Shisui happily ate the secret-grilled fish made by Aomi.
Although for this little genius of the Uchiha, today was his first time experiencing the taste of being beaten while suspended...
But the heartfelt care from his elder brother still made the young Shisui forget about the pain, immersing him in the taste of family love, unable to extricate himself.
"Kid."
Senju Tobirama's voice whispered in Aomi's ear: "I know you can hear me. You and this kid named Shisui are both descendants of Kagami, am I right..."
Aomi's ear twitched, watching Shisui devour the food with a smile while responding to Senju Tobirama within him: "You, who have betrayed the Will of Fire, didn't you claim you could tell who an Uchiha is with just a glance?"
"Then go ahead and guess for yourself."
Senju Tobirama narrowed his eyes, grinding his teeth.
Shisui's features were practically carved from the same mold as Uchiha Kagami.
But Aomi, in the history of the Uchiha Clan, was considered one of the most good-looking, quite different from the usual appearances of their bloodline.
"Hmph... Then let's get straight to the point. Since you are Kagami's descendant, I hope you can inherit his will."
For a rare moment, Senju Tobirama's tone carried a hint of sincerity:
"He is the only Uchiha I ever acknowledged. If you had told me earlier that you were his descendant, perhaps there wouldn't have been quarrels between us."
"Don't stray down the wrong path, kid. If you have any thoughts on the village's conflict with the Uchiha, I can help you think it through."
Aomi smirked and teasingly replied: "Senju Tobirama helping the Uchiha Clan? I can think of no metaphor finer than a weasel paying respects to a chicken.
"Is this to help me figure out how to bring about the Uchiha Clan's demise more quickly?"
Aomi appeared before Senju Tobirama, silenced him with a flick of his finger, then slowly said: "Since our first unpleasant conversation until now, I've come to understand a few things."
"The Will of Fire itself is not the problem. It's the executioners who are the major issue."
"From you, Sarutobi Hiruzen, to Shimura Danzo, all of you selfishly held the right to interpret what should be the entire village's Will of Fire, using it as a weapon to tarnish political opponents."
"What a terrifying tool it is. The Uchiha Clan, who contributed the most to Konoha, has now become a subject of suspicion within the village."
Senju Tobirama, unable to speak, could only look coldly at Aomi, expressing his disagreement.
"Just watch. This Will of Fire, held by just a few, will not only burn the Uchiha but also the civilians you intend to promote and protect."
"Do you believe it, Senju Tobirama? How about we make a bet? Soon, this will happen."
Aomi snapped his fingers, lifting Tobirama's silence.
"Kid, don't underestimate people."
Tobirama crossed his arms, standing confidently and strongly said, "Impossible. The Will of Fire is Konoha's guiding principle for all Hokages and their ninja paths to follow.
"Just like I once stayed behind for them, so too will my students sacrifice for their comrades and the village's future, never to harm them."
Aomi smiled subtly, raising a finger: "Alright then, within two years, if what I say doesn't happen, I will agree to any one of your requests."
"But..."
"If it does happen, you must sincerely apologize to me with a kowtow and repent for your sins."
This time.
The usually calm and wise Senju Tobirama agreed without hesitation.
"Alright, kid. Make sure you remember your words like a man."
"You too, Second Hokage."
After the conversation ended, Aomi first told Shisui to take a bath and go to bed, turning off Tobirama's live broadcast access, leisurely returned to bed to contemplate alone.
So far, the system's benefit period was almost coming to an end.
The initial Soul Imprisonment and clever dialogue that caused Senju Tobirama's emotional fluctuations were gradually winding down.
This composed Second Hokage quickly adjusted his emotions and accepted the reality.
So, even if Aomi displayed his water release and genjutsu talent that was strikingly similar to Tobirama, he could only barely earn a small reward from him.
Aomi mused over the Water Dragon Bite Burst he executed at full force on Shisui.
It was not only to amaze Shisui but also to stir some emotions in Tobirama, yet regretfully, Shisui presented rewards, and Tobirama did not.
This indicated that similar tactics were unlikely to affect Tobirama anymore, necessitating a change in approach.
"Haha. As expected of Senju Tobirama, but any strong fortress can be breached from within..."
Aomi's eyes sparkled with a keen light. He hadn't made the bet with Senju Tobirama for nothing.
At this time, Hatake Sakumo was still alive!
Aomi eagerly anticipated the moment when Senju Tobirama would witness his beloved student being driven to death by public opinion, trying to kill a civilian genius, the pillar of Konoha, and how remarkable his expression would be, how deeply shaken his heart,
And how substantial the reward would be!
"Shisui, being only six years old, can't offer much help now, so let's ignore him for the time being..."
"Still need to find a new target to confront."
Aomi contemplated which ninjas in Konoha are suitable and valuable confrontation targets now...
Among his age group for convenient contact, there were quite a few, but also not overly many.
Uchiha Obito, Hatake Kakashi, and Might Guy were highly valuable.
As for Sarutobi Asuma, Ebisu, Shiranui Genma, and the like... Aomi believed there was no point in bothering with small fry.
But if looking upwards to the Jonin level, Konoha still stood as a magnificent treasure trove.
Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kushina, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Hatake Sakumo, Uchiha Fugaku, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo...
Nearly ten Kage Level ninjas, plus countless elite Jonin!
It was like flowers flourishing, flames burning in oil, showing a trend to unify the Ninja World!
Unfortunately, in just a couple of years, these pillars of Konoha crumbled instantly with a crash. Died in battle, committed suicide, defected, left.
Leaving only Danzo and the Third like two emotionless puppets, still performing a dialogue on the Konoha stage.
Aomi did not intend to change the fate specifically for those Konoha strongmen who perished in the original timeline; he only cared about who among these people might have the chance to bind with him as confrontation targets in the upcoming events.
In the Ninja World, Aomi only trusted his own power. Even with Shisui, he would not pin too much hope on him.
No one else was more important than his own strength.
These Kage Level ninjas, to Aomi, offered not only individual power and Jutsu as fantastic rewards but many could also provoke Senju Tobirama's emotions in other aspects, unsettling the calm composure of the Second Hokage.
To attract the attention of these big figures, Aomi must play two key cards.
One, a strength and talent worthy of everyone's attention...
Two, an endlessly intriguing Will of Fire!