Naruto: I Became The Hokage At Eight

Though Kazuku's Rasengan didn't gravely affect him, if it hit another ninja…

They might've been one-shotted.

Even Hashirama lay on the ground for five or six breaths before his chakra flow stabilized.

He moved, pressing a hand to the ground, standing.

The Rasengan's damage healed visibly.

His…

Seal-less healing.

When Hashirama stood, he seemed unharmed.

Thud!

Kazuku landed, steadying himself, marveling at Hashirama's recovery.

"Honestly, Hashirama didn't notice Madara biting off his flesh because of seal-less healing, right?"

Kazuku thought.

"Kazuku, your strength exceeds my understanding. Among ninja I've met, none compare to you."

"But my power is far more than this."

Hashirama's voice deepened, his expression more serious than before.

Clap!

Hashirama clapped, rapidly absorbing natural energy.

Blending it with his chakra, forming sage chakra.

Black markings appeared on his forehead and eyes.

Undoubtedly…

Sage Art: Sage Mode!

Kazuku: "???"

Good grief.

Kazuku was floored.

After taking a Rasengan, Hashirama was activating Sage Mode?!

Don't tell me you're showing me True Several Thousand Hands?

I'm not Madara!

Kazuku grumbled internally.

Then he heard Hashirama say…

"Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several…"

Kazuku's eyes widened, his brain racing, conjuring at least a hundred counters.

He gasped, focusing intently on Hashirama.

He could sense what was coming.

And…

Kazuku had a bad feeling!

But Hashirama didn't finish with "Thousand Hands."

His sage markings faded, disappearing.

Then…

Pfft!

Hashirama spat, not a technique, but blood.

This shocked Tobirama.

Next second…

Tobirama used Flying Thunder God, appearing before Kazuku, tossing Tsunade to him, then flashing to Hashirama.

He caught Hashirama's arm before he collapsed.

Kazuku: "???"

Hiruzen and co.: "???"

White Zetsu, watching: "???"

No one expected Hashirama to spit blood.

Kazuku held Tsunade.

The not-yet-one-year-old was cooperative, sucking her thumb, calm and quiet.

Kazuku was dumbfounded.

"My Rasengan wasn't that strong, right?"

"I used a basic Rasengan, and it made Hashirama spit blood?"

Kazuku couldn't comprehend.

He didn't believe his Rasengan was that powerful.

Enough to injure Hashirama this badly.

And didn't he have seal-less healing?

He'd healed the Rasengan's damage when he stood.

Hiruzen, Danzo, Koharu, Homura, Kagami.

Unable to hold back, they emerged from the trees, worried for Hashirama.

Actually, Kazuku, Tobirama, and Hashirama had long noticed their hiding.

They just didn't call it out.

Their sudden appearance wasn't surprising.

Kazuku hesitated, then approached Hashirama, asking what happened.

"Not your fault."

Tobirama said instantly, realizing his words could be misunderstood, and clarified.

"It's not your Rasengan. The damage was healed by your grandfather's seal-less healing."

"But…"

Tobirama glared at Hashirama. "Big Brother, really? Don't you know your condition?"

"Using Wood Human and Wood Dragon, chakra-heavy techniques, is one thing."

"But Sage Mode?"

Tobirama snapped.

He checked Hashirama's condition.

Hashirama was terminally ill.

Though Tobirama's drugs kept him looking vibrant…

It was superficial.

His body was far worse than it appeared.

Each chakra use damaged him further.

Seal-less healing was worse.

It could shorten his life.

From the start, Tobirama opposed this duel.

But knowing Hashirama's stubbornness, he stayed silent.

Now, Hashirama ignored his condition, forcing Sage Mode.

All his hidden issues erupted.

The fight couldn't continue.

"I'm taking the First Hokage to Konoha Hospital for treatment."

Tobirama told Kazuku. "Watch Tsunade for now."

He paused, asking Hashirama, "Can you hold on, Big Brother?"

"Hahaha."

To Tobirama's shock, Hashirama laughed.

A hearty laugh!

Did he not realize how serious his condition was?

Tobirama's greatest fear was Hashirama's illness worsening!

"No worries, Tobirama. I know my body."

"It's just been a while since I absorbed natural energy. I'm rusty."

"No big deal."

Hashirama waved, signaling Tobirama to relax.

He wasn't dying yet.

"Think, Tobirama, how resilient my vitality is."

"In the Warring States, I healed from worse injuries, right?"

"This is nothing."

As he spoke, Hashirama gently patted Kazuku's head.

"Pity, Kazuku, we didn't settle this."

"We tied."

"Next time, Kazuku."

With that, he let Tobirama use Flying Thunder God to leave.

Whoosh…

Tobirama and Hashirama vanished.

(End of Chapter)