Wouldn't That Bring Shame on the Senju Clan?

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Hibari's excitement and couldn't help smiling.

The kid was just like he'd been when he first entered the world of shinobi: everything seemed fresh and exciting to him. But... Hiruzen sighed inwardly. This line of work wasn't easy. Hibari, he hoped you were truly ready.

Before he could finish that thought, Hashirama slapped his thigh and made up his mind. "The village's reputation is our greatest asset. We can't afford to tarnish it. And when it's time to show our strength, we have to make sure people understand what we're capable of."

His words were firm and decisive. "So there's no room for discussion. The Seven-Tails must be delivered safely into Takigakure's hands. This mission concerns the village's future and our allies. It must succeed—failure is not an option!"

Tobirama nodded and added, "Big brother is right. And with the situation becoming so complicated, Sasuke probably can't handle everything on his own..."

"Now that we've found the place," Hashirama said, cutting off his brother with a wave of his hand, "I'll go."

Tailed Beasts weren't something just anyone could handle. Usually, you needed a whole team to dare take one on. Even someone as powerful as Tobirama would have a hard time dealing with one.

As things stood, the only people who could confidently claim they could take down a Tailed Beast all by themselves were Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, who'd wandered off to who-knows-where. Nobody would believe anyone else who said it.

It might sound bad for a village's leader to personally go on a mission, as though the village had no one else. But looking at it another way, it was a perfect opportunity to make those nearby troublemakers, secretly itching to act, think twice.

Besides, Tailed Beasts were troublesome, and they couldn't afford to botch this mission. Tobirama opened his mouth, but couldn't find a reason that would convince his brother to stay. After a brief pause, he said, "It's fine for you to go, big brother.

But there are a few urgent matters in the village. You'll need to go over them with me and take care of them before you set out."

As he spoke, he turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Hiruzen, the situation over there is still unclear, and your father, Sasuke, needs a helping hand. Go get ready at once, then head over and meet up with him as quickly as you can. First, find out what's going on. Lord Hokage will join you as soon as possible. Understood?"

He hadn't spelled it out, but Hiruzen had been around these two long enough to understand his teacher's meaning: before Lord Hokage arrived,

he was to gather as much information as possible. If another force appeared and tried to interfere, he should find a way to stall them until Hashirama got there. Once that man arrived, every monster and menace would have to lie low.

"Teacher, Lord Hokage, you can count on me!" Hiruzen straightened up and answered without hesitation. "I'll complete the mission and make sure I don't bring shame on Konoha!"

Tobirama trusted his prized student. Hashirama had never properly taken on a student, but Hiruzen was practically his student too. He had faith in the young man's abilities and character.

Hashirama nodded too, a smile appearing on his face. "Then I'll leave it to you, little monkey."

With the important arrangements made, Tobirama finally turned his attention to Hibari, who'd been standing to the side, eyes shining. One glance told him exactly how eager the boy was to get involved.

Suppressing the corners of his mouth, which were threatening to turn upward, he deliberately put on a stern face and asked, "Hibari, had you heard enough excitement for one day? You know what you need to know, so why are you still standing there like a fool? Tell me, what exactly did you come here for?"

Tobirama's question finally brought Hibari back to his senses. Right—what had he come here for? He'd wanted to get the study key from Second Grandpa so he could go back and read a few books.

But by now, his mind had already wandered far away. The Seven-Tails had shown up, and a ruthless character like Kakuzu was about to make an appearance. Why bother reading? He should get in on the action first! He could read anytime. If all else failed... he could bring a couple of books along and read on the way.

If he let this chance slip by, he'd regret it for the rest of his life. Especially since, if all went as expected, he'd get to see with his own eyes how the First, the man hailed as a "god"—his own great-grandfather, Senju Hashirama—handled a Tailed Beast.

If he didn't witness this in person, he'd be kicking himself about it for decades.

At that thought, Hibari immediately made up his mind.

He had to join in on the excitement. Besides, after spending all these years cooped up in the village, it was about time he stepped into the shinobi world for real. He couldn't stay a sheltered fledgling forever, could he?

He put on a serious expression and looked at Tobirama. "Second Grandpa, I've been thinking about this all night. I may be young, but I'm not completely useless. Back in the old days, kids my age were already going to war, weren't they?"

He paused, puffed out his chest, and struck a pose that looked almost convincing. His voice rose a notch. "Things are peaceful now, but who can say they'll stay that way forever? Isn't that what it means to be prepared for trouble in times of peace?"

"I'm a third-generation member of the Forest Senju, after all."

The more he spoke, the more fired up he became, gesturing as he went. "How can I just coast on my family's advantages and stay in the village living the easy life? Wouldn't that bring shame on the Senju Clan? Great-Grandpa and Second Grandpa, you're both risking your lives for the village. I, Senju Hibari, can't fall behind!

"So this time, I want to go on a mission with Jonin Sarutobi Hiruzen—er, Hiruzen—and bring honor to Konoha and the Senju Clan!

"Everyone needs to know that the spirit of Konoha and the Senju lives on from one generation to the next!"

His words rang out with conviction and spirit. Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing beside him, stared in shock, completely stunned. He thought, Good grief. I knew the kid could talk, but I didn't know he could talk this much.

What a load of pretty words. I'm impressed.

Hiruzen wasn't the only one. Even Tobirama found the speech a little hard to stomach. He knew exactly what Hibari was like. The kid was always cunning. Since when had he become so passionate and righteous?

As if he believed a word of it! He'd obviously heard about what was going on, got excited at the thought of seeing the world, and wanted to test his skills while he was at it.

Tobirama knew the truth, but Hibari's polished speech still moved him a little. Even so, sentiment aside, the boy still needed a scolding. He couldn't just let him get away with this.

He'd just moved his lips, not yet getting a word of reprimand out—

A loud bang suddenly exploded, startling even Tobirama. He quickly turned to look.

Well, would you look at that: the real head of the Senju Clan and the most important figure in the Hidden Leaf Village, the First, Senju Hashirama, had nearly smashed the table to pieces with a single slap.

Looking closer, there were tears glistening in his eyes, and his face was full of emotion. Even his body, which never trembled in the face of a hundred thousand troops, was shaking slightly.

Hibari had clearly gotten to the old man!

"Well said!" Hashirama looked at Hibari, his voice trembling with excitement. "You haven't brought shame on the Senju Clan or Konoha!

"Your grandpa is proud of your ambition! I can't believe you have such aspirations at such a young age. You truly are Senju Hashirama's grandson! You're right: that spirit must be passed down from generation to generation. As long as it lives on, Konoha will always prosper!"

Hashirama's slap had scared Hibari too. He'd nearly smashed the table, and even Second Grandpa had jumped. How could Hibari not be startled? But as soon as he heard what Hashirama said, he understood.

In an instant, he was fully in character, replying with an emotional expression, "That's because you taught me so well, Great-Grandpa! Watching how you behaved and handled things every day at home helped me understand your thoughts and how broad-minded you are.

"Your noble spirit moved me deeply when I was young. That's why I resolved long ago to follow your example—to become an outstanding shinobi and someone who can protect the village!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen listened from the side, his stomach churning. The kid's words were so sickly sweet they could be used as a mental attack. Maybe he should invent a "Talk no Jutsu"!

Tobirama's teeth were on edge too. He couldn't help giving his grandson another look, wondering just how thick-skinned the boy could be.

Hashirama, however, wasn't bothered in the slightest. He sprang to his feet, beaming, and nodded repeatedly. "That's right, that's right! Now that's my grandson!

"You understand me. You really do!

"You've even figured out the passion in my heart!

"Wonderful, just wonderful! Hibari, I can practically see Konoha's bright future in you! Keep up the good work!"

"Yes, Great-Grandpa! I won't let you down!" Seeing that the moment was right, Hibari immediately seized his chance. "So this time, please, Lord Hokage, approve my going with Jonin Hiruzen. Give me a chance to prove myself!"

Hashirama was in high spirits. Without a second thought, he waved his hand. "All right! What spirit! As Hokage, I have to support you! When you're out there, show them what a Senju man is made of!"

The grandfather and grandson played off each other, settling the matter in just a few words. Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tobirama stood there listening in a daze. When Tobirama finally came to his senses, he hurriedly objected. "Nonsense! This kind of thing—"

Before he could finish, Hibari cut in brightly. "Second Grandpa, Lord Hokage has already given the order. You should think carefully before you speak.

"Grandma Mito always says that when you're away from home, you have to uphold the Hokage's authority. If you say one thing now and go back on it later, how can you talk about authority? How will anyone respect him?"

Hibari's words left Tobirama so choked up he nearly passed out. He glared at the boy. "You brat, there's no one else here! And remember this—you'd better not let me get a chance to..."

"Then you'd just be abusing your power to get back at me..." Hibari muttered, pouting.

"Hahaha!" Hashirama laughed and patted his brother on the shoulder. "That's enough, Tobirama. Hibari wants to go, so let him give it a try. Kids have to leave the nest eventually, don't they? Besides, it won't take long. I'll catch up soon and keep an eye on him."

Tobirama understood that keeping the boy cooped up at home wasn't the answer. Traveling a thousand miles was better than reading a thousand books. He just had to keep up appearances. Now that his brother had given him an opening, he took it.

"Since you've put it that way, big brother," Tobirama sighed and turned to Hibari. "...I won't stop you. But listen, Hibari. You may have some ability, but you've never been on a real mission.

"Once you leave the village, you're a fledgling. Follow Hiruzen's orders the whole way! Whatever he tells you to do, you do it. And... keep your eyes open and learn. Cut out the smart remarks and listen to your Uncle Hiruzen!"

As soon as Hibari heard that Second Grandpa had relented, his face lit up. "Don't worry, Second Grandpa! I promise I won't cause trouble! I'll be on my best behavior and listen to Uncle Hiruzen the whole way!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen shot him a sidelong glance, his expression clearly saying, You've got some nerve. Usually, getting him to call Hiruzen "uncle" was like pulling teeth. Now that he was getting something out of it, he sure could say it easily. Where had his dignity gone?

Tobirama nodded, then looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Hiruzen, I'm counting on you to look after them this time. If the kid doesn't listen... do whatever you need to."