At this moment, Torifu just wanted to say, if the System hadn't issued a mission, I wouldn't have come!
Torifu scratched his head, chuckling, and didn't continue Tobirama's sentence. "Sensei, Hokage-sama, what do we do next? Kumogakure's forces have all been annihilated."
"Hm?" All of Kumogakure's rear forces were killed by you? Tobirama had thought Torifu had just run into Kinkaku and Ginkaku by chance, but he didn't expect that Torifu had actually annihilated all the remaining forces. There must have been several thousand, nearly ten thousand people, right? Just like that, killed?
"Yep, killed them. Mostly by surprise; otherwise, it wouldn't have worked."
Hashirama patted Torifu's shoulder upon hearing this. This young lad, at such a tender age, was already so decisive in killing; he truly had the demeanor of Hashirama in his youth. Back then, even if he and Uchiha Madara were friends, he still had to raise his blade and kill the members of the opposing clan. Torifu's actions today had protected the safety of the entire village, so Hashirama was naturally very pleased.
"Next, let's head back to the village. After all, though they were unjust, we cannot be dishonorable. The peace treaty was, after all, spearheaded by Konohagakure." Although he said this, Hashirama was still very angry. Upon returning to the village, he would immediately send someone to invite the Third Raikage to Konohagakure for negotiations. If a good outcome couldn't be achieved, then Konoha would have no choice but to force Kumogakure out of the ranks of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Torifu nodded. Since his teacher had already spoken, there was nothing more for him to say. However, the system hadn't given a notification yet, so he figured the First Great Ninja War wouldn't truly end until the Raikage's negotiations in Konohagakure were complete.
Recalling how, at six years old, Torifu had worried about how to protect himself in the First Great Ninja War, he was now a ninja who could change the landscape of the ninja world with a mere flick of his hand. The speed of this transformation was almost unbelievable to him.
"Alright, let's get going. If we move at full speed, we might make it back to the village by nightfall."
"Right!" Tobirama and Torifu responded simultaneously. Tobirama followed closely behind Hashirama, rushing towards Konohagakure. Torifu, meanwhile, sat on Aokumo's back, letting Aokumo fly at full speed.
Overall, this operation was quite smooth. Kinkaku and Ginkaku's Six Paths ninja tools were also pilfered by Torifu. The gains were quite good, but Torifu didn't particularly care for these items. Although the Ninjutsu released by these tools was powerful, they were too rigid and not suitable for someone like Torifu, who possessed a vast array of Ninjutsu. However, he could take them back as collectibles. After all, these were the Six Paths Sage's ninja tools. Who knew, maybe one day the Sage's soul would see how incredible Torifu was at such a young age and directly bestow upon him the Six Paths Power? Of course, that was just a dream. What's the difference between a person who doesn't dream and a salted fish?
The speed of the three people and two cranes was extremely fast. Hashirama and Tobirama's every leap covered a distance equivalent to an ordinary ninja's four or five rapid dodges. Aokumo's full-speed flight was terrifyingly fast, even subtly surpassing Hashirama on the ground.
Hashirama and Tobirama occasionally looked up at Torifu in the sky, then smiled wryly. "That kid is so relaxed. Who knows where he got such a fast summoned beast from? Its bloodline seems extremely high too."
Tobirama had always been very interested in Aokumo and Ryūfū, but since they were a junior's summoned beasts, he couldn't really research them. However, regarding the origin of these two cranes, he had a theory. "Nii-sama, when you fought Uchiha Madara back then, didn't Kumotsuru Ancestor appear to help you? Maybe he gave them."
Reminded by his younger brother, Hashirama finally realized, then nodded. "That's right, it must have been him. Otherwise, there wouldn't be cranes with such a high bloodline in the ninja world." Then he laughed heartily, "That kid even lied to me, saying he found them in the wild. I suppose his ancestor just didn't want him to say."
Tobirama also smiled. "It seems that kid is hiding quite a bit."
Hashirama nodded. Hashirama had always thought he understood this disciple very well, but after today's events, he felt as if he didn't understand him at all. But no matter what, he was still his disciple, and that was what mattered. The higher a disciple's achievements, the happier a teacher naturally became; the rest was irrelevant.
"Let him hide a bit. Who doesn't have something hidden? If Kumogakure hadn't suddenly launched an army, I wouldn't have known you were secretly dabbling in that Impure World Reincarnation."
Suddenly being mentioned, Tobirama felt very helpless. They were discussing Torifu together, so why did the conversation inexplicably turn to him? And Nii-sama, your favoritism is way too obvious, isn't it? Are you really not going to let me say anything?
"Tell me, who's more outstanding, him or Hiruzen?" Hashirama posed a soul-searching question to his younger brother. One was a young man he greatly valued, and the other was a disciple he greatly valued. This put Tobirama in a difficult position for a moment, but after a second of deep thought, he blurted out, "Torifu."
Hashirama also nodded. This question was actually beyond doubt. Hashirama just wanted to see his younger brother's attitude. Torifu could now be said to be the strongest ninja in all of Konohagakure, besides the two of them. Even the clan heads and elders might not be a match for Torifu. And he was only twelve years old, so young, his future potential was certainly limitless.
"Have you considered letting him take over the Hokage position?" Hashirama's question was meant to gauge Tobirama's thoughts, but then Tobirama's reply completely stumped him.
"Of course I have! Every single moment! I wish he were eighteen right now! Then I could directly hand over the Hokage position to him!"
Hashirama looked at Tobirama and asked, perplexed, "Then what about Hiruzen and the others?"
"The position of Hokage naturally goes to the most capable. While Monkey and the others are among the best in the village, and even stand out among their entire young generation, this addition of Torifu is a chasm they can never cross."
"At twelve years old, could you wipe out an army of nearly ten thousand and kill two Kage-level ninja?"
Hashirama shook his head. "I could not." Hashirama thought about himself at twelve, seemingly still skipping stones with Uchiha Madara, comparing who could pee further. And this child had already achieved so much.
Then Hashirama said with a serious expression, "In that case, we cannot conceal his merits from today. We must ensure he has greater prestige among the villagers."
Tobirama also nodded. "Naturally." They had jointly mentored this disciple for so many years; his character and integrity were beyond question, and his strength was overwhelmingly powerful. If such a person didn't become Hokage, who would?