Brother's "Love" for Younger Brother

"Did Hiugo really just go in like that?"

"Even Big Brother can't get in when Tobirama is in his room. If Hiugo was pulled in, maybe it's because they're close in age and have more in common. That's friendship."

"But we're brothers, shouldn't it be family affection?"

"You're still young, so it's normal not to understand. Relatives can have friendships too."

"What's the big deal about being just one year older than me?"

"Isn't Tobirama only one year older than me? Why do you worship him so much?"

"That's different. You're a kid, and Second Brother is a cool ninja."

Itama and Itama whispered to each other, but quickly covered their mouths when they saw their two brothers emerge from the room.

Compared to their eldest brother Hashirama, Tobirama carried more authority, and gossiping behind his back always made them feel a bit guilty.

"What... are you two doing?" Tobirama looked at them suspiciously.

"Based on my experience, they were probably discussing you, Tobirama," Hiugo said with a mischievous grin after glancing at them.

"It wasn't about Second Brother! I was just discussing some training questions with Itama," Itama blurted out.

"What kind of questions? I'll help you solve them," Tobirama said calmly.

Itama and Itama exchanged glances, communicating with their eyes:

We have to rely on brotherly intuition now. Don't drag me down, Itama.

You're the one who shouldn't drag me down, Itama.

The two spoke simultaneously:

"How to perform the Substitution Technique quickly?"

"How to make the Clone Technique more realistic?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

After a brief silence, Tobirama said calmly:

"One is a matter of proficiency, the other is a matter of Chakra control. It seems you two have been slacking off in your training lately. When I return, I'll use ninjutsu to whip you into shape."

Itama and Itama looked at Hiugo with bitter expressions, hoping for some change in their future.

Hiugo nodded and said, "Tobirama, that's not right of you..."

A glimmer of hope appeared in the eyes of the two little Senju; at critical moments, an outsider brother was still useful.

"Let's take one each. These methods are more effective and faster to teach."

"...,..."

Thinking they had found reinforcements, they realized they were actually facing enemy forces. Tears of sorrow welled up in the eyes of the two little Senju.

Tobirama and Hiugo arrived at the training ground—which was, frankly, just a large clearing surrounded by trees with a lake in the center for water-walking practice.

"The new technique is called Water Style: Water Severing Wave. The hand seals are Rat-Rooster-Snake. The key to this move is Chakra control; otherwise, it's easy to fail. Either the power won't be enough, or poor control will end up hurting yourself."

As he spoke, Tobirama formed the seals, then pressed his palms together, spitting out a stream of water that cut through a tree like a sharp blade.

Because it had just been developed and the user was still a teenage Tobirama, the power naturally couldn't reach the level of the future Reanimated Second Hokage cutting through the roots of the God Tree, but it was already sufficient for anyone below clan-head level.

Especially for the two of them, who were currently only Chunin, it was enough to make up for the lack of single-target lethality in Water Style.

Tobirama tossed over a scroll: "These are my insights from practicing this ninjutsu. If you really can't learn it, you can refer to these."

"Thanks," Hiugo accepted it without standing on ceremony.

Tobirama suddenly put some distance between them and formed the Seal of Confrontation.

"What are you doing?"

"I haven't moved in a while. I'll teach you the ninjutsu, and you can be my target."

Hiugo nodded. Learning a ninjutsu and having a spar with someone was nothing to complain about, so he also formed the Seal of Confrontation.

Both sides watched each other until a drop of water slid off the tree that had just been cut; the moment it hit the ground, both men lunged forward.

Their arms collided, and the Chakra within them erupted, creating a gust of wind.

Tobirama's tone held a hint of surprise. In this clash, he discovered that Hiugo's strength and Chakra reserves were now far greater than his own. Only ten days ago, they had been at roughly the same level; he hadn't expected such a massive improvement.

Hiugo smiled slightly, thinking to himself:

You have your brain, and I have my cheat.

The benefits of having devoured the bloodline of his clansmen were beginning to manifest after these dozen days.

Perhaps due to the peak Jonin bloodline of Senju Kazama, Hiugo not only awakened Earth-style Chakra but also gained Wind-style as a bonus.

From that point on, he had gathered all five Chakra natures—Water, Lightning, Fire, Earth, and Wind—along with the Sharingan representing "Yin" and his own Sage Body representing "Yang."

With all these elements assembled, Hiugo's Chakra surged significantly; within a week, he would be able to break through from Chunin to the Special Jonin level.

For the sake of his own recovery, Tobirama did not create distance, instead using a different set of Taijutsu to counter, separating quickly after each contact to deny Hiugo the chance to apply force.

The more they fought, the more familiar Hiugo became, and he spat out:

"Uchiha Style Taijutsu."

The Senju and Uchiha had been clashing for who knows how long, and both sides had inevitably picked up a thing or two from the other.

However, ordinary people wouldn't bother to learn them; the Taijutsu of both clans had been baptized by the battlefield and were perfectly tailored to their respective families. Learning the other's style had little practical effect beyond research.

Take the current situation: Tobirama used Uchiha Style Taijutsu, but after briefly gaining the upper hand, he was caught in a flaw by Hiugo and kicked away, with three Kunai following closely behind.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

After three collisions, Tobirama landed with a Kunai in hand:

"According to your habits, don't you usually throw handfuls of Explosive Tags? Why are they missing this time?"

"I didn't bring the training ones. The ones for war should be saved for the Uchiha. Shall we continue?"

"No need. Our Ninjutsu sparring is too much of a waste of time."

"That's enough?"

"Just a little warm-up is fine, so the body doesn't get rusty."

Tobirama put away his Kunai, a trace of worry appearing in his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm thinking about what will happen when Itama and Hashirama go to the battlefield in the future. Their personalities are a bit too naive; a place like the battlefield is no place for them..."

"Yet Father would never allow his children to hide in the clan compound."

Hiugo fell silent. He knew the fates of the two better than Tobirama: Itama's body wasn't even found in the end, and while Hashirama's body remained, he was filled with despair before he died...

As the clan head, Butsuma's words, actions, and dignity would not permit his children to live safely in the compound. It was precisely because of this that he sent his children to kill enemies on the battlefield, leading to their deaths, and it was also why the young Hashirama would later clash with him.

Tobirama sighed softly: "Hiugo, we are lucky. We have not only talent but also the right temperament."

The Warring States period was known as the cradle of geniuses, where countless ninjas shone brightly, yet very few geniuses grew into powerhouses. Beyond their own talent, it came down to the difference in their personalities.

Their personalities were adapted to the battlefield, allowing them to find opportunities to survive time and again, which was the only way to eventually grow strong.

Hiugo thought for a moment and said:

"I don't think teaching them simple Ninjutsu is of much use. It would be better to teach them some 'Hiugo Style' thinking."

"Are you sure that will work?"

"Ninjutsu can be taught by anyone. I'll start by instilling the 'cruelty of the battlefield' into them. As long as they remember it, even if they are naive, they will remain vigilant."

"That makes some sense. How about this: you teach the mindset, and I'll teach the Ninjutsu."

"Fine... I suppose."

Tobirama thought for a moment and asked: "Have you learned any Sealing Jutsu?"

Hiugo raised an eyebrow: "Want to learn? Call me Third Brother."

"..."