Tobirama Senju's summons

Night fell over the Senju Clan estate. The lamps glowed dimly, and a solemn, measured air filled the rooms.

Tobirama Senju sat upright behind his desk, his penetrating gaze resting on a confidential report before him. His fingertips tapped the desktop in a slow, steady rhythm.

The candle flame flickered, illuminating his stern profile and the faint trace of thought between his brows.

Standing in the middle of the study, Senju Toka wore a grave expression as she bowed her head respectfully and waited for Tobirama's response.

She had just reported every detail of Uchiha Shinichi's behavior that she had observed—from his interactions with Tsunade to his teaching Tsunade and Orochimaru the Rasengan, and finally to the Six Styles she had witnessed firsthand that day.

That information alone was enough to keep anyone wary of the Uchiha awake all night.

Silence spread through the room. Tobirama's gaze remained on the scroll, and for a long while, he said nothing.

At last, he slowly closed the confidential report, narrowing his eyes slightly. His deep gaze seemed to pierce the paper and reach into the distant future.

"Jutsu without hand signs, a combat system beyond conventional taijutsu... Uchiha Shinichi truly is a variable we cannot afford to ignore."

His voice was steady, betraying no emotion, but the words made Senju Toka's heart tighten slightly.

"Brother Tobirama, what do you think?" Senju Toka could not help asking.

Tobirama slowly turned his gaze toward her. His tone was level, but laden with meaning. "What do you think?"

Senju Toka fell silent for a moment before choosing her words carefully. "This child's growth far outstrips that of ordinary people... His talent, creativity, and understanding of jutsu have all reached a terrifying level."

She paused, then raised her head to meet Tobirama's eyes. "Talent like that would be an enormous asset if used for Konoha, but if..."

She did not finish, but Tobirama smiled faintly, his tone so calm that he seemed to have everything under control. "If he is a threat, we must eliminate him before he comes into his own!"

Senju Toka froze, then sank into thought.

If Uchiha Shinichi harbored disloyal intentions, could they really eliminate him before he fully matured?

Recalling everything Shinichi had demonstrated, she found herself unable to give a definite answer.

When Senju Toka did not respond, Tobirama sighed softly. He slowly rose and walked to the window, looking down over Konoha in the darkness.

"Ever since the village was founded, the Uchiha Clan has been its most restless force. Shinichi's rise brings even more uncertainty than Madara Uchiha's. He isn't as extreme as Madara, nor has he shown any obvious ambition. But that is precisely what makes him harder to read."

His gaze darkened slightly as he continued, "We cannot determine where he will stand in the future, but for now, he shows no intention of opposing the village. He is even actively training Tsunade and Orochimaru. He is part of Konoha, not an Uchiha pawn."

Senju Toka frowned. "Then you mean..."

Tobirama gave a faint smile. "Since he has shown no hostility, why not work with the situation?"

He turned back toward Senju Toka, his eyes sharp. "Uchiha Shinichi must stand on Konoha's side."

Senju Toka gave a slight start.

Tobirama continued, "But observation alone is not enough. I need to meet him directly and see whether this Uchiha brat is truly a force worth cultivating."

He slowly returned to his desk, picked up a blank scroll, and wrote a few words. Then he rolled it up and handed it to Senju Toka.

"Inform Uchiha Shinichi that he is to come to the Senju ancestral residence tomorrow morning."

Senju Toka accepted the scroll, her heart sinking slightly.

Tobirama Senju was finally going to meet Uchiha Shinichi himself.

Outside the window, the night was black as ink, and this struggle beneath the surface seemed to have only just begun.

Shinichi himself, however, paid none of this any mind.

He had neither noticed the eyes secretly watching him nor considered the change in Tobirama Senju's attitude. He simply continued at his own pace, laying the groundwork for the future one step at a time.

He wanted to see Orochimaru's kind side.

In the original timeline, Orochimaru had ultimately taken a cold, heartless path. He pursued immortality, abandoned ethics, and immersed himself in cruel experiments, eventually becoming one of the most feared figures in the shinobi world.

Shinichi did not want history to repeat itself. He wanted to see whether Orochimaru would still take that road of no return if he grew up in a different environment.

If he received enough companionship, care, and even an entirely new "faith," could he become someone different?

He wanted to see Tsunade claim the Hokage position with greater strength.

Tsunade, the woman originally known for her abysmal gambling luck, endured far too much suffering in the history yet to unfold. She lost her brother, lost her lover, and fled her responsibilities, only being forced to take the Hokage position when Konoha faced a crisis.

Right now, she was still a straightforward, passionate girl. If she learned earlier how to shoulder responsibility and temper herself, might her future turn out differently?

Perhaps these thoughts were simply little personal quirks of Shinichi's.

He had always regarded himself as a spectator.

The course of this world's history was like a flowing river, while he stood on its bank, watching the currents change.

He would not deliberately try to change everything, but sometimes, he would toss a few stones into the water to see whether they stirred different ripples.

"Whatever happens, the future should be more interesting now, right?"

Shinichi lay lazily on a rock beside the Naka River, gazing up at the sky. The corners of his mouth lifted in the faintest hint of a smile.

Ever since classes began at the Ninja Academy, Tsunade and Orochimaru had settled into a routine—following Uchiha Shinichi to the Naka River every day for their unique training.

This place had become their secret base, bearing witness to each new step in their growth.

From their initial struggles with learning the Rasengan to their present grasp of the Six Styles, the three of them kept pushing past their limits every day.

Their sweat fell onto this patch of earth, and their reflections in the water gradually grew more resolute.

Yet in stark contrast to this peaceful scene of training, a storm had quietly descended upon the shinobi world.

After Hashirama Senju's death, friction between the Five Great Nations steadily intensified.

While the God of Shinobi lived, he could suppress the ambitions of every nation single-handedly. Now, although Konoha remained strong, no one could truly stop the coming war.

At last, the First Shinobi World War broke out!

The major hidden villages joined the fighting one after another, and the shadow of war gradually enveloped the entire shinobi world.

Konoha was inevitably drawn into it as well. Large numbers of elite shinobi were sent to the battlefield, including Uchiha Raishin—Shinichi's father.

The air of war grew ever stronger in Konoha. Every household began preparing for it, and the mood in the village steadily grew heavier.

Yet completely at odds with that tension was the leisurely scene beside the Naka River.

After Uchiha Raishin left for war, Shinichi had one fewer person to "discipline" him. Finally set free, he embraced the carefree, idle life he had always dreamed of.

Every day, he still lounged lazily on his rock, watching Tsunade and Orochimaru train diligently. He offered the occasional comment, only rising at his leisure to demonstrate the proper technique when they hit a bottleneck.

Tsunade clenched her fists, a vein twitching at her temple. "Hey! Shinichi! Can't you train with us?!"

With his hands behind his head and his eyes half closed, Shinichi drawled, "Tsunade, you need to understand that true wisdom lies in learning how to make others work hard while you relax and enjoy life."

Orochimaru chuckled softly, his golden slit pupils glinting. "Brother Shinichi, you may be lazy, but your theories are certainly interesting."

Tsunade stamped her foot in anger, but ultimately decided to ignore the slacker and return to her training.

Though he seemed careless, Shinichi was not doing nothing.

He knew full well that the war would soon affect Konoha and, eventually, the futures of all three of them.

That was why he spared no effort in helping Tsunade and Orochimaru grow as strong as possible, so that in the future, they could protect themselves and even take control of the situation.

The flames of war burned across the shinobi world, but the breeze along the Naka River remained gentle, and its waters remained clear.

Watching the evening clouds gradually turn red on the horizon, Shinichi knew that days like these would not last much longer.

When the shadow of war truly fell over Konoha, they, too, would be unable to stay out of it.

A gentle breeze brushed the banks of the Naka River. Water murmured, and clouds drifted slowly across the sky, as though the whole world had settled into that peace.

Shinichi lounged on his rock with his hands behind his head and a blade of grass between his lips, enjoying his own little stretch of lazy leisure.

The sunlight warmed his face, making him drowsy. He had even begun considering whether to take a nap when he went home later, fully committing to his "slacking-off plan" for the day.

But just as he was about to drift completely into sleep—

Whoosh!

A figure suddenly appeared before him, carrying a sharp presence that instantly shattered the leisurely atmosphere.

Shinichi frowned in irritation and slowly opened one eye. Standing before him was Senju Toka, dressed in ANBU attire, her expression stern.

"Uchiha Shinichi." Her voice was calm and crisp, carrying a trace of unquestionable authority. "Lord Hokage orders you to report to the Senju ancestral residence tomorrow morning and await an audience."

Shinichi blinked and looked up at her groggily, his eyes full of displeasure at being woken. "Huh...? Lord Hokage? He wants to see me?"

Senju Toka's brow furrowed slightly, and her tone grew colder. "Correct. You must be there at six tomorrow morning. Do not be late."

Now fully awake, Shinichi sat up, propping his head on one hand and crossing his legs as he regarded Senju Toka with interest. "Lord Hokage suddenly wants to see me? Is it something important?"

Senju Toka's gaze darkened slightly. "Lord Hokage's decisions require no explanation to you."

Shinichi rubbed his chin, the corners of his mouth rising. "Oh? It doesn't sound like he's calling me to account. Could it be... he's taken an interest in me?"

Senju Toka gave no answer. She merely watched him quietly, as though waiting for his response.

Looking at her strictly businesslike manner, Shinichi sighed softly and stretched lazily, though a sharp glint flashed through his eyes.

"Lord Hokage has honored me with a summons. How could I possibly refuse?" He rose languidly and brushed the dust from the hem of his clothes, a faint smile curling his lips. "Don't worry. I'll be there on time."

Senju Toka gave him a long look, as though hoping to discern something beneath his nonchalant expression. In the end, she only nodded. "Remember your promise, Uchiha Shinichi."

As soon as she finished speaking, her figure flickered and vanished, leaving only a breeze rustling through the treetops.

Shinichi remained where he stood, his eyes narrowing slightly, a faint smile lingering on his face.

Tsunade and Orochimaru came over as well. They had seen the entire exchange clearly.

Tsunade planted her hands on her hips and eyed Shinichi suspiciously. "Hey, Shinichi, why does my second grandfather suddenly want to see you? You haven't done something bad, have you?"

Shinichi rolled his eyes. "Don't assume I'm as obsessed with fighting and gambling as you are. I haven't done anything wrong."

Orochimaru pondered for a moment, his eyes glinting. "If Lord Hokage has summoned you personally, that means he's started paying attention to you. After all, you're such a genius, Brother Shinichi!"

Shinichi chuckled and shrugged. "Then I'll go meet him. I'd have to face him sooner or later anyway."

Sunlight fell across the boy's profile. His smile seemed lazy, yet beneath it lingered a barely perceptible edge.