Hashirama was NEVER stated to be the strongest character in the series...
Shishui however was stated to be strongest genjutsu user of the uchiha... Not only that but two of the final villains, were searching for his eyes because of its power..
Shishui himself knew of his eyes power.. which is why he had to hide them at all cost....
The one being a fan boy is you, who think hashirama has some magical way of breaking a genjutsu in which you don't even know you are being controlled..
Did you see Mifune? Dude didn't know shit that was going on... he thought those words, those actions were all his... You can't beat something that changes you and you don't know it...
Make hashirama look weak?
How in the world am i making him look weak? he's far from weak.. but he's up against a genjutsu that he can't contest with...
A genjutsu that even Tobi fears to give kabuto.... Tobi has 6 bijuu, rinnegan etc, and STILL is afraid of getting kotoamatsuki'd.....
Don't kid yourself.. Hashirama can't counter what he doesn't know about