Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 51: The Ninja World Shaken

"Has Hagoromo Gengetsu... really resurrected?"

In the Hokage's office, Tsunade and Jiraiya, along with the new Hokage's secretary, Shizune, were present. Upon hearing the truth from Jiraiya, the room fell silent.

In the current ninja world, few could force the renowned A-B duo to flee, even leaving an arm behind. Moreover, there was the mention of Ice Release. The Yuki clan had long been exterminated by Kirigakure, with the only known survivor having died in the Land of Water. Given that Hagoromo Gengetsu was known to wield Ice Release, the truth was evident.

"How can someone who's been dead for over fifty years come back to life? Even the Reanimation Jutsu can't achieve this! How did he manage it?" Tsunade, being a medical expert, had a deep understanding of life and death. She was profoundly puzzled.

Though she had saved countless lives, even pulling people back from the brink of death, there was a significant difference between nearly dying and actually dying. She knew that even the most skilled medical ninja couldn't reverse true death.

"Lady Tsunade," Shizune suddenly spoke up with a serious expression, "Could it be related to the Spirit Transformation Technique?"

"The Spirit Transformation Technique!" Tsunade's anger flared up at the mention of this. It wasn't directed at Shizune, but rather at Hagoromo Gengetsu. Despite his reputation, he had stooped to despicable means to steal another's jutsu. Had she been there, she would've punched him hard.

However, she quickly calmed her anger and pondered seriously. "The Spirit Transformation Technique allows one's soul to leave the body and kill from a distance. But it's a far cry from resurrection."

Jiraiya stroked his chin, a thought forming in his mind. "Perhaps... like Orochimaru, Hagoromo Gengetsu developed a technique similar to the Living Corpse Reincarnation. That could explain his resurrection. He might've sought the Spirit Transformation Technique to perfect his own soul."

Given that Hagoromo Gengetsu's body had been preserved, Jiraiya speculated this was the most plausible explanation.

"A technique like the Living Corpse Reincarnation?" Tsunade understood. For someone like Hagoromo Gengetsu, who had survived the brutal Warring States period, using any means to return to life was not unexpected. 

"A second Orochimaru! No, Hagoromo Gengetsu is even more dangerous!" Tsunade's brows knitted tightly. "Jiraiya, what do you think this old monster will do now that he's back?"

Having recently shifted from being a gambler to Hokage, Tsunade was now burdened with many responsibilities and had to consider various scenarios.

Jiraiya sighed and shook his head. "Who can say what that guy is thinking? I just hope he doesn't cause the ninja world to descend into chaos again."

"Just him?" Tsunade crossed her arms, exuding confidence. It seemed impossible for one individual to dominate the entire ninja world, even if her grandfather, Hashirama, couldn't do it, let alone his former adversary, Hagoromo Gengetsu.

"Apparently, the Cloud Village doesn't think so," Jiraiya replied with a grave expression, handing over a new document from the Cloud Village. "The Cloud Village has officially requested a Five Kage Summit."

"A Five Kage Summit?" Tsunade was taken aback.

Similar surprise filled the Mizukage, Mei Terumī's face.

"A Five Kage Summit? Is the Raikage so shaken by Hagoromo Gengetsu's revival that he proposes such a meeting?"

Having just been shocked by the news of Hagoromo Gengetsu's return, Mei Terumī found it absurd that the Cloud Village would call for a Five Kage Summit. 

The Five Kage Summit is the highest authority meeting in the ninja world, a meeting that had only occurred once in the past few decades. That summit had established the post-Warring States era structure of the ninja world, a structure that remains to this day.

Calling another summit just to deal with one person seemed absurd and would undermine the credibility of the Five Great Shinobi Countries. Even after three ninja wars, the collective power of the Five Great Nations is far greater than it was during the time of the First Kages.

The youthful Mizukage, Mei Terumī, dismissed the idea of a summit, instead directing her forces to fully investigate Hagoromo Gengetsu's movements.

Meanwhile, in Iwagakure, the response was markedly different. While Konohagakure and Kirigakure were surprised or aggressive, and Sunagakure was too preoccupied with the death of their Kazekage and the search for a new leader, Iwagakure's Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, fell into a long silence upon receiving the Cloud's information.

His subordinates waited patiently, understanding the gravity of the situation. They knew that Ōnoki's decisions, developed over decades of leadership, were crucial.

After a lengthy pause, Ōnoki finally spoke, his gaze distant. "Any news on the Hagoromo clan?"