The morning sun caught Hashirama's hair as he balanced precariously on a newly grown wooden beam, enthusiastically directing the expansion of Konoha's hospital wing. Below him, Tsunade watched her grandfather with a mixture of pride and embarrassment.
"Should the First really be up there himself?" she whispered to Ashura, who stood observing the construction.
"Your grandfather," Ashura replied with amusement, "has never quite grasped the concept of delegating. Though his direct involvement does make incorporating our formation arrays easier."
Indeed, Ashura had carefully guided Hashirama's Mokuton construction to naturally form subtle spiritual channels—something only possible with the First's unique abilities. To others, the intricate wooden patterns would appear purely decorative.
"Speaking of which—" Ashura began, but was interrupted by a crash and startled yelp from above.
"I'm fine!" Hashirama called cheerfully, hanging upside down from his wooden beam. "Just testing the durability!"
"Of course you were, Lord First," Tobirama sighed, appearing beside them. "Brother, perhaps leave the actual construction to—"
"Oh! Tobirama! Perfect timing! Come see this new design I've developed for the children's ward!"
Before his younger brother could protest, Hashirama had already created a wooden staircase and was practically bouncing with excitement. "The rooms will have these special growing flowers that change color based on the patients' recovery!"
"That's actually quite useful," Ashura noted. "The spirit veins could naturally—" he caught himself, "—channel chakra to indicate healing progress."
Tobirama's sharp eyes flickered to him briefly, but Hashirama was already rushing on. "And look at this courtyard design! Perfect for your students' training, Elder Ashura!"
The enthusiasm was infectious. Even Tobirama's usual stern expression softened as his brother's genuine joy in building their village shone through. These moments reminded everyone why Hashirama was not just their First Hokage, but the heart of Konoha itself.
A commotion from the academy's direction drew their attention. Jiraiya, attempting to demonstrate a "new medical technique" to impress some civilian girls, had somehow managed to make all the training ground's plants grow toads instead of flowers.
"Fascinating adaptation of the Mokuton principle," Hashirama mused, genuinely interested. "Though perhaps not ideal for a hospital garden."
"JIRAIYA!" Tsunade's voice carried clearly. "Those are medicinal herbs, not your personal dating service!"
"But Tsunade-hime, look! They're therapeutic toads! Very... uh... calming?"
Ashura suppressed a smile. The "accident" was actually an interesting manifestation of Jiraiya's growing yang energy interacting with Hashirama's Mokuton-infused plants. Not that he could explain that.
"I'll handle this," he assured the others, though Hashirama was already heading over, genuinely curious about the toad-producing plants.
The day continued in similar fashion. Hashirama alternated between serious village development and childlike enthusiasm over new discoveries. He spent an hour excitedly discussing healing techniques with Dan, completely forgetting he was supposed to be in a council meeting.
"Lord First," Dan asked carefully, "about these chakra pathways you've built into the hospital structure..."
"Ah yes!" Hashirama beamed. "Elder Ashura suggested some modifications. Though I must admit, some of these patterns feel different from normal chakra flow. Almost like... well, never mind! Who wants to see the new greenhouse design?"
Later, during his special students' training, Ashura noticed Hashirama watching from a distance, his usual bright expression thoughtful.
"They're progressing well," the First commented quietly. "Though their energy... reminds me of something I once sensed in my sage training. Something older than chakra itself."
Ashura kept his expression neutral. "The paths of power are many and varied, Lord First."
Hashirama smiled knowingly. "Indeed they are, old friend. Indeed they are." He clapped Ashura's shoulder. "Whatever you're teaching them... I trust you. This village was built on dreams of peace and understanding. Sometimes that means accepting there are things we don't need to fully understand to appreciate."
Through their private connection, Izuna commented, "He always was more perceptive than people realized."
That evening, as his students practiced their "advanced medical techniques," Hashirama's presence added an interesting dimension. His natural energy unconsciously resonated with their cultivation exercises, strengthening the formation arrays throughout the academy.
"Elder," Orochimaru observed quietly, "the First's energy... it's almost like he's unconsciously touching the same source we're learning to use."
"The strongest trees," Ashura replied, "often have roots that reach deeper than anyone suspects."
As night fell, Hashirama finally allowed himself to be dragged away by Tobirama, but not before growing a series of decorative trees around the academy that perfectly aligned with Ashura's hidden spirit veins.
"Completely random design!" Hashirama called back cheerfully, winking at Ashura. "Just felt right somehow!"
After everyone departed, Ashura studied the new trees thoughtfully. Through his Divine Sense, he could see how perfectly they enhanced his formation arrays while appearing entirely natural.
"Your grandfather," he told Tsunade during their final evening training, "understands far more than he lets on. His strength comes not just from power, but from knowing when to accept mysteries with an open heart."
Above, Izuna chuckled through their connection. "And from knowing when to play the fool to help others keep their secrets."
Ashura smiled, watching spirit energy flow through Hashirama's trees. Sometimes the greatest wisdom came wrapped in the brightest smiles and seemingly simple hearts.
Though he did have to remove the small army of therapeutic toads Jiraiya had somehow convinced Hashirama to grow in the training ground. Some combinations of power, it seemed, were better left unexplored.