The sun's first light gently spread across the land, casting its warmth upon Konohagakure. Its rays struck the towering Hokage Rock first, highlighting the "polished" head of the First Hokage with a radiant glow.
In the Hokage's office, Senju Hashirama stifled a yawn that made it clear he hadn't slept nearly enough.
"Hokage-sama, here are the essential documents from the past few months," Senju Momoka announced, arms full with a pile of papers nearly half her height.
Hashirama's gaze grew distant, tinged with despair. Just back from a mission, and already buried in work. But what choice did he have? He was the Hokage.
"Alright, let's take it one at a time," he sighed.
Momoka handed him the first document, and he got to work:
"Konoha's commercial district construction project..." Approved.
"New student list for the next ninja academy class..." No issues there. Deep in his heart, Hashirama wished for more children to grow up away from the shadows of war. Approved.
"Budget for the ANBU's second quarter operations..."
Hashirama bit his pen thoughtfully. The existence of the ANBU was still something he felt conflicted about. Did he really need a personal protection unit? Wasn't this... But in the end, he conceded—it was for Konoha's good. Approved.
As Hashirama pushed through his tasks, a knock came at the door.
"Come in," he called.
The door opened to reveal none other than his younger brother, Senju Tobirama, wearing his usual stoic expression.
"Brother—"
"Stop right there, Tobirama!" Hashirama interrupted sternly, catching his brother completely off guard.
"What? What did I do?"
"What did you do? You've got the nerve to ask? Look at what you've been up to while I was away!" Hashirama slapped a scroll onto the desk and gestured for Tobirama to take a look.
Tobirama's eyes narrowed as he unrolled the scroll. His heart sank when he saw its contents:
Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal
Status: Near completion
Effect: Allows the user to set "forbidden words" for the target. Should the target utter the forbidden word, the seal activates, releasing chakra to kill them instantly.
Notes: Most effective when engraved on the tongue. Ideal for ensuring secrecy.
Four-Symbols Seal
Status: Near completion
Effect: Triggers upon the user's death, releasing their blood in a burst to form a spherical seal that engulfs nearby materials, dragging them into the afterlife.
Notes: Risky due to the sacrifice required. May only trap insignificant targets if executed poorly. Use with extreme caution!
Tobirama closed the scroll, his expression unreadable. He knew he was caught, and there was no point denying it. He braced himself for what was coming next.
"Tobirama! How many times have I told you?"
Here it came—the lecture.
"This is a new era, an era that must be led by peace! As leaders, we must set an example!"
Hashirama paced the room, gesturing dramatically.
"And yet here you are, developing forbidden jutsu left and right! Controlling others? Sacrificing your life? What part of this screams peace to you?"
Standing to the side, Momoka struggled to suppress her laughter. Meanwhile, Tobirama gazed at the ceiling, his face betraying no emotion. He had long grown accustomed to these tirades. Besides, arguing with his brother would only plunge Hashirama into one of his melancholy episodes. The best approach was to let him rant until he wore himself out.
Twenty minutes later, Hashirama finally stopped, gulped some water, and made his final declaration.
"Hand over all your forbidden jutsu. I'll seal them away for safekeeping."
Tobirama raised an eyebrow. He didn't argue. These techniques were his creations, and if they were sealed for now, he could always retrieve them later if the need arose. Or, better yet, they could be used as rewards to motivate subordinates.
"Also," Hashirama added, "that Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu of yours—put that in the scroll too. It's far too chakra-intensive. Someone might overdo it and end up dead."
"Understood," Tobirama sighed. He reached for the scroll and began inscribing the jutsu, starting with the Shadow Clone technique.
Twenty minutes later, he handed the sealed scroll to Hashirama, who promptly stored it securely. Tobirama turned to leave but stopped when Hashirama called out again.
"Wait."
"What is it now?" Tobirama asked, turning back.
"You came here for something, didn't you? What was it?"
At that, Tobirama froze. He had indeed come for a reason, but after being scolded so thoroughly, the matter felt trivial. Judging by Hashirama's attitude toward forbidden jutsu, Tobirama doubted his proposal would gain approval.
"…Never mind," he muttered before walking out.
Still, not asking was like an itch he couldn't scratch. After all, the path to truth lay just ahead, compelling Tobirama Senju to explore it.
"It's not a big deal," Tobirama said as he pulled out a test tube and an unopened needle from his pouch. "I just want to borrow a vial of your blood for some research."
"Nani?!" Hashirama Senju's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. "You want to study me?"
If Hashirama remembered correctly, he had warned Tobirama about this a long time ago. But now...
Hashirama raised his right hand, forming the Seal of Opposition. The jutsu hadn't activated yet, but the Hokage Building seemed to tremble slightly, as if sensing the impending storm. The air grew tense, heavy with an unspoken threat.
"Fine, fine! Forget it, brother, I was just joking. If you don't want to, it's no big deal!" Tobirama backpedaled in panic, his heart pounding in his chest. Internally, he cursed Kakuzu a thousand times over. It was all that man's fault for planting this insatiable curiosity in his mind. Otherwise, how could it have led to today's disaster?
Nearby, Senju Momoka chimed in, trying to defuse the situation.
"Clan Leader, let it go. Tobirama didn't mean any harm. Don't hold it against him."
Momoka was just as nervous as Tobirama. She knew Hashirama's seal was more about respecting their ninja training than actual intent to harm. But if Hashirama casually unleashed a jutsu, Tobirama would undoubtedly be on the receiving end of his brother's "loving" education.
Ten minutes later...
One tube after another filled with blood from Hashirama's arm. Removing the test tube from his arm, Hashirama casually tossed the full vial to Tobirama, then picked up another test tube, connected a fresh needle, and continued drawing his own blood.
"B-Brother, what are you doing?!" Tobirama stammered, staring at the six or seven vials of blood already in his hands. This was all his brother's precious life essence! Why was Hashirama acting like blood was free to give away today?
"Tobirama, I understand your love of researching forbidden jutsu," Hashirama began with a sigh.
"Honestly, I feel bad about always banning the ones you study. So, to keep you from... um, experimenting on others, just take my blood and do your research."
Tobirama was utterly floored. He had never imagined he'd get permission like this.
"That's enough, brother," Tobirama finally said, his voice tinged with desperation.
"Enough?" Hashirama glanced up, disbelief written all over his face. "Take more. This way, you can research for a longer time. It's painful to draw blood, sure, but..." He smiled warmly, almost mockingly.
"What kind of big brother would I be if I didn't indulge my foolish little otouto?"
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