Konoha's Two Cores, One in Light and One in Shadow: Shimura Danzō Wants to Step into the Spotlight

"What are you talking about, Tobirama...?"

Seisui stood smiling atop the mountain peak, breathing in the clear, refreshing high-altitude air as he gazed toward the distant Hokage Rock.

"Didn't you understand what I said to him?"

"I already told Asuma not to blindly follow my words. I'm only an ordinary Ninja Academy student myself."

"Letting Asuma learn to see with his own eyes and think with his own heart—what's wrong with that?"

"Could it be that you wanted to see me, an Uchiha, teach the Son of the Hokage how to become a Konoha ninja?"

Seisui laughed teasingly, while Tobirama Senju fell silent.

There really was nothing wrong with what Seisui had said, and it was exactly how he had acted.

From the beginning of the conversation to its end, Seisui had constantly used rhetorical questions to make Asuma think for himself, allowing him to answer the doubts in his own heart.

Asuma's answers had all been the result of his own thinking...

But.

If Seisui had guided Asuma into developing prejudice against Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha, Tobirama Senju would not have been this uneasy.

Tricks that toyed with people's hearts and schemes would always leave traces behind...

But an open scheme carried incomparable power. And Asuma, who supposedly thought for himself, had already begun to trust Seisui completely!

Asuma had even started using his own identity and resources to help Seisui little by little.

Within Konoha, the status of the Hokage lineage that countless people longed for, the ticket into the upper ranks that the Uchiha Clan had coveted for years...

Seisui had obtained it so easily.

He had not even done anything proactively. He had merely displayed his Will of Fire, and the Son of the Hokage had come to him of his own accord, even speaking shyly and pleading with Seisui to agree to become his companion!

No one could find any problem with such an outcome, not even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had ruled Konoha for many years.

Because Asuma genuinely wanted to do it. He was willing to do it...

Tobirama Senju took a deep breath. Whether it was Seisui's extraordinary charm or the darkness of Konoha that Asuma had revealed, his feelings were incredibly complicated.

Following Seisui's gaze, Tobirama Senju saw his own statue atop Hokage Rock, and the scene before his eyes grew hazy.

Back when he had first taken control of Konoha, he had also won over the various ninja clans in this way...

He had embodied the Will of Fire through his actions. Even within the Uchiha Clan, the joy over Kagami Uchiha becoming his disciple had outweighed the concern.

Was this some kind of cycle?

As he pondered, Seisui's voice slowly rang out. "Tobirama, there's no need to be so anxious..."

"I have never lied to you. I once told you that my goal is simple: to give kind people better lives, to make those who make mistakes receive the punishment they deserve, and to make the village and the Shinobi World better."

"You've seen everything I've done. I only want to ask you one thing: does my Will of Fire still meet your standards?"

Tobirama Senju snorted. A rebuttal reached his lips, but he did not know how to voice it.

Something felt wrong, yet even he did not know what was wrong, nor could he put it into words...

But didn't that mean Seisui was in the right?

Impossible. That evil Uchiha brat definitely had a problem!

"Seisui brat, I'll be watching you!"

"Imprisoning this old man inside your body was the biggest mistake you've ever made... I'll see your true face clearly!"

Seisui laughed.

Had this old man gotten himself confused?

"Tobirama, can I take that to mean you're actually quite willing to be sealed inside me now?"

A strange look flashed through Seisui's eyes as he inconspicuously took a step back. "I think we should keep a little distance between us. You're starting to interfere with my life, and I'm beginning to question your motives..."

Tobirama Senju's mouth twitched. After Seisui put it that way, even he felt that something seemed a little off.

"Brat, stop talking nonsense! Everything you said to Asuma was nothing more than magnifying the village's darkness!"

Tobirama Senju forcibly changed the subject, keeping a stern expression as he said in a low voice:

"Do you remember our wager? You said that within two years, the Will of Fire would burn innocent people. If you lose, you'll have to agree to one request of mine!"

"I'll tell you my request now: you are not allowed to do anything that harms Konoha's interests!"

Tobirama Senju's tone was heavy, but his gaze drifted somewhat.

Seisui was so much like him. His moral bottom line was probably just as flexible...

A ninja's oath was little better than toilet paper.

But to Tobirama Senju's surprise, Seisui slowly nodded and answered earnestly, "

"I won't go back on anything I promised you, Tobirama."

"Just as you once said, even an Uchiha ninja would not be handed over to the enemy as a bargaining chip in a ceasefire agreement."

"I'm the same. I am a Konoha ninja, and Konoha's interests are my interests. Why would I harm them?"

After saying that, Seisui silently muttered in his heart:

Konoha belongs to me in the future. Why would I damage what is mine? It's not like I'm senile like you...

Tobirama Senju stared into Seisui's candid eyes and silently nodded.

"Oh, right, Tobirama. I have another question for you."

Seisui smiled and patted his shoulder. "If one day it were for Konoha's sake, would you be willing to lend me your strength?"

Tobirama Senju froze, narrowing his eyes. "If it's for Konoha, then yes."

Tobirama Senju simply did not know how he could lend his strength to Seisui.

This brat must be coveting this old man's wisdom. He has a good eye for quality.

Hearing Tobirama Senju's affirmative answer, Seisui smiled and nodded.

"If that's the case..."

"Don't worry, Tobirama. When the day comes that you lose, I won't make you kneel and apologize. I really would feel sorry for you. You used to be, and even now, you're still one of my idols..."

From Target of Confrontation Tobirama Senju: You have obtained ninjutsu · Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag Technique!

"Arrogant brat! This old man believes in Konoha and believes in my student. We don't need you to go easy on us!"

Tobirama Senju waved his hand dismissively. His posture was utterly scornful of Seisui's words, yet the electronic reward notification honestly revealed that he seemed rather pleased inside.

Several days later.

In the village's darkest corner.

Shimura Danzō, Tobirama Senju's trusted student and the man known as Ninja's Darkness and The Root of Konoha, was reviewing intelligence on Seisui within Root, a cruel and satisfied smile tugging at his lips.

"This old man already has Wood Release. If I obtain the Sharingan as well..."

"Who else but me deserves the position of Hokage!"

And in the village's most dazzling place.

Inside the Hokage Office, the rebellious Asuma knelt before the stunned Hiruzen Sarutobi, his eyes filled with regret and pleading.

One in light, one in shadow—Konoha's two core figures.

At this moment, both had begun a storm of thoughts because of Seisui's existence...

Sorry, everyone... I was a little late...

My apologies to all the esteemed readers, Orz...

Recording the number of chapters after launch: 20 + 5 owed chapters... 25!