Hashirama: Toji is truly a loyal and honest person

Another month passed.

Having been away from the village for nearly three months in total, Senju Hashirama finally returned to Konoha, his training at Shikkotsu Forest complete.

He stood in the Hokage Building and announced with a smile:

"Everyone, I am back!"

Toji looked toward Hashirama.

Though they had not met for only a few months, Hashirama's frame appeared leaner, and the invisible pressure he radiated had grown increasingly formidable.

He simply stood there quietly, devoid of any killing intent or hostility.

Yet, as his gaze swept over him, Toji felt a sense of dread, as if his very soul were being scorched.

Earth Grudge Fear was an evil creation of Yang Release, existing essentially as a malevolent spirit.

Hashirama's Yang Release had reached its zenith; already possessing a Sage Body, he had now absorbed vast amounts of natural energy at Shikkotsu Forest, making him the ultimate natural predator to Earth Grudge Fear.

Toji, having integrated Earth Grudge Fear, was deeply affected by this instinct, with an urge to flee constantly churning within him.

However, he relied on his immense willpower to forcibly suppress this instinct.

He could not show any abnormality in front of Hashirama, and he certainly could not run. This was a hurdle he had to overcome if he wished to stand at the pinnacle of the Ninja World.

Toji picked up his teacup and took a shallow sip, maintaining a facade of composure.

"Thank you all for your hard work. Tonight, dinner is on me at Yakiniku Q!"

Once Hashirama had finished arranging the trivial matters, he summoned Toji privately and asked if there had been any anomalies in the village during his absence.

The question was phrased tactfully.

But Hashirama was a man who could not hide his thoughts; the expression on his face immediately betrayed his true intent. He was really asking if Tobirama had been acting up or causing trouble during this time.

"The village has remained as usual during your absence, Lord Hokage," Toji replied. "Tobirama has not done anything out of line."

"That is good..." Hashirama said subconsciously, before quickly adding, "Ah, haha, I was asking about the village, not Tobirama. I still trust him very much."

"..."

Toji was speechless.

Before leaving the village, Hashirama had been prepared to have Mito join forces with Uchiha Chirori to take Tobirama down in an extreme scenario; who was he pretending for now?

The typical thick-headedness of the Senju and Uzumaki clans.

Senju Tobirama was definitely the outlier among them.

Toji did not dwell on this issue, instead asking: "Lord Hokage, how did your Sage Mode training go?"

"Sage Mode, ah, I have certainly mastered it." Hashirama's mouth twitched, as if recalling the painful experience of his skin being constantly eroded. "But that sensation is something I would not want to experience a second time, even for me."

"By the way, speaking of which... Toji, let me tell you something in secret. You must not tell anyone else."

"Please, go ahead."

"My Senju Clan is going to have another ninja with the Wood Style bloodline." Hashirama lowered his voice, acting mysterious. "Perhaps, it will be Ryuji's future child."

Toji was stunned.

He was not surprised that Hashirama treated him as a friend and shared family matters so casually.

But hearing the words "Wood Style" and "future," he reacted quickly.

It stood to reason that this must be a prophecy given to Hashirama by the Katsuyu Sage.

Tsunade? Nawaki? Would they inherit Wood Style? He immediately dismissed this speculation in his heart. No one knew better than him that in the future of the Ninja World, not a single person capable of using Wood Style would be of the Senju's orthodox bloodline.

In that case, could the new Wood Style ninja in the Katsuyu Sage's prophecy be...

"Congratulations, Hashirama!"

"Although I do not know the source of this news, it seems the Senju Clan will flourish alongside Konoha and continue to improve."

Toji smiled sincerely.

The Sage's prophecy was a great encouragement to him.

His words, which tied the prosperity of the Senju to that of Konoha, left Hashirama beaming with joy.

"I will take your word for it, Toji! When the child is born, you must come to the full-month celebration!"

Hashirama patted Toji's shoulder heavily and burst into loud laughter.

He could clearly feel that Toji's smile was not out of polite formality, but genuine joy for him.

To have such a friend...

It was truly fortunate.

"If only Madara's personality were as peaceful and indifferent as Toji's, with less of that competitive obsession, how wonderful that would be."

Perhaps looking at his current friend Toji reminded Hashirama of his "white moonlight," Uchiha Madara, at that moment.

The joy in his heart faded just a little.

He was originally a ninja who loathed conflict and did not covet power; his initial intention was merely to forge a peaceful Ninja World free from war. Yet, along the way, in order to defeat his dear friend Uchiha Madara, he had been forced to grow stronger and stronger, eventually attaining power that bordered on the divine.

His trip to Shikkotsu Forest to cultivate Sage Mode was no exception.

When it came down to it, it was all in preparation for the battle with Madara that would inevitably come.

He might kill Madara in this battle, or Madara might kill him; this was something even the Sages could not foresee.

However, the sacrifices of the older generation of ninjas would inspire the younger generation to protect the village and safeguard peace.

Hashirama believed this firmly.

He would die one day, but that descendant of the Senju Clan who would awaken Wood Style in the future would surely inherit his will and grow strong.

His smile gradually faded.

Hashirama gave a light cough. "Toji, you should also reflect on yourself. You're not young anymore; find someone to start a family with soon, and don't drag it out like Tobirama."

"Besides, hasn't the Yin Seal already been handed over to you?"

He was still pushing for marriage.

But as it happened, before Hashirama had returned, Toji had already devised a meticulous plan for the Artificial Mangekyo Project.

He feigned reserve and spoke slowly, "I already have someone in mind."

"Oh? Who is it?" Hashirama was instantly intrigued, his eyes lighting up.

Toji remained silent.

Hashirama immediately wore a knowing, mischievous grin. "Who could it be? It's so hard to guess... Could it be Uchiha Chirori?"

"If Lord Hokage finds it amusing to tease an ordinary ninja, then please, continue."

Toji spoke with an expressionless face.

He had admitted to nothing; everything was just something they had imagined for themselves.

"Ahem, Toji, you are no ordinary ninja. I didn't mean to tease you; this is a very serious matter."

Hashirama forced his smile to tighten.

He had not expected that Toji would have such a human side; it felt even more real.

As expected, when it came to personal matters, no one could avoid them.

"Then when do you plan to settle down? If you get married, I will certainly attend in person to show my support. This is a major event for Konoha! A grand occasion!"

Toji replied calmly, "It is still too early to discuss these things, for the reasons I mentioned before. In any case, I plan to pass the Yin Seal to Chirori after some time, and we can talk about what comes after that later."

"Tsk, you young people are so awkward." Hashirama nodded, his tone full of anticipation. "I'll be waiting for that day."

"Yes, I am waiting for that day as well."

What Hashirama was waiting for was the day of peace, the day the descendant with Wood Style would be born.

And what Toji was looking forward to was...