-----
-----
"I'm home, Mom!"
Aki shouted excitedly as he walked into the house with the First Hokage in tow. Even though the Uchiha clan members they'd passed on the way were all terrified at the sight of the First Hokage—something that seriously bummed Aki out—he still felt genuinely happy to be back. After all, he hadn't seen his parents in six months, and he'd missed them like crazy. Even if they scolded or smacked him, he'd be glad—because he knew how much they loved him.
Seeing Aki so happy made the First Hokage feel even more certain he'd done the right thing. "Maybe the Uchiha clan really could become the future protectors of Konoha."
"Ah! My son's finally home! Let me have a look at my sweet—uh…" Uchiha Nanako's excitement froze the moment she laid eyes on the First Hokage.
Aki beamed at her. "Mom, I brought my teacher back with me so he can heal that scar on your arm. My training's done, and I'm officially a Chūnin now! Pretty cool, right? Your son did a good job!"
He sounded nothing like a man in his forties. Maybe it was because he'd never really had a childhood with loving parents, or maybe he'd just been pretending to be a kid for so long he'd forgotten his real age. Either way, the sparkly-eyed look he gave her, like a puppy begging for praise, was totally genuine.
Nanako couldn't help but smile at her adorable son. "Of course my son's amazing! A genius among geniuses! Go take a bath now, sweetie—Mom's gonna make you a huge dinner to celebrate!" With that, she shoved him into his room.
The First Hokage chuckled as he watched her. "Looks like you've grown up, Nanako. What, you're not gonna welcome me at all?"
Nanako glared at him coldly. "What kind of welcome do you want, Lord Hokage? Fireworks? A parade? Maybe I should light up the whole street to greet the man who killed my father."
Her voice was icy.
The First Hokage sighed. "I get that you hate me, and maybe you always will. But you know I didn't do the wrong thing. I killed a friend for the sake of Konoha. I don't regret it. And I didn't wipe out the Uchiha clan—I let them remain as a major clan in the village. I even took Aki as my student. Isn't it time you let go of that grudge?"
"My father was the one who named Konoha. When the village was deciding on its first Hokage, he walked away—and you took the title. He didn't hang around after that. He wandered the world. And then, out of nowhere, he comes back and tries to kill you. But that whole story only comes from you and your wife. I just don't believe my father would do something like that."
The First Hokage stared at her silently. He had no idea what to say. So it's still about Madara. She really thinks I killed him just because I was scared he'd take power?
But I was the one who pushed for him to be the First Hokage in the first place! He said he had no family left, so I did everything I could to keep him from going down a dark path. I arranged his marriage, helped him translate those ancient sage scrolls... The forbidden jutsu in them let him evolve the Uchiha's Susanoo to terrifying levels. He could even summon a full, physical version of it—destructive beyond belief.
Thinking about it all, the First Hokage felt helpless.
Finally, he shamelessly said, "Look, I'm your son's teacher, and your uncle, technically. Aki told me your arm was badly injured and left with a nasty scar. I came here to help. You can't seriously be kicking me out. Just let me heal you and I'll go. Come on—hold out your arm."
"I don't need it!" Nanako snapped. "If you really want to look generous and kind, go to the hospital and help the injured. No need to act all fake here."
"I am going to heal you—whether you like it or not! If you won't come to me, I'm coming to you!"
"Nope. Not happening."
"Wood Style: All-Encompassing Forest!"
"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!"Her scream rang out through the whole village.
Later, when Aki and the First Hokage walked out of the house, Aki stared at the bright red handprint on his teacher's face and sighed. "Seriously? It was just a scar… how did that turn into a full-blown war?"
The First Hokage looked like he'd just been through hell, and that only made Aki feel more awkward. The two of them made their way into the Hokage's office in silence.
"So… that slap was from your mom?" The Second Hokage asked, clearly enjoying himself as he pointed at the imprint on his brother's face and glanced at Aki.
Aki gave a helpless nod.
Tobirama burst out laughing. "Big bro, you're amazing! There's now another person in this world who can hit you without getting a beatdown in return. There was your wife, then Tsunade, and now—Nanako! Hahaha! I always wondered what that fiery little brat would do if she ever met us again. I was too busy back then to deliver the mission to the Uchiha clan myself, but you beat me to it—and it was so worth it! That was hilarious!"
The First Hokage glared at him. "Can we talk about serious stuff now? Quit laughing already. If you've got the guts, you go visit Nanako. I bet she'd split your head open with a kitchen knife."
After nearly an hour of bantering, the two finally calmed down. Aki, watching these two legends goof around, felt a massive headache coming on.
"Aki's hit a bottleneck after six months of training," said the First Hokage. "The problem is his age. No matter how good his learning is or how many jutsu he knows, his body's just not strong enough yet to use them at full power. That's why I brought him here. I want you to assign him to a jōnin squad and let him take on some C- or B-rank missions. Got anyone in mind?"
Tobirama thought for a moment. "My student, Shimura Danzō, leads a team with two solid members: Uchiha Kagami, who's good at Fire Style and genjutsu, and Akimichi Torifu, who's great at taijutsu. They could mentor the kid for a while. Plus, Danzō himself uses Wind Style, so he'd be a good fit to teach the boy. Aki already knows Fire, Wind, and Lightning Style jutsu. That squad would be perfect for him."
The First Hokage nodded. "Sounds good. I'm not great with Fire or Wind myself. And you're a water and genjutsu expert, so it's not your thing either. Yeah, Danzō's team sounds like the best fit. What do you think, Aki?"
Aki nodded. "I'll follow your judgment, sirs."
Tobirama gestured to a shadow in the corner. "Bring Danzō to the Hokage's office."
A figure flickered into sight, bowed, and disappeared again. "Yes, Lord Hokage."
A moment later, a man with a big X-shaped scar on his chin walked in and bowed to both Hokages.
"First Hokage. Second Hokage. Ninja registration number: 000272. Chūnin Shimura Danzō, reporting in. Awaiting orders."
Tobirama sighed. "Danzō, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't be so stiff with me. You're my student. Look at how relaxed Hiruzen is compared to you. You're excellent in every way—but you're way too uptight."
Danzō replied, "Lord Second, protocol must be followed. Sarutobi Hiruzen is too undisciplined for my taste. I want no part in that. Now, what are your orders?"
Tobirama didn't press the issue and just pointed at Aki. "This kid's joining your squad for now. His name's Uchiha Aki. His registration number isn't set yet, but he's already at Chūnin level. The only thing he lacks is field experience. That's your job now. He's proficient in Wind, Fire, and Lightning jutsu. Your team's skills—Wind, Fire, and taijutsu—are a great match. Train him well. Got it?"
"Understood. I'll do my best to teach him both the skills of a ninja and how to handle real-life combat situations."
Danzō turned to Aki.
Aki bowed deeply. "Please take care of me, sir. I'll work hard."
Then he turned to the two Hokages. "I won't let you down. I'll do everything I can to become a shield that protects Konoha from harm."
Danzō's eyes lit up at that. After saluting both Hokages, he left the office with Aki.
"…Did you teach him to say that?" Tobirama asked, side-eyeing his brother.
"Nope. First time I've heard it too. Hahaha! A 'shield for Konoha,' huh? If he really means it, he might be the best protector the village has—after we're gone."
Tobirama's face turned serious. "Don't even think about it. It's not happening. Forget the fact that he's only seven. Just the fact that he's an Uchiha makes it impossible for him or his descendants to ever become Hokage. Not while I'm alive. Anyone who can say things like that is either extremely noble or extremely dangerous. Either way, that kind of person can never become Hokage."
Hashirama stared at his brother, then sighed. "You're way too biased against the Uchiha, Tobirama."
He turned and walked out, shaking his head.
"....."