After Jiraiya left, silence swallowed the temporary Hokage office.It wasn't the peaceful kind of silence, but a suffocating stillness that seemed to hang heavy over the entire camp.The flickering lamplight only deepened the shadows on Senju Tobirama's face as he leaned back in his chair, eyes sharp, posture taut, like a predator at rest.
At last, he broke the oppressive quiet. His voice was steady, but laced with disappointment:"Monkey… have you forgotten? You are the true Hokage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly raised his head to meet his teacher's gaze.His face was calm, unreadable—no trace of emotion on his features."Yes," he said evenly, "I am Hokage. But I am also your disciple."
He paused, his tone soft but resolute:"Since you, my teacher, have already decided on your path, I will support you. Even if it means… abolishing the daimyo system."
That single phrase sent a chill through the room.To dismantle the centuries-old rule of the feudal lords was not merely a political gamble; it was an open declaration of war against the nobility of the Land of Fire and, by extension, every other nation. Unless the other four great villages followed suit, Konoha would stand alone against a coalition of daimyos and their resources.For a village already teetering under internal turmoil, this was a death sentence.
Hiruzen knew all of this. His steady tone betrayed no fear, but the weight of his words was unmistakable.
Tobirama's lips curved in the faintest trace of mockery as he shook his head."Decades have passed, Monkey… and you've grown timid. Weak."His voice hardened, every syllable a blade."Do you think I'd make this decision without the power to back it up? I'll persuade the other Kage. And if they refuse…"His crimson eyes glinted in the lamplight, sharp as a kunai."I have never feared war."
There was no arrogance in his voice. Only calm, measured certainty.In truth, Tobirama had already prepared for every outcome, even the worst. Should his plans fail, there was always his trump card—the resurrection of his elder brother, Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage.With Hashirama's overwhelming power unleashed, the entire world would bow, no matter how loudly they protested.
Yet, that wasn't what weighed on him most.
He turned away slightly, voice softening in a rare moment of candor."Monkey… you should understand. I'm already a relic of the past. A dead man."His gaze fell on the floor, shadows obscuring his expression."I'm only here to protect Konoha, to stabilize the village. A corpse has no ambitions left… even Tsunade avoids me now."
Hiruzen's lips twitched faintly, but he said nothing.If his teacher truly had no personal desires, why cling so fiercely to this world?Why not return to the peace of the afterlife?
But he kept those thoughts to himself.
Instead, Hiruzen straightened and said, "Kakashi is worthy of being Hokage."He held Tobirama's gaze, voice calm but unyielding."His surveillance of Danzo, his actions regarding Naruto—those were my decisions. I authorized them personally."
Tobirama's gaze sharpened instantly, his expression cold."Are you trying to protect him? To use this as leverage against me?"
At that, Hiruzen finally looked up, his old eyes blazing with quiet determination."Teacher… don't forget. I am the Hokage now. The decisions you make today will reshape the entire shinobi world, perhaps for centuries. Someone will have to bear that burden."
His tone deepened, growing heavy with finality:"If someone's life must be sacrificed to calm the chaos this revolution will bring, let it be mine. I will offer my head to the other nations as penance, to buy Konoha time and forgiveness. I've already accepted this fate."He paused briefly, his next words chilling in their resolve."If my head alone isn't enough… then take the Sarutobi clan with me."
Tobirama's eyes widened slightly.For a moment, a rare flicker of emotion crossed his face—a mix of anger, frustration, and reluctant respect.
Hiruzen didn't falter."In exchange," he continued, "you must ensure the Hokage seat passes to Tsunade and Kakashi. They are the ones who carry the true Will of Fire. They are the ones with the power to save Konoha and the world."
Tobirama was silent for a long time, his sharp mind dissecting every word.Finally, he asked in a low voice, "You trust Kakashi that much?"
Hiruzen chuckled softly."You see him as a man corrupted by the Sharingan, perhaps even a future puppet. But I believe otherwise. His will is stronger than that. He will not fall."His voice grew warmer, yet resolute, the voice of a leader placing absolute faith in his successor."If we cannot trust him… if we cannot trust even one man to rise above corruption, then what future does the Will of Fire have? Kakashi is Konoha's next Hokage. He may falter, struggle, and stumble, but he will never become a destroyer of this world."
He met Tobirama's gaze directly."Wasn't it the same faith that led you to entrust the title of Hokage to me all those years ago, Teacher?"
Tobirama grunted softly, unreadable.
Hiruzen leaned back slightly, his voice low but cutting:"So… what do you think of my deal?""My head, in exchange for peace after the abolition of the daimyo system. Is this price… acceptable?"
Silence filled the room again, heavy as iron.The lamp flickered, casting long shadows over Tobirama's face as he studied his disciple.
After a long moment, Tobirama exhaled slowly, closing his eyes."I'll keep Kakashi under close surveillance," he said finally. "As for your… bargain, we'll proceed as you suggest."
Without another word, Tobirama turned and vanished into the shadows, the faint hum of the Flying Thunder God Technique marking his departure.
Only when his teacher was gone did Hiruzen let out a weary sigh. He leaned back heavily, fatigue settling over him like a cloak."Send for Shinnosuke," he ordered quietly.
Meanwhile, Tobirama reappeared in the Hyuga Clan's temporary encampment, materializing without warning in a flash of light.
Hyuga Hiashi immediately stepped forward, bowing low.
"Lord Second," Hiashi said respectfully, awe in his voice.
"Sit," Tobirama replied curtly, gesturing for him to take a seat. His expression was composed, but his mind was a storm.
The conversation with Hiruzen had only deepened his distrust. Words were easy; loyalty was not.If Konoha was to survive, he would secure absolute control over its most powerful clans.The Hyuga, with their unmatched Byakugan, were first. The Kurama, with their genjutsu mastery, would be next.
And Kakashi… Kakashi was a ticking bomb. No sentiment or plea would make Tobirama lower his guard.
He was Senju Tobirama, the Second Hokage.
A man who ruled with reason, not sentiment.
A man who would ensure Konoha's survival, no matter the cost.
Inside the Hyuga Clan's temporary camp, candlelight flickered gently, casting wavering shadows across the fine silk of the tent walls. The subtle fragrance of incense lingered in the air, creating an illusion of calm that belied the turbulent times outside.
Senju Tobirama and Hyuga Hiashi sat opposite one another, the elder Hokage's presence as sharp and imposing as a drawn blade, while Hiashi's demeanor carried the refined restraint of his clan—a serene mask over a storm of calculation.
Their pleasantries were brief, courteous, and measured; neither man was one for unnecessary words. The exchange was more like a silent negotiation of power than simple conversation, an acknowledgment that in this era of upheaval, alliances mattered more than tradition.
Tobirama's voice was smooth, yet heavy with quiet authority:"The Hyuga Clan has long stood as a cornerstone of Konoha's strength. In the future structure I intend to establish, your family's influence will remain unshaken… and if you wish it, even expanded."
Hiashi, hands folded neatly in his lap, offered a polite nod, though his pale eyes betrayed nothing. He understood what this truly meant. Tobirama was not simply offering power; he was securing loyalty. The Second Hokage's words were both a gesture of goodwill and a calculated tether.
"Our clan has always been loyal to the village," Hiashi replied calmly. "We will stand with Konoha, as we always have."
Their dialogue flowed smoothly, reaching a preliminary consensus without argument. The air in the tent seemed to ease, yet Tobirama's sharp gaze never softened. He was a man who rarely rested, even in conversation.
Then, as though struck by a passing thought, Tobirama spoke again, his tone deceptively casual:"Hyuga Clan Head, during my review of Konoha's intelligence archives, I noticed something intriguing. It seems your family was the first to receive news about the apocalyptic meteorite."
Hiashi's eyes flickered with a subtle hesitation. For a brief moment, his calm expression cracked, revealing a trace of unease.
"Yes…" he admitted carefully after a pause.
Inwardly, Hiashi's mind stirred with guarded thoughts. The truth of this early knowledge lay not in Konoha's intelligence network, but in the Hyuga Clan's ancient ties to a certain distant relative—the mysterious bloodline branch residing on the moon. But this was not information he could divulge lightly, not even to a Hokage. Especially not now, when the village itself teetered on the brink of chaos.
Tobirama, ever the predator, sensed Hiashi's reluctance immediately. Yet he did not press. Instead, he smiled faintly, the expression as sharp and precise as his intellect.
"It's alright, Clan Head. We'll revisit this matter later, when the time is right."
His sudden shift of topic was deliberate, and Hiashi felt the weight of Tobirama's strategic mind in every word.
"Actually, there is another matter I require your help with," Tobirama continued, his tone deepening. "It concerns the Sharingan."
Hiashi's eyes narrowed slightly, surprise flickering across his face."The Sharingan? What do you wish to know, Lord Tobirama?"
"I wish to determine," Tobirama said, his voice low but laced with tension, "whether the Byakugan is capable of detecting any mental interference or corruption tied to the Sharingan… particularly that of Uchiha Gen."
The mention of Gen's name darkened the air. Hiashi's calm demeanor shifted, his expression growing solemn.
"You suspect his Mangekyo has some hidden ability," Hiashi stated, his voice measured.
Tobirama's eyes hardened. "I do not 'suspect,' Clan Head. I know. But I lack sufficient data to confirm the extent of it."
Hiashi thought for a moment, his fingers lightly resting on his knee as he considered the intricacies of his clan's dojutsu. "The Byakugan can indeed analyze the flow of chakra within the brain and nervous system. By observing that, we can detect abnormalities in mental state. But identifying Sharingan-specific contamination… that would require direct comparison."
"Direct comparison?" Tobirama prompted.
"Yes. We would need to examine the Sharingan while it is active," Hiashi explained. "Observe its chakra flow directly, then compare it to Byakugan readings. But…" He hesitated slightly, his voice dropping, "…there are no living Uchiha within the village anymore. Such analysis may not be possible."
Tobirama's lips curled faintly, his eyes gleaming with a sharp, almost predatory light.
"That will not be a problem," Tobirama said coldly. "Ten Sharingan, collected from the Uchiha clan, are currently preserved in Konoha's hidden archives."
Hiashi's expression faltered. His pale eyes flickered with a rare mix of revulsion and sorrow. He knew well what 'preserved' truly meant.
Those eyes… had been stolen. Torn from the bodies of Uchiha corpses like trophies.
The tension in the tent deepened. Hiashi's silence spoke louder than words, and Tobirama, recognizing this, sighed softly. His voice softened, his tone almost regretful:
"Clan Head Hiashi, this atrocity was the work of Root. Of Danzo." Tobirama's sharp gaze dimmed, replaced with an unfamiliar solemnity. "On behalf of Konoha's leadership, I apologize. Such cruelty was never condoned under my administration, nor should it have been allowed to fester in the shadows."
Hiashi's expression shifted subtly, his stoic mask wavering for a fraction of a second. Tobirama's words carried sincerity, even a rare trace of remorse.
After a moment of silent contemplation, Hiashi inclined his head."In that case, Lord Tobirama… please lead the way."
The Second Hokage shook his head gently, lifting a hand."No rush. I've already summoned Kurama Clan Head. Once he arrives, we'll proceed together. Their expertise in genjutsu will prove invaluable to our analysis. If Uchiha Gen's power is manipulating minds, the Kurama clan's insight will be crucial."
Hiashi nodded gravely."That would be wise."
During the tense wait for the Kurama Clan Head's arrival, silence once again filled the tent.
Hyuga Hiashi sat with his gaze lowered, deep in thought.
What kind of evolution had the Sharingan undergone to create such potent and insidious mental contamination—so strong it could quietly erode the will of even someone like Danzo?
A faint chill coursed through Hiashi's heart at the thought.
The silence lingered, thick and heavy, until soft footsteps approached from outside. A respectful voice called out, "The Kurama Clan Head has arrived."
"Good. Let's go, Clan Head Hiashi. We'll head to the archives together," Tobirama said with a calm, clipped tone.
The three of them stepped out into the night, the darkness thick as ink, the air carrying a biting chill.
The Kurama Clan Head and Hiashi exchanged a brief, silent glance—mutual caution reflected in their eyes—before falling in step behind Tobirama.
With practiced ease, Tobirama unfurled a scroll inscribed with countless intricate runes.
The moment the parchment opened fully, a ripple of spatial energy surged outward, encircling the three like a stone cast into still water.
A sudden twist in perception followed, and in the blink of an eye, the scene shifted—
They now stood in a vast, hidden underground chamber.
"Is this… Lord Tobirama's new jutsu?" murmured Hiashi, his voice betraying a rare note of awe.
The Kurama Clan Head narrowed his eyes, equally stunned. "A fusion of Reverse Summoning and a spatial barrier technique…?"
Neither of them could conceal their shock. That Tobirama could create something this refined and powerful in such a short time was nothing short of terrifying.
The Second Hokage gave a curt nod, as if it were a minor accomplishment. This jutsu, however, had clearly been crafted for a singular purpose—to counter the looming apocalypse threatening the shinobi world.
The underground space was an engineering marvel. Every wall and surface was etched with elaborate sealing arrays, each exuding a subtle hum of chakra. The pressure they emitted was so dense it felt like an unseen weight pressing down on them.
They advanced slowly through a dimly lit corridor, the sound of their footsteps echoing faintly. At its end stood a massive door adorned with the unmistakable fan emblem of the Uchiha clan.
Tobirama's expression hardened. He formed several deliberate hand seals, and with a deep thrum, the door creaked open, revealing a room beyond cloaked in shadow.
The three entered cautiously. Tobirama lit a single candle in the center of the room, the soft flicker of flame pushing back the darkness in waves.
As the room came into focus, even Hiashi, known for his stoicism, faltered. His breath hitched, and a chill prickled along his skin.
The walls were lined with ten glass containers, each one pristine and chillingly clear. Inside each container floated a pair of crimson Sharingan, their tomoe glowing faintly as though alive.
They stared out into the room with a lifeless yet piercing gaze, their eerie glow bathing the chamber in a sinister red hue. The faint shimmer of chakra radiating from them only deepened the sense of foreboding.
Below every pair of eyes was a small, engraved plaque bearing a name—the name of the Uchiha they had once belonged to.
Once-living clan members, now reduced to specimens.
Suppressing the wave of unease rising in his chest, Hiashi forced his gaze toward the end of the chamber. There, elevated on a pedestal, rested a pair of Sharingan preserved with extraordinary care. His eyes narrowed, shock flashing through them as he read the inscription.
"This… is Uchiha Gen's grandfather?"
"Yes," Tobirama confirmed, his voice low. "These are his Sharingan."
The Second Hokage's tone was grave as he continued, "Konoha has preserved them carefully, along with others tied to Uchiha Gen's lineage. If there is a key to understanding this Sharingan corruption, it may lie here."
The weight of his words settled over them like an icy fog. Both Hiashi and the Kurama Clan Head felt their unease deepen.
Uchiha Gen's grandfather…
A man once highly respected within the clan. It was he who had maneuvered Uchiha Gen into a safe administrative position within the Police Force, protecting him despite his perceived lack of talent.
And now, even his eyes were entombed here, reduced to evidence in a grim investigation.
"From here on," Tobirama said, his sharp gaze sweeping over them, "I will be counting on both of you."
The flickering candlelight cast long, dancing shadows against the walls, and in the oppressive silence, the crimson eyes in the glass seemed almost to pulse—watching them.