I am the new Hokage of Konoha.

The two were greeted by a magnificent cityscape unlike anything they had ever seen before.

Chapter 289 Hashirama: I'm so envious!

The high-rise buildings stand side by side, the straight avenues are evenly distributed, and the bustling traffic is lively. Even during the day, the buildings are illuminated by colorful neon lights.

The moment Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju turned their heads, a colossal city, far beyond their comprehension and beyond their ability to contain, came into view with overwhelming shock.

"Is this where people live now? That's amazing! Even the richest daimyo in my time couldn't live in a place like this. Speaking of which, how many years has it been since I died? The ninja world has developed so fast?"

moment,

Hashirama Senju stared in astonishment, his eyes widening as if he were a country bumpkin who had just arrived in the city, taking in the magnificent scene before him that he had never seen before in his life.

If only Konoha Village were this prosperous!

At this moment, before he could even realize that he was in Konoha, Hashirama Senju, who was so different from the one in his memory, was lost in his fantasies.

Although his older brother wasn't as excited as he was, Tobirama Senju was no less shocked.

However, he noticed more of the city's prosperity than his brother.

He, however, focuses on the more authentic things behind the glamour.

The numerous high-rise buildings, including several particularly striking and towering skyscrapers, demonstrate the significant advancements in steel technology in the ninja world compared to its own time.

The streets were filled with a dazzling array of goods, and the people passing by all had rosy, healthy complexions, indicating that the local economy was thriving and the people's living standards were quite good. This was in stark contrast to the precarious existence that was common in the ninja world in the past.

I don't know if this is a phenomenon unique to this area or a common one.

In addition, the sharp-eyed Tobirama Senju also discovered many new things that he had never seen before.

For example, a four-wheeled iron lump, a black box that can emit images and even sounds from its surface, and a long steel structure that emits a lot of white smoke, etc.

This broadened his horizons considerably.

Is it a different system from chakra?

During his time as the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju also came into contact with people who were not ninjas but created many new things with their genius.

With his far-sighted and precise vision, he also had the idea of ​​supporting such talents.

However, after his unexpected death during the Ginkaku vs. Kinkaku incident, just like his unfinished reforms targeting the Uchiha clan, other ninja clans, and even the entire village, his plan to support technical talent could only collapse midway.

However, it now seems that even without him, these technologies are still developing at a rapid pace.

but

This place seems somewhat familiar.

Recalling what Orochimaru had just said, Tobirama Senju's eyes flashed, and he was about to make a guess when...

Beside him, Hashirama Senju, who had just shifted his gaze from the conspicuously tall and beautiful buildings downwards, was interrupted by a gasp of surprise.

"A four-wheeled iron cart can move by itself? I didn't see any horses or people pulling it! Tobirama, what's going on?"

When in doubt, consult the doorman.

This was a habit that Hashirama Senju had developed since childhood.

Even though they were pulled back from the underworld, nothing has changed.

Upon hearing this, Tobirama could only roll his eyes.

He's not omniscient or omnipotent, so how could he know how a four-wheeled iron cart works?

After managing to fool his brother, he refocused his attention on his previous thoughts.

Is this really Konoha Village?

Shifting his gaze from the utterly unfamiliar city to the outside world, Tobirama first looked at the surrounding vegetation and terrain, and then carefully sensed the current climate before confirming that this was indeed the Land of Fire.

Only the Land of Fire, possessing the most fertile land on the entire continent, has such favorable natural geography and climate conditions.

Then, Tobirama turned back again and began to examine the layout of the city before him.

As the builder of Konoha Village from scratch, and the leader of Konoha after his brother's death, he had stayed in Konoha Village for a longer period of time and was very familiar with every plant and tree there.

Although Konoha Village has undergone tremendous changes compared to the past.

However, the overall layout and framework will not change much initially.

Most importantly, if this place is truly as I imagine, then iconic features like the Hokage Rock will definitely still exist.

Tobirama Senju's gaze flickered, and following the location of the Hokage Rock in his memory, he quickly looked towards the farthest point of his vision, blocked by rows of tall buildings.

Just then, Orochimaru walked up to the two of them, looking at the city ahead as well, and said with emotion, "It's very prosperous, isn't it? But you should know that what you see is not its true face. Right now, however, this place is at its lowest point in recent years."

"Even at the lowest point, this is amazing? That's incredible!" Hashirama Senju exclaimed.

Back then, he wanted to reconcile with Madara Uchiha and jointly establish Konoha Village, hoping to create a prosperous and happy place like the one before him.

However, a series of events that followed prevented him from realizing his dream.

However, to his complete surprise, after being resurrected by Edo Tensei and returning to the human world, he witnessed a scene that was even better than he had imagined.

People today are so much more capable than we were in the past!

Despite thinking this, Hashirama Senju showed no jealousy on his face; instead, he was filled with joy.

Even now, he has the idea of ​​humbly seeking advice from the mastermind behind all of this.

Forehead.

I almost forgot, I'm already dead, so there's no point in asking now.

Hashirama Senju slapped his forehead regretfully.

'The First Hokage's personality is truly surprising.'

At this moment, Orochimaru, who had been paying close attention to Hashirama Senju, wondered to himself.

Then, he glanced at Tobirama Senju, who had ignored him, and chuckled to himself: 'This one is as expected.'

After all, someone who can conduct live experiments is unlikely to be an innocent and kind person.

Both being research experts, Tobirama Senju could be considered Orochimaru's teacher.

Techniques like the Impure World Reincarnation and the Undead Reincarnation were inspired by and further developed by Orochimaru from the forbidden scrolls and experimental notes left by Tobirama Senju.

Of course, Tobirama Senju would not acknowledge this disciple.

Orochimaru, rather than acknowledging a teacher, preferred to swallow the person whole, turning everything in their mind into nourishment for himself.

'It's time!'

Without wasting any more time, Orochimaru habitually licked his lips and said in his hoarse voice:

"The more prosperous something is, the more rewarding it is to destroy. While I find unexpected new trends quite delightful, it would be a good choice to personally participate in and change them!"

"Gentlemen, your break time is over. Now, use your strength to help me achieve my goal."

The words fell.

Just as Orochimaru was about to make a move.

Tobirama Senju's voice suddenly rang out at that moment:

"This must be Konoha, right?"

Chapter 290 This is Konoha

"Is this Konoha?"

When Tobirama Senju withdrew his scrutinizing gaze and uttered these words, although he spoke with a tone of doubt, his expression was quite certain.

"Konoha? Tobirama, you're saying this is Konoha?"

Before Orochimaru could even speak, Hashirama Senju's surprised voice rang out first.

"Although I really wish Konoha Village would look like this, this place doesn't look like Konoha at all. Where's the Hokage Building? Where's the Hokage Rock? And where's that gate with the Konoha symbol? I remember I built that myself."

"This is Konoha! The Hokage Building and the main gate have probably been rebuilt. But the Hokage Rock hasn't disappeared. Although it's mostly obscured by tall buildings from here, you can still find its edges and corners if you look closely."

Tobirama Senju was absolutely certain at that moment.

Seeing this, Hashirama Senju, who knew his younger brother very well and knew that the other was 100% serious at this moment, finally became serious as well.

Since her younger brother was so certain, he would never admit to being wrong.

so.

This really is Konoha!!!

moment!

A surge of genuine joy welled up within Hashirama Senju.

When he looked at the city again, if he had only felt admiration and envy before, now he felt joy, pride, and a sense of shared honor and disgrace.

It was as if I could see a sapling that I had planted myself had now grown into a towering tree.

At that moment, Hashirama Senju greedily imprinted the magnificent scene of Konoha into his mind, while laughing excitedly:

"Haha! So this is Konoha! Tobirama, this is the Konoha that you, me, and many others built together! This is amazing! How did the younger generation of Konoha manage to do this? They are far more outstanding than you and me!"

"That's really impressive."

Although Tobirama Senju, who was more reserved, did not show the same excitement as his brother, the turmoil in his heart was no less intense.

But he quickly and rationally suppressed it.

Simply because I am very clear about the current situation.

Just as Hashirama Senju was gesturing wildly, Tobirama Senju looked at Orochimaru again and said coldly, "This is Konoha Village. And you are a rogue ninja of Konoha. Am I right about what I said?"

Orochimaru smiled mysteriously, not denying it, and said, "This is indeed Konoha. Originally, out of consideration for you two as seniors, I asked you to leave this as a memento, not to reveal the final truth, so as to avoid your subsequent grief. But now it seems my good intentions have been in vain. As for my identity..."

At this point, Orochimaru suddenly chuckled, looking at Tobirama Senju with a strange expression, and said, "Speaking of which, when I was still a Konoha ninja, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was my teacher. So, my esteemed Second Hokage, you're still my grandmaster!"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi

Through the information in Orochimaru's words, Tobirama Senju quickly realized that his decision to entrust his son to someone else back then had been successful.

'It seems the Monkey King is doing a pretty good job as Hokage.' Tobirama Senju glanced at the bustling Hidden Leaf Village. 'However, judging from the appearance of this guy who claims to be the Monkey King's apprentice, if the Monkey King is still alive, he must be quite old. Logically, the Fourth Hokage should be in power in Hidden Leaf Village now. So, is all of this the work of the Fourth Hokage?'