The surging spirit that rose with the howling wind made Tobirama turn his face aside, avoiding the aura of soaring battle intent swirling around the girl.
As expected of that old bastard Hagoromo Jun. The children he had raised with his own hands all inherited his talent for saying shocking things.
Once the commotion settled, Tobirama, sensing the difficulty of the situation, swallowed and said hesitantly, "Use civilized means. Don't just take it by force. A forcibly twisted melon isn't sweet."
"You've never eaten one, so how do you know it isn't sweet?"
Feeling the power of Sage Jutsu, which could turn anything into possibility, Mao scoffed at her Teacher's words.
"This..."
Tobirama found himself at a loss for words, completely unsure how to refute her.
Rikusei, Naori, and Mao were young talents whom all the higher-ups unanimously held in high regard, each filled with limitless potential.
The potential they displayed as they grew had not disappointed the expectations placed upon them. Yet they had also become the most troublesome group.
Their generation had already given up too much because of war. The voids in their hearts drove them to pay particular attention to the everyday emotions of the next generation.
Konoha had now enjoyed eight years of peace.
The core of the next generation of the Senju family—Elder Brother's child—had also walked into the graveyard of love not long ago.
As the ripples in his thoughts gradually calmed, Tobirama could only let out a faint sigh. "Your Teacher prides himself on having some understanding of the human heart."
As the hot blood receded from her heart, Mao nodded hesitantly. A trace of empathy entered her voice. "No one likes having their future arranged for them."
Seeing his disciple's emotions gradually stabilize and her thoughts turn rational, Tobirama silently paced