The Uchiha Most Like Tobirama Senju

"Didn't I tell you that kid Yi developed an A-rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu? Lately, he's been planning to take it a step further, and he needs a good weapon for that. But where are we supposed to find that much Chakra Metal? The Senju Clan donated its old stockpile to Konoha, and he needs quite a lot this time. I asked him what kind of weapon he wanted. He said a sword, so I thought the Thunder God Sword would do nicely. No one's using it anyway," Tsunade said with a shrug.

"But that was Teacher Tobirama's sword. Is it really all right to give it away?" Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a headache coming on. If Tobirama Senju learned that his weapon had ended up in Uchiha hands, he might use Impure World Reincarnation to drag himself back from the Pure Land just to curse his unfilial disciples and descendants.

Tsunade spread her hands. "Why make such a fuss? It's just a sword. It doesn't carry that much symbolic weight. Haven't you already inherited Second Grandfather's greatest legacy? Or rather, you are his legacy. Seeing how you've helped Konoha flourish, I doubt he'd have any complaints."

Her words warmed Hiruzen's heart. He and the others were, in a sense, Tobirama Senju's legacy. It was only because of their teacher's sacrifice that they had survived.

All these years, Hiruzen had worked tirelessly to prove that his teacher had been right to choose him. Look closely, and there were already gray hairs on his head.

Hearing Tsunade speak of him that way naturally filled him with relief.

"The Thunder God Sword is only gathering dust. You might as well give it to Uchiha Yi. It would show him where you stand, too. I've watched Yi. He's easy to get along with. Treat him well, and he'll remember it. You don't have to worry about raising an ingrate. He's levelheaded, too—not like the Uchiha you keep talking about," Tsunade added after a moment's thought.

Hiruzen took a pull on his pipe before answering. "The Thunder God Sword is still in the Hokage's office. None of you took it back then, and it was the Second Hokage's sword. I can't simply hand it over. How about this: have Uchiha Yi record Chidori in the Scroll of Seals. Then I can give him the Thunder God Sword as a reward."

"All right." Tsunade had no reason to refuse. Chidori had been completed with guidance from her and Mito Uzumaki. If Hiruzen truly wanted it, he could have asked them himself.

Without the Sharingan, the jutsu was practically useless, and the village had few powerful Lightning Release ninja.

In effect, he had already agreed to give Uchiha Yi the Thunder God Sword.

"Oh, and I want the scroll for the Flying Thunder God Technique," Tsunade added, as if she had just remembered.

"The Flying Thunder God Technique? Uchiha Yi has Space Talent?" Hiruzen frowned. He truly hadn't noticed any such gift in the boy.

Tobirama Senju had once had all of them train in the Flying Thunder God Technique. Not one had learned it, though they had since grown into Kage Level fighters and Elite Jōnin.

Hiruzen had thought the technique would be lost. He had never expected Uchiha Yi might be able to learn it.

"Yes. I discovered it a while ago when I had Uchiha Yi sign a contract with Katsuyu. His talent for space is exceptional. He might even rival Second Grandfather." Tsunade couldn't exactly tell Hiruzen the truth.

That kid Uchiha Yi was far too clever and gifted. There was little left she could teach him now.

Was she supposed to make him spend the next few years doing nothing but Medical Ninjutsu?

If she did, even Tsunade would have to admit she was holding her student back.

Better to help Uchiha Yi grow strong sooner.

The Flying Thunder God Technique was Konoha's hardest jutsu to learn. Surely giving him that would keep him busy for a few years?

Once Uchiha Yi made a name for himself, she could proudly tell everyone she had taught him!

"I see. Let him try, then. I studied the Flying Thunder God Technique myself, but I never mastered it. Kagami didn't either," Hiruzen added, lest she think his talent was lacking. "If Yi can learn it, that would be good news for the coming war. But Space Talent alone isn't enough. He'll need exceptional reflexes and keen eyesight. Otherwise, teleporting in will only get him killed. He also needs a solid foundation in Sealing Jutsu. None of that can be achieved overnight. Given what you've said, why not let him stay at the Ninja Academy for a few more years? He can study the Flying Thunder God Technique in the meantime."

"No need. Keeping that kid in school would be a waste of his talent." Tsunade refused without hesitation. To her, the Flying Thunder God Technique would merely be an extra advantage for Uchiha Yi.

Her grandfather and Madara Uchiha hadn't known the Flying Thunder God Technique, had they?

They had still become peerless fighters.

Her grandmother didn't know it either, yet she had become the strongest person in the Shinobi World.

And her teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hadn't learned it, but he was one of the Five Kage. Hadn't he swung his staff and defeated the Third Kazekage?

"Fine. If that's what you think, give him the Flying Thunder God Technique. Make sure you tell him it's dangerous. He mustn't try it recklessly until he's certain he can do it." Hiruzen thought for a long while before agreeing to Tsunade's request.

Hiruzen already felt the pressure mounting. Konoha might soon face several enemies at once. How could he spare time to worry about what to do once Uchiha Yi grew stronger?

He hoped the boy would become stronger and stronger.

"Mm! I'll take the Thunder God Sword, too. I'll have Uchiha Yi submit a scroll containing Chidori later." Tsunade rose, waved a hand, and headed out.

Hiruzen stared at the closed door and sighed. A great war in the Shinobi World could break out at any moment. All he could do was delay it as long as possible, buying time for the New Generation to grow and for the Wood Release Experiment.

Konoha wasn't without a last resort. Mito Uzumaki might still be capable of fighting. The destruction of Uzushio Village might even have been, in part, a test of her strength. If the enemy truly came knocking, she could beat them so badly they would question everything.

But she should remain their final card.

As her junior, Hiruzen did not want it to come to that.

If only the First Hokage had united the Shinobi World back then!