Longevity in Naruto

After a moment of silence, Dan said as he looked at Tobirama with eyes carrying a hint of curiosity and interest:

“Child, I have a proposal for you.”

Tobirama replied respectfully. Although he did not know who this young man, who appeared younger than him and had continued calling him a child, really was, he expected him to be an important and powerful figure of advanced age within the Ayato family or even the Ryukoga clan. All the evidence pointed toward that, from his strange aura to his manner of speaking. So he said:

“Yes, respected elder. I’m listening.”

“Relax. It’s merely a whim of mine, nothing more and nothing less.”

He fell silent for a moment, as if thinking about how to phrase his words, then continued:

“What do you think about becoming my disciple?”

Tobirama’s expression quickly became stern, and his mind began working intensely as he tried to analyze the situation. He had not expected such an offer, and he did not know how he should respond to it.

But what Tobirama did not know was that many powerful figures within the Walt family were shocked. None of Dan’s children or grandchildren had expected their father, who had extremely high standards, to make such an offer to someone from the Senju clan. He usually paid no attention to anyone outside his family.

After a period of silence, Tobirama spoke after carefully considering his words, his voice carrying a mixture of caution and curiosity:

“Respected elder, what would be required of me if I accepted your offer? I cannot make a decision without knowing what you would ask of me and what I would have to give up if I accepted.”

Dan replied in a relaxed tone:

“It’s simple. You must follow me, focus on what I teach you, open your mind to everything I tell you, and trust me even if you don’t understand everything at first.”

Tobirama quickly analyzed the answer, calculating the possibilities and weighing the words, then said in a voice carrying hidden concern:

“Does that mean I would have to leave the Senju clan?”

Dan smiled and said:

“Of course I won’t ask you to abandon your clan or your name. You are free in your allegiance, but if you follow me, you will no longer be suited to remain with your clan. In fact, even your behavior and anything you do in the world will become restricted by very strict rules.”

Tobirama began to understand the picture that the person before him was trying to convey. At the same time, he was overcome by complex and contradictory emotions. He had concluded that the young man before him might be someone who was hundreds of years old, and that he possessed an unbelievable level of power. He must also possess a vast inheritance of knowledge and techniques that would be extremely useful to his research.

This made him feel excited, because his mind, thirsty for knowledge, saw this offer as an opportunity that could never be replaced. But at the same time, he could not abandon his clan or his foolish elder brother. His heart was therefore torn between his scientific ambitions and his loyalty to his family.

After a period of silence, he sighed and said:

“Unfortunately, respected elder, I cannot accept your offer. I cannot leave my clan or abandon my brother. I am grateful for your offer, and I feel proud that you saw something in me worth recognizing, but I must apologize.”

Dan stood up, his expression showing no annoyance. Instead, he smiled as if he had expected this answer and said:

“Don’t worry, child. I expected your answer. It was merely a whim of mine, and I respect your decision.”

Tobirama tried to smile apologetically and bowed as he said:

“I am sorry, respected elder, for refusing your offer. I hope you find someone better than me, and I hope my refusal has not offended you.”