Shinichi meets Tobirama Senju for the first time

The next morning, the sun had just risen, and mist hung in the air.

Uchiha Shinichi entered the Senju ancestral residence as agreed, his steps unhurried as his gaze drifted over his surroundings.

As the home of one of Konoha's founding clans, the Senju Clan's residence was solemn and traditional. Vermilion wooden pillars supported broad eaves, while clean flagstone paths wound through the courtyard, flanked by sturdy pines and cypresses that carried the weight of years.

Shinichi walked into the reception room. Its spacious interior was simply furnished yet imposing, with the Senju Clan's crest hanging on the walls. Those emblems of Konoha's earliest glory seemed to whisper to later generations of past triumphs and pride.

Tobirama Senju, master of Forbidden Jutsu in the shinobi world and Konoha's Second Hokage.

Naturally, Shinichi was curious about this man who had left such a profound mark on history.

He wanted to see what sort of man had left countless Forbidden Jutsu to the shinobi world, creating powerful jutsu such as the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Impure World Reincarnation.

Yet Shinichi showed no unease. He sat respectfully in a guest seat, upright without being stiff, neither excessively humble nor remotely arrogant. Every movement came naturally.

He waited quietly for the man who was about to appear—Tobirama Senju.

Outside, dawn light spilled through the wooden lattice windows, casting shifting patterns across Shinichi's profile. His expression remained calm as still water, but an unfathomable light flickered in his eyes.

This formal encounter between Uchiha and Senju was about to begin.

Morning light streamed through the lattice windows, filling the reception room with a solemn, measured atmosphere.

Footsteps sounded softly against the wooden floor, carrying a distinctive steadiness and authority.

Tobirama Senju slowly entered the reception room.

He stood straight and stern, his Hokage robes swaying slightly with each step. His short, silvery-white hair made him appear all the more composed and inscrutable.

His gaze was sharp enough to pierce a person's heart. Though he had yet to speak, he already radiated effortless authority.

Shinichi felt that pressure, but a composed smile remained on his face.

As Tobirama Senju approached, he rose without haste and offered a proper bow. His tone was respectful, yet tinged with his own particular languor.

"Lord Hokage, what did you want to see me about? Though I should warn you first—I'm a very busy man!"

As he spoke, he casually brushed dust from the hem of his clothes. His tone was light, but a teasing glint shone in his eyes, as though he truly regarded this meeting with the Second Hokage as an inconvenience interrupting his slacking off.

The atmosphere in the reception room immediately shifted.

Tobirama Senju's gaze paused briefly before he calmly took the seat of honor. He rested his long fingers lightly on the table and studied the Uchiha boy before him.

After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice low and calm. "Very busy?"

Shinichi nodded as though it went without saying, his smile unchanged. "Of course, Lord Hokage. Training, slacking off, eating, sleeping—every one of them matters. This sudden summons has thrown off my entire schedule."

He spoke lightly, showing none of the tension one might expect before Tobirama Senju, and even sounded a little put-upon.

Tobirama Senju narrowed his eyes slightly, discreetly sizing him up. This Uchiha brat really was different from the others.

He lacked Madara Uchiha's arrogance, as well as the innate defiance and resistance toward the Senju common among other Uchiha clansmen. His words and actions were lazy and careless, yet he subtly maintained his own pace, making his true thoughts difficult to read.

Silence spread through the room, as though a wordless contest were underway.

Tobirama Senju did not rush to speak. Instead, he watched Shinichi with interest, seemingly waiting for his next reaction.

Shinichi met Tobirama's gaze without fear, the same lazy smile on his lips, as though he thought nothing of this Second Hokage whose name commanded awe throughout the shinobi world.

Tobirama Senju sat quietly in the seat of honor, his sharp gaze resting on Uchiha Shinichi with a depth that concealed a subtle scrutiny.

Rather than immediately questioning him, he spoke slowly and evenly, as though discussing something entirely ordinary. "You truly are exceptional. You independently developed an A-rank handless jutsu—the Rasengan—as well as an entirely new style of taijutsu. Your talent is enough to astonish the entire shinobi world."

Though his voice was calm, his words carried undeniable weight. At that moment, he seemed to be assessing not merely Shinichi's strength, but his potential value.

Faced with such praise, Shinichi showed little excitement, retaining his usual lazy demeanor instead.

He smiled faintly and gave a small shrug. "Thank you for the praise, Lord Hokage. But... I've always been a genius. Isn't that only natural?"

The words fell lightly, as though spoken offhand, but they were actually his response to Tobirama Senju's probing.

Tobirama narrowed his eyes slightly, the faintest hint of a smile seeming to touch his lips. Whether it reflected appreciation or some other thought was unclear.

Shinichi chuckled inwardly at the sight, then shifted the subject, speaking with easy composure. "Still, since you value these achievements so highly, Lord Hokage, I'm willing to give the village the training methods for the Rasengan and the Six Styles."

As he finished, Tobirama Senju tapped his fingertips lightly against the table, his gaze shifting as though that answer had caught his interest.

But Shinichi paused, a meaningful smile curling his lips as he added—

"But!"

He drew the word out slightly, as though deliberately building a little dramatic tension.

Tobirama Senju's gaze sharpened slightly as he quietly waited for him to continue.

Shinichi folded his arms and looked at Tobirama with a lazy, teasing expression. "The village belongs to all of us, after all. Of course I'm willing to do my part. But as a contributor, I think I ought to receive a reasonable reward too, don't you?"

He looked openly at Tobirama Senju, as though discussing an ordinary transaction rather than handing over an A-rank ninjutsu and an entirely new taijutsu system to Konoha.

The atmosphere in the reception room immediately grew delicate.

Tobirama Senju did not answer at once. Instead, he regarded Shinichi with a searching gaze, as though weighing his true intentions.

What exactly did Uchiha Shinichi want?

An undercurrent of unspoken contention filled the reception room.

Tobirama Senju's piercing gaze remained fixed on Uchiha Shinichi, as though he intended to see through every thought in his head.

Yet the Uchiha boy remained as languid and composed as ever, showing no sign of tension.

At last, Tobirama spoke.

His voice remained low and steady, carrying unquestionable authority. "I can allow you to choose one forbidden technique from the Scroll of Seals."

At those words, Shinichi's eyes brightened slightly.

The Scroll of Seals was one of Konoha's most closely guarded secrets. It recorded various forbidden techniques created by Tobirama Senju, Hashirama Senju, and generations of Konoha ninja.

Among them were battle-changing techniques such as the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Impure World Reincarnation, the Eight Gates Released Formation, and the Flying Thunder God Technique. They were classified as forbidden not merely because they were too powerful, but because they also posed tremendous risks to their users.

Shinichi did not answer immediately, pausing to consider.

Tobirama Senju was actually willing to trade a forbidden technique from the Scroll of Seals for my Rasengan and Six Styles... however I look at it, I won't lose out on this deal.

Was he probing me? Or testing me?

Shinichi pondered Tobirama's intentions, yet his expression remained languid, without a trace of hesitation. In fact... his ready acceptance was almost surprising.

"All right! Deal!"

His lips lifted slightly in a sly smile as he agreed to the exchange without the slightest hesitation.

A meaningful gleam flashed through Tobirama Senju's eyes.

This boy was even more decisive than he had imagined.

Most people facing such an offer would hesitate, deliberate, or even try to bargain. Shinichi, however, had made his decision almost instantly, as though he was not at all concerned about a trap or whether the exchange was truly fair.

What did that mean?

He already had a clear plan for his future!

An Uchiha like that was someone Tobirama Senju had to take seriously.

Tobirama Senju said no more on the matter. He tapped his long fingers lightly against the table and said in a low voice, "Come to the Hokage's office at noon tomorrow to make your selection."

Shinichi's lips curved into a playful smile. "You really are generous, Lord Hokage!"

Tobirama Senju narrowed his eyes slightly and regarded him with a deep gaze.

Once Uchiha Shinichi had left, silence returned to the Senju ancestral residence.

Yet the undercurrent the boy had stirred did not subside with his departure.

A dignified, imposing figure slowly emerged from behind a nearby screen. Her red hair cascaded down, and her eyes were calm and deep. She carried a mysterious air unique to the Uzumaki Clan, as though she could perceive every shifting emotion in the world.

Mito Uzumaki, wife of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and one of Konoha's true guardians.

Her gaze settled on Tobirama Senju, and she smiled faintly. Her voice was calm, but carried a meaningful undertone. "What do you think of this child?"

Tobirama Senju slowly rose and stood with his hands behind his back, his short, silvery-white hair reflecting a cold sheen in the morning light.

His gaze was deep, as though he was still considering Shinichi's every word and gesture. At last, he narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke slowly. "He's a wild card... but his intentions remain unclear."

At his words, Mito Uzumaki gently closed her eyes, sensing the faint traces of chakra still lingering in the room—the remnants Uchiha Shinichi had left behind.

After a moment, she opened her eyes and spoke with calm certainty. "I sense no malice in him. I can even detect a faint hint of goodwill."

Tobirama Senju's brow shifted slightly, clearly surprised by that answer.

As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Mito Uzumaki had gained the Nine-Tails' ability to sense good and evil. Her judgments had always been exceptionally accurate.

She could clearly detect the most deeply hidden emotions in a person's heart, distinguish good from evil, and perceive killing intent.

Yet she said Shinichi harbored no malice, and even a trace of goodwill?

As Tobirama pondered, Mito continued, a playful gleam flashing through her eyes. "What's more, he seems to have special feelings for Tsunade."

Those words made Tobirama frown slightly.

Tsunade was Hashirama Senju's granddaughter and a future pillar of the Senju Clan. If Shinichi's feelings for her went beyond companionship, the implications might be more complicated than they had initially imagined.

Mito Uzumaki's lips curved slightly, as though she found the matter quite interesting. "If Shinichi really does like Tsunade... which side do you think he'll stand on in the future?"

Tobirama Senju did not answer immediately. His fingers tapped slowly against the table, his eyes deep in thought.

Would Uchiha Shinichi become an asset to Konoha, or a hidden danger to the Uchiha?

If he truly had fallen for Tsunade, then... would he still choose to stand firmly with the Uchiha Clan?

An intangible ripple seemed to pass through the air, like a game of chess before the first piece had been placed, while they waited for the crucial direction it would take.

Lamplight flickered in the reception room, illuminating Tobirama Senju's pensive expression.

He frowned slightly, his gaze sharp and steady, as though turning Mito Uzumaki's words over in his mind.

He slowly turned toward Mito beside him. His tone was measured, yet probing. "Sister-in-law, how did you tell that Uchiha brat likes Tsunade?"

Mito Uzumaki chuckled softly, her eyes shifting with quiet confidence.

She walked slowly to the window and looked out at the tranquil courtyard, her voice gentle and slightly teasing. "Don't you already know everything they do along the Naka River?"

Tobirama's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. There was clearly more to that answer than she had said.

Mito Uzumaki continued, her calm tone taking on a touch of ease. "Shinichi may seem lazy, even somewhat frivolous, but all his actions revolve around Tsunade and Orochimaru—especially Tsunade."

She tilted her head slightly, red hair falling over her shoulder, and a teasing glint flashed in her eyes. "Why do you think he's willing to spend so much effort personally teaching Tsunade ninjutsu and giving her special attention?"

Tobirama Senju fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly. "He has his reasons. The Uchiha Clan never does anything without a purpose."

Mito shook her head gently, her smile deepening. "Then have you considered that feelings sometimes don't need a 'purpose'?"

She paused, then continued. "I've sensed Shinichi's emotions. When he's with Tsunade, he may still look as carefree and lazy as ever, but his chakra flow unconsciously becomes much calmer, and his emotions are more stable than usual."

She turned back toward Tobirama and said earnestly, "Shinichi's concern for Tsunade goes far beyond that of an ordinary companion."

Tobirama Senju's gaze shifted slightly. His fingertips tapped slowly against the table as he said in a low voice, "Even if he likes Tsunade, what does that mean for Konoha?"

Mito Uzumaki smiled faintly, her voice gentle but meaningful. "If Shinichi truly loves Tsunade, his future choices may no longer be based solely on the Uchiha Clan's interests."

She sighed softly and spoke slowly. "Love is the most unpredictable variable in the shinobi world."