Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Outside the hospital room, Senju Tobirama was making a sincere plea. He desperately hoped Emiya Shirou would not leak the secrets of the ancient era to anyone, especially not to his older brother.
He knew what kind of person Hashirama was. The moment his brother learned that the Senju and Uchiha ancestors were brothers, descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, no less, he would start treating the Uchiha clan with even more insufferable tolerance. This would completely derail Tobirama's future plans to suppress them.
In fact, if possible, Tobirama would have preferred Shirou to publicize only the story of the evil Uchiha ancestor, Indra. That would make things much more convenient. However, he knew a man of Shirou's supposed integrity would see right through such a blatant attempt to oppress a clan and would be unlikely to agree.
Therefore, Tobirama chose his words with extreme caution. "Lord Emiya," he began, his voice heavy as he launched into a series of blatant lies. "The situation in Konoha is very unstable right now. If these secrets were to leak, they would surely cause a public uproar."
He continued, the picture of concern. "Although that fiend Madara Uchiha tried to destroy our village, we still want to treat the Uchiha who joined Konoha as our own companions. Once the villagers learn Indra's story, they will surely suspect the Uchiha of being inherently evil. They will definitely ostracize them even more."
Emiya Shirou's expression turned a bit strange.
What's this? Bullying me because I'm an antique? I just died, I'm not senile. Senju Tobirama, hoping the village won't ostracize the Uchiha? That sounds less like a statement and more like a joke. Besides, aren't you the one leading the charge?
However, Senju Tobirama was a master of self-justification. The Hokage's aide's reasoning was simply impeccable.
"To integrate the Uchiha into Konoha, my brother has always treated them very favorably. Once he learns their ancestor was his own ancestor's brother, and considering he just had to kill his best friend Madara to protect the village... he will feel he owes them. He will certainly treat the Uchiha clan with even more warmth." Tobirama's face was a mask of grave sincerity. "In that case, the other clans in the village will think it's unfair. If people know our ancestors were brothers, they will question my brother's fairness. He is the First Hokage. The relationships between the clans are extremely fragile. If someone questions his impartiality, the peace we fought so hard for could easily collapse."
After running in a huge circle, Senju Tobirama finally returned to his point. "Lord Emiya, for the sake of peace in Konoha and the entire ninja world, I can only ask you to keep these ancient secrets sealed away."
Shirou found he couldn't come up with a reason to refuse. Tobirama had spoken so eloquently, wrapping his entire argument in the noble cloth of moral high ground. His speech was a direct challenge: As a good person from ancient times, you surely don't want to see the world fall into chaos again, right?
These days, being a good person was truly so difficult. If you wanted to be a good person, you had to be prepared for a bit of moral blackmail.
Fortunately, Emiya Shirou was even better at it.
"I can only do my best not to misspeak," Shirou said, shaking his head with an air of hesitation. "In our time, when people were doing spiritual training, they would often communicate with chakra. People didn't hide their thoughts, nor did they lie to their companions." He put on an apologetic face, hoping Tobirama would understand his noble character. "I'm truly sorry. I can only do my best. After all, I'm not very good at hiding my true inner thoughts."
"It is I who should be apologizing," Tobirama said, not a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice. He let out a long sigh, a sense of longing for the pure, ancient era Shirou described filling him. "I have heard legends left by the Sage of Six Paths. It is said that in the age of Ninshu, people respected and understood one another. I never thought those legends were actually true."
"Actually, it wasn't absolute," Shirou said, rubbing his brow with some embarrassment. "For example, the people of Ninshu could not understand the thoughts of the Uchiha's ancestor, Indra. That's why he left, wanting to use the power of his Sharingan to destroy their village. In the end, Asura had to unite everyone's chakra to defeat him."
"What!" Hearing the familiar pattern, Tobirama subconsciously denounced the man. "That naturally evil Uchiha ancestor!" Such behavior! It was exactly the same as Madara Uchiha, who left Konoha, tried to destroy it, and was ultimately killed by his brother. Madara Uchiha and his ancestor were not good people!
"Speaking of which," Shirou changed the subject, casually praising him, "you and your brother have a very good relationship. Such a harmonious bond is really rare."
"That's only natural," Tobirama said, a touch of emotion entering his voice as he remembered his older brother protecting him in their childhood. "After all, my brother has been taking care of me since we were young."
This Emiya Shirou, Tobirama thought, he really is a good person. He found him to be a very pleasant man to chat with. Based on Shirou, one could infer that all ninjas of the ancient era were good people, and that time must have been a true paradise. Well, except for that naturally evil Uchiha ancestor.
"Let's go in." Pushing open the door, Tobirama's attitude toward Shirou had become more humble. "We are powerless to help with my brother's injuries. We can only entrust them to you, Lord Emiya."
"There's no need for that," Shirou said, waving a hand dismissively as he walked into the room. His posture became serious. "Please rest assured. I am a medical ninja. I will not fail my patient."
A faint scent of flowers hung in the air. Shirou's gaze fell on the man lying on the hospital bed. He had long black hair and was wrapped tightly in bandages, lying motionless with his eyes closed. His breathing, however, was even. The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. The most powerful ninja of this era.
"My brother has never been so weak," Tobirama said, standing beside Shirou with a grim expression. "The battle with Madara a few days ago nearly exhausted all his chakra."
"Let me see." Shirou's fingers rested on the patient's wrist. "A Wood Style user?" he murmured, seemingly surprised. He fell into thought. "Theoretically, Wood Style originates from the power of the God Tree. Back then, Asura only awakened it after receiving chakra from the Sage of Six Paths. It's unlikely for this power to be inherited by later generations."
"My brother awakened Wood Style after he became an adult," Tobirama said, immediately filing away the secret Shirou had just mentioned. He then prompted him, "Lord Emiya, what is his condition?"
"Don't worry," Shirou reassured him. "The patient's self-healing ability is very strong. It's just that his chakra is almost depleted, so his injuries haven't recovered. As long as his chakra is restored, he will be fine."
Tobirama thought the man was stating the obvious. Even he could see that much.
"However," Shirou paused, bringing up the issue that truly concerned Tobirama, "the patient has overused his self-healing ability, causing accelerated cell division. This has already damaged his lifespan. In addition, he has used too much of his own life energy to enhance his Wood Style. This situation is rather troublesome."
"Rather troublesome?" Instead of looking tense, Tobirama's face relaxed. "Does that mean you can solve it, Lord Emiya?"
"In the ancient era, this was a small problem. I could have just treated it with Yang Power." Shirou's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of regret in them. "However, in this reanimated state, I am no different from a dead person. I have no way of using Yang Power."
If only... I could be truly and perfectly resurrected.