It was night.
Aomi sat in the wicker chair in his bedroom, eyes closed, pondering the day's events.
"Kid, what exactly are you trying to do..." Senju Tobirama's voice echoed eerily, yet amusingly, there seemed to be an inexplicable and unmistakable confusion in it.
Aomi ignored him, and Senju Tobirama continued to analyze on his own: "You say you believe in the Will of Fire, but I won't believe that. For a crafty and dangerous kid like you, you wouldn't fail to see the core of the Will of Fire..."
"Are you trying to infiltrate the Hokage's faction, biding your time to benefit the Uchiha Clan?"
"Not quite... If that's the case, why would you suppress that extreme kid named Uchiha Obito? Besides, you've been mimicking my combat style all along, neither of which naturally enhances your image within the Uchiha Clan."
"But the problem is, you, the wicked kid who sealed me inside, make me believe you truly are dedicated to Konoha. Have I been fighting in the Ninja World all these years in vain..."
"However, you are also a descendant of Kagami."
Even the wise and calm Senju Tobirama was confused at this moment.
From a benefit standpoint, Aomi's actions are definitely not flattering within the Uchiha Clan.
Aomi openly demonstrated his genius by expressing admiration for the Will of Fire, wielding Senju Tobirama's sensitive Water Release to sweep dual-tomoe Obito, and criticizing the Sharingan for causing emotional instability...
The symbolism within this, the potential is too vast.
Moreover, Senju Tobirama had to admit.
If you disregard the fact that Aomi sealed his soul, and consider other aspects first, Aomi's character is something even he couldn't criticize.
Encouraging the hardworking Might Guy, healing him, and agreeing to become rivals despite being a genius, sharing advanced ninjutsu with the talented but resource-lacking civilian ninja Nohara Rin, and respecting the ordinary Chunin Unno Ikkaku, taking care of his younger brother...
Aomi's humility and gentleness are rare even among the Senju Clan.
But all of this returns to the original point, Senju Tobirama cannot disregard the fact that Aomi sealed him because it was his soul sealed...
Could it really be just as Aomi initially introduced himself?
He truly wasn't a twisted and extremely crazy Uchiha who appeared calm...
He really was just a good child who sleeps early and rises early, hoping for a simple life, forced to study secret techniques to summon his soul for help when caught in the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village?
As Senju Tobirama thought of this, a huge sense of absurdity engulfed him, and he even felt a vague sense of guilt.
If that's the case, wouldn't he have personally caused a genius Uchiha with the Will of Fire to become disheartened with the village?
Senju Tobirama shook his head forcefully, dismissing this abstract possibility, his gaze once again became resolute.
But his heart inevitably wavered because he inevitably changed his expectations of Aomi...
"Tobirama, I once read an ancient book with a saying I really like: 'A gentleman considers deeds, not thoughts.'" Aomi appeared before Senju Tobirama, studying this Second Hokage with a complex expression, and said slowly: "It means, when judging someone's likes and dislikes, don't speculate what they think, but look at what they've done."
"You are not only the Hokage but also a researcher, so you should understand that when you pre-judge someone or something, you lose objectivity."
"As a ninja I once respected, I will tell you this exception...
"What I want is simple, to make good people live better lives and bad people get what they deserve, to use my Uchiha Aomi's sense of justice to punish evil and promote good, bringing peace."
Senju Tobirama silently watched Aomi, but even with his acute vision, all he saw in those Sharingan was sincerity.
"Kid, I'll keep an eye on you."
"Tobirama, I really need your wisdom to safeguard me, feel free to speak if you have anything to say."
"Don't call me Tobirama! You brat, I am your grandfather's master, I'm from your great-grandfather's generation!"
"Alright, alright, Tobirama, aren't you already dead, why still fuss about generations?"
[From the target Senju Tobirama, you have obtained Kenjutsu (Senju Tobirama version)!]
The delightful sound of gold coins bursting resounded, and Aomi looked at Senju Tobirama, who was concerned with generations, suddenly smiling.
That smile was exactly the same as when Senju Tobirama first saw Aomi, as if he were looking at a bountiful harvest...
Senju Tobirama's heart jolted, and then he heard Aomi say to him: "Good night, then, Tobirama."
Darkness again shrouded Senju Tobirama's vision.
Aomi slowly undressed, humming a little tune in a great mood: "No matter how much, there is a harvest, Senju Tobirama's swordsmanship is not bad, it's time to buy a sword..."
"Oh, right, there seem to be quite a few good swords from the Warring States Era in the family's storage, I'll take a look after waking up tomorrow."
And as Aomi finished his milk, completed his warm-up exercises, and fell into a sound sleep.
Many people that night couldn't fall asleep.
In the room next door, Shisui tossed and turned, thinking about how to quickly improve his strength, feeling the pressure from Aomi was immense.
Might Guy, accompanied by Might Duy, excitedly ran laps around Konoha, the recognition from Aomi filling him with energy.
Nohara Rin lay on her bed, unconsciously staring at the bright moon outside the window, inexplicably recalling the tingling sensation when Aomi's fingers brushed against her throat, her face blushing again.
Kakashi gazed at the short blade in his hand, pondering whether he could stand a chance if he really battled Aomi.
Asuma stood in the courtyard of the Sarutobi Hiruzen household, sneaking a cigarette from his brother, staring at the swirling smoke, his mind filled with thoughts of Aomi, the Uchiha, and the Will of Fire.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't home; he was in the Hokage Office, focusing intently on composing a test, preparing questions for the subject Aomi anticipated.
Uchiha Obito was receiving cordial greetings from the elders headed by Uchiha Setsuna, gaining unprecedented attention. After all, a seven-year-old achieving dual tomoe, this was extremely rare in the thousand-year history of the Uchiha.
In the dark, Senju Tobirama contemplated, becoming increasingly unable to grasp Aomi, yet this only fueled his curiosity and competitiveness.
Meanwhile, in a hidden cave, Uchiha Madara, having received information from Zetsu regarding Obito and Aomi, scrutinized the report in deep thought.
From Konoha to the Ninja World, this chaotic world and chessboard for ninjas to dance on, due to the sudden rise of Aomi, have had their lines of fate subtly swayed.
Whether their fate will be better or worse in the future, Aomi does not know.
He slept very soundly.