After seeing "Senju Tobirama" nod, Isshin and Fugaku both let out a sigh of relief.
This kid isn't stupid!
If "Tobirama" had continued arguing with Hiruzen or talking back sharply, they would have had no way to deal with it…
Isshin could not help but nod slightly.
Among the Uchiha, that counted as knowing how to judge the situation.
But Isshin also became nervous, unsure how Hiruzen would arrange things…
"Young man, since you are a member of the Uchiha clan, then you should still return to the Uchiha."
"These eyes of yours—this old man here is the most proficient with them. You won't be able to figure them out on your own. Go back and let him teach you properly, along with the rest of your clansmen…"
Hiruzen smiled and pointed at Isshin.
Isshin was immediately overjoyed and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, just as Hokage-sama says. The Sharingan is complex and profound, with many methods and uses…"
"Without systematic training and study, there's no way to bring out the full power of these eyes…"
"Look, these will all be your family from now on. Everyone is here to take you home!"
Isshin gestured behind him.
The three-tomoe users all smiled at "Senju Tobirama," each speaking loudly:
"Kid, I like you. I'll teach you dōjutsu later!"
"Leave swordsmanship to me. That's my specialty."
"Have you learned about Fire Release? I know many ninjutsu—even Water Release, I've dabbled in!"
The Uchiha greeted "Senju Tobirama" warmly.
Their smiles and words were sincere.
Which Uchiha wouldn't like a brave young Uchiha who dared to confront others head-on?
And one who had a bit of talent, at that…
Even if "Senju Tobirama" turned out to be slow in the future, they would still show patience toward this child.
One could say that Tobirama's first appearance before the Uchiha had established quite a good impression.
The first encounter had been very successful—though it had been a bit hard on Danzō.
Tobirama showed a hesitant expression. First he looked at the Uchiha, then at Hiruzen, as if he were being forced, and lightly sighed.
Then he nodded.
The Uchiha burst into cheers, as if they had just won a battle.
In truth, judging solely from the talent Tobirama had shown, it shouldn't have made the Uchiha this excited…
The main reason was that Danzō—who loved putting labels on people—was standing right beside them. Everyone simply wanted to irritate him.
Sure enough, Danzō's face darkened, and he muttered inwardly: 'Hmph. Truly a naturally evil Uchiha brat—birds of a feather with these Uchiha…'
Even if this was Hiruzen's arrangement…
Couldn't you have refused on your own?
You already rejected him, the adviser. Why couldn't you continue refusing the Hokage?
So there must still be something wrong with you!
Danzō's teeth itched slightly. He had remembered this Uchiha brat who had made him lose face…
"I have an idea…"
"I've read his file. This boy hasn't undergone systematic ninja training, knows very little about the shinobi world and the various hidden villages, and doesn't understand much about Konoha's history and traditions…"
"My opinion is that the Uchiha clan should send one clansman to live with him, so that he can integrate into Konoha's big collective as quickly as possible."
"I think Shisui would be a good choice. Isshin, what do you think?"
Hiruzen glanced at Isshin and said meaningfully, "After all, he is Kagami's descendant. Both his resources and the convictions in his heart are up to standard."
Isshin's heart tightened.
Here it comes…
He knew it—Hiruzen would not let this boy off so easily.
Having him live with that brat Shisui—this was an attempt at assimilation!
Shisui's talent was very well known within the Uchiha clan…
But even more well known was the fact that from childhood, he had claimed to have inherited "Kagami's will," was extremely favorable toward the village, and had openly opposed the hawkish faction while still just a child.
He had once made Isshin furious, yet Isshin had no good way to deal with him…
Shisui, after all, had backing.
If he deliberately targeted him, what if the child really did not know any better and went to complain?
When Shisui called Hiruzen, Danzō, and the others "Grandpa's old classmates," that was not him forcibly claiming ties!
If that matter blew up, Isshin would also find it very troublesome.
So all along, Isshin had never interfered with Shisui's way of thinking and had simply let him do as he pleased.
"Th-this is naturally good, but I just don't know whether Shisui will agree."
Isshin gave an awkward laugh. "A child may already be used to living alone. If another person is suddenly added to his home, that would also be a burden for him."
If possible…
Isshin still did not want "Senju Tobirama" to live together with Shisui.
He wanted to personally cultivate this boy!
If "Senju Tobirama" established a close connection with Shisui, then it would become much harder for Isshin to reshape his thinking and slip some private agenda into him.
Isshin and Fugaku sighed inwardly.
Sure enough, Hiruzen was not so easy to fool…
He was not entirely at ease with either the Uchiha or this boy!
It was just that his method was gentle while also carrying a trace of firmness, so the Uchiha had no way to say anything…
If they opposed it, it would instead make them seem somewhat excessive.
Hiruzen smiled inwardly.
This, in fact, was also one of the covers he had arranged for Tobirama.
As Hokage, how could he possibly be at ease with a young Uchiha who dared to openly blast Danzō?
Naturally, he had to make some "targeted" arrangements.
Moreover, Hiruzen had heard from Asuma that Shisui's home contained quite a few ninjutsu passed down from Kagami, and that many of them had been written by Tobirama.
There were also quite a few other good things related to the Uchiha clan…
For example, blades, secret transmissions, and the like—Hiruzen believed Tobirama would be interested in them.
Back in those years, Tobirama had even asked Kagami about quite a few matters concerning the Uchiha in a furtive way…
It was only because of his status as Hokage and teacher that he could not be too blatant about it, otherwise it would have damaged his great, glorious, and righteous image.
So he could only sound things out indirectly and ask about a few details…
But this time it was perfect. Once he got himself into the house and fooled that brat Shisui silly, he would be able to rummage through things however he liked…
Maybe he could even rummage through Isshin's and Fugaku's homes too—that would depend on Tobirama's own performance.
With Shisui's resources serving as backing, Tobirama would not have to restrain himself too much. He could begin using his full array of ninjutsu sooner—pretending to be a complete amateur all the time was not sustainable…
Using a blade to fight was a bit too primitive; it was unfair to a master of ninjutsu.
"Shisui's opinion is indeed important…"
"As for matters of daily life, we should avoid forcing things as much as possible. In that case, let's bring him here and ask."
Hiruzen smiled inwardly. He had heard from Asuma that Shisui had always envied him for having an older brother…
Asuma had even once complained that even Obito—an idiot when it came to romance—had occasionally expressed a longing for having an older or younger brother.
It seemed that this clan was naturally somewhat obsessed with "brotherly" relationships, though no one quite knew why…
Hiruzen waved his hand.
"Three minutes, Third Hokage-sama!" Hizashi's voice suddenly emerged from somewhere.
Isshin's eyebrow twitched slightly. "Hyūga Hizashi truly is Hokage-sama's loyal right-hand man…"
"Fugaku, you should learn more from Committee Member Hizashi!"
Isshin spoke polite words, while inwardly he began to somewhat believe that rumor.
'Hyūga Hizashi is the ghost wandering through Konoha, the eyes through which the Hokage sees everything.'
This was a man without a personal life.
"I will study seriously, certainly…" Fugaku gave an awkward laugh.
How was he supposed to learn that?
He could not stand a life of being on duty twenty-four hours a day—he still had to go home and take care of his son!
Meanwhile, Danzō silently added another mark against Isshin.
What did it mean to say that Hizashi was the Hokage's "right-hand man"?
What nonsense. At most he was a convenient tool. He himself was Hiruzen's true support!
'That naturally evil old Uchiha is stirring up trouble again…' Danzō cursed inwardly.
Upon hearing the name Hyūga, Tobirama's heart stirred.
'Hiruzen still has some ability…'
'To have the Hyūga's ninjas so firmly in hand—my teaching was not wasted.'
In Tobirama's era, although the Hyūga clan had been obedient, they had refused to allow the Hokage further involvement in their internal affairs.
And Tobirama had not had any good solution; it had been a limitation of the times.
Back then, the village had only recently been established. Trust between the ninja clans and the village had not yet begun to form, and everything was still in a period of testing and adjustment…
The Uchiha clan in particular had been watching hungrily. Although Uchiha Setsuna's rebellion had been somewhat farcical, it had indirectly reflected the attitude of a portion of the ninja clans at the time.
Everyone had been building a village for the first time—no one truly knew how it should be done.
But by Hiruzen's generation, after two great shinobi wars and with the village having existed for much longer, the situation was different.
War was a catalyst for bonds and trust, and also an external pressure that could be used advantageously…
Each generation has its own responsibilities.
What Tobirama had to do was lay the foundation, while Hiruzen would develop and perfect it.
'I didn't choose the wrong person back then…'
'But don't think this is enough. I'll be watching you the whole time, Hiruzen,' Tobirama cursed with a smile in his mind.
Tobirama understood that the essence of his revival was to work for Hiruzen.
Experiencing a new life was only secondary…
But after all, he was still his teacher!
Although no one knew it…
Reasonable supervision was not a problem!
Just as Tobirama was thinking about Hiruzen, the Hokage spoke: "Well, how about it? Would you like to have a younger brother?"
"He is a very good Uchiha boy and hopes to have an older brother…"
"You two can support each other and make progress together. The village will also allocate funds to you, issued according to the unified standard—until you become a ninja, you will receive five hundred thousand ryō each year."
"Do you remember who your parents are? If the compensation meets the standard, it can also be claimed."
This was also why, when designing the financial allocation earlier, an extra margin had been included.
It was not only Tobirama who could receive it—other Konoha ninja rescued from Kusagakure would receive it as well.
Tobirama's heart stirred.
Since when had Konoha offered such benefits?
The monkey seemed quite capable of making money…
Tobirama played the role of an arrogant Uchiha boy, imitating the expression and tone perfectly.
"Having a younger brother, hmph…"
"Just hearing about it sounds troublesome, but if that brat agrees, then fine."
"I no longer remember my parents. I don't even remember my own name."
Tobirama pointed at his head. "I'm probably sick."
The testimony from Kusagakure and Uzumaki Shio was already sufficient to prove his identity…
If he tried to establish further connections, it would instead add another chain of evidence that might expose him. It was better to muddle through.
Kusagakure had already become ruins, and the related evidence had long been reduced to ashes.
'As expected of Sensei. Acting together with him is really comfortable…' Hiruzen praised Tobirama inwardly.
"Is this money something only I receive, or does everyone receive it? I don't need special treatment."
"I have ways to support myself. Having one more person will be the same," Tobirama continued.
Hiruzen laughed.
"Everyone receives it. In Konoha, every ninja is guaranteed support. Just accept it with peace of mind!"
Speaking in the tone of a youth, Tobirama was sparring verbally with Hiruzen.
'Is this policy you created as Hokage universal, or is it only for a particular group?'
At that moment—
Uchiha Shisui hurried over, with Hyūga Hizashi following behind him.
He had been training seriously…
When Hizashi suddenly arrived with a cold face, before Shisui could even greet the committee member respectfully, Hizashi opened with a single sentence: "Shisui, Hokage-sama wants to assign you an older brother. Do you want one?"
"An orphan rescued from Kusagakure."
"Two-tomoe Sharingan, good appearance, excellent ability, and he helped the village repel the Kusa ninja."
Shisui was stunned. It sounded like a matchmaking introduction…
But immediately afterward, he was overjoyed.
Since childhood, Shisui had wanted an older brother. He had imagined it in his mind for a long time.
If he recognized one himself, it would always feel forced, lacking that feeling…
But if the village assigned one—and it was designated by the Hokage…
Then the nature of it was completely different…
This was destiny!
Beside him, Obito was also stunned, and only afterward shouted: "Hizashi-sama, I also want an older brother! Can you find one for me too?"
And when Shisui arrived—
The first time he saw "Senju Tobirama," it felt like a single glance lasting an eternity…
This was exactly the older brother he had wanted.
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