"Don't look at me like that. I'm here for my reward. Your brother said you'd pay for saving him. Once I get it, I'm gone."
Rosen knew Tobirama suspected his motives.
He had no intention of entangling with the Senju Clan.
The Senju-Uchiha war was at its peak.
A lone wolf like him could be crushed in the chaos.
Even knowing history's course, the battlefield was unpredictable.
His strength, compared to Hashirama or Madara, was lacking; many others could defeat him too.
Tobirama was stunned, then smiled. "How much reward do you want?"
"At least an A-rank Seal Ninjutsu or a set of medical Ninjutsu."
Tobirama raised an eyebrow. "Do you know what the Senju Clan's friendship means?"
"It means I'd likely be cannon fodder on your battlefield."
Tobirama saw the disdain in Rosen's eyes.
It stung his pride.
The Senju were a prestigious clan; were they so disliked?
"Your name, sir?"
"Nara Rosen."
"From the Nara Clan?"
"No, a wandering Nara member. I don't want to join this dog-eat-dog war."
His identity was flimsy. The Nara would later align with the Sarutobi against the Uchiha.
Claiming to be a wanderer was safer, common in the Warring States, with many clan members fleeing the chaos.
"It's late. Rest with the Senju Clan tonight?"
"Some people are like that—approach them, and they think you're scheming; refuse, and they shamelessly try to win you over. Where I'm from, we call that cheap."
Tobirama's expression stiffened. He realized he fit that description.
But Rosen had saved his brother, so he couldn't act rashly. "Please."
This time, Rosen didn't refuse and followed Tobirama to the Senju Clan.
"White-hair, is your older brother married?"
Tobirama glanced at Rosen. "My brother and sister-in-law's marriage is known across the Ninja World. You didn't know?"
"I'm not from the Ninja World; I'm a wanderer." Rosen shrugged. "If not for this unlucky kid, I wouldn't be involved with you."
"Killing five Uchiha ninja—your strength and experience don't scream wanderer," Tobirama said, still suspicious.
"In this world, survival demands strength. From Luliang City to Daimyo City, two thousand li, I face at least three battles with over a hundred people."
"Join the Senju, and I'll ensure your safety."
"You can't even protect this unlucky kid. How can you protect an outsider like me?"
Itama glared at Rosen, resentful.
Stop singling me out!
"It was an accident," Tobirama said.
Itama, a Senju prince, was heavily guarded on the battlefield.
But this time, an ambush left him isolated.
In this chaotic era, safety was relative; no one could guarantee it.
"What benefits do I get joining the Senju?"
"Benefits come from military achievements. I can't make guarantees."
"Then we've nothing to discuss. For population growth, offer fair policies; for talent, offer great benefits."
"You think you're talent?"
"Standards for talent vary. Now, the Senju need Great Masters—powerful strength. If the Warring States end, talent will be those who aid clan recovery."
"Which are you?"
"Neither. I'm the man you'll never have."
Tobirama's face darkened, a black line forming.
At the Senju Clan, a tall figure in a loose white robe with long, straight black hair approached, laughing loudly.
"Haha… Tobirama, Itama, you're back!"
This was Senju Hashirama, the God of Ninja.
Hashirama patted Itama's shoulder hard, nearly knocking him flat.
"Is this your not-so-smart older brother?" Rosen asked Tobirama.
"Hmm," Tobirama replied quietly.
Normally, insulting his brother would earn a Flying Thunder God Slash.
But Rosen's words oddly resonated.
If Hashirama's IQ were five points higher, the Warring States might've ended.
Hashirama already showed near-invincible power.
Uchiha Madara, his rival, was strong but not dominant yet.
The Uchiha's notoriety came from their numbers, including several Mangekyo users.
Madara's strength was his combat talent.
Even with Mangekyo, he wasn't overwhelmingly superior, but he could outmaneuver others.
Only after Izuna's death by Tobirama's hand and gaining the Eternal Mangekyo did Madara match Hashirama.
From clan leadership to the Valley of the End, Hashirama always led.
For much of the Warring States, he held a clear edge.
Yet, he didn't end the conflicts by force.
His lofty ideals drove him, but others saw it differently.
To Rosen, an observer, it seemed foolish.
Ending the war sooner meant fewer deaths, but Hashirama insisted on persuading with virtue.
In a world of blades, his high ideals made him seem idiotic.
Yet his fists matched his ideals' height.
Hashirama turned to Rosen. "I heard someone badmouthing me."
Rosen looked skyward; Tobirama glanced around.
"Oh, kid, you've got Sage Chakra on you," Hashirama said, locking onto Rosen.
Rosen froze. Sage Chakra?
He knew of Sage Arts in the Ninja World.
Sage Chakra enabled unique Sage Arts and boosted Ninjutsu's power tenfold.
Sage Arts were monopolized by Shikkotsu Forest, Ryuchi Cave, and Mount Myōboku.
Rare individuals had an innate Sage Body.
Sage Chakra could erode the body, but some, like Jiraiya and Naruto, achieved partial control through training—imperfect Sages.
Minato and Kabuto were said to have Perfect Sage Bodies, meaning they could use Sage Arts more often.
Only three had innate Sage Bodies immune to erosion: the Six Paths Sage, Hashirama, and Jugo.
All Sage Arts required learning from the Three Great Sage Lands.
Was Hashirama's "Sage Chakra" Rosen's Qi or magic?
"Clan Chief Senju, can you show me this Sage Chakra?"
Hashirama didn't suspect ulterior motives, clasped his hands, and entered Sage Mode.
Black markings appeared around his eyes.
Rosen felt Hashirama's immense Qi.
So, Qi was the Ninja World's Sage Chakra.
Rosen released his Awakening of Hibernation.
Tobirama stared, shocked. He knew Sage Arts' power.
Until now, only his brother had them in the Ninja World.
Rosen having Sage Arts stunned him.
"Clan Chief Senju, which Sage Land is your Sage Art from?"
"Shikkotsu Forest," Hashirama said. "Yours?"
"Not from any Sage Land. I can't reveal my origin."
Hashirama didn't press. Everyone had secrets.
"Most can cultivate my Sage Arts. I'll offer them for trade," Rosen said.
Hashirama and Tobirama were intrigued, especially Tobirama, who'd long admired Sage Arts but lacked the talent.
Hearing Rosen had unique Sage Arts and would share them, Tobirama's pulse quickened.
"What do you want in exchange?"
"The Whirlpool Clan's Seal Ninjutsu or Tobirama's forbidden Ninjutsu."
Tobirama had begun his forbidden Ninjutsu mastery, developing the Flying Thunder God Technique and Flying Thunder God Slash.
Rosen wasn't sure how many he'd created.
Hashirama and Tobirama exchanged glances.
"I can't promise Whirlpool Clan Seal Ninjutsu; it's not ours. Tobirama's creations can be traded, but you can't spread them," Hashirama said.
"Then I have a condition: my Sage Arts can only be taught to one direct descendant per generation," Rosen said.
"Agreed," Tobirama said, more decisive than Hashirama.
Tobirama placed his hands on the ground. Summoning Jutsu: Sealing Scroll!
Bang—
A one-meter-tall scroll appeared.
Rosen handed over the Twenty-Four Qi Refining Arts to Tobirama.
"Obtained 20 Time-Space Points."
Rosen's heart stirred. Trading with Tobirama had altered the future.
Twenty points—more than saving Itama, but not a huge sum.
----------------------------------------------
The plans are now available.
1st Plan: Read 20 chapters in advance + free waifu.
2nd Plan: Read 30 chapters in advance + 10 waifu