Chapter 618: Hashirama – If I Can't Convince the Other Kage, I'll Beat Them Into Submission

Ensuring Kushina's safety was enough. Everything else? That was Tobirama's problem to handle.

As for the Five Kage Summit, with Hashirama leading the charge, it was bound to go smoothly.

If Tsunade were the one heading it, who knew how many issues would crop up?

And, well… it was also a good way to shift Madara's attention.

After all, Madara had been obsessing over Hashirama for years. There was no way he'd ignore his old friend making a sudden appearance.

Takuya wasn't worried about it. That was Tobirama's burden to bear.

Tobirama gave a slight nod. "I'll handle the rest. My brother will take charge of the summit."

With the God of Shinobi himself leading the meeting, there was no way the other villages would refuse.

And if any of them thought of causing trouble…

Then Wood Release would remind them why Hashirama was feared across the ninja world.

He might act carefree most of the time, but when it came down to it, he wasn't one to hesitate.

"I have no objections," Hashirama said seriously.

If things didn't go as planned, he was more than prepared to use force.

If he couldn't talk sense into the other Kage, then he'd beat them until they understood.

Madara's plans had to be stopped.

And honestly? He was already dead. Did he really need to care about making enemies anymore?

If punching the other Kage was what it took to keep the world in order, so be it.

"Tsunade will oversee Konoha. Hiruzen will assist her," Tobirama continued.

"No problem," Tsunade replied without hesitation.

"Then that's it. Dismissed. We move out in the morning."

He glanced toward Hiruzen.

"Hiruzen, stay behind."

It was clear he wanted to discuss the matter of dissolving the clans.

The others knew better than to stick around.

One by one, they left the Hokage's office. Soon, only Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hiruzen remained.

"Monkey, you know why I kept you here, don't you?"

Tobirama didn't waste any time.

The clan issue couldn't be left unresolved.

Hiruzen turned to Hashirama for help, only to find his former teacher looking the other way.

He wasn't going to get any support.

Hiruzen knew then that this was inevitable.

"…I understand," he said quietly.

He had no choice but to accept the consequences.

"The involved clans will be dismantled. Only the main bloodlines will remain as official clans. The rest will be reintegrated as civilians."

Tobirama's eyes narrowed. "Good. See to it that you follow through. I will personally inspect the results when this is over."

His tone made it clear—there would be no second chances.

He didn't care for excuses.

If things weren't handled properly, Hiruzen would be dealing with him again.

Hiruzen lowered his head and left without another word.

As they watched him go, Hashirama sighed.

"Isn't this a bit unfair to Hiruzen?"

Tobirama scoffed.

"Unfair? And was it fair to the civilians? To the other clans?"

Hashirama coughed awkwardly. "I didn't mean it like that. Just… never mind."

He had no intention of pushing his luck.

Tobirama was right. Hiruzen had done this to himself.

It was only fair that he clean up the mess he had made.

And honestly? Tobirama had already been merciful by not outright dismantling the clans entirely.

"That's enough about that. Let's talk about the rescue mission," Tsunade brought up as they walked.

She had her doubts.

"Do you really think the Five Kage Summit will go smoothly?"

She was worried.

Even with Hashirama and Tobirama present, Madara was too dangerous.

Who knew what he had planned?

"Who knows what'll happen tomorrow?"

Takuya didn't pretend to have an answer.

It wasn't something he could control.

Luckily, it wasn't something he had to control.

His only job was to watch over Kushina.

As long as Madara didn't come after her, everything else could be dealt with.

As for Black Zetsu?

Even with control over Obito, getting past a fully empowered Kushina wouldn't be easy.

Unlike Naruto, Kushina wasn't an idiot.

She wasn't the type to charge in recklessly.

And more importantly?

Her sealing techniques were terrifyingly powerful.

With a fully intact Nine-Tails at her command, she was a force to be reckoned with.

"I'll be taking Minato with me to the Cloud Village," Tobirama added. "With Kushina gone and my brother away, Madara won't have a reason to target Konoha."

Madara didn't care enough about revenge to go out of his way for it.

If he did attack the village, it would be more of a spiteful afterthought than an actual goal.

Takuya agreed.

Madara was far more interested in fighting Hashirama than he was in destroying Konoha.

Wrecking the village didn't compare to reuniting with his battle-obsessed best friend.

"If anything happens, just have that giant slug of yours contact me," Takuya said.

"Grandfather and Tobirama will be busy."

Tsunade rolled her eyes.

"Could you stop calling it a 'snot slug'?"

If the slug ever found out, it would be offended.

Wait.

Why was she using that name too?

Damn it.

She had been spending too much time around Takuya.

She still couldn't understand why he hated their family's summoning creature so much.

It was one of the Great Sage Beasts.

He should have more respect.

But no.

He had to be stubborn about it.

Takuya had always hated slimy things.

Slugs, snails—anything soft and sticky.

He'd sooner throw a plate across the room than eat food made from them.

Tsunade sighed.

"You know, if Katsuyu ever hears you talking like this, she might get upset."

Takuya smirked.

"She can't hear me."

"And if she could?"

"Still wouldn't care."

Tsunade gave up.

There was no winning against him.

The next morning, Takuya yanked a sleepy Kushina out of bed and got her ready to leave.

By the time they arrived at the village gates, Minato and Nawaki were already waiting.

Nawaki had learned his lesson after being left behind too many times.

Now, he always showed up at the gates—even when he hadn't been invited.

It was easier to tag along from the start than to try and catch up later.

Takuya didn't even bother questioning it anymore.

"Shouldn't you be planning your wedding instead of running off with us?" he asked.

"It's already set," Nawaki grinned. "We'll get married after I get back from this mission."

His smile was pure happiness.

He was excited.

Completely satisfied with the arrangement.

Takuya raised an eyebrow.

He had never met Nawaki's fiancée before.

He only knew that she came from a former Senju branch family—one of the civilians who had once been part of the clan before it was dissolved.

It was a smart political move.

Rebuilding the Senju clan through marriage with those who still carried its bloodline.

Even Hiruzen's policies had their moments of foresight.

Takuya patted Nawaki's shoulder.

"Make sure to have plenty of kids."

"The future of the Senju clan is in your hands."

"Shut up."

Nawaki scowled.

"You've got no right to talk. The Yagami clan isn't exactly thriving either."

Takuya just grinned.

Minato chuckled at their banter.

But before he could enjoy the moment, Nawaki turned on him instead.

"What are you laughing about? The Namikaze clan isn't doing any better."

"…That's fair," Minato muttered.

He hadn't seen that attack coming.

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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read the rest of the Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01. 

DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING