After Tobirama began arranging for Jingzhi to receive the injection,
Tetsuhiro watched Ikoma and Hozumi being lovey-dovey, bored, before remembering something. "I heard Ayame became Hinomoto's new shogun?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ikoma hurried over and bowed as he answered,
"On Lord Hiruzen's recommendation, Lord Tobirama finally agreed to let Miss Ayame try the position for a while. Apparently, she's doing quite well."
Hozumi corrected him earnestly. "Acting shogun, to be precise. Ayame has done a great job, bringing the defensive forces from every region together,
and with the help of the Empire's powerful military, she reopened the railways. With the weapons you invented supporting them, the Shogunate soon returned to normal operation."
Tetsuhiro murmured to himself, "That's a pretty good ending, too. They've all found new goals and somewhere to belong."
Ikoma and Hozumi bowed in thanks. "Yes. It's all thanks to the Empire that we can live in peace. Thank you, Your Majesty."
"It was nothing. You'll still have to work hard for that bright future."
Just then, Hatake Shinha appeared with the Body Flicker Technique and dropped to one knee beside Tetsuhiro. "Long live Your Majesty. Lord Hokage has returned."
"Come. Let's go welcome him."
They passed through the corridor, and Tetsuhiro's voice arrived before he did.
"Haha! Madara, did you have a good time over there?"
Hearing "Hashirama's" hearty laughter, Madara smiled knowingly, though it vanished in an instant.
His expression was cold, his arms folded across his chest. "Nothing but ants. Not very interesting."
"Here. This is what you wanted."
As soon as he finished speaking, more than a dozen members of the Covert Operations Squad beside him carried large crates into the Laboratory.
"Thanks for the hard work. That was fast. You're still the one I can count on most."
"Come have some tea. It's