"I'm really glad Tsunade had the courage to step up.
If she had continued to sit back and watch as Takuya was targeted, I don't even want to imagine what would have happened to Konoha.
That kid holds grudges like no other."
"Hmph, as if Konoha could be destroyed so easily. No matter how vengeful he is, so what?"
Tobirama remained stubborn. "I refuse to believe a single person could bring down all of Konoha!"
"..."
Sigh… I really want to see the look on your face when you realize just how wrong you are.
Hatake Sakumo opened his mouth but ultimately chose not to argue.
"What? Am I wrong?"
Seeing Sakumo hesitate as if he didn't believe him, Tobirama's face darkened.
Sigh~~~
Letting out a deep sigh, Sakumo glanced around, ensuring that the ANBU had secured their surroundings before replying with frustration.
"Second Hokage-sama, if Takuya truly wanted to destroy Konoha, he might not even have to lift a finger himself."
"What do you mean?"
Tobirama frowned.
Sakumo spread his hands and answered bluntly, "Because just one of his summoned beasts could do it."
"..."
Are you messing with me?
A single summon wiping out all of Konoha?
"Maybe you think it's impossible, but it's the truth. Takuya isn't just incredibly strong himself—his summoned beast… well, let's put it this way:
Kushina was able to completely control the Nine-Tails and become a perfect jinchūriki, and the biggest reason for that is Takuya's summon.
That 'adorable little creature' is far more terrifying than the Nine-Tails."
"?????"
Tobirama was getting more and more confused.
Adorable little creature?
Stronger than the Nine-Tails?
And what the hell is a 'perfect jinchūriki'?
He had completely lost interest in his casual stroll—grabbing Sakumo, he bombarded him with questions, turning into an interrogation machine.
By the time Sakumo had explained everything, Tobirama was left in stunned silence.
For the first time, he started to wonder if Takuya had been serious about being able to beat him up.
Damn it!
How did that brat have the same eyes as Uchiha Madara?
And a tailed beast stronger than the Nine-Tails?!
Wouldn't that mean he could fight on equal footing with Hashirama?!
The thought sent shivers down Tobirama's spine.
At least Tsunade had kept the kid in check and stopped Hiruzen and the others from making things worse.
But… how the hell was that brat juggling so many relationships at once?!
Where did he get the audacity!!!
—
"Sensei!"
A burly man, his massive frame making his movements sluggish, walked toward them with a cheerful grin.
Perhaps due to the effects of long-term obesity, or maybe due to numerous injuries from his youth, Akimichi Torifu's health had been deteriorating lately.
That was why he hadn't appeared right away when he first heard about Hashirama and Tobirama being resurrected. It had taken him some time to gather his strength and come out to meet them.
"Your health…"
Looking at his once youthful and chubby student, now bearded and bloated like a rolling barrel, Tobirama felt a mix of emotions.
Was this really the same innocent, bright-eyed little fatty he once taught?
"Hehe, I got too many injuries when I was younger, and now I'm paying the price. I actually wanted to ask Tsunade for help, but that kid doesn't really like me."
Akimichi Torifu chuckled, even making a joke at his own expense.
"Old injuries that haven't been treated for years are difficult to heal, even for a medical-nin."
Tobirama knew exactly what kind of person Torifu was.
The claim that Tsunade didn't like him was complete nonsense—she simply knew there wasn't much she could do for him.
Torifu grinned, quickly shifting the subject.
"Sensei, where are you headed? I can show you around. Also, you've met with Hiruzen already, right?"
"Homura and Koharu aren't in the village—they're away on official business at the Daimyo's court. It'll be a few more days before they return."
"As for Danzo…"
"Enough, I already know about him."
The moment Danzo's name was mentioned, the fire that had just died down inside Tobirama immediately reignited. His voice turned harsh.
"Torifu, I told you all to support Hiruzen, but I never expected you to do it like this."
"Sensei…"
Torifu looked as if he was about to cry.
"I didn't have a choice!"
He had genuinely wanted to support Hiruzen, but the problem was that Hiruzen trusted Danzo, Koharu, and Homura far more than he did him.
That left Torifu in a completely awkward position.
In the end, he had been stuck in the middle—neither fully accepted by the leadership nor able to make a difference.
Feeling helpless and without purpose, he had simply retired from politics and went home.
Sakumo stepped in to defend Torifu.
"Second Hokage-sama, Torifu-senpai has always done his best for the village. It's just that his position was too awkward—there were many things he wanted to change, but no one would listen to him."
"Hmph!"
Tobirama still sounded angry, but his rage had softened slightly.
"I never thought Hiruzen and Danzo would turn out like this."
His tone remained sharp, but at least his anger wasn't as intense anymore.
"Alright, stop looking at me like that. I'm already a dead man in the ground—I don't want to deal with past mistakes.
Since Orochimaru used his jutsu to bring us back, my brother and I will focus on dealing with Madara.
As for the village, I'm not going to interfere.
Tsunade is the Fourth Hokage now—just follow her decisions."
If Torifu's position was awkward, so was his.
Even though he was once the Second Hokage, even though he was Tsunade's great-uncle, he was still dead.
Even Hiruzen had retired—what business did a relic like him have meddling in village affairs?
If he went around barking orders, it would just create more problems for everyone.
Maybe even become a joke.
Besides, Tsunade wasn't the type to give in easily, and that reassured Tobirama.
The clingy little brat from the past had grown up.
…Though her taste in men could use some serious improvement.
Just thinking about Takuya's attitude toward him…
If he weren't currently in the Edo Tensei state, Tobirama would have exploded in sheer frustration.
Akimichi Torifu had originally wanted to follow along, but Tobirama sent him away.
But when Tobirama returned from his stroll later…
He found his brother heavily in debt.
And whose money was Hashirama gambling away?
The money he borrowed from the Third Hokage.
Tobirama absolutely lost it.
His furious roars echoed through the entire Hokage building, followed by Hashirama's awkward laughter and desperate attempts to pacify him.
The Hokage building was a complete mess.
But none of it affected Takuya in the slightest.
Returning home with Kushina, Takuya was enjoying a cozy evening—eating hotpot, sipping chilled orange juice, and living his best life.
___________________________
(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