Chapter 405 405: Hashirama’s Training Arc (Canceled Due to Low Attendance)
"Hey Tobirama, why isn't anyone coming to my lesson?"
Senju Hashirama sat squatting on the ground, face full of gloom as he stared at the empty training area in front of him.
"I'm the God of Shinobi, aren't I? Am I not as good as Madara?"
Just moments ago, Tobirama had been mentally criticizing Uchiha Madara—but now, looking at his big brother moping like a child, all that sense of superiority instantly vanished.
Honestly… this guy might not be any better than Madara at all…
"Brother, people are coming to learn techniques—to study the fine points and essential skills," Tobirama said flatly, recalling the chaotic mess that was Hashirama's earlier demonstration.
"You, on the other hand, just clapped your hands—didn't even bother with hand seals—and dumped chakra like you had an endless supply. And you used Wood Release and Sage Art on top of that…"
"Sure, your jutsu are powerful and flashy, but like that? Even I can't make sense of what you're doing, let alone those ordinary shinobi who came here to improve!"
Tobirama shook his head, clearly exasperated.
"You know what they're saying lately? The whole Allied Shinobi Force thinks Uchiha Madara is the real hard-working, self-made shinobi."
"They say his explanations are clear, his combat techniques are elegant and practical—meanwhile you just clap your hands and act like everything's effortless!"
"Madara's becoming a role model for regular shinobi. You're supposed to be the God of Shinobi, Brother. Shouldn't you feel at least a little threatened?"
Hashirama grew even more deflated.
The two antenna-like tufts of hair drooping over his forehead twitched slightly, sagging weakly as he gazed up at the sky.
"…Tobirama, I think… they might be right," Hashirama mumbled.
"Madara really is that amazing. And me… I was just born with a lot of chakra. I happened to inherit Wood Release and learn Sage Mode. That's really all there is to it…"
Tobirama buried his face in his hands.
That line alone made even me, his brother, want to slap him.
So no wonder none of the shinobi wanted to attend his class…
"…Alright, Brother. Now's not the time to spiral into self-pity."
"If you can't teach, fine." Tobirama sighed, rubbing his temples and pausing to think for a moment.
"Go," Tobirama said. "Go speak with the sage-beast summoners—find a way to reduce the prerequisites for learning Sage Mode. If more shinobi can master it, we'll be that much stronger."
He gave Hashirama a firm pat on the shoulder, then turned his gaze toward Uchiha Madara, who now wore a faint, satisfied smile. Tobirama's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Brother… I have a feeling—if we can get through this trial… the shinobi world might finally know real peace. Don't let Kazuki down."
The word peace struck Hashirama like lightning. In an instant, he snapped out of his funk, energized.
"I understand, Tobirama!" Hashirama clenched his fists with renewed determination.
"Just watch what I can do!"
And with that, he dashed off in a whirlwind of motion.
Tobirama sighed.
"Always giving me trouble… And this is just the beginning. We still have to find a way for even the lower-tier shinobi to participate in high-level battles… That's going to be a headache."
He exhaled slowly, his eyes sharp and thoughtful.
"Not just that. Our own strength needs to increase as well. We need to spread Sage Mode… and make Flying Thunder God more accessible…"
"I just don't know how much time Kazuki is giving me…"
As the brains behind the entire Allied Shinobi Forces, Tobirama had more on his plate than anyone.
After all, when it came to comprehensive leadership and battlefield power, he truly was the top choice at the moment. The Sage of Six Paths might be powerful, but his training methods had a tendency to turn into glorified playtime.
And as for Madara and Hashirama… let's just say, their mentalities still required a bit of… emotional handling.
"Hmm?"
Tobirama suddenly felt a gaze on him. He turned his head.
In the distance stood Uchiha Izuna, arms crossed, squinting at him. His lips moved silently, but Tobirama read them clearly:
"For once… you're acting like a human being."
Then Izuna turned away, watching Madara with a look of genuine warmth as the latter reveled in teaching his students.
Tobirama snorted quietly.
"Just another dumb Uchiha…"
But then he murmured to himself: "There's still so much I have to do…"
"Don't let Kazuki down."
...
That night.
Tobirama worked late into the evening, finally collapsing onto his bed, utterly exhausted.
Just as he was about to close his eyes—
A voice he had missed deeply spoke up softly beside him: "Tobirama, are you asleep?"
Senju Tobirama's eyes suddenly widened!
That voice—no matter if he were reduced to ashes, Tobirama would still recognize it…
His emotions surged so violently that his Mangekyō Sharingan activated instinctively. First, his eyes widened, then he shut them tightly—diving into his mental space without hesitation.
There, staring at the familiar figure, Tobirama found himself flooded with a thousand words he wanted to say. But in the end, all he could do was call out the name that leapt to his lips: "…Kazuki!"
"Kazuki…"
Kazuki smiled gently at him, his gaze calmly scanning Tobirama up and down. He spoke in a soft voice, "Looks like you still haven't kicked the habit of staying up late… But you're not just a soul anymore. Even without rest, you're still holding up."
"You really ought to take care of your body."
A warmth stirred inexplicably in Tobirama's chest, and the corners of his lips lifted without thinking. "I'm not that old yet."
The two locked eyes.
In truth, Tobirama had countless questions he should be asking Kazuki right now…
Like: Why would Kazuki, whose mental state clearly seemed intact, suddenly announce to the entire shinobi world that he would destroy it if they failed his trials?
Had he been influenced by the Ōtsutsuki? Or had something gone wrong with his own thinking…?
But in this moment—seeing Kazuki standing there, safe and unchanged—Tobirama felt the heaviest burden in his heart suddenly lighten.
'So in the end… what I was most worried about all along wasn't the fate of the shinobi world… but Kazuki himself?'
That thought flashed through Tobirama's mind.
It went against the Will of Fire… but it was the truest feeling in his heart.
"Tobirama… thank you, for everything you've done during this time…"
Kazuki smiled at him, his voice low and warm. "Is there anything you want to ask me?"
Tobirama looked into Kazuki's eyes, eyes that couldn't hide their exhaustion. Silently, he shook his head.
After a long moment, he finally said, "Kazuki… between us, there's no need for that kind of talk. If you want to tell me something, I'll gladly listen. If you've got your own reasons and choose not to… then I'll support you."
"Just seeing you like this, knowing that you're alright—that's enough for me."
And he meant it.
From the moment Tobirama saw Kazuki, he could tell that Kazuki hadn't fallen into any so-called demonic nature—not as the Sage of Six Paths had feared, nor due to any madness brought on by Ōtsutsuki chakra.
Kazuki was still the same—heart full of the Will of Fire, and overflowing with love for this shinobi world!
That alone was enough.
Even if Kazuki truly intended to test the people of the shinobi world… there had to be a reason. One thing was certain—there was no malice behind it.
That—was the depth of Tobirama's trust in Kazuki, forged through blood and fire.
"Tobirama, listen to yourself…"
Kazuki shook his head. "If you ever asked, is there anything I wouldn't tell you?"
Tobirama's lips curved faintly into a smile.
"Tobirama, here's the situation right now…"
Kazuki slowly stepped over and sat beside him, speaking softly: "I've already subdued the she-demon inside me—Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, that is."
"But the problem is… the threat of the Ōtsutsuki clan still lingers. The Kaguya that the Sage of Six Paths once feared was just a member of their branch family…"
Kazuki's thoughts stirred.
In an instant, Senju Tobirama's mind flooded with vast intel on the Ōtsutsuki clan.
It included what the Sage of Six Paths had once said… and also what Kazuki himself knew.
Tobirama absorbed this unfamiliar knowledge like a sponge—quick and relentless.
A moment later, he let out a long exhale.
"That damned old fool—the Sage of Six Paths—what the hell was he thinking?!" Tobirama cursed without hesitation.
"The Ōtsutsuki clan is that terrifying, and after sealing Kaguya, he didn't think to immediately bolster the shinobi world's strength to resist external threats—no, instead he indulged in his little fantasy of mutual understanding and peace!"
"That useless idiot…"
Tobirama felt like his brain was about to burst. "No sense of the bigger picture… indecisive… obsessed with some delusional utopia—it really reminds me of that monkey!"
"No—he's worse than that monkey!"
Kazuki glanced at Tobirama in mild surprise.
Heh. How did this turn into an insult against Sarutobi Hiruzen too? As expected of the petty and vindictive Second Hokage.
Looks like Sarutobi Hiruzen just got outclassed by an Ōtsutsuki…
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