In accordance with Hashirama's wishes, his funeral was to be simple and unadorned. When the time came, only those closest to him attended: Mito, Misaki, Kana, Tsunade, Fumori Masaki, and Uchiha Kagami. These were the people who had inherited Hashirama's legacy or were deeply connected to him.
Everyone, except for the innocent Tsunade, was deeply mourning Hashirama's passing. Fumori Masaki gently patted Tsunade's head and said, "Tsuna-chan, say your goodbyes to your Grandpa."
"Uncle Masaki, why is Grandpa sleeping in the dirt? When will he wake up to play with me again?" Tsunade asked, her voice filled with confusion.
"Your Grandpa will never wake up again, Tsuna-chan. He can't play with you anymore," Fumori Masaki explained softly.
At this, Tsunade burst into tears. She didn't fully grasp the concept of death but understood that her beloved grandfather wouldn't be there to play with her anymore. Masaki didn't blame her; she was just a child, too young to comprehend the finality of it all.
The First Hokage's funeral concluded swiftly. Despite their grief, they couldn't afford to linger in sorrow—there was still a war to be fought. With Fumori Masaki having lost his family's treasured ninja tool, Mito offered to help find a new one.
Mito summoned various ninja tools from her storage scroll, explaining, "These were all used by Hashirama during his lifetime. Since he no longer needs them, they should be put to good use. You can choose one that suits you."
Fumori Masaki inspected the tools. Most were large, reflecting Hashirama's incredible strength, but they weren't suitable for Masaki's fast, agile fighting style. He eventually selected the narrowest blade, testing its feel, but he wasn't entirely satisfied.
"This one is just barely adequate," Mito noted, reading Masaki's thoughts.
"Yes, and it doesn't seem to channel chakra very well," Masaki remarked, feeling the knife's lackluster response as he infused it with chakra.
"The metal used is limited, especially since most of it went into forging those larger weapons," Mito explained.
"Is chakra metal that scarce?" Masaki asked.
"In the Land of Fire, yes. However, the Land of Wind has many deposits of chakra metal. Before the war, we traded with them, but the quantities were limited and extremely expensive," Mito replied.
Masaki now understood why the Land of Wind was known for its puppetry—its rich mineral resources made such specialized tools possible. Staring at the blade in his hand, he said, "This seems to be the best option for now. It's better than nothing."
"It's unfortunate about your family's ninja tool. Given the circumstances, it's likely beyond recovery. Besides its chakra-absorbing properties, this metal isn't particularly durable," Mito said. "Considering what you mentioned—that Silver Horn destroyed the entire food storage area after going mad—it's doubtful that your family's blade survived."
"I know," Masaki responded quietly. He had already accepted that the blade was likely lost forever. It wasn't the legendary Kusanagi sword, after all.
"As a family heirloom, its loss is regrettable. Given the limited selection here, I recommend forging a new tool that suits your style," Mito suggested.
"Mito-sama, could you help me find a skilled craftsman for the job?" Masaki asked.
"I already have someone in mind," Mito smiled. "The Taketori family."
"What? The Kaguya clan?" Masaki was taken aback. He had always associated the Kaguya clan with their fearsome bone-manipulating kekkei genkai and their violent nature. He recalled how they had sparked a rebellion in the Land of Water, only to be wiped out, with Kimimaro being the sole survivor until his fateful battle with Gaara.
"Not the Kaguya clan—the Taketori family," Mito corrected him, handing Masaki a scroll with the Taketori family's insignia. "It's a common mistake because of the similarities, but they are two distinct families—or rather, they were one family long ago. The Taketori family split from the Kaguya clan generations ago because their ancestors rejected the clan's warlike traditions."
"So, the Taketori family isn't like the Kaguya clan?" Masaki asked, still puzzled.
"Exactly. The Taketori clan abhors conflict, unlike their Kaguya relatives. Perhaps because of this, they never developed the Kaguya clan's bloodline limit. Instead, they've become renowned for their skill in forging ninja tools. Even samurai seek them out to commission weapons," Mito explained.
"I see," Masaki said, finally understanding. He hadn't expected the Kaguya clan to have a peaceful offshoot like the Taketori family, but one question still lingered.
"Mito-sama, the Taketori family isn't affiliated with any ninja village, are they? Will they forge a weapon for me?" Masaki asked.
Mito smiled reassuringly. "The Taketori family has indeed remained neutral, avoiding the struggles of the ninja world. They've lived in seclusion since the end of the Warring States period. As long as you provide the materials and payment, they'll forge a weapon perfectly suited to your needs."
"That's a relief," Masaki said. Once the war was over, he could seek out the Taketori family for a new weapon.
After bidding Mito farewell, Masaki left the Senju compound and encountered Uchiha Kagami, who was speaking with members of the security team. Upon seeing Masaki, Kagami wrapped up his conversation and walked over.
"Masaki, did you find a suitable weapon?" Uchiha Kagami asked.
"Not exactly, but this one will do for now," Masaki said, tapping the hilt of the ninja blade on his back.
Kagami inspected the blade and sighed. "It's a shame this one is only a temporary solution. I don't have any suitable weapons for you either."
Like the Fumori clan, neither the Senju nor Uchiha clans had many tools designed for fast, agile combat. Occasionally, one or two would appear, but none were exclusive to any clan. Kagami could only offer his sympathy.
"It's better than nothing," Masaki said with a smile. "While the speed isn't ideal, the range is decent. I'll manage, but I'll need to come up with something more effective if this war drags on."
"What do you have in mind?" Kagami asked, intrigued.
"I'm thinking of developing a new ninjutsu—something that mimics the effects of a weapon, even without one in hand," Masaki mused. "I have some ideas, but it'll take experimentation. I'm not sure if I can pull it off."
Masaki's concept was similar to the Rasengan—a chakra-based technique that didn't require hand seals. Initially, he considered using the Rasengan itself, but its high chakra demands and broad range made it less suited to his needs. He required something more focused, with lower chakra consumption, that could be used for both close and ranged combat.
"That doesn't sound like an easy ninjutsu to create," Kagami remarked.
"Indeed, it'll require careful thought," Masaki nodded. "But enough about me—how are things on your end? Have you chosen your team for the next mission?"
"Of course," Kagami shrugged. "I'm taking the more aggressive members of the clan. They're a bit of a wild card, so it's better to have them on the battlefield than causing trouble at home. Besides, they're confident in their strength, so let's see how they fare against the enemy."
"That's a smart move," Masaki agreed. Those hotheaded Radical Uchihas were powerful and would be formidable on the battlefield. Meanwhile, the moderates could remain in the village, protecting civilians and showing a more positive side of the Uchiha clan—a win-win situation.
"We'll soon be heading to different battlefields," Masaki said, taking a deep breath. He looked at Kagami, then extended his hand. "But we'll win this war and come back safely."
"Yes, we will!" Kagami agreed, clasping Masaki's hand firmly. "We must come back safely."