The Hokage office remained unusually quiet that evening.
War logistics filled most discussions lately, but Tobirama had requested a smaller, more focused meeting.
Present were:
Sarutobi Hiruzen
Jiraiya
Tsunade
Orochimaru
All three young shinobi stood respectfully before the Second Hokage.
Not as academy students this time.
As potential future pillars of the village.
Tobirama got straight to the point.
"You've all trained alongside Uchiha Kaen."
No accusation.
No leading tone.
Just fact.
"I want your impressions."
Jiraiya spoke first.
Typical.
"Honestly? Quiet guy. Strong, sure, but nothing flashy. Keeps to himself. I don't have much to say."
Tsunade nodded.
"He's controlled. Mature for his age. But I've never seen anything alarming."
Simple assessments.
Reasonable.
Expected.
Then Tobirama's eyes moved to Orochimaru.
Silence stretched slightly.
Because everyone sensed his answer would differ.
And it did.
"I disagree," Orochimaru said calmly.
Not dramatic.
Not emotional.
Just precise.
"I've felt it since the academy."
He continued slowly, choosing words carefully.
"A pressure. Subtle, but consistent."
Jiraiya frowned.
"Pressure?"
"Yes," Orochimaru replied.
"Not hostility. Not killing intent. Just… presence."
His golden eyes remained steady.
"And it reminded me of something."
He glanced briefly toward Tobirama.
"Of you, Lord Second."
That made even Hiruzen look up sharply.
Tsunade folded her arms, suddenly attentive.
Jiraiya stopped fidgeting.
Because Orochimaru rarely exaggerated sensory impressions.
Tobirama didn't react outwardly.
But internally…
That was significant.
Orochimaru continued:
"He never displayed overwhelming power openly. Never sought attention. Never competed for recognition."
Pause.
"And yet… whenever I stood near him, I felt the same instinctive caution I feel near elite shinobi."
Another pause.
"Near you."
Silence settled heavily.
Not disbelief.
Processing.
"I'm not saying he equals you in experience or leadership," Orochimaru clarified.
"But raw potential? Presence? Controlled power?"
He met Tobirama's gaze directly.
"I believe he may already operate near your level in pure capability."
Jiraiya blinked.
"That's… a big statement."
Tsunade didn't dismiss it though.
She knew Orochimaru's observational accuracy.
And she remembered Kaen's sparring composure.
Tobirama finally spoke.
Tone calm.
Measured.
"You don't sound alarmed."
"I'm not," Orochimaru replied.
"If anything… I'm impressed."
Then added quietly:
"He shows restraint. That's rarer than strength."
That comment mattered most to Tobirama.
Because uncontrolled strength destabilized villages.
Controlled strength stabilized them.
Usually.
"Thank you," Tobirama said simply.
Meeting dismissed shortly after.
But implications lingered.
After they left, Hiruzen spoke softly.
"You believe Orochimaru?"
"I believe his perception," Tobirama replied.
"Conclusions… require direct observation."
Which he was about to do.
Soon.
Very soon.
Meanwhile, on the desert front, Kaen stood under the night sky again.
Observation Haki stretching outward.
Calm as always.
Yet something subtle told him:
His meeting with the Second Hokage would matter more than he originally assumed.
Not confrontation.
Evaluation.
Possibly opportunity.
Possibly risk.
Often both.
He exhaled slowly.
No anxiety.
No excitement.
Just readiness.
Because whatever Tobirama wanted…
Kaen intended to meet it on equal footing.
Respectfully.
But without lowering himself.
And far away in Konoha…
Tobirama Senju prepared to meet the quiet Uchiha whose presence even Orochimaru compared to a Hokage.
Not with suspicion.
With curiosity.
And careful expectation.