The Hokage Office was silent. The scrolls were piled neatly on the desk, with few unfurled for view. But Tobirama wasn't reading them. He was still holding the mission report details from Shinichi and Sakumo.
Tobirama leaned back in his chair as his fingers tapped the edge of the scroll.
'Even though we've rooted out most foreign agents and spy network, but the extent was limited to the Land of Fire and its periphery territory. To successfully infiltrate deep into Land of Grass and reach Kusagakure while avoiding Iwa's watchful eyes.'
The report detailed that there were signs of significant infiltration within Land of Grass, mostly from Iwa's side. Including high possibilities of few Kusagakure ninjas being bought off by the Iwa.
'Agreed to all terms without hesitation, was it?'
He had expected some resistance. Negotiation. Delay. And even conflict. But Uchiha Shinichi and Hatake Sakumo had returned in less than a week, unscathed, with complete diplomatic victory.
Tobirama closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.
'Sakumo's account details that there wasn't any fight but Shinichi was able to coerce Kusakage into submission.... likely through means of genjutsu.'
He knew what that meant. He had seen it before – in the eyes of shinobi who had faced Madara, in the shadows that followed Hashirama's presence on the battlefield. There was no diplomacy in that scene. Only Domination. And Shinichi seems to have displayed just that.
Tobirama stood and walked to the window and surveyed the streets. Below, the village slept peacefully, only a few strolled the streets for a late snack or drink. Shinichi and Sakumo were among them.
Tobirama's fingers tightened around the scroll, as his gaze lingered on Shinichi and the Uchiha crest on his back. Tobirama didn't know whether to be impressed or unsettled.
Shinichi's reports were blunt.
[Kusagakure's strength is negligible. Its only value was a pretext for Konoha to march freely across its soil when war begins.]
Clearly he saw them not as allies, but as pawns. That clarity was unsettling for his age. Not to mention the fact that, it resembled the same indifferent viewpoints Madara once wielded.
'He's not Madara.' Tobirama shook his head in denial, but his eyes grew complex. 'Not yet. But he's not Kagami either.'
Kagami was loyal, transparent, and easy to read. Shinichi was loyal too, but only to his family, his clan, and a narrow circle of trust. Beyond that, he was either pragmatic or indifferent. Tobirama would have welcomed anyone else with such traits and willingly directed them to serve the village well. However, Shinichi was something else. Tobirama's instinct told him Shinichi was dangerous. But his rational told him Shinichi will be Konoha's greatest shield and sword.
Tobirama returned to his desk and placed the scroll down gently.
'If I interfere, he'll notice. If I ignore him, he'll grow unchecked. But, trying to control a force beyond your measure is a recipe for disaster.'
He had tried to control Madara through Hashirama. And he had paid for it dearly with his brother's life. Konoha needed another Ninja God to fulfil Tobirama's goal; to make Konoha the strongest and most dominat force in the world. But such title always stirred up storms. And Tobirama was certain that Shinichi is starting to gather clouds.
***
Steam rose from the bowls of Udon, curling into the cool night air. The streets of Konoha had quieted, save for the occasional patrol or late-night wanderer. Inside the small noodle stand tucked between the market district and the training grounds, Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Shinichi sat side by side, freshly promoted and hungry.
Sakumo slurped his noodles noisily, then leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
"Ahhhh… nothing like Udon after a diplomatic conquest."
Shinichi likewise slurped his own from the bowl and glanced at Sakumo.
"You mean the Kusagakure mission?"
Sakumo smirked.
"Yeah. Or should I say… your 'diplomacy.' You didn't even let the Kusakage finish his sentence before you dropped him into a genjutsu nightmare."
Shinichi stared down on his bowl as he stirred his broth with a spoon.
"I was being efficient."
"Efficient?" Sakumo chuckled. "You made him sign that scroll like he was confessing to a crime. I think he saw his ancestors begging him to cooperate."
Shinichi finally looked up facing Sakumo and shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly.
"He was indecisive. I simply gave him clarity."
"Clarity?" Sakumo grinned and jokingly pointed his chopstick at Shinichi. "You gave him trauma. I'm pretty sure he'll flinch every time someone says 'Konoha' for the next year."
Shinichi didn't respond immediately. He took another bite, then set his chopsticks down.
"If Kusagakure were stronger, I might have used different method. but, they had no leverage. This is the fate of the weak. If they think they can negotiate with Konoha on equal ground just because Shodaime showed mercy before, they're mistaken. I simply reminded them of reality – and showed them the cruelty of this world. If they are smart, they will try to improve their strength in the future."
Sakumo leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand while pointing at Shinichi with his chopstick with the other.
"You know, you scare people sometimes."
"I'm not trying to."
"I know. That's what makes it scarier."
They sat in silence for a moment as the hum of the village around them filled in like a distant lullaby.
Then Sakumo spoke again, softer this time.
"So… now that we're Jonin. What's next for you? Hokage?"
Shinichi stared back into his nearly emptied bowl, as the broth reflected the lantern light.
"Hokage?… No. I simply aim to become stronger."
Sakumo nodded slowly.
"To what point?'
Shinichi's voice was quiet.
"Until I can make sure no one can threaten my family, my clans, friends…. And this village."
Sakumo smiled faintly.
"Big goals. Sounds harder than becoming a hokage."
Shincihi raised a brow and returned a look at Sakumo.
"What about you then, Sakumo?"
Sakumo kept his smile and took a slurp from the broth.
"Well~ I can't leave my partner hanging right? What else can I do, other than to train diligently and catch up to your step."
He then raised his bowl in mock salute.
"Well, here's to the future Ninja God of Konoha. May your diplomacy always be terrifying."
Shinichi rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he clinked his bowls with Sakumo's.