A familiar, youthful, vigorous face appeared before Tobirama, its expression different from anything in the present day. The gathered Kage from the various villages hid their unease.
"Don't worry. Madara took the Nine-Tails, but he won't do anything to the Shinobi World."
"Tobirama, have you learned something new?"
"Elder Brother, please stop interrupting the meeting."
Standing before the round table, Tobirama looked at his elder brother, who had turned to face him. Suppressing his emotions, he rebuked him with feigned displeasure.
"The Tailed Beasts will be sold to each village for an appropriate price." Tobirama looked around at the thoughtful faces. "Madara hasn't defected from the village. The Nine-Tails he captured is an asset belonging to Konoha."
With Tobirama presiding, the meeting proceeded smoothly through its various agenda items.
Besides the Tailed Beasts, they also held heated discussions on matters concerning the buffer zones between nations.
Hashirama clasped his hands beneath his chin and gazed at the nations agreeing to sign the peace treaty, his eyes brimming with emotion. At last, the long era of strife would come to an end in their time.
"Tobirama, I believe you're more than capable of becoming Hokage."
After the daylong meeting, Hashirama rubbed his aching neck and spoke to the man who was organizing the documents.
"Is that so?"
Tobirama's hands paused. He couldn't help thinking of Uchiha Madara, who had also been the Second. Compared to him, Tobirama was sorely lacking.
Maintaining peace in the Shinobi World, both now and in the future, required absolute strength—not political maneuvering.
After the meeting, Tobirama went alone to the window and gazed out at Konoha's thriving streets. His eyes reflected the well-dressed visitors, and a strained smile tugged at his lips.
He was a visitor, too.
Tobirama didn't belong to this era. He wanted to