Time Flies, Turmoil Approaches

At that moment, Chisato had none of a young lady's airs left. She was more like a ninja with unwavering conviction!

"Although I don't yet have the ability to achieve all this, I will always remain firm in my resolve! Until the day it truly becomes reality."

Chisato's words earned the approval of everyone present, especially Kagami Uchiha, whose eyes were filled with gratification.

The little sister who used to do nothing but trail after him had now begun to grow up.

Of course, putting such a resolve into practice would be incredibly difficult.

But she still had him as her older brother. He would help Chisato.

Seeing everyone's affirmation, Chisato was greatly encouraged. Every pair of eyes looking at her was filled with kindness.

"Very good, Chisato."

"To possess such thoughts and awareness at such a young age—I'm very pleased!"

Hashirama's approval made Chisato even more confident, but his next words sent her into a frenzy of delight!

"I want to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"

Chisato nodded madly and repeatedly said, "I am! Lord Hokage, I am!"

Hashirama was in an excellent mood. He felt that setting this test had truly been a wise choice.

It had allowed him to clearly understand the convictions in these children's hearts.

He could also choose from among them someone suited to lead Konoha forward in the future.

Being Hokage was not simply about possessing overwhelming strength. One needed a heart that truly loved the village.

Someone who could protect every person in the village as though they were family.

Only such a person was qualified to become Hokage!

"Hahaha, good child. Remember to call me Master next time."

Tears of happiness streamed from Chisato's eyes. She had finally become Lord Hokage's disciple.

Her most admired ninja! The strongest man in the entire Shinobi World.

"Shishou!"

Hashirama patted Chisato's head and signaled for her to return to the group.

"Children, today I have come to understand each of your Will of Fire. I am very pleased."

"Other than Torikaze and Chisato, all of you are already outstanding ninjas."

"However, I hope you remember that your Will of Fire must be built upon protecting the village's honor and the safety of its people!"

"You must never disregard the village's security and the lives of its people in order to carry out your own convictions!"

Hashirama's tone was stern, and a faint pressure unconsciously seeped from him!

If anyone truly did such a thing, they would be putting the cart before the horse! He needed these children to understand that.

Torikaze and the others all promised Hashirama that such a thing would never happen.

Hashirama then withdrew his pressure. After giving them a few more instructions, he sent them down the mountain.

Only Hashirama and Tobirama remained on the mountaintop. Hashirama stood in his loose robes when a gust of wind suddenly blew past, sending his sleeves fluttering.

"Tobirama, among these children, whose conviction do you think is most suitable for leading the village?"

Tobirama did not think for long. He merely smiled faintly. "Big Brother already has someone in mind, doesn't he?"

Hashirama turned to look in the direction of the village. Whenever he had no official duties, he would come here alone and sit.

Sometimes, he would remain there for an entire day.

"No one can say what the future will be like. We need to observe them more."

Tobirama nodded. It was still far too early to draw conclusions about these children.

Besides, they had not yet reached the point where they had to choose successors.

Before they truly set down their burdens, they would devote themselves fully to nurturing these children.

And select from among them the one most suited to protect Konoha.

Hashirama suddenly asked for no apparent reason, "Tobirama, what do you think Konoha will be like fifty, or even sixty, years from now?"

"I don't know. I only know that by then, we'll have long become a handful of dirt."

The two brothers looked at each other and smiled.

"That's true. But if I had the chance, I really would like to see what Konoha will be like in the future."

Everyone would eventually die. Even the mighty Sage of Six Paths from ancient times had been unable to escape it.

But one's will and ideals could be passed down from generation to generation, and Hashirama had already found such a person.

The years never ceased, and people were as easily worn away as all things. In the blink of an eye, nearly twelve months had passed.

There were three days left until Madara Uchiha launched his rebellion and attacked Konoha.

Over those nearly twelve months, Torikaze had followed Hashirama and learned a great deal of knowledge, as well as Taijutsu techniques.

Whenever he had free time, he would also follow Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others on missions.

Torikaze was a powerful combatant, so Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally more than willing to have him along.

This allowed Torikaze's Tranquility Points to steadily increase, and he had now accumulated a full Tranquility Points.

This was finally enough to help Torikaze survive this major Chaos Event.

And if possible, he did not want his Master to fight Madara Uchiha.

Torikaze believed that the reason Hashirama Senju, the God of the Shinobi World, had died so suddenly—

was because he had used cellular regeneration without restraint to heal his injuries throughout countless battles.

His cells had eventually reached their limit of division, resulting in his death.

If his teacher did not fight Madara Uchiha this time, perhaps he could live several more years.

By then, Torikaze might be able to find a cure.

After all, new products would be added to the System Shop. Perhaps something capable of making cells grow again would appear.

Torikaze and Chisato had just finished training and were discussing what to eat for lunch.

Torikaze was somewhat nervous about Madara Uchiha's impending attack.

But he could not act strangely and could only remind Chisato.

"Chisato, on the night three days from now, it'd be best not to stay too far away from your brother."

Chisato was puzzled by that. "What is it, Torikaze? Is something going to happen?"

Torikaze had been in poor spirits since early that morning, and now he was mysteriously saying things she could not understand.

"I just have a bad feeling. Anyway, just do as I say."

Although she did not know what Torikaze was hiding from her, since he had put it that way, there was no harm in listening to him.

After all, she and her brother only lived in different houses. They were not far apart.

Moreover, over the past year or so, Torikaze had helped Chisato resolve many crises.

So Chisato chose to trust Torikaze.

After going back and forth over their options, the two ultimately decided on grilled meat.

Ever since Torikaze had first taken Chisato there for grilled meat, she had fallen in love with that restaurant and had gone often over the past year.

The Boss had made a fortune and directly renovated the entire restaurant. Business had also grown more and more prosperous.

After eating, Torikaze said goodbye to Chisato and returned to the clan grounds.

Over the past year, Torikaze had barely had any free time. He had devoted everything to accumulating Tranquility Points!

He had also become increasingly convinced that this damn Tranquil Life System was nothing but false advertising!

Ever since getting the system, he had never known a moment of tranquility.

"System! Open the Shop!"