Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi was elected the Third Hokage, Konoha's political landscape had quietly begun to change.
As the Third Hokage's personal students, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya had accumulated ample mission experience on the battlefield. They had long since advanced to chunin and were working toward becoming Jonin.
For the Third Hokage, how quickly his students could become Jonin directly affected his political capital within the Konoha High Command.
Konoha's Jonin were not merely symbols of combat strength; they formed the core of its decision-making authority.
The growth of Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya meant that Hiruzen Sarutobi's power base would become more secure, allowing him to better control Konoha's political affairs in the future.
And as the most dazzling genius among them, Orochimaru had become increasingly elusive.
Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi assumed the Hokage position, Orochimaru had rarely returned home, spending his days immersed in researching various Forbidden Jutsu. Even his plans to build a scientific laboratory with Shinichi had stalled at the planning stage.
Shinichi did not press him much about it. Orochimaru's obsession would sooner or later drive him to move the project forward himself.
As for Shinichi?
He was in no hurry to earn military merits or advance to Jonin.
His favorite daily activity was visiting the Senju Main Residence to study Sealing Jutsu under Mito Uzumaki's guidance, then playing chess and drinking tea with Tobirama Senju, enjoying the leisurely life of a "retiree."
Although Shinichi had brought Tobirama Senju back to Konoha in time after he suffered grievous injuries in the battle against Kinkaku and Ginkaku, his vitality had been severely depleted. He no longer had the strength to involve himself in village affairs and could only recuperate at the Senju Main Residence.
Yet even as his body aged, the former “master of Forbidden Jutsu in the shinobi world” retained an exceptionally sharp mind and unfathomable wisdom.
Thus, Shinichi played chess with him not merely for amusement, but to learn his tactical thinking and ability to plan through their matches.
"You cranky old man, I'm not letting you crush me so easily again!"
Shinichi moved a piece while lounging lazily before the chessboard, a teasing note in his voice.
Tobirama Senju glanced at him, his gaze sharp as a blade, and said coldly, "I've spent decades playing chess across the shinobi world. A brat like you thinks he can beat me?"
Shinichi grinned and slowly placed a piece, making the position on the board suddenly difficult to read.
Under Tobirama Senju's guidance, his chess skills had steadily improved, to the point that he could even hold his own against this brilliant shinobi strategist.
This made Shinichi realize that Tobirama Senju was not just a powerful ninja, but a truly wise man.
His strategies, planning, and ability to control the state of affairs in the shinobi world were far more profound than outsiders understood.
This old man... he might be rigid and cold, but there's no denying he's a first-rate leader.
Shinichi looked at the chessboard, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"By the way, old man Tobirama, am I... the Second Hokage's only ANBU member?"
At that, Tobirama Senju's lips curved slightly as he regarded him with a half smile.
"What?" Tobirama asked calmly, a hint of teasing in his voice. "Don't trust your own strength? Worried you can't protect me?"
Shinichi choked on his words.
He glared at Tobirama, his mouth twitching slightly. "...Protect you? Are you kidding? You're Tobirama Senju, the Hokage who's better at running away than anyone else in Konoha."
Despite his words, he knew that Tobirama Senju's combat prowess was enough to overwhelm the vast majority of ninja. Had he not been surrounded by Kinkaku and Ginkaku's forces back then, the Flying Thunder God Technique might well have kept him out of danger.
Now, however, although Tobirama had not died in battle, he was old, and his lingering injuries had left him with little fighting strength.
But the problem was... this man who had retired behind the scenes had assigned only Shinichi as his "ANBU member"?!
"Old man, don't tell me I'm your entire ANBU," Shinichi could not help saying.
Tobirama gently set down his brush, lifted his teacup, and took a sip before looking calmly at Shinichi. "That's right. You are my ANBU."
Shinichi said, "..."
Tobirama paused, his lips curling slightly, his tone almost playful. "Haven't you always enjoyed slacking off? It's perfect. A one-man ANBU, easy assignments, freedom to manage yourself. Shouldn't you be delighted?"
Shinichi gritted his teeth. "Old man Tobirama, you've decided I'm the most idle ANBU in Konoha, haven't you?!"
Tobirama smiled, a meaningful smile.
"Shinichi, you should know that a true ANBU... wins through quality, not quantity."
He slowly set down his teacup and folded his hands on the table, his gaze growing deeper. "I selected you personally. Your abilities, talent, potential... all are exceptional."
"Compared with those Anbu Ninja who need to operate in large teams, you alone are better suited to certain secret and important missions."
Shinichi raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"
Tobirama smiled slightly and said casually, "Such as keeping a close watch on certain restless individuals. Shimura Danzō, for instance, or some of the radicals within the Uchiha Clan... even laying the groundwork for Konoha's future."
Shinichi narrowed his eyes.
He knew this old fox had maneuvered him into another scheme.
Still, "the only ANBU member" did sound rather impressive, didn't it?
Shinichi sighed and shrugged. "Fine. Since I'm your 'one and only' ANBU, does that mean I get first pick of any high-paying, richly rewarded, low-risk missions from now on?"
Tobirama chuckled and gave him a meaningful look. "Of course... so long as you're up to the task."
Shinichi said, "..."
The unspoken meaning was, Rest assured, your missions definitely won't be easy.
He could not help grumbling inwardly, I knew old man Tobirama was an old fox. Of course it wouldn't be that simple...
Still...
On second thought, being the sole ANBU serving Tobirama Senju exclusively really did sound pretty cool.
His lips lifted slightly, and a meaningful glint flashed in his eyes. "Fine, old man Tobirama. Since you think so highly of me, from now on... make sure you take good care of your 'one and only ANBU member.'"
Tobirama gave a noncommittal chuckle, lifted his teacup, and took a gentle sip, his gaze as deep as water.
"Also, old man Tobirama, could you research a way for me to awaken the Sharingan?"
Tobirama's movements paused briefly. He looked up at Shinichi, a hint of amusement in his appraising gaze.
Shinichi smacked his lips and continued, "An Uchiha without the Sharingan is just pathetic! Tell me, am I the most 'utterly ordinary' member in the history of the Uchiha Clan?"
Tobirama snorted softly, set down the chess piece in his hand, and folded his arms across his chest, fixing Shinichi with a sharp look. "You actually think that? It seems you still lack confidence in yourself."
Shinichi pursed his lips and spread his hands. “Just tell me whether you can research it. You're the shinobi world's acknowledged master of Forbidden Jutsu. Flying Thunder God, Shadow Clone, Impure World Reincarnation—you created them all. I don't believe you've never studied the Sharingan.”
Tobirama smiled faintly, a meaningful note in his voice. "Of course I have. The Uchiha Clan's kekkei genkai has always been a particular focus of mine."
Shinichi's eyes immediately lit up. "Then do you know how to awaken it? Is there a safe, painless version?"
Tobirama lifted his teacup, took a gentle sip, and began slowly. "The Sharingan usually awakens through intense emotional stimulation. Most commonly pain, anger, hatred, loss..."
He paused there, his sharp gaze meeting Shinichi's directly, and asked calmly, "Do you really want to experience those things?"
Shinichi's smile faltered slightly.
Of course he knew the conditions for awakening the Sharingan. He also knew that many members of the Uchiha Clan had awakened it only after losing the person most important to them.
But the problem was that he did not want to follow that same old path.
Did awakening have to come through loss?
“Are there any other methods?” Shinichi rubbed his chin, his eyes shifting before he suddenly gave Tobirama a serious look. “For example, scientific research, chakra stimulation, or using that Forbidden Jutsu master brain of yours to come up with a ‘happy awakening method’?”
Tobirama glanced at him and said with a half smile, "You certainly have some fanciful ideas."
"Well, you're Tobirama Senju, aren't you?" Shinichi muttered. "If you can figure out how to awaken the Sharingan without suffering, I guarantee the entire Uchiha Clan will enshrine tablets praying for your long life."
Tobirama chuckled, his tone still calm. "Unfortunately, the Sharingan is fundamentally an extreme response to emotion. It cannot be easily induced like ordinary Chakra training."
"But..." His tone shifted as he looked deeply at Shinichi. "Your unusual constitution might make it possible."
Shinichi froze. "What?"
Tobirama set down his teacup and spoke slowly. "The amount of Chakra in your body far exceeds that of ordinary people, even surpassing some Jonin. Moreover, the way your Chakra circulates is extremely unusual, already beyond the bounds of an ordinary Uchiha."
Shinichi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So you're saying my body might have some innate potential that lets me skip the 'awakening through pain' stage?"
Tobirama nodded. "It's theoretically possible, but it requires further verification."
Shinichi's eyes lit up. "You mean we can try?!"
Tobirama chuckled. "If you're willing to be a test subject, I can try some Chakra stimulation methods... but you must carefully consider the risks yourself."
Shinichi's mouth twitched. "You're making me a little nervous."
Tobirama smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Shinichi sank into thought.
Awakening the Sharingan without experiencing suffering would be an enormous breakthrough in Uchiha history.
But wouldn't Tobirama's "experiments" be a little dangerous?
Forget it. I'll have to awaken it sooner or later anyway. Why not try this alternative path?
He gritted his teeth and finally slapped his thigh. "Fine! Old man Tobirama, I'll trust you this once!"
Tobirama's lips lifted slightly, his eyes as deep as the night.
"Very good."
A special experiment involving the Sharingan was about to begin...
Ever since Tsunade had begun going on missions frequently, Shinichi occasionally felt a little empty.
He did not grow anxious over it. After all, he and Tsunade were both still young, with a long road ahead of them.
When it came to romance, steady progress mattered most.
But there was one thing Shinichi understood very clearly—girls of this age were especially prone to the first stirrings of love.
A young girl's feelings were like tender shoots in spring. Once someone influenced them, they could easily take root and grow. And he had no intention of letting Tsunade's feelings stray in directions they should not.
For example... toward a certain fellow named Dan Katō!
Shinichi was exceedingly wary of that name!
In the original history, Tsunade's feelings for Dan Katō had been passionate and profound. Even after he died in battle, she remained burdened with guilt and immersed in grief, eventually developing severe hemophobia that drove her away from the shinobi world for a time to wander from place to place.
And Shinichi would never allow any of that to happen!
Thus, Shinichi had employed various means early on to monitor Dan Katō's every move.
Hmph. An ordinary Konoha Jonin who does nothing on the battlefield but spout "I want to become Hokage"—what gives him the right to approach Tsunade?
Shinichi narrowed his eyes, already making quiet plans in his mind. If necessary, he would show no mercy.
He was not a foolish romantic rival, nor would he stupidly wait until Dan Katō and Tsunade's feelings grew stronger before acting.
Prevention first. Stop trouble before it starts!
Eliminating every possibility at the source was the safest approach.
Thus, Shinichi had long since begun making arrangements in secret.
Using his intelligence network, he discreetly investigated Dan Katō's mission assignments and personal relationships, even including his training routine in his surveillance.
If, one day, this fellow truly displayed special feelings for Tsunade, or Tsunade showed even the slightest sign of attraction toward him...
Then Shinichi would absolutely act from the shadows and make this "future Konoha Jonin" disappear without a trace!
This was not jealousy, but careful planning.
"Tsunade, you're my most important 'princess.' How could I let someone else get to you first?"
Shinichi lounged lazily against a rock beside the Naka River, a sly smile playing on his lips.
This invisible "romantic sniping campaign" had only just begun...
Before you continue