"What?! What are you trying to do?!"
In Konohagakure's research center, inside Senju Tobirama's personal lab, he stared at Hashirama with a look of utter despair.
"Big brother, do you have any idea how busy I am right now? I have to develop new jutsu, coordinate Minato with the different departments, and oversee Tatsu and Ryuri's training.
Even my Shadow Clones aren't enough!"
When he heard what Hashirama wanted to do, Tobirama completely lost it.
What? Tobirama, when you have time, turn Konohagakure into something like Uzushiogakure. I think their model is pretty good.
Ninjas could help civilians live better lives, and once people have stable food production,
If everyone has enough to eat, wouldn't that put an end to war?
Listen to that! Just listen!
Do you really think war will disappear just because people have food? Do you want to take a wild guess why I haven't done this already?
As Tobirama roared, Hashirama stood in the corner like a scolded schoolboy, arms crossed, silently listening to his brother rant.
Times had changed…
Back then, when Tobirama was being difficult, he could just pat his head and make things right. That wouldn't work anymore…
Orochimaru and Hiruko, who had been working nearby, immediately stopped what they were doing. Even their breathing became quieter.
Neither of them wanted Tobirama's attention right now.
"Four tasks. Three Shadow Clones should be enough."
Seeing that Tobirama had stopped yelling, Hashirama cautiously spoke.
"Hah?"
Tobirama froze for a moment and then burst into laughter—out of pure frustration.
You really are my brother, huh?
"Whoever came up with this idea, tell them to come talk to me themselves."
Leaving that final remark, Tobirama turned toward the window. He opened it, letting the cold wind blow against his face, easing his anger just a little.
"Tobirama~"
Hashirama followed him, standing beside him and saying,
"I already told Raijin I'd handle this. You don't want me to go back on my word, do you?"
Tobirama sighed in frustration and looked at Hashirama with a headache coming on.
"No way. Absolutely not. That excuse doesn't work on me.
When you told Tsunade, she just left. When you talked to Uchiha Madara, you two started fighting immediately.
So tell me, if Raijin hadn't come back today, how were you two planning to clean up the mess?!"
Spinning around, Tobirama shouted at Hashirama.
"Are you trying to die again?! I know, I know, Madara provoked you first. But couldn't you have just ignored him?!
Just endure it! Dodge it! Do you think Madara would really barge into the Senju compound just to provoke you?!"
"Alright, alright, alright."
Senju Hashirama nodded repeatedly and said to Senju Tobirama,
"At a time like this, you're still thinking about others? Can't you think about yourself for once? Go ask Uchiha Raijin—was he able to fight back after Otsutsuki Momoshiki arrived in the ninja world? It was him and Uchiha Madara—those were the first two people the Otsutsuki clan came looking for!"
Pressing his fingers against his throbbing forehead, Senju Tobirama turned around angrily.
"Leave this to me. I'll handle it."
With a helpless sigh, Senju Tobirama turned back to look at Senju Hashirama.
Before Hashirama could say anything, Senju Tobirama disappeared on the spot.
For some reason, Hashirama felt a little awkward and glanced at Orochimaru and Hiruko.
Sensing Hashirama's gaze, Hiruko and Orochimaru lowered their heads and continued their experiments.
With his hands behind his back, acting as if nothing had happened, Hashirama walked out of the lab.
At the Raijin household.
"Bang! Uchiha Raijin! Get out here!"
Senju Tobirama kicked open the door, leaving Tsunade, who was watering flowers in the yard, completely stunned.
She took a couple of steps forward and carefully looked at Senju Tobirama.
He doesn't look sick…
"How many fingers is this?"
Tsunade held up two fingers and asked Tobirama.
"Go back to watering your flowers."
Tobirama smacked her hand away and strode into the house.
"Yo, Grandpa Tobirama, you're here?"
Before Senju Tobirama could step inside, Raijin was already standing in the doorway, smiling at him.
"Hey! I was the one who asked Raijin to do it!"
At that moment, Tsunade crossed her arms and shouted at Senju Tobirama.
"And what makes you so capable?"
Tobirama didn't even turn his head as he responded, keeping his eyes on Uchiha Raijin.
"Calm down first. Here, let's sit down and talk this through."
Raijin stepped forward and held Tobirama's arm while shooting a look at Tsunade.
Internally, he sighed. Honestly, Lord Hashirama really isn't good at handling this…
"Go ahead."
Tobirama sat down at the tea table, still fuming, as Raijin poured him a cup of tea.
"Tsunade wanting to do this is understandable. She can't stand seeing people suffer—it shows she has a kind heart."
Raijin looked at Tobirama as he spoke.
"You don't need to praise her to me. I watched her grow up—I know exactly what kind of person she is."
Tobirama scoffed, but his mood had noticeably softened.
"Grandpa Hashirama and Elder Madara both have big ideals. When they see a chance to make their dreams come true, it makes sense that they'd want to act on it, right?"
Raijin continued speaking to Tobirama.
"I respect their ideals, but before achieving them, shouldn't they focus on surviving first? You understand that, don't you?"
Tobirama frowned, confused by Raijin's reasoning.
To be honest, he really couldn't figure out why Raijin agreed to this.
Sure, right now, Konoha could handle this plan easily. But once it involved the lives of ordinary people, it would become a complicated and exhausting task.
Maybe the cost wouldn't be high, but it would definitely be a huge hassle.
"That's true, but it's not necessarily a bad thing either. Think about it—why did Otsutsuki Kaguya create so many White Zetsu to fight Otsutsuki Momoshiki?"
Raijin posed the question to Tobirama.
"Because it works. Bringing more civilians into Konoha, increasing the number of students at the ninja academy, training more genin—even those who only learn a little ninjutsu—if they master Senjutsu, they could still stand a chance against the Otsutsuki.
You have to realize, the Otsutsuki aren't our only enemies. If there's one out there, doesn't that mean there could be more?"
"Even if we prepare ahead of time, it wouldn't be a bad thing. And look, I know you're busy, so why not let Minato handle this?
Besides, this could give skilled but overlooked ninjas a chance for promotion. Isn't that a good thing?"
Everyone has their own priorities.
Tsunade is driven by her desire to help others.
For Hashirama and Madara, talking about peace always works.
But convincing Tobirama is different. If you want him to support something, you have to show him that it comes with real, tangible benefits.
Whether it's for the long term or the short term, Senju Tobirama only takes action when there are clear benefits.
"Sigh..."
Holding his forehead with one hand, Senju Tobirama let out a helpless sigh.
Hearing Raijin's words, he actually started to feel tempted.
After all, it was indeed a good plan.
No one could guarantee that there was only one Otsutsuki above the dome.
There could always be other strange and unknown life forms with unpredictable abilities.
So, this plan was necessary.
The ninja world was passively exposed to the Otsutsuki's sight. If they could make some preparations, they definitely should.
~~
Feeling exhausted was normal. If they chose to be enslaved by the Otsutsuki, they wouldn't have to work so hard. But clearly, that was no longer an option.
"Alright, leave this to me. I'll discuss it with Minato later."
Standing up with a sigh, Tobirama spoke to Raijin.
"That's really a lot of trouble for you."
Hearing this, Raijin grinned and grabbed Tobirama's arm as they walked outside.
"What else can I do? Your time is too valuable. If I can handle some trivial matters, then I will."
Hearing this, Senju Tobirama shook his head helplessly and walked outside.
"What else can we do? You just happened to get stuck with a son-in-law like me. You'll have to bear with it."
Raijin nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Tobirama.
When asking someone to do work, saying a few nice words was just basic courtesy.
If something needs to be said, then say it.
"Hmph, you..."
Senju Tobirama shot Raijin an exasperated look and shook his head.
"I don't even know what direction you're trying to improve in right now. But in any case, I hope you take advantage of this rare time of peace to train properly. Try to raise your strength another level before Otsutsuki Momoshiki arrives in Konohagakure."
After saying that, Tobirama turned to Raijin.
"Konohagakure is counting on you now."
"Don't worry, I'll start training soon. As for my direction, I'll focus more on sensing the flow of natural energy in the world and developing new jutsu based on it."
Raijin nodded as he spoke to Tobirama.
"You're planning to leave again?"
Tobirama was momentarily stunned and looked at Raijin.
Honestly, if possible, Senju Tobirama didn't want Raijin to leave Konohagakure.
Right now, Raijin's role in the village was somewhat like the Tailed Beasts during the early days of the ninja villages after Hashirama's death.
A strategic weapon.
"No need. Getting started with it would be difficult in Konohagakure, but once I grasp the basics, I can continue training here just fine."
Raijin shook his head and replied to Tobirama.
"So, you guys just wanted to go out for a stroll before?"
Tobirama's expression froze as he glanced sideways at Raijin.
"Of course! Taking a walk outside can still help with progress, right?"
Raijin let out an awkward laugh and answered Tobirama.
"You..."
Tobirama gave Raijin a helpless look, but there was a hint of a smile at the corner of his eyes.
The next moment, his figure vanished in front of Raijin.
"Whew..."
Watching Tobirama disappear, Raijin let out a long breath.
"Alright, now we just wait for the results."
"Hmph, I heard that."
Hearing this, Tsunade put down the watering can, let out a light snort, and spoke to Raijin.
"Hmm."
Raijin glanced back at Tsunade, then walked leisurely back to his room with his hands behind his back.
Training really was necessary.
Even though the intel from Otsutsuki Isshiki was very detailed.
Still, since he had never actually fought them before, Raijin couldn't help but feel a little uncertain.
Before the real battle arrived, he had to make sure he was fully prepared.
…
"Tsunade! Wanna play a few rounds?"
Raijin had just returned to his room when he heard Hashirama's voice.
"Sure!"
Tsunade's expression brightened. She casually tossed the watering can aside and waved her hand, making a table appear in the yard.
At the same time, she created a shadow clone to brew tea.
"What about Raijin? Is he not home?"
Hashirama asked while shuffling the cards skillfully.
"Raijin is training. Time is pretty valuable right now."
Tsunade replied.
"Speaking of which, aren't you in a hurry to train too? Getting overshadowed by Uchiha Madara all the time must not feel great, right?"
She said as she picked up her cards.
"So you're saying if I train hard enough, I could surpass Madara?"
Hashirama looked at his cards while speaking.
"Exactly. Besides, Senjutsu has a really high potential. You already have a solid foundation, don't you?"
Tsunade said.
"I've been training in Senjutsu. It does have a high ceiling, but it also requires a lot of accumulation. Rushing it won't help at all."
Hashirama tossed his cards onto the table.
"You're still as dumb as ever. I win."
He tapped the table lightly.
"Put it on my tab. I don't have any money."
Tsunade pursed her lips in annoyance.
That didn't make sense—Hashirama wasn't even that good at this game. How did he win?
"No money? A Hokage with no money? Are you just being a sore loser? And didn't you take all the money I secretly saved up back then?"
Hashirama complained.
—
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