The First Step to Becoming Hokage

The doubt was thus resolved.

Rikusei walked down the street, feeling satisfied, with Naori and Kagami by his side.

Although Tobirama Senju had not told the whole truth, his attitude made it clear that the Senju were fading away for the sake of Konoha.

With the prestige that he and his brother held within the Senju Clan, any opposing forces would be quite weak.

Their black ninja shoes stepped lightly upon the hard earth, dust clinging to the soles; was this peaceful Konoha not exactly the utopia for ninjas that they had hoped for?

The warm spring sun was not at all bothersome, and the main street of Konoha was bustling with activity; crowds of people carrying various goods surged forward, shouting their wares, while many set up stalls in the shade to sell their merchandise.

Rikusei looked at the lively scene and could not help but smile.

Those ninjas who had experienced the chaotic Warring States period and were covered in blood would surely feel proud to see such a vibrant scene on a warm, blooming spring day, knowing they had contributed to the peace.

He understood now; was the reason for the Senju Clan's dissolution not right before his eyes?

"Ding~"

The crisp sound of a copper bell drifted from the far end of the street, and a massive crowd moved slowly along the main road.

In front, retainers dressed in formal attire held up a magnificent canopy, the golden copper bells tied to its tassels chiming melodiously with every movement, shielding the sedan chair being carried. Flags bearing the crest of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire fluttered slowly in the hands of the guards behind.

The endless sound of horse hooves followed, with drivers wearing straw hats pulling the reins to control their direction, the supplies on the carriages tightly wrapped in black oilcloth.

"The Daimyo has arrived."

In the crowd, Rikusei explained to the somewhat bewildered Kagami.

"Doesn't that mean the position of Hokage will be decided very soon?" Kagami whispered, his eyes fixed intently on the colorful sedan chair. "Will it be an Uchiha?"

Seeing the Daimyo's procession for the first time, Rikusei's gaze was somewhat distant. "Perhaps."

"What do you mean 'perhaps'? How can you be so pessimistic!" Kagami sounded somewhat indignant, the boy's sharp voice drowned out by the cheers of the crowd around them.

"But there are more and more clans in the village, and in terms of popularity, the advantage lies with the Senju." Rikusei's answer left Kagami speechless.

Seeing that Kagami's mood had dampened, Rikusei added with a doting smile: "Whoever is elected, they will surely lead the village further and further."

"That's true."

After his contact with Tobirama, Kagami realized the Senju Clan was not as rigid or stubborn as his clansmen claimed, and he nodded in agreement.

"There are so many carriages in the procession."

Naori couldn't help but stroke her small belly, hidden beneath her ninja outfit.

"There is a dango shop with colorful flags opposite the third-to-last carriage, and it says they have a new-store discount." Sensing the subtext, Rikusei replied without hesitation.

Rikusei, a man of action, led the little Uchiha through the crowded street to the dango shop.

Kagami looked at the duo, who were smiling while holding dango, in confusion. "But we're going home to eat dinner soon."

"Shut up."

Rikusei took a White Jade dango from Naori and stuffed it straight into Kagami's mouth.

Kagami made muffled noises as he puffed out his cheeks, chewing the dango vigorously; the sticky texture of the glutinous rice and the special sugar created a sweet, non-cloying flavor that left him unable to stop.

The vigorous chewing brought a flush of red to his face, and Kagami flicked his tongue, savoring the lingering taste in his mouth.

"This is an appetizer!"

As fellow members of the Uchiha Dango Enthusiasts, Rikusei and Naori felt the same satisfaction, their eyes meeting in the air as they shared a smile.

Back in the clan grounds, Kagami returned home first.

Rikusei and Naori leaned against a wall, listening to the pleasant chirping of birds in the woods outside, and walked slowly toward home, hiding in the shade of the trees.

Sunlight dappled the empty street, and Rikusei enjoyed the tranquility of Konoha.

He knew.

Such peace would last for many years, but one must always enjoy it earnestly; only youth must not be squandered.

Even though he had only just started school.

Rikusei looked with clear eyes at the girl beside him, who was greedily eating her dango; if she truly was the creator of "Izanami," then he would be the one to quell that internal strife.

First, he would prevent the forbidden technique "Izanagi" from spreading widely within the clan.

To do that, he first had to climb to the position of clan head, but he estimated that he might eventually get too close to the Senju, thereby losing his chance to become the head.

What should he do?

Kagami wouldn't work; he had no hope either.

Rai, Baru, Naka? No, they were the core members of that rebellion.

Who then?

"Rikusei, do you want to try this Five-Color Dango?"

Naori took the last skewer of dango from the box and tilted her head to ask, her long purple hair falling over her shoulders with her playful movement.

Rikusei caught the scent of flowers carried on the breeze and said with a smile, "Half each?"

"Mm!"

Seeing the skewer of dango disappear, Naori responded with a sweet smile.

"My dear grandchild, you've returned!"

Grandmother tossed the cards in her hand aside, ran out of the mahjong room ignoring the teasing laughter behind her, and walked toward them.

Rikusei faintly heard the sound of joyful tears coming from inside the room.

"That lucky charm Chiri has finally stepped down from the stage."

"Who's to say otherwise? Her card skills are absolutely atrocious, yet her luck is impossibly good."

The center of the discussion, the woman being talked about, walked toward them with a smile on her face, her seemingly dim eyes flashing with a sharp glint as she carefully sized up Naori.

She immediately tossed the "dear grandchild" label aside.

She considerately took Naori's small hand, stood naturally between the three of them, and began imparting life lessons to her.

Rikusei was somewhat dazed.

These were things Grandmother had never spoken of before.

From the techniques of using ninja tools to the control of physical strength and chakra, the conversation gradually shifted into memories of the past.

At the doorstep, Grandmother gazed into the distance at the departing purple-haired girl, withdrew her gaze with reluctance, and looked at her grandson beside her, saying somewhat gloomily, "For a woman of the Uchiha clan to choose to become a ninja, she must endure inhuman suffering."

"You are not allowed to bully little Naori in the future! Do you hear me?"

"Yes, Grandmother."

In his memory, Grandmother had never been this stern, so Rikusei hurriedly responded.

"Then, what would my dear grandchild like to eat?"

Grandmother put on her kind smile again and skillfully tied her apron as she asked.

"Anything is fine."

"Then, to celebrate Grandmother winning ten games in a row this morning, I shall make something I like to eat myself." Grandmother was quite satisfied with her grandson's answer and replied without a second thought.

""

"Elder Brother, quickly help me check my clothes; is anything out of place?"

Having rushed over from the Ninja Academy and changed into traditional formal wear, Tobirama adjusted his silver hair and asked in a low voice in the hallway.

The Daimyo?

In his eyes, the Daimyo didn't carry as much weight as the current backbone of Konoha; if not for the sake of funds and supplies, he couldn't be bothered to deal with such people.

Politicians with bellies full of schemes were nowhere near as cute as the Uchiha brat from this morning.

"You look great, Tobirama."

Hashirama said with a hearty smile, glancing at his brother who looked somewhat flustered beside him.

"Wipe that smile off your face; this is an important moment for meeting the Daimyo." Tobirama, steadying his breathing, glanced sideways at the wooden sliding door guarded by attendants ahead.

"Sorry."

"Get it together, Elder Brother! I'm not telling you to be depressed, I'm telling you to remain serious." Tobirama, with black lines on his forehead, tugged hard on Hashirama, who had fallen into a state of depression. "This is the first step toward deciding the Hokage!"

"But..."

Hashirama, returning to his normal state, hesitated.

"We already discussed this that day; we will go by popular vote."

Standing before the wooden door, Tobirama crossed his arms, his expression solemn as he stared straight ahead.