Flowers in a Greenhouse, Hiruzen Sarutobi

The naturally evil white-haired old ghost had ultimately been unable to hold back. On the very day of his elder brother's funeral, he sought out Toji.

"Toji, I have something to discuss with you."

Tobirama had already changed into the Hokage's ceremonial robe and wore a hood, looking quite imposing. Standing on the other side of the crystal coffin, he gazed at his elder brother, who appeared to be asleep. Toji's eyes reddened, and his voice carried a trace of hoarseness. "Tobirama, you're here."

"Toji, were you crying just now?"

Toji fell silent for several seconds, then shook his head.

Tobirama Senju sighed. "Toji, you and I are the same kind of person. Neither of us is good at lying."

He could tell that Toji had lied—

Even someone as strong as Toji would cry for his elder brother alone in the empty main hall.

Toji, meanwhile, sneered inwardly.

It would make more sense if Hashirama said that. You aren't good at lying? To get me to join you, you'll say absolutely anything.

Toji said nothing, tacitly acknowledging Tobirama's words as he quietly waited for what came next.

"I've considered this carefully for a long time, and I've decided that I must continue perfecting and developing the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu." Tobirama rested both hands on the crystal coffin, his tone solemn. "My strength is far inferior to my brother's. To make up for that gap, I have to rely on forbidden techniques—"

"You're already the Hokage."

Toji spoke leisurely. "No one can stop you from doing whatever you want. Why tell me all this?"

"No! I have to tell you." Sorrow appeared on Tobirama Senju's face. "Time is too pressing, Toji. I need your strength."

Before Toji got married, Tobirama had darkly thought that if Uchiha Chiri died by