Choosing disciples

The results proved that Tobirama Senju's research was correct. When the heirs of the Ninja Clans tried approaching Nature Transformation from a different angle, they were delighted to discover that they had gained a deeper understanding of Chakra natures. Even Ninjutsu they had once struggled to use now came easily to them.

Previously, ninja had used test paper made from a certain kind of tree that could absorb Chakra natures to determine which Chakra affinity suited them best, then learned Ninjutsu of that nature. Only exceptionally gifted people could learn Ninjutsu of other natures. Hiruzen Sarutobi's father, for instance, had tried techniques of several different natures and mastered them through his remarkable talent.

The emergence of Tobirama Senju's Chakra nature training method lowered the barrier to learning Ninjutsu. People no longer needed to learn Nature Transformation through the Chakra guidance provided by a technique. Instead, they could learn it entirely through their own understanding of Chakra natures.

The first to try it was Hiruzen Sarutobi. After carefully considering what Chakra natures meant, he followed Tobirama Senju's advice to the letter. Without once using a corresponding Ninjutsu, he mastered a new Chakra nature through training alone. His example left the others eager to try, wishing they could develop another nature immediately.

Kazemori Masaki was in no such hurry. He knew his own aptitude was unremarkable. Without his heaven-sent talent for Sage Arts, he would never have had a chance of becoming their disciple. Even if Tobirama Senju had revealed the secrets of nature transformation, that only gave people better direction and kept them from taking the wrong path. In the end, it still depended on their own aptitude. Hiruzen Sarutobi was the only person in this Academy who could master all five Chakra natures.

Kazemori Masaki felt he should concentrate on the wind-nature Chakra inherited from his family. It was his natural affinity, and no other release technique would come as easily to him as Wind Release. Moreover, his knowledge from another world gave him an understanding of wind that surpassed the shinobi world's current knowledge, allowing him to master wind-nature Chakra far more thoroughly than before.

It was not that Kazemori Masaki did not want to learn other release techniques, but the First Shinobi World War was only a few years away. An ordinary person needed years, or even more than a decade, just to master a single Chakra nature. He believed that before the First Shinobi World War arrived, he would only have time to master the essence of wind nature. If he spent his energy elsewhere, what use would two mediocre Chakra natures be when the time came?

Besides, if he remembered correctly, the first enemy Konoha Ninja Village would face was the Land of Lightning. The people of Kumogakure Ninja Village were all skilled users of Lightning Release Chakra, and his wind-nature Chakra happened to counter it.

The more Kazemori Masaki thought about it, the more certain he became that he should fully master the essence of Wind Release Chakra. That would give him the initiative against the Kumogakure Ninja of Kumogakure Shinobi Village and improve his chances of surviving the war against them.

Tobirama Senju was naturally pleased by the students' enthusiasm, but he also knew his training method was not perfect. As he watched those who devoted their energy to developing other Chakra natures, he quietly struck them from his list of prospective disciples. They had failed to recognize that their natural affinity should be their primary weapon. Focusing solely on learning other Chakra natures was putting the cart before the horse. Did they think they were all Hiruzen Sarutobi?

Tobirama Senju did not ease up on those who remained on the list, either. That much insight alone was not enough to qualify them as disciples of the two brothers. Over the days that followed, he rigorously trained every student according to his own standards for ninja and held regular tests.

Tobirama Senju's tests were undeniably difficult. At first, everyone could meet his standards perfectly, but as time went on, the tests grew harder and the corresponding training became more severe. After roughly half a year, a clear divide had emerged within the Academy. The outstanding students could still pass the tests, while the others fell short.

The date Hashirama and Tobirama had set was now approaching. Soon, they would choose their disciples from the Academy's thirty-eight students. Even without being told by the brothers, everyone at the Academy could sense who would become the disciples of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.

If one person had defied everyone's expectations, it was undoubtedly Kazemori Masaki. Everyone knew the Kazemori Clan had declined until he was its sole remaining member. He had never been known for his talent, but rather for the hardships he endured in his efforts to restore his clan.

Yet this very same person could stand alongside outstanding heirs such as Hiruzen Sarutobi in Tobirama Senju's tests of physical fitness, skill, and Ninjutsu. They could not understand it. When had Kazemori Masaki become so capable?

Only Kazemori Masaki himself, Hashirama, and Tobirama knew that his rapid improvement was entirely due to Sage Arts. Neither brother considered it cheating. His aptitude for Sage Arts was his own, and ultimately, it was no different from Ninjutsu. Like everyone else, he had reached this point through his own strength.

After that training session ended, Tobirama left the Academy and walked slowly toward the Hokage Building. He felt the time was about right. He and his elder brother should announce that they were formally taking disciples. As the future successors of Konoha Ninja Village, those students ought to begin their training sooner rather than later.

This first Konoha Academy had been quite a success. The Ninja Clan heirs studied together and helped one another improve. They grew more familiar with each other and gradually forged bonds of their own. He and his brother had also settled on their prospective disciples, who would one day bear the responsibility of making Konoha Shinobi Village more prosperous. He had even begun to see how ninja could fight within the Shinobi Village system. That inspiration, as it happened, had come from a student.

It had begun during a test, when the Yamanaka Clan's heir lost a one-on-one match—and lost badly. His friends teased him afterward, and he protested indignantly that his clan's Secret Techniques were not suited to fighting alone. Making him face an opponent head-on in single combat was flawed from the start. This gave Tobirama an idea. Just as the student had said, the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Techniques had never been suited to fighting alone. The Yamanaka Clan, Nara Clan, and Akimichi Clan formed a complementary combination known as Ino-Shika-Cho.

The Ino-Shika-Cho formation had been renowned during the Warring States Period. By coordinating their different Secret Techniques, they could wield power far beyond what any of them could achieve alone. This made Tobirama think that future ninja units could also adopt three-person formations like Ino-Shika-Cho. Perhaps the results would exceed their expectations.

Tobirama Senju reached his elder brother's office and knocked lightly on the door. Hashirama's voice came from within, but Tobirama thought it sounded somewhat weak, though he was not sure whether he was imagining it.

Tobirama entered the room and saw Hashirama sitting listlessly beside his desk, his cheek resting against one clenched fist as he looked at the Scroll before him. Yet his unfocused gaze made it clear that his mind was elsewhere.

"Brother," Tobirama Senju said.

"Hmm? Oh, Tobirama. What is it?" Hashirama came back to himself and smiled.

Something really is wrong, Tobirama thought. Normally, Hashirama would have recognized him while he was still standing at the door, rather than only noticing him now.

"Brother, I wanted to discuss the Academy with you." Tobirama studied Hashirama's expression briefly, then began explaining his thoughts.

Hashirama nodded repeatedly. "Yes, you're right. It's time we took disciples. You've settled on the candidates, then?"

"Besides Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kazemori Masaki, I've chosen the following students," Tobirama said. "Torifu Akimichi, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Kagami Uchiha."

Hashirama gave a slight nod at each name Tobirama mentioned. He, too, had followed the Academy's affairs and was very pleased with these students. When he heard Kagami Uchiha's name, however, he sighed softly. "Kagami Uchiha. He really is outstanding. We should take him as our disciple."

"Brother, has something happened with the Uchiha Clan?" Tobirama frowned. Hashirama's particular mention of Kagami Uchiha had to reflect something on his mind, and the reason probably lay with the Uchiha Clan.

"Madara said some rather baffling things to me today." Hashirama fell silent for a moment. "I feel uneasy. Something troublesome may happen before long."

Tobirama shook his head. Just as the Ninja Clans were gradually learning to get along, that man kept striking a discordant note. Though his elder brother Hashirama remained deeply attached to his childhood bond with Madara, Tobirama had always worried that Madara might do something that would put Hashirama in a difficult position. Hearing his brother's words now, he felt his premonition had come true.

"In any case, make the preparations." Hashirama forced a smile. "Tell everyone we'll soon be choosing disciples from the Academy, and have them get ready."

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(End of chapter)