Inside the Hokage tower, Hashirama and Tobirama's voices echoed softly as they engaged in a serious discussion.
The topic at hand was a matter of grave concern - the unpredictable Uchiha Madara.
Tobirama's voice was laced with apprehension.
"We must take action. He will betray the village, I'm certain of it."
His distrust of the Uchiha clan was no secret; he had opposed their inclusion in the village from the outset, but Hashirama's vision had prevailed.
"Patience, Tobirama,"
Hashirama's tone was calm yet firm.
"Madara's power is a valuable asset. With his strength rivaling my own, other villages will think twice before challenging us."
Tobirama sighed, reluctantly acknowledging the truth in his brother's words. Madara's presence undoubtedly served as a deterrent to potential enemies.
However, a gnawing fear persisted in Tobirama's heart. He couldn't shake the ominous feeling that Madara himself might become the harbinger of destruction, bringing ruin upon the very village he was meant to protect.
"Remember, Tobirama,"
Hashirama's voice held a note of warning,
"Nothing will happen if no one provokes Madara. You must put the past behind you and refrain from any foolish actions, like harming his brother."
The memory of Izuna's survival during the previous conflict lingered in Hashirama's mind.
He shuddered to think of the consequences had Izuna perished that day. Madara would have never agreed to the creation of the village, and the fragile peace they had forged would have shattered.
He knew that maintaining the delicate balance between the Uchiha clan and the village rested on his ability to keep Madara's volatile nature in check.
It was a daunting task, but one he was determined to fulfill for the sake of peace and unity.
Tobirama let out a sigh,
"I understand."
Though he agreed to not actively seek conflict with the Uchiha, he knew he couldn't simply rest.
The Uchiha were unpredictable, their actions often driven by intense emotions that could turn volatile in an instant.
Their Sharingan, a bloodline limit granting them incredible power, was as much a curse as a blessing.
It amplified their love and their hate, making them fiercely loyal but also dangerously vengeful.
While many Uchiha harbored resentment towards the Senju, most of the extremists had been exiled. However, Tobirama knew that didn't mean they were all gone.
Some surely remained, hiding their hatred, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
He clenched his fist, a grim determination settling over him.
'Everything I do is for the village,'
he muttered.
'To protect it, I need to create a force that operates outside the traditional structure... a force that answers only to me. I will call it Root.'
Tobirama envisioned Root as an organization shrouded in secrecy, its members handpicked and trained by him personally. They would operate in the shadows, gathering intelligence, neutralizing threats, and carrying out missions that were too delicate or too dangerous for the regular Shinobi forces.
He knew that creating such a force would be a risky move. It could easily be seen as a power grab, an attempt to consolidate his own authority.
But Tobirama was willing to take that risk. The village's safety was paramount, and he would do whatever it took to ensure it, even if it meant walking a fine line between protector and tyrant.
Hashirama's gaze held concern and understanding. He knew Tobirama better than anyone else.
His younger brother was fiercely independent and often acted impulsively, but he would still, ultimately, heed Hashirama's order.
'I hope you won't regret your decision later.'
He thought, silently praying that Tobirama's actions wouldn't lead to unintended consequences.
Hashirama glanced at the setting sun.
"Well, I think it's time for us to head back. We have guests from Uzushiogakure, and Mito is expecting me home early. What about you, Tobirama? I hear that the Uzumaki heir is quite the prodigy. Would you like to meet him?"
Tobirama's usual stoic expression shifted subtly.
Despite his attempts to conceal it, a spark of interest ignited in his eyes. Talented individuals always captivated him, drawing him in.
The prospect of meeting the Uzumaki heir intrigued him greatly. While his relationship with the Uzumaki clan as a whole was not deep like Hashirama, his admiration for their unwavering loyalty to their kins and friends was undeniable.
"I will brother."
…
Jiraiya and Tsunade, their faces flushed with exertion and stomachs stretched to their limits, had just concluded their epic eating competition.
The table before them was a scene of devastation, littered with empty plates and remnants of a feast that would have fed a small army.
Tsunade, a triumphant grin plastered across her face, had emerged victorious by a landslide, her capacity for consumption seemingly boundless.
Jiraiya, despite his defeat, couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
"How can you eat that much?!"
He exclaimed.
"You'll turn into a pig!"
Tsunade scoffed, playfully punching him on the arm.
"I will not!"
She retorted, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"You're just not as good as me, duh!"
Their banter echoed through the air, drawing smiles from Sayoh and Mito, who had been observing the spectacle with warm amusement.
The two women had spent the day basking in the joyous atmosphere, their laughter mingling with the cheerful chatter of their children.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape, Mito turned to Sayoh.
"I think we should give them some medicine,"
She suggested, her gaze lingering on Jiraiya and Tsunade, who were still engaged in playful bickering.
"They'll have indigestion after such a feast."
Sayoh nodded in agreement, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
Together, they made their way towards the boisterous duo, their footsteps barely audible over the din of conversation and laughter.
"Grandma!"
Tsunade's face lit up as she caught sight of her grandmother approaching. With a whoop of delight, she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around the older woman in a tight embrace.
The day had been filled with so much joy and laughter, and Tsunade couldn't wait to share every detail with her beloved grandmother.
Craze: 3/6