Tobirama Senju looked at Yanbai and smiled. "Thank you, Yanbai. Thanks to your warning back then, I've been keeping an eye on those few all these years. And indeed..."
Over the years, Tobirama Senju had paid considerable attention to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō.
Tobirama Senju had found that Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite capable, but somewhat indecisive and softhearted. He had also inherited his teacher Senju Kawarama's lechery. Though more restrained than Kawarama, he still often used his abilities to peep on others.
Shimura Danzō had inherited his teacher Itama Senju's cunning and treachery. In wartime, those traits could hurt the enemy; in peacetime, they could hurt his own side as well. He was a mixed blessing.
"...Though they aren't entirely satisfactory, if the other clans and ordinary people work hard, sooner or later, a shinobi from an ordinary clan or a civilian background will become Hokage," Tobirama Senju said wistfully.
As he spoke, Tobirama Senju began coughing again.
Yanbai's technique was becoming less and less effective at treating Tobirama Senju's illness.
"All right, all right. You're practically dying already. Stop worrying about everything." Yanbai hurried to stop Tobirama Senju from talking further. As he treated him, he advised, "Tobirama, if you want a long and healthy life, smoke, drink, eat fatty meat, stay up late, sleep in, don't exercise, and make plenty of friends of the opposite sex... Mind your own business and live like a pig."
Yanbai's speech made Tobirama Senju laugh aloud despite himself.
Tobirama Senju knew Yanbai was joking.
That described Kawarama and Itama, his brothers who had died in their prime...
Tobirama Senju felt he was fortunate enough. He knew he was dying, and he still had time to put his affairs in order and hand over his work to his disciple Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was