The Last Calm (Part 1)

Morning.

The moment the sun rose over the horizon, Konoha's verdant gates slowly swung open from within.

The crowd that had been waiting outside immediately rose to their feet and surged toward the registration area. After filling in their personal information, they followed the flow of people into the village.

"Doesn't look like much has changed!"

The moment he finished speaking, Senju Tobirama suddenly froze. He rubbed his eyes hard and peered through the green gates at the village beyond, his face filled with disbelief. "Big Brother, why does the village look like it's about to go bankrupt?"

Hearing this, Hashirama Senju also glanced inside through the gates and replied.

"Maybe it's too early. There aren't many people on the streets yet."

"I remember there used to be plenty of breakfast vendors by the gate. Why aren't any of them here?" Tobirama pointed toward the entrance and asked hesitantly, "Big Brother, did you and Little Tsunade gamble the village away?"

Hashirama Senju let out a long sigh and said helplessly, "Tobirama, you've asked that dozens of times along the way already. Don't worry, the village is fine. It's just that the clan is gone.

Also, those three houses you lived in have collapsed."

That left Senju Tobirama completely speechless.

Thinking of those three houses that held so many memories, Senju Tobirama silently walked over to the registration area.

Looking at the two young shinobi, he asked unwillingly, "Is the village really alright?"

The two shinobi in charge of registration gave him strange looks.

Though the man looked unfamiliar, seeing that he was following the First Hokage, one of the young men wearing an Uchiha Clan Uniform answered honestly, "The village is doing well. It's just that the atmosphere has been a little tense lately."

Tobirama nodded lightly, then picked up