if anything this supports my theory he died of illness , or was weakened by illness when he fought so died of chakra exhaustion or something , rep+
Remember that thing , wat Hiruzen had?
Hes chakra network was growing weaker as he aged.
It could have been the casue aswell.
Also there must be negative effects to that Regenerate technique since it's OP as hell.
Tobi did tell Kabuto and Zetsu that he collected his DNA during their battle, though Kabuto knows that Tobi isn't Madara.
Plot no jutsu defeated him.
That's the most likely answer here.
It was Tobi who managed to defeat Hashirama.
but Hashirama was most likely weakened during that time.
Also , Tobi used a Jutsu on him , and Hashirama did not have enough time to figure it out most likely.
Plot No Jutsu,Talk No Jutsu > COAT
don't tell me that tobi defeted hashirama....
that shit cant even defeat the 4th hokage even when he was stressed and his mind was diverted towards saving the village and his wife...
and even weak hashi is supposed to be stronger than 4th...
time... killed him, my friend... time waits for no one( maybe tobi had time as an ally so that he survived for such long time ) but definitely not for hashirama... he was mortal and he met his fate... thats all....
:shrug:
one of the other shodai kages perhaps? we never did find out who the best mizukage/tsuchikage was. could have been shodai
Madara killed him in 1st ninja war, while Hashirama gave his tailed beasts to other nations(he didn't have anything to face complete susano'o)...and don't get wrong idea, Hashi and Madara we rivals, Madara lost the most important fight, but that doesnt make Hashi stronger, he had just better day than Madara, they were EQUAL