The person who wanted to be Hokage wasn't qualified, and the person who didn't want to be Hokage was tricked into becoming Hokage. How interesting.
"Oh, right, Torifu brought back another little boy from outside the village."
"Oh?"
Hashirama and Mito were both quite interested. It had been over a decade since Torifu had last brought back an orphan. That child had now become a great inventor, respected throughout the entire shinobi world. He had changed the lifestyle of the entire ninja world. Even Hashirama had nothing but praise for Amado. But what the world didn't know was that Amado's achievements today were all thanks to Torifu's guidance. Even Hashirama wasn't sure if Torifu had a hand in these inventions.
"Tomorrow, have Torifu bring the child to me. Anyone he values must have extraordinary talent."
Tobirama smiled. "It's too early to tell his talent. He hasn't even learned how to cultivate chakra yet, but Torifu should be teaching him now."
Hashirama nodded. "Torifu's methods for teaching his apprentices have always been reassuring. Even that little troublemaker Nawaki was trained into a genius by him."
Mito took a sip of tea and smiled. "That's right. He became a Chūnin at just ten years old. His future potential is limitless."
Tobirama turned to Hashirama. "Brother, do you know what that kid told me today?"
"What? Don't keep me in suspense, just tell me."
Hashirama's temper was still quite impatient, but Tobirama always enjoyed teasing him slowly. He increasingly felt that his little brother had changed; he used to be so obedient, but now that he was old, he had become more and more outrageous.
Tobirama laughed heartily. "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore."
"Torifu said he would train the child he brought back to be the Fourth Hokage."
Hashirama's eyes widened, and the fruit he had just put in his mouth immediately flew out!
"What did you say? The Fourth Hokage?"
Tobirama nodded. "That's right. That's what he said. The Fourth Hokage."
Hashirama picked up another piece of fruit and ate it. "That kid is truly confident. Becoming Hokage isn't that easy."
Tobirama looked at his brother, who was feigning annoyance. "Which of the things he said he would do has he not accomplished?"
"He's confident for a reason. We'll just watch and see how far he can grow. The Hidden Leaf will only get better in his hands!"
At this moment, even Hashirama had to admit that his disciple had grown too fast. In just over a decade, he was about to become the Third Hokage and had even given them three divine medicines that almost made them young again. He truly didn't know where Torifu got these things.
"By the way, brother, do you think you can win against Torifu now?"
Hashirama shook his head. "I don't know. I haven't fought him. Ever since I stepped down as Hokage, I've rarely taught him anything because he'd already learned it all, so we've rarely sparred."
"Let alone a match to decide a winner. We've never had one."
Tobirama nodded. What his brother said was true, but he still felt that Torifu couldn't defeat his brother yet. However, it was probably very possible for him to defeat him. From a little squirt to a crane soaring high in the sky, Torifu had only taken a little over a decade. He probably wouldn't have to wait too long to take over as the new God of Shinobi from his brother. And as long as his brother and Torifu were in the Hidden Leaf, it would forever be the safest place in the world.
"In my opinion, even if Torifu's strength might still be slightly inferior, his achievements are much greater than Hashirama's."
Hashirama wholeheartedly agreed with Mito's words. "That's right. Look, in the middle of this summer, we can enjoy air conditioning. Isn't that all thanks to Torifu and Amado?"
"Who could have imagined that before? No one could have even thought of it, let alone made it happen."
Tobirama didn't entirely agree with this statement. In terms of achievements, his brother's were still the greatest. Without the Hidden Leaf, there would be no life like this. If not for his brother, the entire world would still be engulfed in war. How would anyone have time to research inventions? All this was built upon a foundation of peace. Without peace, everything would remain just a fantasy.
But he didn't voice his opinion, as it would be a bit of a mood killer. And if Torifu were here, he would surely agree with Tobirama's viewpoint.
"Alright, you two brothers, listen to me for a moment."
Tobirama immediately sat up straight and looked at Mito. "Please, Nee-san, go on."
Mito smiled slightly. "It's like this: my elder brother sent a letter saying he has a little granddaughter he wants to send to the Hidden Leaf to study. He wants me to take care of her."
"Oh? Ashina has a granddaughter now?"
Mito shot a look at Hashirama. "My brother is almost old enough to die in two years. Would a man his age still have a granddaughter? Besides, it's his youngest granddaughter! Why don't you ever listen?"
Hashirama had only intended to lighten the mood but had unexpectedly angered Mito. He felt a bit awkward. "Ahem... ahem, please continue."
Mito slightly bowed to Hashirama. "I apologize for my rudeness, my husband."
Hashirama couldn't help but roll his eyes. Every time she got angry, she would act this way afterward, making it seem like she was a gentle and well-mannered young lady. But in reality, she was a fiery red pepper! She would instantly flare up at the slightest displeasure. But he couldn't do anything about it. He had to dote on his own wife. So what if she got angry? If it weren't for Mito, Hashirama wouldn't have been able to quickly organize the clans and establish the Hidden Leaf Village. So Hashirama wasn't bothered by Mito's habit of getting angry. After all, they had been a loving couple for half a lifetime and had a deep understanding of each other.
"It's nothing, my dear wife."
Tobirama, seeing this scene, instinctively chose to ignore it.
Mito then continued, "My elder brother's sons are all fighting over the position of Daimyō. They're at each other's throats."
"But this little granddaughter is the one he dotes on the most. He can't bear for her to grow up in the middle of this conflict, so he asked me to take care of her."
Hashirama sighed upon hearing this. "Sigh, I've long told Ashina that the one-clan-one-country system is unfeasible, but he wouldn't listen."
"Since we can't help with that, we'll help him by taking care of his granddaughter."
Mito smiled. "My husband is indeed wise. We'll have Kushina come and live with us."
Hashirama agreed. "Of course. The little princess of the Uzumaki clan has a noble status, so she should naturally live with a big princess like you!"
"But how old is this child? Is she the same age as Tsunade?"
Mito shook her head. "She's only a six-year-old child. Otherwise, why would they send her away? It's a critical time for her personality to form. If she gets caught up in the conflict, her personality might not turn out so bright."
Tobirama put his cup of tea down on the table and asked, "Approximately when will she arrive? Should I send someone to escort her?"
Mito waved her hand. "She might arrive tomorrow, but there's no need to pick her up. It's just internal squabbling with petty schemes; they won't escalate to a full-blown conflict."
"Besides, no one will care about Kushina, as she's just a girl, except for my brother."