Chapter 5: A World In Motion

Gojo didn't belong here.

That much was clear.

Even as he stood beside Hashirama, watching Konoha grow, he felt like an outsider looking in. He had fought for this village's creation, helped shape its future alongside two of history's greatest warriors—yet none of it truly felt like his.

And yet, here he was.

Helping.

Against his better judgment.

The Reluctant Guardian

Konoha was a living thing now.

Buildings rose from the earth, roads formed, families settled. Ninja who had once fought on opposite sides now worked together under a single banner. The village buzzed with new life.

And Hashirama? He was at the center of it all.

Gojo stood beside him in the newly constructed Hokage office, arms crossed as Hashirama paced back and forth, rambling about village policies.

"We need an academy. A place to train young shinobi properly."

Gojo yawned. "Sounds like a lot of paperwork."

Hashirama ignored him. "And a police force. Someone to maintain order—perhaps the Uchiha—" He cut himself off, a shadow passing over his face at the mention of his lost friend.

Gojo glanced at him. "Still thinking about him, huh?"

Hashirama sighed. "Of course I am. I just… I wanted him to be part of this."

Gojo shrugged. "Not everyone's built for this whole 'village' thing. Some people are just better off running wild."

Hashirama shook his head. "And what about you, Gojo? You're not exactly a village kind of guy, either."

Gojo smirked. "I know, right? And yet, here I am, wasting my time with you."

Hashirama chuckled. "Admit it. You care."

Gojo scoffed. "I care in the same way I care about a stray cat. I'll feed it, but I won't take it home."

Hashirama smiled knowingly.

Gojo hated that smile.

Ripples Across the Land

As Konoha solidified, the world took notice.

Clans that had once wandered as mercenaries saw the power of a unified force—and they began to form their own villages.

Reports flooded in from spies and travelers.

The Land of Water: The Mizukage was rising, rallying the strongest clans of the Mist. The Seven Swordsmen of the Mist had begun to take shape, their blood-soaked reputation spreading.

The Land of Lightning: The Raikage gathered the mightiest warriors in the mountains, his people thriving under sheer force and discipline.

The Land of Earth: The Stone Ninja fortified their borders, their village rising amidst the mountains, unyielding and immovable.

The Land of Wind: The Sand Ninja, hardened by the desert, organized under the Kazekage, their survivalist instincts sharpening them into deadly warriors.

The world was changing.

And it all started because of them.

The Politics of Power

Gojo leaned against the Hokage desk, watching as Hashirama and Tobirama studied maps and scrolls detailing the rise of these new villages.

Tobirama, ever the strategist, frowned. "This was inevitable. Konoha's existence forced the other clans to adapt. No one wants to be left behind."

Hashirama nodded. "Then we must approach this carefully. If we foster peace between the villages now, we can prevent another great war."

Gojo raised an eyebrow. "You think they'll all just hold hands and sing songs together?"

Tobirama scoffed. "No. But we can at least delay war."

Gojo rolled his eyes. "You guys really love making rules and treaties, huh?"

Hashirama grinned. "And you really love acting like you don't care."

Gojo smirked but said nothing.

Deep down, he knew the truth.

This was history being made.

And even though he hated getting involved, even though he didn't belong—he was part of it.

Whether he liked it or not.