Don't Look Back

"Oh, Tobi, you're here!" Senju Hashirama delight.

As expected of his dear younger brother, he arrived just in time.

Uchiha Shingen had just landed, looked utterly helpless.

He first checked the surrounding area to make sure no one was around before coming over.

Then we saw the second brother trying to beat up the eldest brother again!

Yes, although Senju Tobirama front of others, when only his brothers were around, he was quite ruthless when beating the eldest.

After all, if you hit too lightly, you won't even break through their defenses.

"Brother, even though there's no one here, please don't call me that," Uchiha Shingen said. "That monkey likes using crystal balls; what if he can read lips?"

"It's nothing," Senju Hashirama said casually. "I tricked him into throwing that ball."

As he spoke, he proudly took out Sarutobi Hiruzen's most prized possession—a crystal ball.

At a glance, Uchiha Shingen knew this was the real deal, the same one as the White Snake Sage and the Great Toad Sage.

The White Snake Sage had told him that this thing was made with Senjutsu, and only a few immortals possessed it; it was absolutely impossible to find it outside.

"That won't do either." Uchiha Shingen's face hardened. "What if it's fake? You haven't even learned this technique."

"That makes sense." Senju Hashirama thought it made a lot of sense, and threw the crystal ball into the lake with his other hand.

Why did you throw it away again?

"Isn't it fake? I hate counterfeit goods the most."

"Well... I hope it's fake..."

Would Sarutobi Hiruzen trick Senju Hashirama giving him a fake crystal ball?

That's definitely not the case!

Let him try to retrieve it himself.

"Shingen- kun~" Senju Hashirama replied perfunctorily, using Namikaze Minato tone, "I want to thank you. The Uchiha Clan and the village are finally one family. This has always been Tobirama and my wish."

"You say what you want, don't drag me into it," Senju Tobirama retorted on the spot. "I never expected that."

"Tobirama!" Senju Hashirama exclaimed excitedly, "I told you not to look at the Uchiha Clan with old eyes! Look at Tobi! What a wonderful child! All my hard work in teaching him back then was worth it!"

He decisively abandoned the title "Shingen".

With only the three of them there, he decided to refuse that title; it just didn't feel right.

"Are you an idiot!?" Senju Tobirama was also agitated. "What does his appearance have to do with the Uchiha Clan? Besides, I raised him! What have you done besides causing trouble!?"

"Hey!" Senju Hashirama. "Why are we brothers so particular about what's mine and what's yours is mine? You raised him, so I raised him too. Besides, I also taught him Ninjutsu."

"Even if we're talking about Ninjutsu, did you teach it more or did I?" Senju Tobirama he thought about this.

He was extremely busy back then, so he asked Senju Hashirama to teach Senju Kite a lesson.

That bastard, he actually taught us Wood Release all day long!

Even the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was taught to Senju Tobirama Senju Kite by himself later.

"Well, I did teach you then," Senju Hashirama. "Besides, you pulled so much of my hair later. If I weren't healthy, I would have gone bald long ago."

"It would be better if you went bald." Senju Tobirama decided to interrupt the conversation. "Stop with the nonsense. It's not easy for the three of us to get together. Just say what you have to say all at once."

"Oh, right." Senju Hashirama suddenly realized; he had forgotten about it.

The second child always likes to mess up his rhythm; he's quite mischievous.

"Tobi, really, we all just hope you can become the Fifth Hokage," Senju Hashirama said earnestly. "Whether the Uchiha Clan can truly become one family with the village depends entirely on you."

Senju Hashirama started getting serious, Senju Tobirama also became serious.

He continued, "Just as my elder brother said, the Uchiha Clan's power is indispensable to the village. Moreover, during the Ninja War, although they were unwilling to cooperate with my orders because they also distrusted me, they would fight bravely if the enemy entered the Land of Fire."

With this in mind, Senju Tobirama also showed some degree of approval for the Uchiha Clan.

"I don't trust the Uchiha Clan because of their unstable mentality, but I also acknowledge that the Uchiha Clan also considers the village their home. The only way to truly get them to stand with the others is for one Uchiha Clan to become Hokage." He looked at Uchiha Shingen. "If that person is you, then there's no problem. Now is not the time for you to be willful. We are all gone. You have to shoulder this responsibility."

Uchiha Shingen remained silent for a moment.

He decided not to argue with the two of them about how they addressed each other, since they were both quite stubborn.

"You can do it," he said. "I can use the Rinne Rebirth now; I just haven't found a way to transfer the cost."

"Rinne Rebirth..." Senju Hashirama carefully considered the name, thinking it sounded quite sophisticated. "Judging from the name, it's probably a resurrection-type technique. If that's the case, Tobi, I refuse."

He said this very seriously.

"My part in the story of Leaf Village has ended. Those who have left will only cause trouble for others if they return to the story. Besides, the person I am now is not the real me."

"As you said, we have no memory of what happened after we died, so our souls are not here, they are just Chakra," Senju Tobirama said. "The real us are probably still in the true Pure Land, worrying about this village and our families, but we trust you. This is the best outcome. Even if you resurrected us, we wouldn't be happy."

"You guys are really open-minded..." Uchiha Shingen sighed, "Being reborn, isn't that a good thing?"

"It's just a different attitude." Senju Tobirama smiled. "Being afraid of death isn't a bad thing. We're happy that you can live again as Uchiha Clan. After all, we also bear responsibility for not protecting you back then."

"I don't need your protection," Uchiha Shingen with a sour face. "You can't even protect yourselves."

"So, tell me if you're going to be Hokage or not," Senju Hashirama, hands on his hips. "In my personal experience, Hokage is actually quite easy. You don't need to worry about being too busy."

Senju Tobirama couldn't pretend he hadn't heard those words.

He looked at Senju Hashirama with a heavy expression.

But persuading the third son was the priority; he endured it!

"Yuan, although I proposed the method for selecting the Hokage, it wasn't specifically for Uchiha Madara; it was a necessary method. If we hadn't done it that way back then, it would have been very awkward for everyone, including my older brother."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Some people, if they don't want to Hokage, no one else can. Now, that person is you."

Chapter Forty-Six: Don't Look Back

Actually, even without the two brothers saying it, Uchiha Shingen already knew that he would definitely become the Fifth Hokage.

He hasn't been idle for the past six months.

At least he got a good understanding of the people in the village.

In the past, the Sarutobi Clan- Ino-Shika-Cho Clans were considered to be among the more respectable members of the original Sarutobi Clan. They didn't have any other demands, only hoping to protect their own territory.

The Sarutobi Clan places their hopes on the next generation, and until then, they hope they will not be targeted.

Although the Uzumaki Clan had reservations about the Fourth Hokage wanting to retire after serving for less than twenty years, their Perfect Jinchuriki technique gave them confidence in their future. At the same time, they hoped that the next Hokage would be someone who had a good relationship with the Fourth Hokage.

The situation is particularly simple for the Hyuga Clan, Aburame Clan, and Inuzuka Clan. They just hope that a Hokage will emerge from the Uchiha Clan, so that their current good days can continue.

Leaving aside these ninja clans, the various military leaders in the village, who originally belonged to the Sarutobi Clan, did not want to be retaliated against by their successors, since they had all had their share of unseemly behavior.

Therefore, all the conditions pointed to Uchiha Shingen.

Hatake Kakashi was also nominated, but he couldn't get past the military leaders.

Because most people believed he would stand up for his father.

This includes the Sarutobi Clan.

At the same time, his achievements were insufficient to control the village's military leaders.

The only one who could keep these military leaders in check was Uchiha Shingen.

In fact, only the administrative department, the Sealing Squad, and other relatively back-office groups were willing to vote for Hatake Kakashi.

Even the Anbu Ninja were unwilling to join Hatake Kakashi, Hatake Kakashi wasn't well-liked in the ANBU at the time.

The same goes for the administration department; they don't trust Hatake Kakashi's administrative abilities.

With such a weak opponent, practically a mere bystander, and with Tsunade and Jiraiya unwilling to take on the role, Uchiha Shingen had no choice but to accept the situation.

He was well prepared for the expectant looks from his two older brothers.

"If the village truly needs me to become Hokage, I will do it," Uchiha Shingen said. "Of course, I also hope the village can become better."

"That's the best way of thinking," Senju Hashirama happily.

Although he had no selfish motives, the Hokage symbolized shared ideals and beliefs to him.

For him, the most perfect ending to the story was for the three brothers who had worked together to become Hokage.

When Uchiha Madara was still alive, he had considered whether, should something happen to him and Tobirama, they could have Tobi to pick up the Third.

However, it was only after Yuan showed a very firm refusal at that time that he was able to focus on raising the monkeys.

"Since you've agreed, we will also choose to leave at the appropriate time," Senju Tobirama said. "We believe you can handle the Uchiha Madara problem well."

"That's right, Madara is a... well, you already know about him anyway." Senju Hashirama wanted to give Madara a push, but he swallowed the words back.

Senju Kite was someone who understood Uchiha Madara quite well, and he didn't have the same prejudice Senju Tobirama, so he didn't need to worry.

"You're leaving?" Uchiha Shingen, somewhat taken aback.

Since the Chunin Ninja Exams ended, he has become quite accustomed to the presence of these two, even if it's through Impure World Reincarnation.

The same is true for most people in the village.

Uchiha Shingen even thought they would stay there indefinitely, since the Wood Release experiment was a project destined to fail.

"We can't stay here forever," Senju Tobirama said. "This isn't a normal situation, and it's not good for the village."

Senju Tobirama has done everything he could for Leaf Village at this stage, and he doesn't know what the point would be if he stayed any longer.

The current Leaf Village has neither a lack of combat power nor a lack of technology.

Moreover, the Impure World Reincarnation is an inhumane and sinful technique. Using this Ninjutsu is essentially manipulating time and space. The fact that he and Senju Hashirama, both Impure World Reincarnations, are constantly wandering around is hardly a good example.

Now, all he wants is to see Uchiha Shingen become Hokage.

In that way, he would have no regrets at all.

"I understand." Uchiha Shingen did not offer any further advice.

Even for Senju Tobirama's sake, he had to become Hokage. As for Senju Hashirama saying that Hokage was easy, only an idiot would believe that.

However, his successful experience is definitely worth learning from.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Shingen revealed a kind smile.

The newly appointed fifth generation leader naturally needs to rely on the fourth generation leader.

Back then, the Fourth Hokage also relied on the Third quite well.

This is also the purest Will of Fire.

"Yuan, why are you laughing so strangely?"

"I was just thinking about how to become a Hokage as good as you, big brother."

"Oh dear, don't say that. I'm not actually that good." Senju Hashirama was unusually embarrassed. "Actually, it was your second brother who helped me a lot behind the scenes."

"However, that wasn't my choice," Senju Tobirama said coldly. "If you weren't my brother, I'd fight you to the death!"

Recalling those days, his face darkened for a long time before he recovered.

Then he said to Uchiha Shingen, "Don't follow his example. One of those bastard Hokage is enough."

"No, I want to learn from you, Second Brother." Uchiha Shingen readily agreed.

Senju Tobirama was immediately in a good mood.

Although the third child is mischievous, he is much more reliable than the eldest; at least he will do things seriously.

There's absolutely no way I'd become the kind of Hokage who dumps everything on others and goes off to play.

"Alright, I believe in you." Senju Tobirama was slightly excited and couldn't help but pat Uchiha Shingen on the shoulder. "I was so strict with you back then because I hoped you would have the opportunity to become Hokage and lead the village. It's not too late now. You have to do your best."

Uchiha Shingen also appeared to be "excited".

"Second brother, I understand your good intentions!"

The two brothers were engrossed in their own world, but Senju Hashirama nearby, sensed a familiar feeling.

However, after thinking about it, he decided not to say anything.

If I tell him, he'll just get yelled at again.

After a while, Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Shingen finally finished their conversation.