For Senju Tobirama, the Uchiha were his Achilles' heel. The moment they were mentioned, his rationality crumbled.
The atmosphere inside the Hokage's office shifted dramatically.
Hashirama let out a deep sigh, rubbing his forehead as if he had already predicted this outcome.
The Third Hokage remained silent.
Tsunade, unable to hold back, spoke up, "Granduncle, Takuya isn't part of the Uchiha clan. He belongs to the Yagami clan. Unfortunately, that family has long declined."
"Then why…?"
Just as Tobirama's expression began to ease, Tsunade's next words shattered his composure.
"His mother was an Uchiha, so he inherited their Kekkei Genkai. And because of that, when he was a child, he was targeted by both your students and the Uchiha."
A tragedy indeed.
Hashirama could already imagine what kind of life Takuya must have endured growing up—how difficult it must have been.
Any other child would have lost their mind.
Tobirama, who had visibly stiffened upon hearing about Takuya's Uchiha lineage, felt something stuck in his throat. It was neither going up nor down, leaving him incredibly uncomfortable.
"So, have you returned to the Uchiha?"
Tobirama believed he had found the key issue.
Unfortunately, Takuya only looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Why would I return to the Uchiha? Because of their so-called pride and surname?"
"Sorry, but I don't need any of that. I just want to live my own life."
"Instead of wasting your energy on me, you'd better start preparing yourself—because the man who has haunted your nightmares is still active in the shinobi world."
"Ridiculous."
Tobirama immediately rejected the idea.
Who could possibly be his nightmare?
Nonsense!
Well—except for his sister-in-law, Uzumaki Mito.
"Are you talking about Madara?"
Hashirama's voice carried a mixture of anticipation and deep concern.
"Yes, your beloved best friend—Uchiha Madara."
Takuya nodded and continued, "Back in the battle at the Valley of the End, Madara didn't actually die. He used a forbidden Uchiha technique to deceive everyone, faking his death and hiding away in seclusion."
"Eventually, he succeeded in fusing Uchiha and Senju powers, gaining the strength he always desired."
You might as well just call me out directly.
Tobirama's forehead veins bulged from irritation.
Takuya, however, ignored him completely.
"After reading the clan's sacred stone tablet, Madara conceived a bold and terrifying plan—to activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi, placing the entire world under a genjutsu where he alone would reign supreme."
"Are you telling the truth?"
Hashirama found the idea difficult to accept.
He clearly remembered killing Madara with his own hands.
Yet, not only had Madara faked his death, but he had also acquired the power he sought and was now planning to throw the entire shinobi world into chaos.
Can I really trust this kid's words?
Hearing Madara's name, Tobirama momentarily forgot about Takuya and turned to the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen let out a bitter smile and nodded.
"It's true. Madara used Izanagi to escape death, deceiving everyone. And he ultimately acquired the legendary Rinnegan."
As he spoke, Hiruzen recounted all of Madara's actions.
Transplanting the Rinnegan into Nagato, manipulating the Third Mizukage, plunging Kirigakure into the era of the Bloody Mist, where countless shinobi turned against each other.
Controlling Orochimaru, creating chaos in Iwagakure, stealing the Rinnegan…
Hiruzen went through it all, though he only summarized the events briefly.
"So, no matter what era it is, the shinobi world will never know peace?"
Hashirama sighed, rubbing his face in frustration.
"Big Brother, how can you still say something like that at a time like this?"
Tobirama was visibly displeased.
"Madara deceived us all. Since we've been revived by Edo Tensei, we should put an end to his schemes."
Madara, I won't let you succeed.
I will personally put an end to your ambitions.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop him."
Hashirama responded helplessly.
Whenever Madara was involved, Tobirama turned into an entirely different person.
After all these years, he hadn't changed a bit.
"Madara's next targets are Kumogakure and the Tailed Beasts across the various villages. If he regains his original eyes, the consequences will be unimaginable. That means it's up to the two of you to stop him."
Takuya was more than happy to pass the responsibility onto them.
Since they had been revived and wanted to stop Madara, then by all means—go ahead!
He'd be cheering from the sidelines.
He might even shout, "Go, go, old-timers!"
Judging by the confident expressions on their faces, they clearly didn't understand the severity of the situation.
They likely assumed that Madara's strength hadn't increased significantly.
Fusing Senju and Uchiha power? The so-called Sage's Eyes?
Bah, just some trivial nonsense.
Well, it wasn't surprising—after all, Hashirama's main talents were eating, sleeping, and beating up his best friend.
He had never once been intimidated by Madara.
They'd realize soon enough, though.
Once they got beaten down, they'd understand just how much trouble Madara had become!
It wasn't like they could die in Edo Tensei form.
At worst, they'd just get thrashed a little.
Since the two legendary figures didn't seem concerned, why should Takuya be?
Let them go wild.
"Speaking of which, what's going on between you and Tsunade?"
Hashirama's eyes darted between the two of them.
Tsunade's expression froze, and she instantly felt uncomfortable.
No matter how old she got, she still felt like a child when faced with her elders.
"Hmph, what else? He's just playing both sides."
Tobirama finally found an opportunity to reprimand Takuya, immediately turning his full attention to the matter and going into full lecture mode.
Unfortunately for him, Takuya simply cast a lazy glance in his direction.
"My charm is just too strong, and my abilities are more than enough to handle it. It's certainly better than some people who stay single their entire lives and can't even get a wife."
"You brat, what did you just say?!"
Tobirama's lungs nearly exploded from rage.
His stance suggested he was ready to throw hands at any moment.
Hiruzen immediately panicked.
"Sensei, don't!"
"Move aside! I have to teach this kid a lesson today!"
"No, Sensei, you can't beat him."
"....."
I can't beat him?
Tobirama stared at the Third Hokage in disbelief.
Was this old man joking?
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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read the rest of the Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01.
DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING