Torifu nodded: "That's right. All nine Tailed Beasts are in Konoha Village. They have been in Konoha Village since they were first captured."
"They weren't given to other villages as a bargaining chip for peace? Why is that?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was confused. Not even the Second Hokage had been able to reverse the decision made by the First Hokage. Yet, their village possessed all nine Tailed Beasts! This meant the First Hokage had chosen not to distribute the Tailed Beasts and opted for another method to get the villages to sign a peace treaty. Sarutobi Hiruzen was growing increasingly curious about that Konoha Village. If their Konoha Village could also possess all nine Tailed Beasts, he couldn't imagine how strong their village would be now!
"How did the other villages willingly sign an agreement without the Tailed Beasts? How did you manage that?"
This was no secret, so Torifu told Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Naturally, it was the power of Hashirama-sama. The God of Shinobi's might intimidated the entire ninja world, so who dared to refuse?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes dimmed upon hearing this: "But after Hashirama-sama's death, everything would revert to the way it was."
Torifu flashed a knowing smile: "What if I told you that Hashirama-sama is still alive?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately slammed his hand on the table: "Impossible! If Hashirama-sama were still alive, he would be eighty or ninety years old! H-how could that be!" No one in Konoha Village had ever lived past eighty; their average lifespan was around sixty or seventy. Furthermore, Hashirama-sama had died of illness while still in his prime. Hiruzen remembered it clearly. No medical ninja or medicine in Konoha Village could cure Hashirama-sama's illness. How could everything be so smooth in their world?
"What I'm saying is all true. Not only is Hashirama-sama alive, but Tobirama-sama and Mito-sama are also alive and well."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was very familiar with these names, but they seemed distant to him now. These people had been dead for almost forty years. Sarutobi Hiruzen was still very young then, and now he had a house full of children and grandchildren.
"Is what you're saying true?" Sarutobi Hiruzen truly hoped this was true, as he genuinely wished to see his Master and the First Hokage again. His journey had been incredibly difficult. The Second Hokage's early passing left him, a young man in his twenties, as the Hokage. With so many dissenting voices in the village, he feared he would have been impeached had it not been for Mito-sama. He only managed to secure his position with Mito-sama's support. But various problems followed one after another—the development of the village, pressure from the nation, and the approaching war. All of it had exhausted Hiruzen. However, he had managed to get through it all, and he didn't regret becoming Hokage. He wanted to see Hashirama and Tobirama just to ask one question: was he a worthy Hokage for working so diligently all these years to bring a village on the brink of collapse back to life?
"Of course, it's all true. I have no need to deceive you."
Torifu's words caused Sarutobi Hiruzen to let out a heavy sigh: "When can we also make a trip to your world?"
At this, Namikaze Minato looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen in surprise: "Third Hokage-sama, you need to calm down."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand: "What's this talk of calming down? In that world, my Master, my elders, are all alive. I naturally have to go."
Torifu spread his hands: "My Konoha Village naturally welcomes your arrival. And you can also chat with the Hiruzen of our world and see what differences you have."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled faintly at this. Yes, his alternate self in another world—that would surely be a novel experience.
"Then... what about my students? How are they doing?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's three proud disciples: one wandered the entire ninja world, another suffered from hemophobia due to the death of her brother and lover and could never fight again, and the last immersed himself in all sorts of research, locking himself in a sunless cave all day long. Their once-promising futures had turned into this. Thus, Sarutobi Hiruzen greatly wanted to know what his disciples were like in the other world.
Torifu thought for a moment, then recounted them one by one: "Jiraiya is an elite Jōnin in the village, and also a bestselling author of novels across the ninja world. He enjoys traveling and sightseeing quite a bit." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. There wasn't much difference from the Jiraiya here.
"As for Orochimaru, he is working with my younger brother to establish Konoha Village's Technology Department, holding a very important position and contributing his power to the technological development of Konoha Village."
Technology? This was the first time Sarutobi Hiruzen had heard this term. He didn't quite understand what it meant. However, it sounded much better than his current situation, at least he was contributing to the village.
"And Hiruko..."
"Wait, wasn't Hiruko the rogue ninja? I took him as a disciple? Where is Tsunade?"
Torifu, of course, knew Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciple was Tsunade, but he said this to maintain his identity as a 'complete outsider from another world.' Torifu pretended to be confused: "Your disciple is Tsunade? In our world, Tsunade did not apprentice under anyone."
Hiruzen thought carefully. That made sense. Since Hashirama, Tobirama, and Mito-sama had not passed away, Tsunade would naturally be educated by them personally.
"I see. Then, please tell me about Tsunade's situation."
Torifu readily agreed: "Tsunade is currently the director of Konoha Village's Hospital, managing Konoha Village's medical corps, and she compiled the Medical Ninja Handbook." Sarutobi Hiruzen felt the first half was no different from his own student, but the second half was completely different.
"She has been married to her lover, Dan, for many years. Their marriage is stable and very loving, and it seems they plan to have children soon."
Dan, another name of a ninja who died, and the very reason Tsunade suffered from hemophobia.
"That's wonderful. That boy didn't die. That's truly good. He should have been a person who could become Hokage, but he fell early."
Torifu smoothly added: "Dan is currently the head of the ANBU Department. His strength has reached Kage-level, and he is considered a very excellent ninja in Konoha Village."