"Hm?"
Hashirama strolled across the raised platform, sweeping his gaze around for a suitable seat.
"Over there." Sage Fukasaku, standing on his shoulder, pointed in a direction based on an irregularity he sensed in the Natural Energy. "That person seems to be disguised."
In disguise?
And beside him stood another bizarre figure wrapped from head to toe despite the scorching weather.
Hashirama found them highly suspicious, and vigilance rose within him. The incidents in Sunagakure and the Hidden Mist must never be allowed to happen in Konoha. Pretending nothing was amiss, he headed in their direction.
"L-Lord Hashirama is coming this way!"
Afei's jaw trembled as he hurriedly tugged at his hood, trying to hide his presence. If the genuine article discovered this fake, everything would be over.
"Shut up."
Tobirama, disguised as someone else, rebuked him without much confidence and signaled for him to stay calm.
He knew his elder brother's temperament well. He would be easy to fool.
"Oh, it's Tobirama!"
?!
The familiar, enthusiastic voice made Tobirama freeze in place. His gaze turned vacant as he stared at the toad sitting on his elder brother's shoulder, one hand raised in greeting.
"This is Sage Fukasaku from Mount Myoboku, and this is little Gamabunta."
Though his appearance had changed, the chakra within him was unmistakably familiar. Hashirama chuckled as he rolled his shoulder and made the introductions.
Tobirama stiffly pulled at the corner of his mouth and greeted the visitors from Mount Myoboku, who had jumped down from the shoulder and perched by his hand.
"Am I late?"
"No."
The two figures stepping onto the Training Ground rescued Tobirama from the awkwardness, and he swiftly steered the conversation toward safer ground.
"And this is?"
"It's complicated. I'll explain everything in detail after the exam."
The trembling figure hidden