Hashirama Senju * The Earth

Having just finished digesting the construction plan for the open area, and facing the Hashirama and pillars covered with blueprints and the headache-inducing details of subsequent implementation, I was just drawn in by a familiar commotion outside the window.

Pushing open the window, I saw that familiar dark blue figure being chased around by a group of young Ninjas, creating a chaotic scene.

A dark blue figure leaped and bounded ahead, followed closely by a string of figures of various colors, their shouts faintly audible, and the scene elicited laughter from the onlookers along the way.

Seeing Izuna, who was being chased and looked rather disheveled, but was laughing extremely wildly, Madara and Hashirama couldn't help but smile with relief.

Even Tobirama, who had been sitting in the corner Tobirama at the newly delivered documents, caught a glimpse of the scene outside the window and his lips curled up slightly, though he quickly regained his composure and continued burying himself in the documents.

"He's so energetic, Izuna," Hashirama remarked, leaning back in his Hashirama. "No matter what happens, he always seems to recover quickly."

Ban didn't reply; his gaze followed the nimble, dodging figure.

Only after Izuna executed a skillful acceleration and change of direction, completely shaking off his pursuers and disappearing around the corner of the building, did he withdraw his gaze and give a faint "hmm".

Madara turned to leave. "I'll use a Shadow Clone to handle the documents related to the open area and the Hokage ceremony later."

The implication was that he was going to find Izuna now.

Hashirama watched Madara's almost habitual gesture, his smile fading slightly, replaced by a serious expression.

He called out to Madara, "Wait, Madara."

Ban stopped and turned to look at him.

Hashirama carefully considered his words before slowly saying, "Speaking of which, Madara... you shouldn't be keeping such a close eye on Izuna anymore, right?"

Ban froze for a moment.

Hashirama continued, "It's fine in the past. His eyes are indeed a problem, and he's not Strength strong as you or me. I have no objection to you worrying about him and protecting him in the village."

"But now..." Hashirama looked out the window, as if he could still see Izuna's figure rushing past, "Look at the ideas he proposed, look at what he did in Kyoto."

"He has his own pride, Ban."

Hashirama stared at his friend. "It's time for him to decide for himself whether to come or go. He's not just your brother, he's also Uchiha Izuna."

He is a person with his own will.

Ban remained silent.

The sun shone brightly outside the window, but the temperature Meeting Room seemed to drop sharply because of his silence.

He certainly understood that Hashirama was right.

Izuna is no longer the little boy who needed to be held and protected at all times.

He was a young man; if calculated according to the average lifespan during the Warring States period, Izuna was already older than most people at this point.

Confining him to a small space is a waste of his abilities and a disrespect for his personality.

But...

Should he be allowed, like everyone else, to freely accept missions, enter and leave the village, and face the still dangerous and unknown world outside?

Even though Madara knew that Izuna was capable of protecting himself, he still couldn't truly feel at ease.

Just imagining that Izuna might encounter danger, might get injured, might... leave again, Madara felt as if his heart was being squeezed by an invisible hand, and his breathing became somewhat sluggish.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

The faint sounds of bustling people outside the window drifted in; it was the vibrant voice of Izuna.

Meeting Room, Hashirama waited quietly.

Tobirama's pen slowed down as he processed the documents.

"... I see."

Ban didn't say anything more, but simply pushed open the door and left the Meeting Room.

Hashirama looked in the direction Madara had left and sighed softly.

He looked at Tobirama, who was engrossed in his work, seemingly Tobirama about Madara's departure.

Hashirama watched Madara's departing figure disappear behind the door and sighed softly.

He withdrew his gaze and turned his attention to the other side of the Meeting Room.

Tobirama Senju remained seated, head bowed, his pen moving rapidly across the documents, making a rhythmic scratching sound.

But the slightly tense profile of his face and the occasional unnatural pauses in his pen indicated that his attention was not entirely focused on the document in front of him.

Hashirama knew what he was thinking.

For the past three days, Tobirama has locked himself in the Laboratory, studying the scroll from another world almost without sleep.

The techniques recorded within, along with the three final, almost farewell, instructions left by the scroll's owner, clearly had a profound impact on his younger brother.

Hashirama could understand that shock, that unimaginable dedication and emotion displayed by another "self," which was so deeply moving.

But...

Hashirama frowned, walked to Tobirama's desk, and stood there.

Tobirama.

Tobirama paused in his actions, but didn't look up. He simply gave a soft "hmm" in response.

"Regarding that scroll," Hashirama's voice was calm, carrying the composure characteristic of an elder brother, "... let's leave it at that."

This time, Tobirama stopped writing.

He looked up.

"Big Brother?" Tobirama's voice was somewhat hoarse. "What are you saying?"

Hashirama's expression didn't change much; he simply continued, "Since he chose to leave the scroll behind and then depart without even showing his face, it means he has made his choice."

"Since he has decided never to appear before us again, then to us he is nothing but an illusion."

"It's a phantom that's already gone; there's no need for us to dwell on it anymore, to be overly troubled by a past and emotions that don't belong to us."

Tobirama's fingers, gripping the pen, tightened suddenly, his knuckles turning white.

He stared at Hashirama, his eyes churning with indescribable emotions, his voice sharp as he suppressed something. "Big Brother, aren't you worried? He also..."

His words were interrupted by Hashirama.

He's not my brother.

Hashirama's tone was resolute, his manner unchanged; this was his true feeling.

He looked directly into Tobirama's suddenly widened red eyes and said, word by word, "No matter what, I only have one brother, and that is you, Tobirama."

"It was like this before, and it will be like this in the future."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, but his words remained calmly detached. "Of course I'm worried about Tobirama. But, Tobirama..."

"I cannot abandon everything before me to chase after a phantom that has already resolved never to reappear. Konoha is here, you are here, Madara and Izuna are here, countless clansmen and civilians are here. These are the realities we must protect."

"Focus on the present, Tobirama. Studying the technology in that scroll is fine, but don't let your emotions get to you. That won't do you any good, or for any of us right now."

After saying that, Hashirama patted Tobirama the shoulder, the force neither too light nor too heavy.

Then, without saying another word, he turned and walked to his desk to continue his battle of wits with the documents.

The Meeting Room fell silent again, with only Tobirama's suppressed breathing and the faint sounds of commotion coming from outside the window.

Tobirama remained with his head raised, motionless for a long time.

His crimson eyes were fixed on Hashirama's broad, imposing figure.

Big Brother... is that what you were thinking?

To regard that being who crossed the world, leaving behind nothing short of miraculous technology and profound emotions, merely as a "phantom"?

A distraction that doesn't require much emotional investment and should be let go of as soon as possible?

Tobirama's heart sank little by little, a chill creeping up his spine.

For the first time, he realized with such clarity what his elder brother, Hashirama Senju, meant by the standards by which he measured all things in the world.

In Hashirama's world, it seems that only "Konoha" and "the beings that need to be protected" are important.

As long as the other party submits to "Konoha" and is willing to contribute to the village's peace and prosperity, Hashirama can show almost limitless tolerance and generosity.

He can disregard the other party's initial purpose in approaching him, ignore whether the other party has stained their hands with the blood of their clan, and even regard former mortal enemies as comrades-in-arms.

But on the contrary...

Anyone who does not act according to his will, anyone who is seen as a threat that could disrupt the stability and harmony of Konoha.

Or... like that "phantom," he chose to leave completely, no longer a part of Konoha...

Therefore, those beings, regardless of any past ties or sacrifices, seem to fall into the category of "not needing to pay too much attention," or even... be regarded as "enemies" that need to be guarded against or eliminated.

This division is clear, and chillingly so.

No wonder the Big Brother was able to calmly accept the mysterious "Izuna".

Because Izuna chose Konoha and became a part of Konoha, it doesn't matter who he is. As long as he continues to contribute to the peace of Konoha, he can be tolerant.

No wonder he was able to tolerate Madara Uchiha's dangerous probing and obsession time and time again.

Because Madara is still in Konoha and hasn't left, as long as he chooses Konoha, he can ignore those things.

No wonder... he only gave me a verbal warning and didn't really stop me from researching the Impure World Reincarnation technique, which is Forbidden Techniques that manipulates life and death.

Because to some extent, that can also be seen as a potential reserve of power for Konoha's future.

The "self" that crossed the world, leaving behind technology that could overturn perceptions and profound emotions, was defined as an "illusion" by the Big Brother because he chose to leave completely, and was told not to be "troubled" by it anymore.

He had always considered himself the calmer, more rational, and more "cold-blooded" of the brothers.

He was responsible for identifying and addressing any shortcomings, cleaning up the mess left by his Big Brother, and planning the specific paths to follow.

He thought his Big Brother was the "sun" responsible for igniting ideals and uniting people, but who needed his support in practical matters.

Now he understands.

My Big Brother is not some innocent and carefree sun at all.

He is simply... all-encompassing, and devouring everything, slowly and steadily reshaping the world according to his own rules... the earth.

Just like his abilities, he can nurture trees full of life, or he can use trees to destroy everything.

That's terrifying, Big Brother.

But just as Tobirama felt a chill creep down his spine...

"Ughhh--!"

A drawn-out, mournful cry suddenly came from the direction of the desk.

Accompanying the mournful cry was a dull thud as something slammed onto the table.

Tobirama subconsciously looked up.

Just moments ago, my brother had been calm, but now he was burying his face in a mountain of documents that was almost completely submerging him in an extremely exaggerated manner.

His broad shoulders slumped, and his entire being exuded an intense, almost tangible, oppressive atmosphere of resentment.

"Why... why are there so many..." Hashirama's voice muffled from the pile of documents, "The Hokage inauguration process... the resource Roster for the open areas... the Ninja Academy's budget for the next season... and the tax dispute over the southern trade route... Ugh, I don't want to see this--!"

He even banged his forehead against the table like a child throwing a tantrum, making a soft "thump-thump" sound.

Just moments ago, Tobirama was experiencing a storm of emotions, marveling at how terrifying his Big Brother was and how he Tobirama "He's like the earth itself, devouring and reshaping everything": "..."

Really.

Even if you see through the essence.

His Big Brother would still act the same way when dealing with these tedious and boring paperwork.

"Call--"

Tobirama let out a long, almost inaudible breath.

He rubbed his temples, which were a little sore from focusing for so long.

Never mind.

Why think so much?

No matter what kind of person the Big Brother is.

There was only one thing he had to do.

Tobirama stood up and walked to the desk occupied by the "gloomy mushroom".

He reached out and deftly pulled the top stack of documents concerning the Hokage inauguration process and public announcements from under Hashirama's face.

"I'll handle these." Tobirama's voice returned to its usual coldness. "Big Brother, you're in charge of checking the preliminary construction budget and material Roster for the open area. I'll look at the Ninja Academy's budget draft later. As for the trade route tax dispute... have the Nara Clan produce an analysis report first."

As he spoke, he quickly scanned the documents in his hand.

Hashirama looked up from the pile of documents, his eyes lighting up.

"Tobirama! You really are my good little brother!" Hashirama instantly recovered, the gloom on his face vanished, and a bright smile returned.

Tobirama didn't even look up; he simply pointed to another pile of documents.

"Budget, Roster." A concise reminder.

"Oh! Okay!" Hashirama immediately sat up straight and grabbed the remaining documents with great enthusiasm. Although there was still a hint of fear of numbers in his eyes, at least he no longer looked like he was about to die.

On the other side.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Madara followed the direction in which Izuna had last disappeared, as seen from the window, and soon found him next to a tea shop on a nearby street.

It was a quiet afternoon, Tavern Keeper of the tea shop was dozing behind the counter. Several low tables and benches were set up under the shade of the canopy outside the shop.

At that moment, several young children were sitting around one of the benches. Some were from ordinary families, while others were toddlers from Ninja clans who were not yet of training age.

They tilted their little faces up, their eyes wide and staring intently at Uchiha Izuna was sitting in the middle, talking animatedly.