Just what were you guarding?

As he watched "Uchiha Izuna" disappear into the distance, Tobirama Senju wore an especially complicated expression.

He began analyzing the situation.

Someone had resurrected Izuna, and he had also gained a special physique.

But from the looks of it, he hadn't recovered his full strength yet.

And he didn't seem to know the current state of the Shinobi World, much less that Madara Uchiha was already dead.

At that thought, Tobirama's expression turned grave.

If he found out that my elder brother killed Madara Uchiha, then Konoha...

He knew the Uchiha Clan's temperament all too well. If Izuna learned of Madara Uchiha's fate, he would absolutely go berserk.

No, Uchiha Izuna. I will never allow you to attack Konoha. If you insist on doing so...

Tobirama clenched his fists.

I killed you once, and I can kill you again. Even if I can't kill you, I'll seal you away!

He made his decision. He absolutely could not let himself die so easily now. He had to protect Konoha, and he would never allow Uchiha Izuna to destroy the village his elder brother had built.

Yet he would never have imagined that Uchiha Izuna had not been resurrected at all.

The person who had come to save him was an impostor.

Weasel Burial Mound.

Hahaha! What a haul, what a haul!

Sitting on the grass, the wound in his chest already healed, Tetsuya played with the Six Paths Blades.

He found the Seven Star Sword and the Banana Palm Fan the most fun.

Those two were simple and straightforward, with none of the fiddly complications when using them.

"What a shame. These things all belong to Izuna. I won't get a chance to use them openly."

Looking at the four treasured tools on the ground, Tetsuya sighed.

"But judging by how much time has passed, the war should be ending soon, right?"

With that thought, he took out a scroll and sealed away everything on the ground.

"Great Immortal Huang, I should head back."

Hearing Tetsuya's voice, Huang Bai appeared before him.

"Heading back?"

"Yeah, it's about time. The war should be nearly over, and it's time to wrap up this live combat training too."

Huang Bai looked at Tetsuya and nodded.

"It is time to finish up. You've grown a great deal over the course of this war."

Huang Bai had been with Tetsuya since the fighting began, witnessing his growth firsthand.

He had gone from a novice who trembled at the thought of killing to someone capable of teaming up with a village's Kage to fight pseudo-Tailed Beast jinchūriki.

That was no small amount of growth.

"Hehehe, I did all right. It's all thanks to your teaching, Great Immortal Huang."

"Hmph, you smooth talker."

Huang Bai laughed. After all, who didn't enjoy a little flattery?

Konoha, the Hokage Building.

The members of the Hokage Guard Team who had escaped back to the village had gathered there, along with the heads of the major ninja clans.

Their gazes rested on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Here was a joke: the Hokage Guard Team had only escaped because the Hokage sacrificed himself to cover their retreat.

Were you a Hokage's guards, or was the Hokage your guard?

And now they were claiming that the Second Hokage had passed the Hokage position on to them.

What a joke.

The Uchiha Clan, intensely fixated on the Hokage position, was the first to challenge them.

"You claim that the Second Hokage passed the Hokage position to you on the battlefield, Hiruzen Sarutobi? What proof do you have that you're telling the truth?"

Faced with the Uchiha Clan's questioning, they bristled.

Shimura Danzō's eyes filled with disgust, as did those of the others.

As Tobirama's students, they had inherited his dislike of the Uchiha Clan.

"Hmph! Teacher said it himself. All of us were witnesses!"

The head of the Hyuga Clan sneered.

"Hmph. Who knows whether you've conspired to deceive us? You may be Lord Tobirama's students, but you're also his guards."

The implication of his words was pointed: they were guards, yet the person they were supposed to protect had sacrificed himself to protect them. Just what had they been guarding?

Many clan heads began questioning Hiruzen Sarutobi, though some remained neutral, such as the three Ino-Shika-Cho clans.

Just as the argument raged on, the door to the Hokage Office was suddenly pushed open.

When everyone saw who stood in the doorway, the entire office fell silent.

"What are you all arguing about?!"

Looking at the clan heads and his students, Tobirama could not help reprimanding them.

"Teacher!" ×4

"Lord Tobirama!" ×N

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately rose from the seat at the head of the room and yielded it.

Seeing Tobirama, he felt both joy and regret.

He was happy that his teacher was still alive, but regretted that he probably would not be taking the Hokage position for the time being.

"Monkey, after all this time, you still haven't managed to restore order to the village. You've disappointed me greatly."

Tobirama walked straight over and sat in the Hokage's seat, somewhat dissatisfied with Hiruzen Sarutobi's performance.

Hearing those words, Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head, while Danzo felt a small spark of delight.

That brat Hiruzen had displeased Teacher. Didn't that mean I still had a chance?

Back on the battlefield, when Tobirama had said someone needed to stay behind to cover the retreat, he had wanted to step forward too.

But he had hesitated for a second, allowing that brat Hiruzen Sarutobi to step forward first and costing him the Hokage position.

Fortunately, Teacher Tobirama had now returned alive. That meant Hiruzen would not be taking the Hokage position just yet. As long as he had not taken that seat, Danzo still had a chance.

Tobirama looked at everyone and spoke.

"I did indeed say I would pass the Hokage position to Hiruzen. Does anyone have a problem with that?"

At those words, everyone fell silent.

After all, Tobirama's formidable reputation spoke for itself. Even the Uchiha Clan quieted down.

"However, judging by today's events, Hiruzen, you aren't ready to take my place yet."

"You're right, Teacher."

Hiruzen Sarutobi obediently lowered his head.

Tobirama glanced at him, then turned his gaze to the other villagers present.

"All right. Since everyone is here, I'll say a few words. The war is nearing its end. Next..."

Tobirama Senju's return was undoubtedly a momentous event, breathing new life into the dispirited village of Konoha.

Soon, news arrived from Cloud Village.

Kinkaku and Ginkaku were dead, and the rebellion in Cloud Village had ended.

The Third Raikage had taken power and wanted to reopen peace talks with Konoha.

Tobirama agreed, but this time Konoha had to lead the negotiations. It was already certain that Cloud Village would pay a steep price.

None of that had anything to do with Tetsuya, however.

After returning to Konoha, Tetsuya lay on his bed.

"I'm so tired. I can finally get some rest."

"Haaah~!"

He yawned, then suddenly thought of something.

"What would happen if I really brought Uchiha Izuna back to life?"