Chapter 120: Don’t Revive Tobirama Yet

"Heh... Not bad, not bad! He learned all that from Lady Mito!" Gin said with a light laugh, brushing dust off his hands.

"Oh? Mito taught you?" Hashirama asked in surprise, turning toward his wife.

"Knock it off." Mito waved dismissively. "This boy's just incredibly gifted. He picks things up like lightning. I only taught him the basics of fūinjutsu, together with Kushina, but at this point, he's gone way beyond either of us. I suspect his sealing knowledge has already surpassed mine."

Without further delay, Mito extended her adamantine chains, binding the captured White Zetsu like a veteran sealing master. Hikari followed suit, her Susanoo rising and helping seal the creatures into the space-time gate.

Inside the sealed dimension, time had frozen. The Zetsu, whether active or dormant, were suspended in a timeless stasis—unable to die, unable to move. They were like living plant-beings: still requiring nutrients, photosynthesis… yet now stuck in limbo.

"Whoa…" Hashirama blinked in awe at the strange jutsu.

Impressed, he placed a hand on Gin's shoulder. "Mito doesn't praise lightly. Looks like your talent is truly something special."

"To have this much power at your age…" he smiled, "You might really surpass me… or even Madara."

No wonder this boy had such grand ambitions.

"Try it," Hashirama added with a soft, hopeful smile. "If anyone can bring peace to this fractured world, maybe it's you."

"I intend to," Gin said firmly. "Once I return to Konoha with the front-line forces, I'll be appointed as the Fourth Hokage. Then I'll begin large-scale reforms. Step by step, I'll strengthen Konoha and eventually unite the Shinobi Nations under a true and lasting peace."

Hashirama's eyes softened. "You really want me to witness all that?"

"I do," Gin said without hesitation. "Even if you're technically 'dead'… I want you here. I want your guidance. If something goes wrong, you'll be here to correct our course. Isn't that worth staying for?"

The First Hokage hesitated, glancing away. "Dead, huh... Tobirama too... we both died in battle... so long ago…"

He paused, eyes shadowed with old regrets.

"If I had listened to Madara back then and united the Shinobi world properly… maybe Tobirama wouldn't have died. Maybe there wouldn't have been another war."

Gin leaned in. "That's why you should stay. You saw the mistakes. Help us avoid them again."

"But what if someone like that ancient evil, the one who manipulated Madara, uses Edo Tensei to bring you back for his own goals?"

Hashirama tensed.

"I won't let that happen," Gin assured him. "Instead, I plan to resurrect many powerful Konoha shinobi who died in the past—before the enemy gets the chance. Even Madara, under control, could be valuable. You, especially, can help keep them stable."

Hashirama was taken aback. "You're not just talking about fending off war... You're planning a whole new structure of peace..."

Gin nodded, eyes calm. "I need capable allies for what's ahead."

Hashirama considered it silently, then slowly nodded. "Alright. I'll stay. But when this is over… let the dead return to rest. Life and death must maintain their balance."

"Of course." Gin smiled, though his thoughts told a different story. Once I perfect Edo Tensei, I'll create a method to revive them completely. Then no such 'return' will be necessary.

Still, he nodded sincerely. "I always respect others' wishes."

"Ha! Then it's settled!" Hashirama grinned. "Watching you reshape the world… might be entertaining."

He suddenly sobered. "But listen carefully. Don't rush to revive Tobirama."

Gin blinked.

"I say this not with hatred… but caution. My brother held deep prejudice against the Uchiha. If he sees one become Hokage, especially so young, it could be... problematic."

Gin's smile grew faint. "I understand. That's why I chose to awaken you first, not him."

Hashirama sighed. "I always believed Uchiha deserved leadership. I even promised Madara the position. But Tobirama's objections destroyed that. Until the Uchiha are truly accepted in the village, peace will always be fragile."

Gin's expression turned respectful. "That's why I'll only bring him back once the Senju and Uchiha are united—maybe even bound by blood."

Hashirama's eyes lit up. "Then maybe… there's hope."

Gin leaned forward. "By the way… Who succeeded you? What happened to Hiruzen?"

Hashirama frowned. "Hiruzen… the monkey? Don't tell me—"

Gin's gaze darkened. "Hiruzen and Danzo abused their power. They embezzled Konoha's resources, oppressed clans, carried out experiments with Wood Release, and persecuted the Uchiha."

Hashirama's hands clenched into fists. "What?! That's… unforgivable! How could Tobirama's student turn into… this?!"

"They've already been dealt with," Gin said calmly. "Mito and my mother, Hikari, arrested the Third and his supporting clans recently. Danzo tried to betray us on the battlefield and was executed."

Hashirama breathed out slowly, fury barely contained. "Good. Those who betray their comrades… deserve no mercy."

Gin nodded. "It took years. Mito and Hikari were both sick, weakened after decades of burden. I helped them recover, extend their lifespan, and regain their strength. We used the war as cover to arrest the traitors without creating internal unrest."

"Perfectly handled," Hashirama said. "I'll make sure Hiruzen hears from me too when we return."

Later, while gathering the remains of the White Zetsu hideout, Gin's forces discovered a wealth of ancient texts—stolen Uchiha scrolls, research materials, even the legendary Gunbai fan.

Gin's eyes widened. "We thought these were lost forever!"

"Seems Madara didn't have time to escape with them," Hikari added. "Black Zetsu must've fled in a hurry."

"Store them all in the space-time gate," Gin ordered. "Make copies for safety. I'll hold onto the Gunbai."

He was flipping through an ancient scroll when he suddenly froze.

"Mom, look at this."

Hikari examined it. Her brow furrowed. "The clan once created a forbidden weapon… sealed by Senju and Sarutobi. It doesn't name the place."

"It might be related to Uchiha Hinaka," she said gravely. "She wielded the Mangekyō Sharingan. The clan raised her as a weapon—but perhaps her story doesn't need to end in tragedy."

She turned to Hashirama and Mito. "Do the Senju or Sarutobi archives mention this seal location?"

"You're free to search," Mito nodded. "And if it's in Sarutobi's records, they're in custody—we'll have full access."

Hashirama agreed. "Let's help her find peace. She deserves more than a sealed fate."

"Thank you," Hikari bowed. "If there are others like her, we'll save them too."

Gin quietly agreed. Uchiha Hinaka's Mangekyō techniques could be invaluable. If I can extract and replicate dojutsu like Kagami's…

All scrolls and relics were placed in the space-time gate.

"Such a useful storage technique," Hashirama noted. "Can I learn it?"

"You'll need to form a contract with me," Gin smiled. "There are conditions, but you're halfway there."

"I trust you," Hashirama nodded. "How long will it take?"

"Ten days to three months at most," Gin replied.

With the cleanup complete, they split up.

Uzumaki Mito took Hashirama's hand and teleported away with Hikari, returning to Konoha.

Gin returned to Amegakure. To his surprise, Tsunade and the others were still there, waiting for him.

"Gin, you're back!" Tsunade rushed over. "How did it go?"

"M-Madara?" Mikoto whispered. "Did you…?"

"He's dead," Gin said simply. "But Black Zetsu escaped. For now, he won't be a threat."

Kushina and Mikoto checked him for wounds. He chuckled, "I'm fine. Really."

"Everything's ready," Tsunade nodded. "We can return to the front."

"Good. Let's move before nightfall," Gin ordered. "No need to waste chakra with teleportation."

Two hours later, they arrived at the front-line camp. Orochimaru led a group out to welcome them, sensing their triumphant return.

"Looks like a big win," Orochimaru smirked. "I want all the details."

"Let's go inside," Gin said. "There's much to discuss."

In the command tent—once Danzo's—Gin and Tsunade briefed the top brass.

They told it all: the fall of the Kazekage, the surrender of Iwa ninjas, the alliance with Amegakure, the execution of traitors…

And the death of Uchiha Madara—along with the return of the First Hokage.