The Seed That Changes the World

Genma did not say much more, instead reaching out to pat Hiugo on the head. "Let's go, we're going home."

The two of them left without being blocked. The Senju ninja responsible for guarding Hiugo had long since kept their distance; first the First Elder, and now the Second Elder—even though they had spent years on the battlefield and rarely saw the clan's children, they knew his background was extraordinary.

After the father and son returned home, Genma briefly explained the situation to the Uzumaki Second Elder.

The Uzumaki Second Elder looked at Hiugo, let out a deep sigh, and indicated that he could teach him some "real" things over the next two months.

As for Rion, the three men tacitly chose not to tell her. Although she was also five years old and possessed ninja talent, in the eyes of Genma and the Uzumaki Second Elder, she was still too young mentally.

Furthermore, since Hiugo and Rion were both children who hadn't known each other for long, it was convenient if something were to happen, and a lack of deep emotional attachment was a good thing.

That evening, Genma took Hiugo outside the clan grounds.

"Your ninjutsu and taijutsu are already sufficient for your age. For the short term, I can only teach you some other things."

Genma bit his thumb and pressed it down, causing black patterns to spread rapidly.

Summoning: Five-Fold Rashomon

Five tightly shut gates emerged from the ground. Although their appearance and color differed slightly, each gate featured a demonic face with an open mouth and bared fangs.

"Rashomon..."

Hiugo observed them carefully. This ninjutsu was not unfamiliar; in the anime, Sakon and Ukon, Orochimaru, and Senju Hashirama had all used it.

However, the former two could summon at most three gates, while Hashirama could summon five with a single hand.

Of course, this did not mean Genma had the same strength as the future Hashirama, as Hashirama summoned five gates because the technique's limit was five.

"This technique is called Rashomon. As your chakra cohesion and volume increase, the number of gates you can summon will also increase. Its defensive capabilities are quite decent."

Genma summoned the five gates back.

"However, this technique has its drawbacks."

"Drawbacks?"

Genma said patiently:

"Each gate is made of chakra-infused metal mixed with other materials. Although you can use chakra to stimulate the metal to repair it every time it is damaged, it cannot be used for three days afterward."

"Secondly, the production cost is exorbitant. Currently, only four people in the entire clan possess this ninjutsu, and there are only four sets of Rashomon."

"Finally, there is the matter of cohesion. Summoning Rashomon requires injecting your own chakra to provide defensive power; the higher your chakra cohesion, the stronger the defense naturally becomes."

"So, Dad, are you planning to give your set of five gates to me?"

"...I had reserved a set for you, intending to give it to you as a birthday gift in a few years. I didn't expect to have to use it so soon."

A scroll was spread open, displaying the five gates outlined in black ink. Above the five gates, a black-bordered white circle was connected to each gate by runes.

"Drop your blood. Let the blood fall into the circle."

Hiugo bit his thumb and pressed his blood into the circle. The five gates connected below shifted in color from black to red, emitting a faint glow.

Genma narrowed his eyes. When he had first contracted with Rashomon, he had lost quite a bit of blood, yet Hiugo only needed a light press. Was this the energy of the awakened Wood Style?

"Rashomon is not restricted to being used by only one person, but there are only five gates. If you use them, others cannot."

"Understood."

Hiugo nodded in agreement.

"For the time being, tell me directly if you need anything. Once this period passes and you go to the battlefield, it won't be this easy."

Genma paused, then said seriously:

"If you truly cannot hold on, you can come back. At most, you won't be able to join the highest echelons later... Compared to life, power, praise, and the opinions of others are worth nothing."

Hiugo waved his hand:

"Dad, you have to have confidence in your child. I will definitely come back alive."

"By the way, how long will I be staying there? I can't possibly stay there for my whole life, right?"

"About three years."

Hiugo frowned:

"Are the Senju and Uzumaki sensitive to the number three? The Uzumaki Second Elder has been with us for three months, and I'm going to the battlefield for three years."

Genma had no interest in answering such things, but remembering that he wouldn't see his son for a while, he spoke up for once:

"According to ancient records, 'three' was deliberately solidified by our ancestors in accordance with the 'Three Great Dojutsu' to counter the awe young children feel toward dojutsu..."

"Our ancestors were truly bored..."

Hiugo was brought back home by Genma shortly after. The difficulty of the Rashomon technique was not high, and with Hiugo's ability, he would be able to master it quickly. Physical development for a child was still very important.

Upon arriving at the entrance, the father and son both looked at a "bowl-cut" boy squatting at the door with his head down.

Half of Hashirama's face was red and swollen; it was obvious he had been hit. Aside from his father, Butsuma, no one else in the entire clan would dare to hit Hashirama like that.

Hashirama looked up slightly at the two: "Uncle Genma..."

"You two talk. You should have more to discuss. Get some rest early after you're done; it's not good for children to stay up late."

Genma's tone was gentle. Although he was quite dissatisfied with his older brother, he would not project that anger onto the child.

After Genma entered the room, Hashirama spoke in a low voice: "I am sorry, it is my fault that you have been harmed."

Hiugo replied with a touch of helplessness: "My old man just apologized to me today, and now you are doing the same. What is this for..."

"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have to go to the battlefield. You could have stayed in the clan lands and become the next clan head in peace."

"It's nothing. You went to the battlefield too, and I have no interest in being the clan head. Being busy with all those chores day in and day out..."

"It's not the same... Hiugo."

Hashirama closed his eyes in sorrow, though his tone was laced with anger:

"This is not training. It is a group of adults colluding to force a child onto the battlefield to die. All this talk of the Senju of Love, of fighting for love—it is all just an excuse."

Hiugo was stunned upon hearing this. He knew that Big Pillar was kind-hearted and powerful, and that to become a clan head during the Warring States period, his mind could not be as simple as it appeared in the anime.

But now, the clan he regarded as his "home" was forcing his own brother to go to the battlefield to die. This impact was far greater than if his brother had been killed by an Uchiha ninja.

Because the latter could be blamed on the cruelty of the battlefield, but who could one blame for the former? One's own father? Or the clan elders?

No, this could not continue. If Big Pillar truly lost his way and turned dark, there was no telling what might happen.

Hiugo thought to himself, then grabbed Hashirama's shoulders and shouted:

"Hashirama, look at me! If this world only allows children to die on the battlefield and tears families apart, then go and change it! End all this chaos, then build a home where you can protect the people you want to protect!"

Change the world...

Hashirama was brought back by Hiugo's voice, a glimmer of light appearing in his eyes. What his brother said was so similar to his own dream, yet a wave of confusion surged within him:

"Can I really do it? Change this chaotic world..."

Hiugo said in a deep voice:

"Whether a thing can succeed does not depend on how much certainty you have, but on whether you do it. It doesn't matter if you fail, as long as you have tried your best."

"You still have your brothers, your future children, and your close friends. As long as they can pass on this will, one day, you will succeed."

The confusion in Hashirama's eyes gradually turned into determination:

"Hiugo, you are right. No matter what, I must try. Even if I fail, it doesn't matter, as long as it is for the sake of those I want to protect. I will pass on this will until the dream is realized..."

"Good. Then start with the clan. Become the head of the Senju Clan, change your own 'home,' and then move on to the world."