Madara, You Be the Second Hokage!

"So, the coward was me all along?"

Tobirama's face contorted in bitterness. He never imagined he was the source of such weakness!

"Strictly speaking, this isn't cowardice."

"Tobirama had the courage to face death, so he isn't a coward. He was simply weighing the pros and cons as Hokage in a desperate situation, choosing the path that would cost the village the least at that moment."

"But often, short-term compromises only lead to a much higher price to pay in the future..."

Natsu Yuu wasn't exactly a master strategist.

But he understood the simple principle of 'a single punch thrown well prevents a hundred that follow.'

If Tobirama had been ruthless enough to lead Hiruzen and the other six in a desperate fight to the death.

Even if they all perished, as long as the Kinkaku Force was annihilated, how would [Kumogakure] dare to look down on Konoha afterward?

If they were lucky, and Hiruzen or Danzo survived.

At the very least, the courage to fight to the death wouldn't be lost, as long as their spirit remained.

For the next few decades, the succeeding Third Hokage wouldn't adopt a defensive strategy, but would instead focus on finding ways to destroy [Kumogakure]!

Instead, it was the temporary cowardice and compromise that intensified Kumogakure's subsequent contempt for Konoha, forcing Konoha to pay a greater price...

"You don't need to comfort me, sir."

"Compared to my past self, I truly lack sharpness now."

Compared to Tobirama in the late Warring States period, the current Second Hokage was indeed like a stone with its sharp edges smoothed away.

Even at the [First Kage Summit], Tobirama had been far more assertive than he was now.

He truly relied too much on his older brother!

Fortunately, he still had a chance to make amends! He hadn't died here today, so everything could still be rewritten!

Hiruzen and the others wouldn't lose their fighting spirit because of his death.

[Kumogakure], was it?

Just you wait.

Next time, I'll make you pay a hundredfold!

Tobirama reflected inwardly, clenching his fists, a fierce fighting spirit igniting within him!

Natsu Yuu was very pleased with this.

It was worth going the long way around to provoke Tobirama.

He wasn't afraid of Tobirama not being ruthless enough, but afraid of him being as honest and compromising as Hashirama...

This battle alone, coupled with his 'Talk no Jutsu assault,'

should be enough to ignite Tobirama's anger and fighting spirit, allowing him to lay a solid foundation of conviction on the path to [Unify the Shinobi World]!

"Thank you for your guidance, sir. Tobirama will keep it in mind."

"What are your plans now?"

"I need to return to the village immediately. This great battle, or rather, the [First Shinobi World War], isn't completely over yet. I need to go back and make arrangements quickly!"

"I can give you a ride."

Natsu Yuu's [World Teleportation] was far superior to the [Flying Thunder God Technique]. Regardless of whether there was a mark, he could teleport to any location, it couldn't be interrupted, and it was immune to interference.

Except for the limit on uses...

And Tobirama didn't have much Chakra restored now, so he might not be able to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport back to Konoha in one go.

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I'll have to decline. I still need to catch up with Monkey and the others who broke through..."

It wouldn't make much sense for Tobirama to rush back to Konoha immediately. Instead, it would be best to catch up with Hiruzen and the others.

As long as Kagami Uchiha was saved, the future relationship between the village and the Uchiha Clan would have a chance to be greatly eased.

The dire future of the Uchiha Clan 34 years later was evident.

If Kagami died.

It was unknown how long it would take for the next Uchiha clansman with Hokage-level thinking, unbound by narrow clan-ism, to emerge!

Tobirama had to go and save Kagami!

"Alright. Do as you please, just don't get yourself killed again."

"Then, sir, next time..."

"Deal with your village's affairs first. I'll come find you again next time."

With that, Natsu Yuu activated [World Teleportation] and vanished from the spot.

Leaving behind a stunned Tobirama Senju.

Were 'Sages' always this decisive and swift?

Tobirama shook his head, dispelling all distracting thoughts.

Despite the shock he felt today, more than in the first half of his life, none of that mattered.

Being able to survive, to change the future with solid footing, that's what he valued most! And it was his greatest gain!

Tobirama tidied up briefly and immediately set off, chasing in the direction Natsu Yuu and the others had left.

I wonder.

If you can't find the book title, you can try searching for the author, maybe they just changed their name!

When those brats see me alive and well, they'll be extremely surprised too, right?

Natsu Yuu returned to the Number One Hokage World.

Meanwhile, Hashirama Senju, who had been sent back ahead of time, was in the Hokage's office, enthusiastically explaining his fantastical experience to Tobirama.

During the hour that his elder brother Hashirama had been gone...

Tobirama in the Number One World had nearly gone mad with worry.

His elder brother Hashirama, who had only recently become Hokage, had been abducted right before his eyes from the Hokage's office and had vanished without a trace.

If this news got out...

The entire Konohagakure would likely collapse within days!

Just dealing with Madara, that lunatic, demanding his elder brother would leave him speechless.

Fortunately, his elder brother had returned in time.

However...

After Hashirama returned and told Tobirama about his transmigration experience, Tobirama couldn't believe it and suspected his elder brother had gone mad.

Transmigrating to the future, and I almost got killed by someone...

How is that possible?

But his elder brother described it so vividly, even saying he saw it with his own eyes and it wasn't an illusion.

This made Tobirama hesitate.

There were two possibilities:

Either his elder brother had fallen victim to an unimaginably powerful Genjutsu.

Or everything his elder brother said had actually happened.

Although the latter was too far-fetched, considering the lower possibility of his elder brother being deceived by Genjutsu, the latter wasn't impossible.

However, it wasn't easy for Tobirama, who hadn't witnessed it himself, to believe it completely.

Hashirama was still excitedly describing.

When Tobirama heard that Madara would soon betray the village, eventually bring the Nine-Tails to attack Konoha, and die at Hashirama's hands...

Hiss...

The credibility of this story suddenly increased several levels!

No wonder the evil Madara Uchiha had been appearing less and less recently; he was plotting something wicked!

"Big Brother, why exactly is Madara betraying the village?"

Hashirama froze.

"Right! I still don't know why Madara is leaving the village! No, I have to go ask him right away..."

"Tobirama, I'll tell you when I get back."

"Also, in a few days, it's time to find you a wife. Tobirama, you can't stay single forever!"

Tobirama was dumbfounded: "???"

He still wanted to ask something.

But Hashirama had already left the office and rushed towards the forbidden shrine of the Uchiha Clan.

"Madara, I'm here!"

In the underground secret chamber of the Naka Shrine, Hashirama found Madara, who had asked him to meet.

"Hashirama, you're late..."

"Hahaha! I ran into a rare situation, it delayed me a bit."

Madara shot Hashirama a glance but didn't pay it much mind.

He pointed to the mysterious stone tablet inside the secret chamber and got straight to the point:

"This is a stone tablet passed down through generations of the Uchiha, never shown to outsiders."

"It's very special and requires the power of the eyes to decipher."

"What I've deciphered so far is: A god, in pursuit of stability, divided Yin and Yang into two poles. Their interaction can create all things in the universe!"

"This is the truth that leads to all things in the world!"

"In other words, by combining two opposing forces that complement each other, true happiness and peace can be achieved!"

"However, this can also be explained from another perspective..."

"It's a shame that the Uchiha and Senju are ultimately incompatible. Hashirama, do you think I know nothing? After you, it's likely that Tobirama will inherit the Hokage position. By then, the Uchiha Clan will one day be..."

Before Madara could finish.

Hashirama suddenly interrupted:

"Madara, I've decided! You will be the Second Hokage!"

Hashirama declared with utmost solemnity.