A day after returning to Konoha, the ninjas all changed into black formal clothes. Tobirama Senju wasn't buried alongside the ordinary ninjas. Instead, he was laid to rest in a place known only to the Hokage of each generation.
After Tobirama Senju was buried, Konoha and the Cloud Ninja sent Sarutobi and Ei to sign another treaty. Just as Sarutobi returned to Konoha after signing it,
another shocking piece of news spread through the Shinobi World: the Second Tsuchikage and the Second Mizukage had also passed away. With several of the strongest leaders of the second generation dying one after another, the Shinobi World entered a period of peace.
Half a year passed. Since returning to Konoha and being promoted to Jonin, Tianqi had settled straight into a leisurely life.
Every morning, he got up and started training. Afterward, he checked in with Sarutobi, then went to the mission hall to pick up a few easy jobs to cover his expenses. Once he finished them, he'd take a few days off. Tianqi had become a total slacker.
Compared to Tianqi, Sarutobi's life was entirely different. Every day he had to work through stack after stack of documents. He was practically drowning in work.
As Tianqi strolled through Konoha's streets, watching the crowds come and go, his face filled with a smile. His thoughts drifted back to his life before he'd crossed over.
In his previous life, he'd stayed home every day watching anime and playing video games, accomplishing nothing. Now, not only was he powerful, he didn't have to worry about making a living. He had no phone or computer, yet every day felt full and worthwhile. Now this was the life!
Tianqi looked up at the statues of the First and Second Hokage, along with the Third Hokage's likeness, which was still being carved. "I wonder who came up with the idea that becoming Hokage meant you had to get your face carved into a mountain. Must've been someone with too much time on their hands, terrified people wouldn't know they were Hokage."
"Had to be that bastard Tobirama Senju. No one else would be so bored."
Thinking of Tobirama Senju reminded Tianqi of a conversation he'd had with Uchiha Qingyang six months ago.
Just over ten days after the war ended, Uchiha Qingyang summoned Tianqi to the Military Police Force for a private, one-on-one conversation.
"Tianqi, now that Tobirama Senju is dead and most of the Senju Clan has been wiped out, we have powerful shinobi like you and Kagami in the Uchiha. We can overthrow Sarutobi Hiruzen and take the Hokage Position for ourselves. What right does some member of a minor clan have to become Hokage? So, Tianqi, what do you think of my plan?"
Uchiha Qingyang was brimming with confidence. He'd originally hoped to use the war to return to the center of power, and then Tobirama Senju had died on the battlefield while Uchiha Tianqi had managed to grow stronger. Now, all he had to do was launch a coup, and the Hokage Position would be his.
And he wasn't wrong. After Uchiha Madara's departure and the deaths of the two Hokage, the Senju Clan no longer had any top-tier shinobi. At that point, the Uchiha could be said to have gained the upper hand over the Senju.
If the Uchiha launched a coup now, the village didn't have many powerful shinobi to stop them. With Tianqi's Mangekyō Sharingan, their chances of success would be as high as seventy percent.
But Tianqi rejected Uchiha Qingyang's proposal. He led the Militant Faction away from the Uchiha Clan Compound and settled on the other side of the village.
Kagami Uchiha also informed Sarutobi that Uchiha Qingyang was planning a coup. In no time, the Uchiha became a major target of surveillance by Konoha Ninja.
When Uchiha Qingyang heard about it, he was so furious that he spat blood and fell ill. Dealt a double blow by Tianqi leading the Militant Faction away and Kagami's betrayal, the Clan Head ended up confined to his bed until he kicked the bucket.
His son, Uchiha Sen, took over as Clan Head. Around the same age as Tianqi, Sen became both Clan Head and head of the Military Police Force, making him incredibly powerful overnight. (For this story, Uchiha Sen is Uchiha Fugaku's father.)
"Tianqi, the Third Hokage wants to see you. Head to the Hokage Building right away." As Tianqi stood staring at the Hokage statues, lost in thought, a Chunin appeared in front of him to deliver the message.
"Got it. I'll be there right away."
Once Tianqi said he'd be there right away, the Chunin climbed onto a wall and left.
Before long, Tianqi arrived at the Hokage Building, looking completely relaxed. He pushed open the office door and saw Sarutobi with his head bowed over some documents.
"You're here, Tianqi. How have things been in the village?" Sarutobi looked up when Tianqi arrived and greeted him warmly.
He had every reason to be nice. The Uchiha, who'd always been obedient, had been planning a coup, and he'd been so worried about Tianqi joining them that he'd barely slept. Fortunately, Tianqi had made the right choice and taken many powerful Uchiha with him. That had prevented the coup from happening, and earned Sarutobi's complete trust.
"Same as always. When there's work, I go out and do a few missions. When there isn't, I wander around the village." Tianqi pulled up a chair and sat across from Sarutobi, looking perfectly at ease.
"Perfect, then. Since you're so free, I'll give you a mission."
"A mission? Just don't tell me it's something life-threatening. I don't have a girlfriend yet, let alone a wife and kids. I haven't had my fill of life." Hearing about a mission, Tianqi started making excuses to avoid the hassle.
"Don't worry. It won't interfere with any of that. I just need you to take charge of three little Genin." Watching Tianqi invent excuses to get out of the mission, Sarutobi rolled his eyes. Marriage and kids? What a load of nonsense. He just didn't want the hassle.
"Oh, that's all? Easy. I'll take it." Hearing he'd only have to lead a few Genin, Tianqi agreed without a second thought.
"Good. Since you've agreed, let me explain. A little while ago, I took on three students at the academy. You know I have a ton of responsibilities as Hokage. When I'm not busy, I can still teach them, but when work piles up, where am I supposed to find the time? So I want you to be their deputy team leader and look after them for a while."
As he spoke, Sarutobi thought of one of the Genin and felt a headache coming on. The other two were fine, but he really didn't know what to do about this one. For the past few days, he'd even wondered if he'd been too hasty in taking him on as a student.
When Tianqi heard they were Sarutobi's students, his eyes widened. The Third Hokage's students—that meant the future Sannin: Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had already taken the Sannin as his students? And he wanted Tianqi to be their deputy team leader? Damn, this mission sounded interesting. Looks like he could have some fun.
"The other two students are pretty good. It's just that one named Jiraiya. I don't know if I misjudged him or if that's really all the talent he's got, but keep an eye on him for me," Sarutobi said, shaking his head.
"Sure. I'll go look after them properly tomorrow." With that, he left the Hokage Building. Tianqi didn't agree with Sarutobi Hiruzen's assessment at all.
Orochimaru's parents were both capable ninjas, and he was a genius in his own right. Tsunade, as the First Hokage's granddaughter, also had extraordinary blood in her veins. Both of them benefited, to some extent, from their family backgrounds.
Jiraiya was different. He had no parents or relatives to rely on. He'd made it to Genin entirely on his own. Tianqi knew that this same Jiraiya, whom Sarutobi thought so little of, would one day not only become one of the legendary Sannin but also begin a tale that would be told for generations.
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