Outside the Hokage's office.
Danzō walked away with a trace of nervousness.
As he left, the boy couldn't help but glance back at the building.
"Danzō!"
Hiruzen suddenly jumped out, startling Danzō so badly he nearly jumped.
"!!?"
"Don't worry about it…"
Hiruzen hadn't gone home. Concerned that Tobirama might have harshly scolded Danzō, he had stayed behind, planning to comfort his friend. Seeing Danzō glancing back nervously only confirmed his fears: Tobirama must have scared him.
As a good friend, Hiruzen loyally reassured Danzō: "Don't let what Tobirama-sensei said bother you. I wasn't hurt at all. Honestly, that Wind Release technique you used during our match was timed perfectly!"
"…"
Danzō's brow twitched.
Those words sounded as though Hiruzen was the victor.
But the truth was, Danzō had won their sparring match!
And not only that—Tobirama hadn't scolded him at all. In fact, he had praised Danzō for his cleverness and even entrusted him with an important mission.
Of course…
He couldn't share any of that with Hiruzen.
After all, he had a heavy responsibility to bear.
A sense of superiority swelled within Danzō's chest. He knew he was the true core of the mission to protect Emiya Shigen. Hiruzen, on the other hand, was just a decoy—a distraction set up by Tobirama to mask Danzō's critical role in executing the real mission.
What a shame.
This feeling of pride and accomplishment couldn't be shared with anyone.
"What's wrong, Danzō?"
Hiruzen waved his hand in front of Danzō's face, worried that Tobirama's reprimand had rattled his friend.
"I'm fine."
Danzō pushed Hiruzen's hand away and, with a mature demeanor, said, "We should head back and prepare. The mission could begin at any moment."
"That's true."
Hiruzen stroked his chin thoughtfully, mumbling about the situation at Konoha Hospital. "I heard the hospital doesn't have many patients left…"
With no patients to treat, Emiya Shigen didn't have much reason to stay in Konoha.
As a renowned medical ninja, it wasn't his style to remain idle in one village. Surely, he would continue his legendary journey across the shinobi world, healing people as he went.
However…
The villagers of Konoha didn't know these things.
All they knew was that the hospital had an extraordinary medical ninja capable of curing any illness. Their focus was on a completely different matter.
Relocation.
The village of Konoha was becoming increasingly lively.
More and more people were moving to new areas within the village.
Tobirama, who had developed Konoha's internal relocation plan, was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly it was being implemented. When the leaders of various clans saw the Senju clan willingly making sacrifices, they quickly agreed to follow suit.
The era was changing.
Other nations had already established shinobi villages.
The shinobi village system was the inevitable future. Clans could no longer cling to their own interests; protecting Konoha had to become their collective goal.
Part of this shift was due to the influence of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, whose magnanimity had won over these clans. And now, seeing the Senju clan abandon their family name to fully integrate into Konoha, they were further convinced of the importance of unity.
"From now on…"
"There will no longer be conflicts between clans."
"Everyone will unite under the emblem of Konoha."
"The shinobi of Konoha can grow peacefully under this great tree's protection, and their growth will make the tree even stronger."
Tobirama was deeply satisfied with the progress Konoha had made. As he accompanied Emiya Shigen and Hashirama around the thriving village, he hoped Shigen could see that Konoha's future held more promise than the ancient ninja sects ever had.
In fact…
The Senju clan had sacrificed themselves for this future.
The Senju would become the greatest source of nourishment for Konoha's prosperity.
Many Senju shinobi would no longer carry the clan name. From the next generation onward, they would choose new surnames for their children, fully integrating into the village.
"The Senju name will soon disappear," Tobirama murmured, recalling the origins of the Senju clan. "Perhaps this decision would disappoint Lord Emiya, who gave us our name, but it's a necessary choice."
"Long ago, the Sage of Six Paths forbade his sons from using his family name. Perhaps it was his way of ensuring other ninjas would integrate into the sects…"
"For Konoha's future, we must do the same. The Senju name will fade, and all that remains will be one unified Konoha."
"You Senju really are something…"
Emiya Shigen could only nod in respect.
Long ago, the Sage of Six Paths had forbidden his sons from using the Ōtsutsuki name, fearing that others might learn of their connection to Kaguya, the Rabbit Goddess. He wanted the world to forget her existence.
"Lord Emiya plans to leave Konoha, doesn't he?"
Tobirama abruptly shifted the conversation to the topic he was most concerned about. With a serious expression, he sincerely expressed his gratitude: "During your time at Konoha Hospital, your selfless actions have earned Konoha's eternal gratitude."
"Tobirama…"
Hashirama tried to interrupt his younger brother.
"I do plan to see more of the world," Emiya Shigen admitted, not denying his intention to leave. He even provided a reasonable explanation: "I want to search for a way to treat the First Hokage. There might still be rare materials in the shinobi world capable of healing him."
"At the very least…"
"Such materials existed in ancient times."
"!!!"
Tobirama's mind raced. When it came to his brother, he couldn't help but press for details. "What materials? Where can they be found?"
"Fragments of the God Tree," Shigen replied.
"It must be fragments of a living God Tree."
"The God Tree is the origin of Wood Release and even chakra itself. If fragments of a living God Tree can be found, they might heal the First Hokage. Then you wouldn't have to worry about his lifespan."
Shigen didn't withhold the information but added a warning: "In ancient times, the Sage of Six Paths and the ninja sects thoroughly destroyed the remnants of the God Tree. I can't guarantee any still exist in this era."
"…"
Tobirama nodded thoughtfully.
Another secret to uncover.
This one was particularly intriguing, as it involved the origins of the Wood Release bloodline.
Tobirama made a mental note of the God Tree's fragments before revealing his true purpose.
"Lord Emiya, you're not entirely familiar with this era. As a token of our gratitude, Konoha would like to assign two genin to assist you on your journey…"
"In theory…"
"We should send more skilled shinobi."
"But given Lord Emiya's aversion to conflict, and Konoha's status as the strongest shinobi village of this era, sending only two genin won't arouse suspicion from rival nations."
"…"
Shigen hesitated.
In truth…
If Tobirama hadn't suggested it…
Shigen might have requested Konoha send someone to accompany him.
Black Zetsu was constantly plotting to use him as a sacrifice for Kaguya's revival.
With Konoha shinobi by his side, Black Zetsu would be forced to stay hidden, unable to pressure him into advancing the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Recently, Black Zetsu had been lurking around Shigen's residence in Konoha, urging him to leave the village and expedite the plan.
What was the rush?
Did it think he was some kind of filial son?
Reviving Kaguya would only make everyone miserable. Even Shigen's patience had its limits with Black Zetsu's incessant nagging.
Now…
Tobirama's arrangement gave him a perfect excuse to escape the annoyance.
"Hiruzen, Danzō," Tobirama called.
The two boys leaped forward, and Tobirama introduced them to Shigen: "Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō. These two are Konoha's most promising young shinobi."
"…"
Shigen glanced at Tobirama with some hesitation.
Was he serious?
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō?
These two were destined to become Konoha's Third Hokage and the so-called "Fifth-and-a-Half Hokage."
"By staying at Lord Emiya's side, these boys will also have the opportunity to learn from you," Tobirama added earnestly, worried Shigen might refuse. He placed his hands on the boys' heads and explained, "If they can inherit your teachings and ideals, they may one day bring change to Konoha's future."
"Lord Emiya," Tobirama concluded, "Konoha's hope for eternal peace in the shinobi world lies in the hands of the next generation. These children need guidance to ensure that this ideal of peace is passed down without end."