Another month passed.
After nearly three months away from the village, Hashirama Senju finally completed his training at Shikkotsu Forest and returned to Konoha.
In the Hokage Building, he announced with a smile:
"Everyone, I'm back!"
Toji looked toward Hashirama.
Though they had only been apart for a few months, Hashirama seemed somewhat leaner, while the intangible pressure emanating from him had grown even more imposing.
He merely stood there quietly, without the slightest trace of killing intent or hostility.
Yet when Hashirama's gaze swept over him, Toji felt as though even his soul were being scorched, filling him with terror.
Earth Grudge Fear was an evil creation of Yang Release, fundamentally a being akin to demons and monsters.
Hashirama Senju's Yang Release had already reached the pinnacle. Possessing a Sage Body to begin with, he had now absorbed vast natural energy in Shikkotsu Forest. To Earth Grudge Fear, he was simply the ultimate natural enemy.
Toji, who had fused with Earth Grudge Fear, was deeply affected by that instinct as well. The urge to flee continuously surged from the depths of his heart.
But through sheer willpower, he forcibly suppressed that instinct.
He could not reveal anything unusual before Hashirama, much less run away. If he wanted to stand at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World, this was an obstacle he had to overcome.
Toji lifted his teacup and took a small sip, maintaining an outward appearance of calm.
"Everyone has worked hard. Tonight at Yakiniku Q, dinner is on me!"
After arranging the trivial matters, Hashirama summoned Toji alone and asked whether anything unusual had happened in the village during his absence.
His words were tactful.
But Hashirama was someone who could never hide what was on his mind. His expression immediately gave him away. What he truly wanted to know was whether Tobirama had gone and caused trouble again while he was gone.
"During the months Lord Hokage was away, everything in the village remained normal."
Toji replied, "Tobirama did not do anything out of line."
"That's good..." Hashirama said instinctively, then quickly tried to patch things up. "Ahahaha, I was asking about the village, not Tobirama. I still trust him very much."
"..."
Toji was somewhat speechless.
Before leaving the village, Hashirama had already been prepared to have Mito Uzumaki and Uchiha Chiri take down Tobirama under extreme circumstances. Who was he trying to fool now?
The Senju Clan and Uzumaki Clan were both known for their thick nerves.
Tobirama Senju was definitely the odd one out among them.
Toji did not dwell on the matter and instead asked, "Lord Hokage, how did your Senjutsu training go?"
"Senjutsu? Of course I learned it." Hashirama's mouth twitched, as though he had recalled the painful experience of his skin constantly being eroded by acid. "But that feeling... even I don't want to experience it a second time."
"Oh, right, speaking of that... Toji, I'll secretly tell you something. You absolutely must not tell anyone else."
"Please, go ahead."
"My Senju Clan is about to gain another ninja with the Wood Release Bloodline." Hashirama lowered his voice mysteriously. "It might even be Takayuki's future child."
Toji froze.
He was not surprised that Hashirama regarded him as a friend and casually shared family matters with him.
But upon hearing the words "Wood Release" and "future," he immediately understood.
Presumably, this was a prophecy Sage Katsuyu had given Hashirama.
Tsunade? Nawaki? Would one of them inherit Wood Release? He immediately rejected that guess. No one knew better than him that, in the future Shinobi World, not a single person capable of using Wood Release would be a legitimate descendant of the Senju Clan.
In that case, the new Wood Release ninja in Sage Katsuyu's prophecy could be...
"Congratulations, Hashirama!"
"Although I don't know where the news came from, it seems the Senju Clan will prosper alongside Konoha and continue growing stronger."
Toji smiled with genuine sincerity.
To him, the sage's prophecy was an immense encouragement.
His words tied the prosperity of the Senju Clan to that of Konoha, delighting Hashirama beyond measure.
"May your words come true, Toji! When the child is born, you must come celebrate the one-month anniversary!"
Hashirama heavily patted Toji's shoulder and burst into hearty laughter.
He could clearly feel that Toji's smile was not mere polite courtesy. He was truly happy for him from the bottom of his heart.
To have a friend like this...
He was truly fortunate.
"If Madara's personality could be as peaceful and detached as Toji's, if he could let go of some of that obsession with winning, how wonderful that would be."
Perhaps seeing his current friend Toji made Hashirama think of his cherished Madara Uchiha.
The joy in his heart faded somewhat as well.
He had always been a ninja who hated conflict and did not crave power. His original wish had only been to create a peaceful Shinobi World without war. Yet along the way, in order to defeat his closest friend Madara Uchiha, he had no choice but to grow stronger and stronger, gaining power almost divine in nature.
This journey to Shikkotsu Forest to train in Senjutsu had been no exception.
In the end, it was all preparation for the battle with Madara that would inevitably come.
He might kill Madara in that battle, and Madara might kill him. Even the sages could not foresee such a thing.
Still, the sacrifices of the older generation of ninja would inspire the younger generation to protect the village and safeguard peace.
Hashirama firmly believed that.
One day, he would die, but that future descendant of the Senju Clan who would awaken Wood Release would surely inherit his will and grow strong.
His smile gradually faded.
Hashirama cleared his throat. "Toji, you should reflect on yourself too. You're not that young anymore. Find someone and start a family soon. Don't drag it out until you end up like Tobirama."
"Besides, didn't I already teach you the Yin Seal?"
He was still urging him to get married.
But this was perfect. Before Hashirama returned, Toji had already devised a meticulous plan for the Artificial Mangekyō Sharingan project.
Feigning restraint, he slowly said, "I already have someone I like."
"Oh? Who is it?" Hashirama instantly became interested, his eyes lighting up.
Toji said nothing.
Hashirama immediately wore a knowing, mischievous grin. "Who could it be? So hard to guess... Could it be Uchiha Chiri?"
"If Lord Hokage finds it amusing to make fun of an ordinary ninja, then please continue."
Toji spoke expressionlessly.
He had admitted to nothing. Everything had been imagined by them.
"Ahem, Toji, you're no ordinary ninja. I wasn't making fun of you. This is a very serious matter."
Hashirama forcibly suppressed the smile on his face.
He had not expected Toji to have such a human side. It made him seem even more real.
Sure enough, when it came to personal matters, no one could avoid it.
"So when do you plan to make it official? If you get married, I'll definitely attend in person and support you. This would be a major event for Konoha! A grand occasion!"
Toji calmly replied, "It is still too early to discuss such things. I have already explained the reason before. In any case, I plan to pass the Yin Seal on to Chiri after some time. We can talk about the rest slowly afterward."
"Tch, you young people are so awkward." Hashirama nodded, his tone full of anticipation. "I'll wait for that day."
"Yes, I'll be waiting for that day too."
The day Hashirama awaited was the day peace arrived, the day the descendant with Wood Release was born.
But what Toji anticipated was...
Before you continue