashirama gently patted Sakumo's head, a doting smile on his face.
Kazekaze observed all of this, feeling the high hopes Hashirama had for the younger generation.
"But... what exactly is Hashirama-sama here for?" Sarutobi interjected into the conversation between Hashirama and Sakumo. Although Hashirama was approachable, he must have come here for a reason.
"Ah, nothing important." Hashirama feigned a thoughtful expression, "Maybe it was on a whim. Hiruzen, can I borrow Kazekaze for a bit?"
"Ah..." Sarutobi was taken aback, not expecting Hashirama to speak to him in such a manner. However, he had already guessed it was related to Kazekaze.
"After all, you are Kazekaze's team leader now." Hashirama smiled. With Sarutobi's permission, Hashirama turned to Kazekaze and extended an invitation to his grandson.
Kazekaze naturally did not refuse. After all, there were still a few hours left before the cooldown for the fourth check-in.
"But, Grandpa Hashirama, what do you want with me?" Kazekaze couldn't help but ask.
"No rush." Hashirama grabbed Kazekaze's arm, lifted him, and carried him on his back. When Kazekaze was set down, they had arrived at an open space. Behind them was a dense forest, and in front of them was a panoramic view of Konoha Village.
"This is..." Kazekaze walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. What he saw confirmed his suspicions. This was... right above the Hokage Rock!
Although he had been in this world for over a year, it was Kazekaze's first time here. Especially seeing Konoha Village from such a high vantage point gave him a unique experience.
"Why come to a place like this?" Kazekaze turned around, unable to hold back his question. Until now, he couldn't figure out what Hashirama was up to.
Hashirama clapped his hands together, "Wood Style: Wood Table Jutsu!" Vines rose from the ground in front of Hashirama, thickening into a solid wooden table. Then, Hashirama pulled out a scroll from his haori sleeve and used the Summoning Technique to place prepared sake and hot tea on the table. He also laid out a picnic mat, creating a unique atmosphere with the forest behind them.
Kazekaze quickly walked over to the picnic mat, took off his shoes, and sat cross-legged, as he wasn't used to sitting on his knees.
"Having completed this escort mission, you are now a true ninja, Kazekaze." Hashirama smiled.
"Yes, to be honest, I didn't expect to become a ninja so quickly." Kazekaze tentatively asked, "So, is Grandpa Hashirama celebrating for me?"
"Haha, of course not."
Kazekaze: "???"
Unexpectedly, Hashirama's smile turned into a doting one, but it wasn't for Kazekaze. Hashirama silently picked up a sake cup from the table, his fingers tightening around it for a brief moment. Then, without a word, he tipped the cup, letting the liquid spill onto the earth—a silent offering to a lost friend.
"I had a friend."
"Hmm." Kazekaze nodded, having guessed the name of the person Hashirama was referring to when he mentioned a friend. Madara!
Kazekaze could feel Hashirama's genuine emotions.
"It was one afternoon when we met by the stream. We trained together, competed, skipped stones, raced, climbed mountains, and so on. When we were tired, we would sit down and talk about our dreams and the brothers we wanted to protect. It was then that we made a promise to each other to end the war one day. So that all children could open their hearts and be honest with each other, unlike us… Even though we valued and cared for each other, we couldn't even reveal our surnames."
Hashirama shook his head helplessly, a bitter smile forming on his lips, and then he downed the sake in one gulp.
Kazekaze understood this well. During the Warring States period, even children as young as four or five would have blood on their hands. Revealing one's surname meant they couldn't be friends.
Hashirama and Madara's mutual concealment was to maintain their friendship.
"And then?" Kazekaze couldn't help but ask.
"Then? Various things happened. We discovered each other's identities and the hatred between our clans. Even though we wanted to break free from it all, we didn't have the strength. On the battlefield, we clashed again and again, yet always held back. Until we each became the leaders of our clans."
At this point, Hashirama took another sip of sake, placed the empty cup on the table, and poured himself another.
As for the part where Tobirama killed Izuna, Hashirama deliberately left it out.
"After that, we set aside our clan's hatred and founded Konoha Village. I wanted him to be Hokage… I truly did. I thought… if he had something to protect, maybe… maybe things could have been different."
At this point, Hashirama smiled bitterly again. The Daimyo of the Land of Fire, his brother Tobirama, and the representatives of the various clans in the village—none of them stood by Madara.
Compared to Madara, they believed Hashirama was more suited to be the Hokage of Konoha.
What God of Shinobi. What existence closest to the Sage of Six Paths. In the end, he couldn't even help his most important friend.
"Grandpa, the person you're talking about is Uchiha Madara, right?" Kazekaze stood up from the picnic mat, walked over, patted Hashirama's shoulder, and smiled.
"I've heard your story. Because Grandpa is skilled in Wood Style, the village is called Konoha Village. Because Madara was skilled in Fire Style, the village leader is called Hokage (Fire Shadow), right?"
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