Hashirama's Injuries

Tobirama Senju Residence.

"Has Uncle Hashirama's injury improved at all?" Renye asked.

Ever since the Battle of the End Valley, Hashirama Senju's wounds had shown no sign of healing.

By all logic, given Hashirama's constitution, even fatal injuries should have mended quickly.

Yet months had passed since that battle, and his wounds remained unchanged.

This naturally worried Renye—if Hashirama Senju died like this, wouldn't a shinobi war erupt immediately?

Tobirama Senju's expression was grave as he explained, "Elder Brother's cells seem to have entered a dormant state."

During this time, he had conducted a full study of his brother's body and was shocked to find that his cell division had slowed drastically, like that of an old man in his twilight years.

Renye frowned upon hearing this. "That's troublesome..."

The reason Hashirama Senju possessed such immense vitality and regenerative ability was precisely because his cell division was abnormally active.

This allowed him to rapidly regenerate damaged tissue, recovering quickly even from severe injuries in battle.

But now, his cell division had slowed.

This could only mean that during his fight with Madara, his cells had been overused.

Used to repair critical wounds, or to proliferate massively in order to unleash powerful jutsu.

As a result, his cell division rate had temporarily declined.

It was like when a person loses a large amount of blood—their hematopoietic stem cells speed up division at first, but after a sustained period, the rate may slow, requiring time to recover.

That was likely why Hashirama hadn't healed yet.

Renye guessed that before long, Hashirama's cell division would return to normal.

But rapid cell division had a downside—it began to consume life force.

Too many divisions meant faster depletion of vitality.

This might be the true cause of Hashirama Senju's death...

What Renye could infer, Tobirama naturally understood as well.

Since his brother had been injured, he had been searching for a solution, but to no avail.

Tobirama sighed helplessly. "I've done all I can."

Renye remained silent.

Knowing the future of the Shinobi World, he was the one who least wanted Hashirama Senju to die.

A man's reputation casts a long shadow.

The title of God of Shinobi wasn't given for nothing.

As long as Hashirama Senju lived, other nations wouldn't dare covet the Land of Fire.

Then war wouldn't break out, and he would have enough time to grow stronger.

But once Hashirama died, the balance of the Shinobi World would shift.

After all, the two strongest in the world—Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha—were both dead. The other villages would naturally wage war on a leaderless Konoha.

Tobirama Senju's expression was heavy. He shared the same thoughts as Renye.

His brother's severe injury had shown him the fragility of life and the immense loss a village suffered when a powerful shinobi died.

He began to ponder: "How can I make dead shinobi serve Konoha once more?"

If he could develop such a jutsu, he could transcend the boundary between life and death.

That way, even if his brother truly passed, he could summon him back...

As long as he could create that technique, Konoha would have no fear of other nations' ambitions.

Renye had no idea what Tobirama was thinking—if he did, he would have been utterly shocked.

That evening, at the Hashirama Senju Residence.

"Tobirama, little Renye, you've come." Mito Uzumaki spoke softly.

Hashirama's lingering wounds had filled her with worry, leaving her haggard.

"Sister-in-law, how has Elder Brother been lately?" Tobirama's throat tightened.

Tobirama Senju had three brothers in total. Two had died during the Warring States Period, leaving only Hashirama.

He didn't want to lose his brother too...

"Still the same. No improvement at all." Mito Uzumaki's lashes trembled.

She had called in many Medical Ninja to treat Hashirama, but none had succeeded.

Seeing this, Tobirama reassured her, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. I will find a way."

With that, he led Renye inside.

"Tobirama, Little Renye—why are you two here?"

Hashirama Senju sat up with difficulty, looking at the two of them.

"Uncle Hashirama, are you alright?" Renye's face showed concern.

In his heart, he prayed, Uncle Hashirama, just hold on a few more years. I haven't grown strong yet.

Seeing Renye's worried expression, Hashirama felt a warmth in his chest.

He hadn't misjudged this child after all...

"Haha, Little Renye, don't worry. My wounds will heal soon."

He had a feeling his injuries would recover quickly.

"Elder Brother, is that true?" Tobirama asked hurriedly.

"It's true, Tobirama," Hashirama said. "I can feel my wounds slowly healing."

As he spoke, he revealed the injuries on his arm.

Renye and Tobirama quickly stepped forward to check.

Just as Hashirama Senju had said, his wounds were closing.

Though not as fast as before, they were truly healing.

Seeing this, Renye let out a sigh of relief.

"Uncle Hashirama, I'm glad you're okay."

"Haha, sorry for worrying you." Hashirama reached out and ruffled Renye's head.

The more he looked at this child, the more he liked him.

The worry on Renye's face just now couldn't be faked—he could clearly feel the boy truly cared about his safety.

"Elder Brother, I'm glad you're alright. If anything comes up, just have Sister-in-law come find me."

Tobirama looked at Hashirama, paused, and added, "Elder Brother, you have to recover. The village can't do without you..."

Hearing this, Hashirama's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "I know, Tobirama."

After learning about Hashirama Senju's condition, Renye began frantically taking on missions.

He knew the time left for him to grow stronger was short.

He had to gain the strength to protect himself before Hashirama Senju passed away.

That way, he wouldn't end up as cannon fodder in the war.

In the days that followed, Renye was either on a mission or on his way to one.

This wore Danzō Shimura and Koharu Utatane ragged.

Several times, just after the three of them finished a mission and before their wounds had healed, Renye had already started a new one.

But the results were clear.

In the course of their missions, they fought life-and-death battles repeatedly, reviewing and refining their tactics, and their strength skyrocketed.

In just one year, the three of them had nearly reached the level of Chunin.

Yusuke Senju gave them high praise.

On the border of the Land of Fire.

"Renye-kun, after this mission, can we rest for a while?" Koharu Utatane's eyes showed a trace of exhaustion.

This was already their fifth mission this month.

Aside from travel and rest time, they were practically always on a mission.

Hearing this, Danzō Shimura paused in bandaging his wound, his gaze falling on Renye.

Though he didn't speak, he too wanted a break.

Renye lowered his eyes, wiping Muko clean. The blade reflected the three of them in their ragged state.

Koharu Utatane's Chakra was overused, her face pale.

Danzō Shimura's bandaged arm was still seeping blood.

Under their expectant gazes, Renye nodded in agreement.

"We really should rest for a while." Renye sheathed his blade.

Danzō's tense expression finally relaxed a little.

Finally, a break. If I kept doing missions, I'd probably die on one...

Koharu cheerfully slapped Renye on the back and turned to run toward the village. "Then it's settled—I'm sleeping for three days and three nights!"

The mission was over, and they prepared to head back.

The setting sun stretched the three of them into long shadows.