Inside the Senju Clan, one-year-old little Tsunade sat in front of Fūmori Masaki, looking at the game placed between them, clapping her hands happily and laughing joyfully.
Fūmori Masaki wondered to himself how he had ended up playing this kind of game with a little girl. But, when it came down to it, it was because Hashirama had led his granddaughter astray, teaching her to gamble with others at such a tender age.
Looking at the grinning Tsunade before him, Fūmori Masaki felt an impulse. He reached out and gently pinched her chubby baby cheeks, causing the little girl to shriek and wave her hands in dissatisfaction.
"Haha, it looks like little Tsunade really likes you, Masaki," Hashirama said from the side with a smile.
"Is that so?" Fūmori Masaki looked at Tsunade, who was babbling simple words, expressing her dissatisfaction.
"Of course. If it were someone little Tsunade disliked, she would have already started swatting at them," Hashirama said, appearing as if someone had indeed suffered such treatment before.
"Then I am truly lucky," Fūmori Masaki laughed. "Lady Tsunade is quite cute, but it seems her temper might be a bit willful in the future."
Setting aside her willful side, Tsunade's appearance was absolutely refined. Both of her parents were exceptionally good-looking, and their daughter naturally inherited their best traits.
"Uh—willful, huh." Hashirama crossed his arms over his chest, frowning in deep thought. He used to think Tsunade would become quieter in the future, but now she was becoming increasingly willful. This was inseparable from Hashirama's doting, but even if he realized this, he likely wouldn't change his behavior.
For someone nearing the end of his life, what was wrong with doting on his grandchild? Tsunade was only a bit willful; as a person, she wasn't bad at all. At the very least, Hashirama believed that even if he passed away, Mito could raise her granddaughter well, so there was no need to worry about her going astray in the future.
"Anyway, let's end the game here for now." Seeing Tsunade yawn, Fūmori Masaki tidied up and nodded to the maid at the door.
The maid picked up Tsunade, bowed to Hashirama and Fūmori Masaki, and then exited the room, taking Tsunade to rest.
Watching his granddaughter leave, Hashirama sighed and said, "I really hope I could see what little Tsunade looks like when she grows up."
Fūmori Masaki remained silent. Recently, Hashirama's health had been deteriorating. He used to be able to move around freely, but now he could only lie in bed and could not walk about at will. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Hashirama was nearing the end of his life.
That the man known as the God of Shinobi could be reduced to such a weakened state made one sigh with emotion. Fūmori Masaki felt very sad in his heart, but since he had already prepared himself, he did not lose his composure.
Fūmori Masaki did not offer any polite platitudes like "You will definitely see it," but instead said, "Lady Tsunade will definitely grow up healthy; please rest assured."
"If you say so, then I am at ease," Hashirama nodded slightly. "Masaki, if little Tsunade becomes a Ninja in the future, I'll have to trouble you to look after her a little."
Hashirama had no sons in his life, only two daughters. His eldest daughter was already married and had given birth to Tsunade, while his second daughter was only eleven. Perhaps out of consideration for his daughters' situations, Hashirama did not let them become Ninjas. The eldest daughter accepted this readily, but the second daughter had other ideas. After he passed away, there was no guarantee whether Tsunade would want to become a Ninja, so Hashirama asked Fūmori Masaki in advance to look after Tsunade in the future.
Fūmori Masaki was just about to agree when what Hashirama said next left him somewhat confused. He heard Hashirama say, "Hmm, actually, if I think about it carefully, it would be best if you became little Tsunade's teacher. You see, she likes you quite a bit, so even if she gets willful in the future, there shouldn't be any major trouble."
No, no, that's not the point, right? Fūmori Masaki smiled bitterly in his heart. If Tsunade came under his tutelage to study, what would happen to the future Sannin of Konoha? Would Hiruzen Sarutobi have to drag someone else in from who knows where? Hmm, with Hiruzen Sarutobi's teaching ability, he might not be unable to teach a "New Sannin."
Fūmori Masaki had no resistance to taking Tsunade as a student; he just felt a strange sensation that the Sannin from his memories would be broken up.
"Let's wait until that time comes. Perhaps when Lady Tsunade grows up, she won't want to," Fūmori Masaki said.
"I don't think so," Hashirama smiled. "Masaki, I have watched you slowly grow up over these years. I trust you very much. Leaving little Tsunade to you, I am absolutely at ease!"
Hashirama had also instructed Tobirama's seven disciples, but his relationship with Fūmori Masaki was closer than with anyone else. The uniqueness of Sage Art meant Hashirama had a true legacy to pass on, and if one person were to be chosen from the seven as Hashirama's direct disciple, that person would undoubtedly be Fūmori Masaki.
"You flatter me," Fūmori Masaki said hurriedly, not expecting Hashirama to say such a thing.
"There is no need to belittle yourself, Masaki. You are truly excellent," Hashirama waved his hand and said, "I heard you gave Tobirama some advice regarding the threats surrounding the country."
"You know about that?" Fūmori Masaki was somewhat surprised.
"Of course I would know. After all, I am the First Generation Hokage," Hashirama smiled bitterly. "The successive passing of the Kage from other countries made me sad, but what I didn't expect was that those successors couldn't even wait a few years before they started preparing for war."
"This might not be their true intention; perhaps there are other reasons." Fūmori Masaki actually wanted to say directly that it was the issue of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, but after thinking about it, he didn't say it out loud.
"I hope so. Not everyone in the other Ninja Villages loves war; people who love peace do exist," Hashirama said.
Perhaps they really existed, but according to the traditions of the Ninja, once the Daimyo gave the word, no matter how much they loved peace, they would certainly have to take action for the nobles, Fūmori Masaki thought to himself. He dared not think about another possibility: if the Daimyo of the Land of Fire gave the order, how would Hashirama act?
"War is coming soon, but at least, I maintained peace for ten years," Hashirama said. "Reaching this situation, perhaps I did some things wrong. I had this premonition when I killed Madara back then, but I could only keep moving forward; otherwise, everything I sacrificed would be in vain. I have no way to turn back, but Masaki, your generation still has possibilities. I hope everything I have done can bring you new thoughts, allowing you to find a better path to peace."
Upon hearing this, Fūmori Masaki said solemnly, "Lord Hashirama, please rest assured. I will definitely find other methods of peace to make Lord Hashirama's ideal world a reality. Even if our generation cannot do it, we will leave our experience to the next generation, allowing them to take a step further based on our foundation."
"Well said, Masaki." Hashirama laughed immediately. "The Will of Fire that I hope to promote is actually just this sort of thing."