The Seeds That Would Change the World

Genma didn't say much. He reached out and ruffled Hiugo's hair. "Come on, let's go home."

The two left without anyone stopping them. The Senju ninja assigned to watch Hiugo had kept their distance from the start. First the First Elder, and now the Second Elder—though they'd spent years on the battlefield and rarely saw the children of their clan, they knew Hiugo had an unusual background.

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

The Uzumaki Second Elder looked at Hiugo, then let out a deep sigh. He said that after these two months, it was time to teach him some "real" techniques.

As for Rion, the three men tacitly agreed not to tell her. She was also five and had talent as a ninja, but in Genma and the Uzumaki Second Elder's eyes, she was still too young emotionally.

Besides, Hiugo and Rion were both children, and they hadn't known each other long. If anything really did happen, it would be easier to manage—and not being too emotionally attached was a good thing.

That evening, Genma took Hiugo outside the clan grounds.

"Your ninjutsu and taijutsu are already about as good as they can be at your age. For now, I can only teach you a few other things."

Genma bit his thumb and pressed it to the ground. Black markings spread rapidly.

Summoning Technique: Fivefold Rashomon

Five tightly shut gates rose from the earth. Their appearances and colors differed somewhat, but each bore a demon face with its mouth agape, fangs bared.

"Rashomon..."

Hiugo studied the gates carefully. The technique wasn't unfamiliar to him; Sakon and Ukon, Orochimaru, and Senju Hashirama had all used it in the anime.

The first two had summoned at most three gates, while Hashirama had summoned five with one hand.

Of course, that didn't mean Genma and the future Hashirama were equally powerful. Hashirama had summoned five gates because five was the limit of the technique.

"This technique is called Rashomon. The more chakra you can concentrate, and the greater your reserves, the more gates you can summon. It's a pretty good defensive technique, too."

Genma dismissed the five gates.

"However, it has its drawbacks."

"Drawbacks?"

Genma patiently explained:

"Each gate is made from chakra metal mixed with other materials. If one is damaged, chakra can be used to stimulate the metal and repair it, but you can't use it for three days afterward."

"Another drawback is the cost. Only four people in the clan grounds have this technique, and we only have four sets of Rashomon."

"Finally, there's your chakra concentration. You need to infuse the gates with your own chakra for them to have any defensive power. The more concentrated your chakra is, the stronger their defense."

"So, Dad, you're going to give me your five gates?"

"...I had a set set aside for you. I'd planned to give it to you as a birthday present in a few years. I didn't expect you'd need it so soon."

A scroll was unrolled. Five gates had been drawn in black ink, arranged in a row. Above them, a white circle outlined in black was connected to each gate by runes.

"Draw blood and press it into the circle."

Hiugo bit his thumb and pressed his blood into the circle. The five gates connected below changed from black to red and began to glow.

Genma narrowed his eyes. When he'd made his own contract with Rashomon, he'd shed a lot of blood. Hiugo only needed to press his thumb down lightly. Was this the energy that came with awakening Wood Style?

"Rashomon isn't restricted to one user, but there are only five gates. If you use them, no one else can."

"Understood."

Hiugo nodded.

"For the time being, tell me directly if there's anything you want. Once this period is over and you go to the battlefield, things won't be so easy."

Genma paused, then continued sternly:

"If you really can't take it, you can come back. At worst, you won't be able to join the highest ranks later. Compared to your life, power, praise, and other people's opinions are nothing."

Hiugo waved his hand.

"Dad, have a little faith in your kid. I'll definitely come back alive."

"By the way, how long will I have to stay there? I can't be stuck there for the rest of my life."

"About three years."

Hiugo frowned.

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

Genma usually had no interest in answering questions like that, but remembering that they wouldn't see each other for a while, he made an exception.

"According to the ancient texts, our ancestors deliberately enshrined the number three, based on the 'Three Great Dojutsu,' to counter young children's reverence for dojutsu..."

"Our ancestors were really bored..."

Hiugo had barely spoken for a moment before Genma took him home. Rashomon wasn't a particularly difficult technique, and Hiugo would master it quickly. It was still important for a child's body to develop properly.

When they reached the door, father and son both looked at the "watermelon head" crouching there with his head bowed.

Half of Hashirama's face was swollen and red. It was obvious someone had hit him, and aside from his father, Butsuma, there wasn't anyone in the clan grounds who would dare do that.

Hashirama raised his head slightly and looked at the two of them. "Uncle Genma..."

"You two talk. You'll have more to say to each other. Go to bed early when you're done. Staying up late isn't good for kids."

Genma spoke gently. Though he was deeply unhappy with his older brother, he wouldn't take that anger out on a child.

After Genma went inside, Hashirama spoke quietly. "I'm sorry. I got you into this."

Hiugo couldn't help feeling exasperated. "My dad just apologized to me today, and now you're apologizing too. What's with you..."

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

"It's nothing. You're going to the battlefield too, and I'm not interested in being clan head. It's just one thing after another..."

"It's not the same, Hiugo."

Hashirama closed his eyes sadly. Anger crept into his voice.

"This isn't training. It's a bunch of adults ganging up to force a child onto the battlefield to die. 'Senju of Love,' 'fighting for love'—they're all just excuses."

Hiugo froze at his words. Big Pillar was kind and good-hearted, and immensely powerful. To become the head of a clan during the Warring States period, he couldn't have been as simple-minded as he seemed in the anime.

But now, the clan he regarded as "home" was forcing his brother onto the battlefield to die. The shock of that was even greater than if his brother had been killed by an Uchiha ninja.

After all, he could blame the battlefield's brutality for the latter. But who could he blame for the former? His own father? Or his uncle?

No, this couldn't go on. If Big Pillar couldn't take it and really turned dark, who knew what he might do?

Hiugo thought to himself, grabbed Hashirama by the shoulders, and shouted:

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

Change the world...

Hiugo's voice brought Hashirama back. A glimmer appeared in his eyes. What his younger brother said was so similar to his own dream, yet at the same time, confusion welled up inside him.

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

Hiugo spoke solemnly:

"Whether something succeeds doesn't depend on how sure you are. You have to do it. It doesn't matter if you fail, as long as you've done your best."

"You still have your brothers, your future children, and your close friends. As long as they pass this will on, one day it'll come true."

The uncertainty in Hashirama's eyes gradually gave way to determination.

"Hiugo, you're right. No matter what, I have to try. Even if I fail, it doesn't matter, as long as I'm protecting the people I care about. I'll pass this will on until the dream comes true..."

"Good. Then let's start with the clan. Become the head of the Senju Clan and change your 'home' first. Then change the world."