Back then, he thought it wouldn't matter if Renya left. Orochimaru had learned a bit of Renya's true skills, so having him prepare three meals a day would be enough to get by.
Only later did he tragically discover that Orochimaru had gone to the battlefield as well.
When Senju Tobirama learned the news, everything suddenly felt tasteless.
With no good food to eat, he even lost the motivation to do research.
After two long months, Renya finally returned.
Originally, he had planned to have Renya prepare meals for him, but he didn't come back right away.
Just as he was about to question him about the reason, he instead asked whether he was hungry.
Senju Tobirama subconsciously swallowed, failing to answer immediately.
Seeing this, the considerate Renya had already put on an apron and headed to the kitchen to start preparing lunch.
Sure enough, all it took was changing the subject to muddle through.
Renya felt like an absolute genius!
As long as he treated the right symptoms, there was no one he couldn't handle.
Uchiha Madara, Shimura Danzō, Senju Tobirama—he had them all firmly in his grasp!
Before long, Renya prepared a table full of sumptuous dishes.
Senju Tobirama, the old man, finally got to eat the food he had been craving for two whole months.
At the dinner table, he didn't bring up the earlier matter again.
Since he didn't want to say anything, there was no point in asking.
Perhaps he had wronged Renya—such a possibility wasn't impossible.
Besides, Renya always knew his limits; doing this must have been part of his own considerations.
At his age, he shouldn't interfere too much.
"Have you developed any new powerful ninjutsu lately?"
Renya looked at Senju Tobirama across the table, thinking about learning a few strong techniques for self-defense.
The ninjutsu this old man developed were all excellent, especially those forbidden techniques sealed away by Hashirama.
If he learned them, then when he eventually fell out with Madara, he could catch him off guard.
After all, Madara already knew all the techniques he currently used.
Senju Tobirama put down his chopsticks and shot him a suspicious look.
Why was this kid suddenly so eager to learn?
"I haven't developed any forbidden… ninjutsu recently. I did create some in the past few years."
"After we finish eating, I'll go get the scrolls for you."
The purpose behind developing these powerful techniques had always been to raise the village's overall combat strength.
The reason he hadn't continued in recent years was because his older brother was always watching in secret.
"Tobirama, this jutsu is too dangerous. Seal it away…"
As a result, he couldn't research as openly as before.
Since Renya wanted to learn, he might as well let him.
Anyway, these scrolls would eventually be handed over to Danzō to be sealed in the archives.
If not for his brother's interference, he would definitely have developed even more powerful ninjutsu.
Still, during the years of his brother's feigned death, Senju Tobirama had already created countless powerful techniques.
For the village, these were more than enough.
After the meal, Senju Tobirama led Renya to the laboratory and took the forbidden technique scrolls out of the safe.
"These ninjutsu haven't been submitted to the village yet. After you finish reading them, take them to Danzō."
"Got it."
Renya accepted the scrolls and carefully tucked them into his clothes.
The techniques this old man developed—there was absolutely no question about their power.
Using them against Madara-sama would definitely catch him off guard!
"If there's nothing else, you can head back."
Senju Tobirama waved his hand. He had an appointment with Orochimaru for research that afternoon.
Having this kid hanging around would only get in the way.
Renya left happily with the forbidden technique scrolls.
...
Senju Tobirama's residence.
The moment Renya returned home, he saw Senju Hashirama sitting in the courtyard, waiting anxiously.
At a glance, Renya knew nothing good was coming.
Hashirama was probably here to ask about Madara's whereabouts again.
When Senju Hashirama in the courtyard saw Renya return, his eyes immediately lit up.
"Renya, you're finally back!"
As he spoke, he hurried over to Renya's side, leaned in close, and sniffed carefully with his nose, revealing a satisfied expression.
This scent…
That's right—it's Madara's aura!
After spending over a decade alone with Madara, he could easily detect Madara's presence by scent alone.
Though it was very faint, it was unmistakably Madara's.
Senju Hashirama nervously glanced around, and only after confirming no one else was nearby did he lower his voice and ask:
"Renya, did you secretly go see Madara?"
There was no doubt in his tone—only absolute certainty.
Renya: "…"
Good grief, not even pretending anymore, huh?!
He hadn't said a single word, yet Hashirama had already figured it out.
Whether it happened or not—only he himself knew.
Seeing Renya remain silent, Senju Hashirama continued on his own:
"Renya, don't lie to me. I can smell the aura that belongs exclusively to Madara on you, and at this concentration, it means you didn't just meet him once!"
Renya might lie, but Madara's aura wouldn't!
Madara's bloodletting treatments over the years had long caused Madara's blood to flow through his body.
This special sensation couldn't be faked!
Renya: "…"
What else was there to say?
Here, take it all—I give up.
Madara-sama, it's not that I wanted to betray you. The real issue is that Hashirama is just too powerful.
In other matters, Hashirama might be naive and sweet, but when it comes to Madara, his intelligence rivaled Senju Tobirama's.
"Yes, I did indeed meet Madara-sama."
At this point, Renya could only tell the truth.
He believed that once Madara-sama learned the truth, he wouldn't blame him.
"Renya, where is Madara hiding now?"
Senju Hashirama wasn't interested in trivial matters. All he wanted was to know the exact location of his closest friend.
Renya firmly kept his mouth shut, thinking that Uncle Hashirama really shouldn't meddle.
Dealing with just Madara alone already gave him a headache.
If he told Hashirama the location, the consequences would be unimaginable.
There was a very high chance Senju Tobirama would find out as well…
He didn't want to fall out with Madara yet—the chances of winning weren't high enough.
Without at least a ninety percent certainty, Renya had no intention of taking such a risk.
Madara only wanted to carry out the "Eye of the Moon" plan now. If Hashirama went to interfere, who knew what extreme actions he might take?
"Sorry, Hashirama-san."
Renya said solemnly,
"Madara-sama clearly told me not to reveal his location to you!"
Uchiha Madara had indeed said those exact words.
Hearing this, Senju Hashirama's eyes dimmed slightly as he murmured in a low voice:
"Madara… are you still blaming me for exposing your identity back then?"
He had always believed that Madara refused to see him because his identity had been exposed in Konoha, letting everyone know that Madara had faked his death.
If Tobirama hadn't discovered it back then, maybe things wouldn't have turned out like this.
All these years, he had been filled with guilt and regret.
Renya: "…"
Was this really the reason Madara refused to see Hashirama?
It seemed Hashirama was still the same naive Hashirama as ever!
White Zetsu, who was secretly monitoring Renya, heard every word of their conversation clearly.
So that's the truth?
Who would have thought Madara-sama was that petty!