Tsubasa stood up, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. "I don't agree! What's the point of treating life like fireworks, fleeting and gone in an instant? Shouldn't we be pursuing pushing our limits, living longer and better lives?" His voice echoed through the forest, startling a flock of birds returning home.
Senju Yasuhei threw his head back and laughed loudly, the sound shaking the snow off the withered branches, "Good! This is what makes you different from us. Tobirama opposed you because he was playing a grand game, saying you weren't a normal ninja and would ruin his plans. The person he couldn't understand the most in his life was you. You were able to set aside your pride and lose to Kagami Uchiha, who was much weaker than you, even though you trained so hard. Your view on handling government affairs was that all beings are equal, but how can nobles who have accumulated wealth over generations, ninjas who have diligently trained their skills since childhood, and commoners be equal? And last time you dealt with those ninja clans that were disrupting Konoha's business, you clearly crushed everyone, but you stopped abruptly and didn't completely wipe out their businesses. You are very similar to Hashirama, yet very different. Hashirama was a kind old man, you are like Saint from heaven. Apart from training, other gains and losses seem unimportant. You gave up 90% of the profits of the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Tower without hesitation, and you spared no effort in helping those civilians suffering from disasters."
The old man's eyes were filled with pride. "We've been trapped in our own ninja world our whole lives. Hashirama said you might walk a different path. He told us not to influence your training or decisions. But even when he died, he couldn't let go of his clan and village, and he actually made you the clan leader. Isn't that influencing your training and decisions? I hope you continue to live according to your own heart. We can talk about other worldly matters when you're older."
Tsubasa gave a helpless smile, "Actually, I'm really not cut out to be the clan leader. I felt a sense of relief after stepping down from the position today, but now I'm facing some trouble."
Senju Yasuhei noticed his hesitation and teased, "I can tell from your troubled expression that you're having some kind of trouble in your training. Nothing else matters to you!"
Tsubasa scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed. "Grandpa understands me best. As you know, the elements in this world Eight Gates. I've mastered nine of them: Yin Yang, Wind, Thunder, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Over the years, I've finally managed to perfect the relatively easy five: Yin Yang, Wood, Water, and Earth. But I don't seem to have any talent for the remaining elements: Metal, Fire, Wind, and Thunder. Cultivating them is very difficult, and I estimate it will take over thirty years of arduous training." As he said this, his eyes dimmed, filled with helplessness and resentment.
Senju Yasuhei pondered for a moment, then said earnestly, "Ultimately, it all comes down to a matter of making choices."
Tsubasa bit his lip, his eyes filled with struggle. "But Grandpa, I really can't bear to! I'm not willing to give up like this, what if I regret it later..."
Senju Yasuhei patted his shoulder and said softly, "Child, life is like a short journey. The scenery you can see is limited, and even your talents have an end. You must learn to choose between the breadth and depth of your life. Some scenery is destined to be viewed from afar; some roads are destined to be endless."
Upon hearing this, Tsubasa's eyes gradually hardened. He straightened up and bowed respectfully to Senju Yasuhei: "Thank you, Grandpa. I know what to do. I plan to return to Shikkotsu Forest and focus all my efforts on breaking through to the Foundation Establishment. However, this seclusion will definitely last a long time, and I... I'm really worried about your health." His voice was full of concern, and his eyes were slightly red.
Senju Yasuhei laughed heartily, but a hint of melancholy lingered in his voice. "My body is just getting old, my parts are deteriorating, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Thanks to the elixir you gave me, I think I can hold on for a few more years. Just focus on your breakthrough, and when you come back, you might even be able to see your grandfather one last time. Remember, don't let anyone hinder your cultivation; that's your order! Just like at the voting meeting, I didn't vote for you. This time, I'll be selfish just this once, and also repay the favor from the Main Family."
With tears welling in his eyes, Tsubasa nodded heavily and said, "Thank you, Grandpa."
Inside the Hokage Palace council chamber, the flickering flames of the gilded candlesticks cast intermittent light on Tobirama Senju's face. He clutched Senju Yasuhei's ballot, his knuckles slightly white, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "Uncle Yasuhei is still that stubborn man; he actually voted against Tsubasa. I never thought I could pull Tsubasa off the position of clan leader." The parchment rustled between his fingers, as if sighing at the delicate situation.
Akira Senju leaned back in his carved chair, scoffed at the words, and a contemptuous glint appeared in his eyes. "Hmph, old Senju really knows his place. That kid doesn't know his own limitations..."
"Smack!"
Mito Uzumaki's hand landed heavily on Akira Senju's face, the crisp sound echoing in the empty hall, "You didn't even honor your father's last wishes, you're greedy for power, and you can't even hold onto your own talent?"
Akira Senju staggered back half a step, covering his face and raging. "Mother! What's wrong with you? Did I say something wrong? I am the sole heir of the Main Family. Father is letting a Branch Family headship. How could I agree to that? He even made Tsunade marry that man who wants to marry seven wives. How ridiculous, how pathetic!" His face was flushed, and the tips of his ears still stung from being hit.
Tobirama Senju also abruptly stood up, his black robe sweeping across the ground. "Sister-in-law, Akira's thoughts are straightforward, but they also reflect the thoughts of many in the clan. Didn't you also vote against Tsubasa?"
Mito Uzumaki sneered, her nails digging deep into her palms. "All you see is profit! That kid Tsubasa spends all his time in seclusion, even forgetting to eat. How could he possibly have a single thought for power struggles?" She suddenly approached Tobirama Senju, her beautiful face contorted with agitation. " Tobirama, you pride yourself on your intelligence, yet you can't even see through Hashirama's dying wish! Before he died, he entrusted the Senju Scroll, a symbol of protection, to Tsubasa because only that child can shoulder the Mirai of the clan!"
Suddenly, Akira Senju interrupted with a roar, "Absurd! I am the father's son! It is only natural that the clansmen chose me!"
Mito Uzumaki suddenly fell silent, her eyes filled with pity as she looked at her son. "A twenty-six-year- Elite Jonin? With your bloodline talent, you should have been Clan Head Level long ago." She slowly walked to Akira Senju, raising her hand to stroke his face, but stopped mid-air. "Your father saw through it all long ago—if you were to fight in the Shinobi World bearing the title of 'Son of the God of Shinobi,' you would only end up shattered to pieces. He sent you to the capital to become a noble, to ensure your safety..."
Akira Senju trembled violently, his sword clattering to the ground. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out; the veins on his forehead throbbed.
Tobirama Senju remained silent for a long time, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table. He recalled his brother's dying words, "There is more than one way to protect Konoha," and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine—had all his meticulous scheming over the years really been a mistake?
Looking at her stubborn son, Mito Uzumaki suddenly felt utterly exhausted. She turned and walked towards the palace gate, her aged figure appearing frail in the light and shadow. "No need. I'll move back to the ancestral home tomorrow. Don't bother me unless it's absolutely necessary."
As the heavy palace doors slammed shut, Tobirama Senju and Akira Senju exchanged a glance. A flame of resentment ignited in both their eyes.
Meanwhile, in the Shinobi World, undercurrents were silently churning. When news of Hashirama Senju's death spread throughout the Five Great Nations via carrier pigeon, spies from the Land of Rain set off overnight, puppeteers from the Sunagakure began adjusting their mechanisms, and the thunderstorms in the Kumogakure were more violent than ever before. A storm powerful enough to shake the very foundations of the Shinobi World was brewing.