Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 1: I’ve Faced All Five Kage, and Now the System Shows Up?

Chapter 1: I've Faced All Five Kage, and Now the System Shows Up?

Land of Fire, Nameless Plain.

A cold wind howled, carrying the lingering echoes of the Warring States period that had only recently ended.

In silver Warring States armor, with the crescent moon insignia of the Hagoromo clan emblazoned on the arm guards, Hagoromo Gengetsu scanned his surroundings with a stoic expression, his lips twitching.

It seemed the visitors were all old acquaintances.

Reto, A, Byakuren, and Ishikawa.

And—

Hagoromo Gengetsu cast a deep glance at the man in front of him, clad in a red and white god's robe and wearing a conical hat marked with the kanji for "fire."

Hashirama Senju!

The freshly minted First Hokage of Konoha.

Before this, he had more familiar titles.

Head of the Senju clan!

God of Shinobi!

"To think so highly of me. The Five Kage from the Five Great Shinobi Villages have come together to deal with just me."

Observing the “Fire,” “Earth,” “Water,” “Wind,” and “Lightning” hats arranged around him, locking down any possible escape routes, Hagoromo Gengetsu made a wry comment.

What have I done to deserve this? 

Is there really a need for this?

I haven’t done anything particularly heinous.

Embodying the virtues of a transmigrator, I’ve always been friendly towards others since arriving here.

Helping old ladies across the street, playing chess with the elderly, buying lollipops for little girls, distributing porridge for charity, repairing roads and bridges—what good deeds haven’t I done?

At most, I’ve just cleaned up a few bullies who mistreated others and some cold-blooded ninjas who didn’t value ordinary lives.

Of course, as I cleaned up the trash, the scope naturally expanded over time.

After all, the world is filled with many things I find unsightly under the nine years of compulsory education.

Fortunately, I had the ability to address these issues.

Thus, following the trail of bullies, I extended my target list to those I considered unworthy of being called humans—bully leaders, wealthy landowners, local officials, even long-standing and lofty nobles, and the highly esteemed daimyos.

Regarding ninjas, I expanded from rogue ninjas to some clan ninjas and even to the new ninjas from various small villages.

This undoubtedly offended many.

But Hagoromo Gengetsu didn’t care.

Who is he?

The current head of the illustrious Hagoromo clan.

Although the Hagoromo clan had historically performed poorly against the Senju clan, having fought them for so many years and even signing a friendly agreement with the haughty Uchiha clan, the Hagoromo clan's strength is undeniable.

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Especially with my appearance, the Hagoromo clan’s prestige has risen significantly.

While Hashirama Senju was lauded as the God of Shinobi, I am also recognized as a ninja of unparalleled talent, comparable to a deity.

Currently, Hagoromo Gengetsu’s strength has reached the pinnacle of the ninja world.

This is why he has always acted with confidence.

But even so, accidents can happen.

This time, it seems like I’m about to fall into a deep pit.

At this moment, Hagoromo Gengetsu's heart sank.

The First Wind Kage Reto, the First Lightning Kage A, the First Water Kage Byakuren, and the First Earth Kage Ishikawa.

And that ever-imposing First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

All opponents who emerged from the high-level battlefield of the Warring States era and ended that era. Although Hagoromo Gengetsu is strong, he can't guarantee defeating all five.

Let alone the game-breaking Hashirama Senju being among them.

Doomed~~Doomed~~

It felt as though a flock of crows was circling above his head, wailing. Hagoromo Gengetsu took a deep breath, suppressed his swirling thoughts, glanced around, and asked with a forced smile:

“What a rare visitor! The Five Kage from the Five Great Shinobi Villages actually came together to visit me. Isn’t the ninja world abuzz with news about your Five Kage Summit and the distribution of the menu for the banquet?”

Upon hearing this, Byakuren, the First Water Kage, whose long scar cut through his blind left eye and whose fur was thick, lifted his Water Kage hat and calmly met Hagoromo Gengetsu’s gaze.

“The dishes on the menu have already been mostly allocated. Now we’re just waiting for you, the final dish.”

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at Byakuren, said nothing, and turned to look at Hashirama Senju.

Hashirama Senju was an honest man. Noticing Hagoromo Gengetsu’s gaze, he sighed and said:

“The ninja world has finally ushered in a long-awaited peace. No one wants to disrupt it.”

“Gengetsu, you are too powerful and your ideals are too extreme. After much consideration, we can only do this.”

Hagoromo Gengetsu was bewildered.

First of all, I’m not the Nine-Tails.

Secondly, extreme ideals?

What did I even say?

Hagoromo Gengetsu pondered for a few seconds, then realized that the ideals he had mentioned were simply about the establishment of the Five Great Shinobi Villages and that the existence of the Five Great Nations was not lasting peace, but merely a twenty-year truce; real peace could only come from unification; ridiculing Hashirama’s naivety and Madara’s lack of wisdom, and so on.

Just because of this?

Isn’t it just talk?

Just words.

To someone who has long delved into keyboard warfare like me, it’s nothing extraordinary.

To put in so much effort to unify the ninja world?

I have no interest in that.

If I had the time, I’d rather research ninjutsu, expand my family’s influence, and live my own little life.

Why did these people take it so seriously?

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at the five Kage, who were now full of murderous intent.

For the first time, he experienced the consequences of idle talk.

“I was just speaking off the cuff. I never intended to do it. Do you believe me?”

Hagoromo Gengetsu shrugged, giving his final explanation, not expecting these people to truly listen.

As expected.

Hashirama Senju was about to respond, but the First Lightning Kage A, already impatient, clenched his fists and said, “So what? Hagoromo Gengetsu, you still have to die!”

The First Water Kage Byakuren, the First Wind Kage Reto, and the First Earth Kage Ishikawa all nodded in agreement.

Ishikawa bluntly stated, “The structure of the Five Great Shinobi Villages has been established. To ensure that peace continues, Hagoromo Gengetsu, the greatest threat outside the Five Great Shinobi Villages, must be eliminated.”

“The daimyos of the various countries are very dissatisfied with you, Hagoromo Gengetsu, and have long hoped for your removal. Blame yourself for being a ninja who goes against the grain and showing such disregard for the big picture.”

Reto, who had always worried about the village’s finances, added with a smile.

The Land of Wind is harsh, most of the land is sand. For village construction, he even gave up his share of the Tailed Beasts at the Five Kage Summit in exchange for funds.

Many daimyos and nobles, enraged and envious, would love to see Hagoromo Gengetsu’s head in exchange for a hefty reward.

The daimyos, as the nominal masters of the ninja villages, control the crucial funds and hold considerable influence.

Offending the daimyos leads to no good outcome.

Adding to that, Hagoromo Gengetsu, who exists outside the Five Great Shinobi Villages and their dominant world order, is extremely irritating.

Thus, the Five Kage, taking advantage of the rare opportunity to gather, decided to encircle and eliminate Hagoromo Gengetsu while he was caught off guard, following the setting of the ninja world structure and the distribution of Tailed Beasts.

In a one-on-one fight, whether or not he could win was another matter, but Hagoromo Gengetsu could easily escape if he wanted to.

In a five-on-one, however, escape would be impossible.

Hagoromo Gengetsu’s fate had been sealed since their arrival.

In the future, Uchiha Madara would earn the title of facing all five Kage.

Yet now, Hagoromo Gengetsu received this extremely grand treatment decades ahead.

Especially with the seriously rule-breaking Hashirama Senju among them.

Hagoromo Gengetsu had already abandoned all hope.

As Ishikawa said, not being on the table meant that no matter what reason he gave, even if he stepped on an ant with his right foot, he must be eliminated as a threat.

Everything is for the sake of the Five Great Shinobi Villages’ dominance.

“I was careless.”

Hagoromo Gengetsu shook his head.

He wasn’t unaware that his existence was a thorn in some people’s side.

He just didn’t care much because of his strength.

Habitual thinking is dangerous.

He had thought the Five Kage Summit was merely about distributing the Tailed Beasts and forming alliances among the Five Great Nations. He didn’t expect them to secretly do this.

The Five Kage actually united to ambush a young man like me!

You people truly are something!

But have you considered the price you’ll pay?

Hagoromo Gengetsu’s expression turned cold, brushing off some dust from his armor, and his gaze grew increasingly dangerous.

At the same time.

Noticing Hagoromo Gengetsu’s shift to a predatory, intense demeanor, the Five Kage’s expressions turned grave as they prepared for battle.

Compared to the other four, Hashirama Senju's face showed a trace of regret.

He truly admired Hagoromo Gengetsu.

To that end, he had sincerely invited the Hagoromo clan to join Konoha when it was first established.

Even though there were many blood feuds between their clans, even though his third brother, Senju Kawarama, had died at the hands of the Hagoromo clan.

He could accommodate the Uchiha clan, so why not the Hagoromo clan?

But Hagoromo Gengetsu had refused.

Knowing the future plot, he had no interest in subjugating himself to the future troubles and endless conflicts of Konoha.

He was well aware of the eventual fate of the Senju and Uchiha clans.

Moreover, the people within his clan were also strongly opposed.

Hagoromo Gengetsu had no idea how the proud Uchiha could agree to become allies with the Senju and work together.

In any case, the Hagoromo clan, who had a longer history of opposing the Senju, would never be willing to reconcile with their former enemies, who had committed numerous atrocities, let alone become fellow villagers.

This was why, after the Warring States period, the once-renowned Hagoromo clan gradually declined over the decades and disappeared from the stage of the ninja world.

Of course, compared to the few remaining Senju and Uchiha, the Hagoromo clan’s decline was still relatively better.

Hashirama Senju, not knowing how things would develop in the future, sighed and shook his head.

By his nature, he wasn’t willing to deal with Hagoromo Gengetsu in this manner.

But under the repeated strong demands of the Land of Fire’s daimyo, and with the consensus of the other four Kage and his brother, Senju Tobirama’s constant persuasion, he had no choice but to agree.

All for the sake of Konoha.

Hashirama Senju extended his right hand, touching the kanji for "fire" on his Hokage hat, and his peaceful gaze turned fierce.

The gale solidified in that moment.

An icy killing intent enveloped the entire valley.

As Hashirama Senju was about to make a move.

Suddenly!

Hagoromo Gengetsu raised his hand, signaling a pause and said:

“Wait a moment.”

Hashirama Senju stopped his movement, his carefully prepared expression dissolving into confusion.

Seeing him stop, the other four Kage also ceased their actions.

What is Hagoromo Gengetsu up to?

Is he begging for mercy?

Or is he going to scold them?

Hagoromo Gengetsu ignored the Kage’s confusion and didn’t even focus on them.

At this moment, his mind was entirely focused on the system in his head.

With a mechanical sound of [ding], the long-awaited system finally arrived!