A technique like the Mayfly Jutsu — the more Hajime used it, the more he felt it was practically divine.
Its practicality was far beyond the ordinary: it required no hand signs to activate, consumed very little chakra, and worked across most terrain. If it had any flaw, it was that its movement speed through different media wasn't exactly fast.
Compared to space-time ninjutsu like Uchiha Obito's teleportation, the difference was massive.
For example, whenever Hajime used Mayfly Jutsu — whether diving into a tree or emerging from the ground — the speed and transition time were both… less than ideal.
If he ran into an agile opponent, that "brief moment" could easily turn fatal.
Still, that flaw was well within acceptable limits. Every technique had imperfections; he just needed to be more cautious when using it.
Two days later, Hajime returned to the deep forest in high spirits after his "fruitful" trip — but as he neared the camp, he immediately sensed something off.
The guards who were supposed to be on watch were nowhere to be seen. They should've noticed him long ago.
Realizing something was wrong, Hajime quickened his pace. When he reached a vantage point overlooking the camp, he saw a tense standoff below.
Had they been discovered by the Tsugawa clan? No — it hadn't gotten that bad.
His clansmen had surrounded a single intruder. The two sides faced each other warily, but no one had struck yet.
That was at least something — a small blessing in misfortune. Thankfully, Hajime had made it back before a fight broke out. Otherwise… well, not to belittle his comrades, but he had great faith in their strength —
the kind of strength where no one could beat anyone.
The man surrounded at the center seemed calm. His aura carried more caution than hostility, which meant he probably hadn't come targeting the former "Hagumi Gen" He'd most likely stumbled upon them by accident.
Still, Hajime couldn't help but feel a pang of regret — this hideout had been perfect. Who'd have thought it would be discovered so soon?
When he focused on the intruder's face, he blinked hard, his expression turning strange.
The man's appearance and clothing were very distinctive.
He looked about Hajime's age — maybe fourteen or fifteen — wielding a large sword, with stark white hair, clad in dark blue half-armor.
Even if those features weren't enough, the half-face head protector and the clan crest engraved on it were unmistakable.
A very recognizable "big shot."
And a teenage version at that.
"Captain…"
"Captain, you're back!"
The others, seeing him return, all let out sighs of relief, as if the backbone of the group had finally arrived.
Hajime leapt down from his perch, landing on the edge of the encirclement. He calmly walked through his comrades, step by step approaching the intruder — deliberately avoiding any sudden movement that might provoke him.
No mistake. It's really him.
After taking a closer look, Hajime confirmed it one hundred percent —
Senju Tobirama, of the Senju Clan — the future Second Hokage.
Over a year since arriving in this world, Hajime had finally determined what era he was living in.
Having recently encountered both the Sarutobi and now the Senju, he couldn't help but feel that the gears of history were beginning to turn faster and faster.
Standing before this younger, still-developing Tobirama, Hajime subtly raised his guard. After all, the man was known for being cunning, ruthless, and willing to do anything to achieve his goals.
"Captain…"
Beside him, Hayasaka Ryunosuke shook his head slightly — a warning not to act rashly.
It wasn't that Ryunosuke doubted Hajime's strength; after witnessing Hajime's assassination skills, he had an almost blind faith in them.
Precisely because he believed Hajime could kill the intruder, he was afraid Hajime might actually try.
The crest on the intruder's headband was one no one could mistake. If they struck at him, the Senju clan's retaliation would be catastrophic.
The difference in power and influence was too great. Against the Tsugawa clan, they could still fight and flee — but the Senju? They weren't even in the same league.
Can't afford it. Absolutely can't afford it.
Hajime gave Ryunosuke a small nod, signaling that he understood and wouldn't make any sudden moves.
Truthfully, he wasn't so much intimidated by the Senju name as he was by the name of Hashirama.
Judging by Tobirama's apparent age, Hashirama would now be in his early twenties — likely at the height of his prime.
And though that "prime" was far from the level of the future "God of Shinobi,"
if Hajime ever faced him head-on, would it really matter whether he was crushed by Deep Forest Emergence or Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands?
Either way, it would be over in an instant — quick and painless.
So it wasn't that Hajime couldn't ambush Tobirama in the name of justice — he simply shouldn't.
First, he needed to know why Tobirama had appeared here.
Surely he hadn't come to annihilate them. Hajime's gut told him there was no real conflict between them — their paths had never even crossed before.
Tobirama studied Hajime closely. The young man's clothes were simple — basically a burlap sack tied with a rope. His hair was unkempt, his feet were bare except for straw sandals, and his pale skin suggested poor health.
This was a camp of wandering ninja — and a particularly destitute one at that.
"You're the one in charge here?" Tobirama asked flatly. "I've no quarrel with you, so long as you hand over the person you're hiding."
A bit arrogant, but not overtly hostile. At least he made it clear he didn't intend to harm these unfortunate strays.
From a young age, Tobirama had been a calculating person — and he would only grow more so. But he wasn't a bloodthirsty killer.
His cunning came from his pragmatism — the willingness to use any means necessary for his goals.
And those goals, considering the era, couldn't exactly be called "evil."
As the surrounded party, Tobirama still felt completely in control, calmly stating his demand — because he didn't see these people as a threat.
Looking for someone?
Hajime turned to Ryunosuke, who immediately shook his head. Clearly, they hadn't hidden anyone. Tobirama must've misunderstood something.
"Ahem. I think you'd better tend to your wounds first," Hajime said mildly. "You're about to lose too much blood…"