Setsuna took the new wig from the Hagoromo Genin and casually tossed the old, disheveled one into the brazier.
Once again, he inwardly cursed that old fox, Sarutobi Sasuke.
There was no useful information to squeeze out of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But on second thought, that made sense.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi really carried secret intelligence, that would only mean Sarutobi Sasuke was being irresponsible toward his own son.
In the man-eat-man world of the Warring States period, a six-year-old child who fell into enemy hands could never withstand interrogation.
Yet Sarutobi Sasuke had brought his son along, maneuvering between the Senju and Hagoromo-two ninja clans that could go to war again at any moment-right at the heart of the tension.
That alone carried several implications.
First, Hiruzen Sarutobi was six now.
As the clan's young heir, it was time for him to get involved in clan affairs, become a familiar face among the various powers, and eventually take over Sarutobi Sasuke's role as an intermediary between the major clans.
As for the second reason-
Setsuna cast a sidelong glance at Hiruzen.
His thin little face showed hurt, disappointment, guilt, and bewilderment.
A six-year-old still didn't know how to hide his feelings. Every thought was written plainly across his face.
Setsuna weighed it all in his mind.
Although visiting other clans was a required lesson for the Sarutobi Clan's young heir, the intensity of the fighting between the Senju and Hagoromo was no joke.
Even for an intermediary, this war zone was far from safe.
A shrewd man like Sarutobi Sasuke would never bring his heir to the front lines merely to "let his son see the world."
If he had brought his son, there had to be a benefit that outweighed the risk.
What was that benefit?
Under the cover of adjusting his new wig, Setsuna ran his fingers through the hair, his eyes shifting.
It had to be befriending someone of the same age and standing.
The Hagoromo Clan?
Impossible.
Setsuna dismissed that theory.
For one thing, the Hagoromo Clan's previous leader had been killed before leaving any children behind. They hadn't even reached the stage of grooming a young heir.
Besides, Sarutobi Sasuke couldn't predict the future. He couldn't have known Gengetsu would bring his "little sister" along. Setsuna's decision to dress as a girl had been entirely spur-of-the-moment.
That left only one possibility-
Setsuna narrowed his eyes.
There was someone around Hiruzen Sarutobi's age on the Senju Clan's side. Possibly even the Senju Clan's current young heir.
Hashirama Senju had brought his son.
Setsuna was certain of it.
Of course Hashirama Senju had a son. Otherwise, had his granddaughter Tsunade sprung out of a crack in a rock? Tsunade wasn't Sun Wukong.
Yet throughout the entire original story, Hashirama Senju's heir had never been mentioned.
How could the child of someone as powerful as Hashirama Senju remain completely unknown?
Unless... he had died young. Perhaps he had even died before the village was founded, never getting the chance to leave behind any impressive accomplishments.
Judging by his age, that child couldn't be older than ten this year.
Now Sarutobi Sasuke's reason for bringing his son made sense-to have Hiruzen Sarutobi befriend the Senju Clan's young heir and strengthen the Sarutobi Clan's standing among the various clans.
Having worked that out, Setsuna still needed confirmation.
He tidied his hair, making sure he looked the part of a spoiled young lady, then turned with a huff and looked Hiruzen Sarutobi up and down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi grew a little uncomfortable under his gaze.
He sneaked a glance at the slightly younger girl before him.
The girl wore a shrine maiden's outfit and a wig with a hime cut, with fair skin, delicate features, and rosy lips.
If he overlooked the bald head beneath the wig, this really was the prettiest little girl Hiruzen Sarutobi had ever seen.
Now that the girl had put on a new wig and no longer looked such a mess, surely he wasn't so angry anymore.
That was what Hiruzen Sarutobi thought.
He cleared his throat, stepped forward, and offered the mugwort rice cakes. "This shop's rice cakes are delicious. My mom loves them. Try some."
Setsuna immediately figured out who those rice cakes had been intended for. He turned his head away. "You didn't originally buy those for me. I don't want them."
Hiruzen Sarutobi withdrew his hand awkwardly, feeling a little angry too.
Although they had indeed been at fault first, this girl was far too spoiled. No amount of apologizing did any good.
Setsuna pressed his lips together and asked, "Tell me, you said earlier that your father and Hashirama Senju were friends, right?"
"Of course!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was immensely proud whenever this came up.
"Then... is the Senju Clan's young heir that impressive too?" Setsuna asked, his tone arrogant but curious.
He took advantage of being only five and a half. No one would suspect an ulterior motive behind a question like that.
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth. "You mean Naoki?"
Naoki? Setsuna repeated the name inwardly.
Good. Now he could be sure that the child was older than both of them.
Setsuna pressed on. "How old is he? Is he strong? Is he handsome?"
He kept his follow-up questions within the bounds of a little girl's curiosity to disguise his intent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled what he knew. "Naoki is eight. He's way stronger than me. As for whether he's handsome... why are you asking that?"
Obviously, to figure out what he looks like, Setsuna thought, but what he said was, "Obviously, I want to know whether he's good enough for me."
"Huh?" Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't understand.
Setsuna twirled the hair beside his ear. "You know the Hagoromo and Senju are going to hold peace talks. They might bring up a marriage alliance to help make peace, and then they might betroth me to him. What's wrong with wanting to know what my possible future husband looks like?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth fell open, and his face instantly turned bright red. "Th-that can't happen," he stammered.
Setsuna lifted his chin arrogantly. "Why not? It's perfectly common."
Unable to find a suitable reason, Hiruzen Sarutobi blurted out, "Naoki would never marry a girl as spoiled as you! Besides, you're bald!"
Setsuna paused.
He wasn't truly angry, but he did want to shake off this pestering brat now.
He wanted to tell Izuna that Hashirama Senju's son was near the battlefield.
He would see whether Izuna could devise a plan to capture the Senju Clan's young heir and crush the Senju's morale.
Of course, they would have to carry out the plan behind Madara Uchiha's back. If he learned that they intended to kidnap Hashirama Senju's son, this man who scorned underhanded schemes would undoubtedly object vehemently.
If they pulled it off, wouldn't his rebellion points come pouring in?
He simply seized on the excuse, flung his sleeves, and snapped, "You've gone too far!"
With that, he ran toward the Hagoromo Clan Territory without looking back.
Before you continue