Senju Tobirama—who was he? Was he really someone who couldn't handle a brat?
"Granduncle, don't be impulsive. If you want to fight someone, just go deal with Uchiha Madara instead."
"Our business doesn't need your interference, and you should really stop thinking about going after Takuya. I'm afraid you'll just end up getting beaten up."
Tsunade firmly grabbed onto the enraged Tobirama, stopping him from charging forward.
"Well then, see ya."
Takuya shrugged regretfully before turning around to leave.
He had no intention of giving Tobirama any face, even if he was Tsunade's elder.
To Takuya, Tobirama was not someone worthy of respect.
"What did you just say? That I would get beaten up? Me, Senju Tobirama, losing to some brat?"
Tobirama exploded in fury, roaring at Tsunade, utterly convinced she was underestimating him.
What kind of nonsense was this?
Hashirama sighed, rubbing his face in exasperation. Yet another pointless argument was brewing.
Still, that kid Tsunade took an interest in—his temper was definitely arrogant.
"That brat isn't just bragging, right? Also, why do you all keep going after him?"
Hashirama nudged Hiruzen with his elbow, completely ignoring the argument between Tobirama and Tsunade.
They're family. Let them argue. It's been years since they last saw each other. Arguing probably just helps them bond.
Hiruzen was speechless.
Lord First, can we not talk about this?
He honestly just wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
But facing Hashirama's curiosity, no matter how much he wanted to avoid it, he could only brace himself and answer,
"Originally, I wanted him to act as a bridge between the village and the Uchiha, but he refused. Then I thought he could become Tsunade's disciple, but…"
SMACK
Before he could finish, a firm slap landed on his back, nearly making him bite his tongue.
Hashirama burst into laughter, slapping Hiruzen's shoulder.
"Hahaha, Monkey, you're hilarious! The Uchiha already reject him, and you still wanted him to be the bridge between them and the village? That's just cruel!"
"What the hell were you thinking? Even I wouldn't have dared to ask for something like that."
A boy with Uchiha blood, yet ostracized by the very clan he was born from—and you wanted him to act as a double agent?
Sarutobi Hiruzen, you really are something else.
"Ahem, well, mainly because Danzo wanted him to join Root and be raised as a tool, so I…"
"So, instead, you hoped he'd become Tsunade's disciple?"
"Would you be willing to become the disciple of a girl you're interested in?"
Even though the master-disciple relationship wasn't overly restrictive in the shinobi world, the whole idea was still… awkward, to say the least.
If Tsunade and Takuya ended up together, the worst anyone could say was that Tsunade was a bit of a cougar. Not a big deal.
But if they were officially master and disciple, the implications would be way worse.
Imagine running into shinobi from another village. Banter would start flying, and the first thing they'd say would be something like:
"So, your student and you are… 'close,' huh?"
Would that be pleasant to hear?
Hiruzen was already numb.
Seeing that the poor guy had taken enough mental damage, Hashirama decided to stop teasing him.
Still, as he watched Tobirama and Tsunade bickering, he suddenly turned to Hiruzen and asked curiously,
"So that kid—he's really that strong? Even Tobirama isn't a match for him?"
Hashirama knew exactly how powerful his younger brother was.
Back in their time, aside from himself and Madara, Tobirama was easily one of the strongest shinobi in the world.
And now, to have someone not even take him seriously? To have Tsunade actively siding against him?
No wonder Tobirama was furious. Anyone would be.
"Yes, he's very strong."
Hiruzen habitually reached for his pipe, about to light it—then suddenly hesitated.
He glanced at Hashirama and subconsciously tried to put it away.
"Go ahead and smoke."
Hashirama waved his hand dismissively. He really didn't mind.
Everyone had their little vices.
Big deal. I'm the great 'Fat Sheep' of the shinobi world.
Though, to be fair, another 'Fat Sheep' had emerged—his granddaughter, Tsunade.
But that didn't stop him from being an absolute disaster when it came to gambling.
Hiruzen considered it for a moment but ultimately chose not to light up. Instead, he sighed and said,
"This kid is really strong. If it weren't for Uchiha Madara making a comeback, he might've become the strongest shinobi in the world."
"Back in the day, the Third Kazekage tried to 'praise him to death,' claiming that Takuya had the potential to rival you, Lord First."
"The Third Kazekage?"
Hashirama looked puzzled.
When he died, the Second Kazekage had only just taken power.
So who the hell was this 'Third' Kazekage?
"Yes. The Third Kazekage, who was considered the strongest in Sunagakure's history."
"Oh? Not bad, seems like he had a good eye. So what happened to him?"
Hashirama looked eager for gossip.
Hiruzen paused for a moment before continuing.
"He died on the battlefield… at Takuya's hands."
...
Wait, what?
This was the 'strongest' Kazekage?
One moment, he's hyping up a guy, and the next moment, that same guy kills him?
What a damn genius.
"Hey, Tsunade, anything fun happening in the village lately?"
Sensing that Tsunade and Tobirama were still locked in a silent staring contest, neither willing to back down, Hashirama decided to intervene before things escalated.
Tsunade hesitated, frowning as she thought about it.
"Landlord. Do you know how to play, Grandpa?"
"Eh? I can learn! Come on, let's play a few rounds!"
Hashirama's eyes lit up.
Hiruzen was speechless.
Tobirama, completely exasperated, shouted, "Big Brother! Do you even realize what time it is?! And you're thinking about playing games?!"
"Haha, relax, relax. We don't even know where Madara is. Worrying won't do us any good. Might as well take it easy for now. Don't you want to walk around and see how Konoha has developed over the years?"
"…"
Well, to be fair, Tobirama did want to see the village.
He had dedicated everything to Konoha, remained single his entire life, and even died for its sake.
Of course, now that he was back, he wanted to see what had become of the place.
"Then it's settled!"
Hashirama slapped his thigh enthusiastically.
"Tsunade, send someone to take your granduncle on a tour of the village. Meanwhile, let's figure out how to play Landlord."
"Sounds great!!"
Tsunade looked way too excited.
She had been forced to quit gambling for a while now since all her wages went toward paying off debts.
Before she even got her paycheck, Shikaku Nara would handle her debts for her—something Takuya had specifically instructed him to do.
With no money left and no way to touch public funds, she had been forced to stay clean.
But now, with her favorite grandpa on board, she had an excuse!
Tobirama: "…."
Hiruzen: "…."
"Alright, Sakumo, I'm leaving Granduncle in your hands. You got that?"
"…."
ANBU commander Hatake Sakumo reluctantly led Tobirama out of the office.
If the heavens could bear witness, he really didn't want to get involved in all this.
All he wanted was to finish work and go home.
But alas, he had no choice.
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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