Chapter 042 – Tobirama Wants to Give a Chance, But Hiruzen Couldn't Seize It! (Seeking Likes and Shares)
In the small group chat, Tobirama's emotions completely exploded.
Even Izuna, who usually loved to argue with him, fell silent. Everyone knew that Tobirama's current state… was dangerous.
[Third Tsuchikage - Ōnoki]: …
[Future Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: …
The two non-Konoha members chose to remain transparent, not getting involved.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: …
As the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama didn't know what to say either.
Or rather…
Tobirama's current state deeply worried him.
After all… based on the facts Kakashi had revealed, the ideals Tobirama once held had become mistakes when realized.
He had hoped the Uchiha and Senju clans would unite.
And then the Uchiha were gone.
Madara too.
The Senju clan merged into the village, and although the goal was to build a unified Konoha without clan divisions…
But…
Looking at the current state, even with the Senju gone, the outcome hadn't been great.
So… the Senju were wiped out in vain.
And the younger generation… his younger brother had borne the burden of the First Great Ninja War alone because Tobirama hadn't properly handled the Five Great Nations' issues.
Tobirama had also insisted on believing in others and in the talent of future generations… yet Hiruzen's actions had led to failure.
Not only had the children failed to grow… but after enduring the teachings of the Ninja Academy, they had become nothing but bones.
During his era, the village population was 7,800. Under Tobirama's leadership, it had risen to over 10,000.
But now it was only 12,000, and the number of active ninja had dwindled to less than 3,000…
Hashirama sank into deep thought.
And at that moment—
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Could it be… that Madara's actions in the past were actually the correct path…
[Tobirama's Achievement - Izuna]: …
Although Izuna wanted to question Hashirama's remark about his brother at this moment, Tobirama's current state wasn't the right time to say anything.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: …
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Tobirama.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: You just told Minato to calm down.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: So now, let me tell you the same. Calm down.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Because there's something you're all forgetting.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: We're all former Hokage now.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: And each of you has fulfilled your duty as Hokage.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: So lift your heads, Hokage. Don't dwell too much in regret.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: The fact that we're able to appear here—I believe there's a reason for it.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: And…
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: As former Hokage, what we can do now is use whatever ability we have left to intervene or correct the wrong path.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Tobirama, I know you're furious. But losing your temper here won't help.
[Minato Namikaze]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: …
He truly was the First Hokage. Though he often acted silly, his rationality and empathy were undeniable.
[Senju Tobirama]: Big Brother… are you saying… there's still a chance to fix things?
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Why not?
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: If there wasn't, why would we even be allowed to appear in this chat?
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Why are we able to see the present Konoha through little Kitahara Kaede's perspective and through Kakashi?
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: As Hokage, I didn't do enough in the past.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: But I want Konoha to carry on.
[Senju Tobirama]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: Understood.
[Senju Tobirama]: If there's a chance… then I will correct the mistakes I made.
[Senju Tobirama]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: @Kakashi, go retrieve the Scroll of Seals for Kitahara Kaede.
[Kakashi]: ???
[Kakashi]: ???
Kakashi was stunned.
So were the others.
[Senju Tobirama]: I'm entrusting him with a task.
[Senju Tobirama]: He can learn anything from the Scroll of Seals, but he must master one jutsu.
[Kakashi]: Uh…
[Minato Namikaze]: Kakashi, do as the Second Hokage says.
[Kakashi]: Hmm… Alright. Second Lord, what's your order?
[Senju Tobirama]: Have Kitahara Kaede learn the Forbidden Jutsu—Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu).
[Kakashi]: Edo Tensei? Second Lord, you mean…
[Senju Tobirama]: Yes. Have Kitahara Kaede summon me back with Edo Tensei.
[Senju Tobirama]: Kakashi, go to the back hill graveyard and dig up my remains. Don't worry about disrespecting the dead. I'll forgive you.
[Kakashi]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: What? Don't be so hesitant, Kakashi. I don't mind being disturbed, so why are you hesitating?
[Kakashi's Good Bro]: ??
[Kakashi's Good Bro]: Second Lord, you didn't know?
[Kakashi's Good Bro]: Your body and the First Lord's body were stolen a long time ago.
[Minato Namikaze]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: …
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: Damn you, Hiruzen!!
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: …
Well then.
Hashirama felt that he had finally convinced Tobirama… He had given Hiruzen a chance, but… Hiruzen just couldn't make use of it!
Outside the group chat—
Kitahara Kaede arrived at Naruto's house.
Maybe because he didn't see the result he wanted, Kitahara Kaede noticed something lift off his shoulder as he entered the house.
Turns out his ninja rabbit had run away.
But when he looked back, he saw the rabbit had only returned to the windowsill.
No problem then.
Kitahara Kaede stepped into Naruto's small home.
It was just a single-room apartment.
Still…
"Alright…"
"Then let me announce something," Naruto said. "I got news from Iruka-sensei."
"Konoha will soon be holding the Chunin Exams."
"Passing the exam means officially becoming a Konoha ninja," Naruto continued.
Oh.
So it wasn't anything that interesting after all.
Wait.
If you become a Chunin, that means… your rank goes up and you don't have to take on those annoying missions anymore, right?
Genin missions were such a pain—catching cats and dogs, harvesting crops, taking out trash, and so on.
But with a rank-up, missions get upgraded.
And mission pay increases.
They weren't short on money anymore, but experiencing life as a Chunin might still be fun.
"If that's the case…"
"Then I suggest we sign up," said Kitahara Kaede.
But just as he said that, he noticed Naruto and Sasuke turn to stare at him in perfect unison.