Orochimaru looked at Seisui expectantly, waiting for the promising young man he had come to admire to sound him out about his views on Tobirama.
What he hadn't expected was for Tobirama to say naturally: "I learned from the Second Hokage's books and research notes. I greatly admire his way of thinking, and I hope to become a research shinobi like him someday..."
"He's the goal I'm striving toward."
Orochimaru froze.
Why was this kid throwing straight fastballs?
The proper script should have been the two of them cautiously probing one another, gradually uncovering each other's opinions on Tobirama...
Then, after enough trust had been built, exchanging a knowing smile before delivering the classic line:
So... you're a fan of Tobirama-sama's style too?
What was this direct confession supposed to be?
"What? You don't like Tobirama-sama?" Tobirama asked, sounding slightly displeased at Orochimaru's complicated expression.
"I deeply admire Tobirama-sama..."
Orochimaru coughed lightly.
"And I absolutely recognize the value of his methods."
"But Seisui, remember this: saying that inside the Research Department is fine. Once you walk out that door, don't go around saying it so casually."
"You've only recently arrived in the village, so people can dismiss it as ignorance for now. But over time, it won't do you any favors."
After a moment's thought, Orochimaru understood the reason.
It was perfectly reasonable.
Seisui had grown up in Kusagakure. Not understanding Konoha's unwritten rules was only natural.
What Orochimaru misunderstood, however, was that Tobirama's ignorance had nothing to do with not being from Konoha.
On the contrary, it was precisely because he had helped Hashirama found the village and later served as Hokage that he had never cared much about what others thought of him.
Only Hashirama and Mito had ever truly been capable of influencing him...
"Why?" Tobirama asked, genuinely puzzled.
With a sigh, Orochimaru carefully explained all the logic and hidden implications behind it.
Izuna laughed so hard he nearly lost it.
"Hahahahaha! This bastard's reputation is incredible! Even his own people think of him this way!"
Tobirama's expression darkened slightly.
Once again, he found himself thinking that he absolutely needed to find an opportunity to hint to Hiruzen that he should tell a few touching Tobirama stories around the village!
What kind of situation was this...
"An Uchiha studying the Second Hokage's research..."
"Seisui, since you're being this honest, I'll stop beating around the bush as well."
Orochimaru looked at Tobirama with obvious interest before speaking slowly: "I know you're probably here to keep an eye on me for Danzō."
"But I genuinely recognize your talent as a researcher."
"You shouldn't be wasting your time carrying out meaningless assignments for Danzō. You're a member of the Uchiha clan, and my research into Hashirama-sama's cells desperately needs the power of the Sharingan."
"Being a spy has no future."
"Come work with me instead. When the results are published, I'll put your name on the project and submit it directly to Sensei."
"That's the fastest path to advancement."
Orochimaru had begun openly poaching Danzō's disciple.
He truly felt a sense of regret over wasted talent.
If he had known Seisui possessed abilities like these, how could he possibly have allowed Danzō to recruit him first?
Unfortunately, the sensei-disciple relationship had already been established. That wasn't something easily undone.
No matter what, Danzō was still the Hokage's advisor.
The best Orochimaru could do was try his luck at the Konoha Orphanage and see whether any of those supposedly gifted children might be suitable disciples...
Hearing Orochimaru's offer, Tobirama's eyes lit up.
Not because of promotion.
He had already grown tired of being Hokage. Titles meant nothing to him.
What excited him was the opportunity to study his brother's cells!
Naturally, Tobirama had researched them before.
But at the time, conditions had been crude, and the outbreak of war had left him with almost no time to pursue the work properly...
"Good. I'm in."
Tobirama answered without hesitation.
"However, I should make one thing clear. My presence in the Research Department has nothing to do with Danzō."
Orochimaru blinked.
Nothing to do with Danzō?
The kid was even using his name directly?
"I know you and Danzō are rivals when it comes to the position of Hokage, but that's an issue between the two of you."
"The main reason I agreed to become Danzō's disciple was to improve relations between him and the Uchiha clan."
"And to monitor him at close range."
"I don't trust him."
"Even after making a public apology in front of the entire village, I don't believe Danzō has truly changed."
"And if he causes problems again, Lord Hokage will have no choice but to deal with him."
"If that happens, the village will not only lose an important shinobi, but it will also create ideological problems among the ninja. After all, Danzō is the Hokage's advisor."
Tobirama spoke calmly: "So I accepted his request to become his disciple in order to keep an eye on him from up close."
Orochimaru was completely stunned.
This kid was unbelievably bold.
So he hadn't been sent by Danzō to monitor Orochimaru at all.
He had joined Danzō specifically to monitor Danzō!
But after thinking about it, it actually made sense...
After all, Seisui was the same shinobi who had publicly impeached Danzō in front of a packed First Training Ground immediately after defeating Minato.
He had nearly toppled Danzō right then and there...
There was a proven track record behind those words.
And that kind of stubborn, uncompromising mindset perfectly matched Orochimaru's stereotype of the Uchiha clan.
"Seisui, you don't need to use honorific language with me anymore."
"In research, seniority doesn't matter. We can speak as equals."
Orochimaru showed an extraordinary degree of respect toward Seisui.
"Welcome to the Hashirama Cell Research Team."
"And regarding Tomie's condition, come find me anytime you need assistance."
Smiling, Tobirama nodded and extended his hand.
Two pale hands clasped together firmly.
At that moment, two generations of Konoha's greatest ninjutsu researchers forged a partnership that transcended time itself!
With Seisui's help, we'll definitely accelerate the conquest of Hashirama-sama's cells...
Once that achievement is secured, Danzō will never be able to compete with me again!
That was Orochimaru's thought.
This kid's way of thinking is wild. He reminds me of myself back in the day. Together we'll be able to develop even more interesting Kinjutsu...
And the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique already proves he has a dishonest streak. He needs my supervision.
That was Tobirama's thought.
Regarding supervision, Tobirama had only told Orochimaru half the truth.
He did intend to keep Danzō in line at close range.
But he didn't trust Orochimaru either.
Research and jutsu development, because of their limitless possibilities, could easily awaken greed and darkness within a shinobi's heart...
Tobirama, however, had absolute confidence in himself.
But when it came to anyone other than Hiruzen, Tobirama distrusted everyone equally.
The more they resembled him, the less he trusted them...
Thus, Tobirama had already made up his mind.
As a master, it was his duty to supervise his beloved disciple's disciples.
It was an obligation befitting both a teacher's teacher and a Hokage!
"Looking forward to working with you, Seisui."
Orochimaru smiled.
"I'll get back to work now. Contact me anytime."
"Likewise."
Tobirama smiled as well.
The plan of using Danzō as bait in exchange for Orochimaru's trust had been a tremendous success!
As for whether that was fair to Danzō...
Tobirama hadn't considered it.
It was all for Konoha. A tiny yet necessary sacrifice.
Izuna watched the scene with a smile.
The idea had been something he and Seisui had worked out together.
It was also the path he had found for the future of the Uchiha clan.
'Most of my clansmen are far too emotional by nature. They're not suited to becoming Hokage.'
'There are too few Uchiha like me. Or rather, even someone like me can't completely escape the influence of the Sharingan. A truly outstanding leader must remain calm at all times...'
Izuna murmured softly: 'But that obsessive refusal to tolerate even a grain of sand in one's eye is perfectly suited for supervisory work. Not trapped inside Konoha as the Military Police, but serving as the Hokage's sharpest blade and most reliable support in every field imaginable.'
'They may never stand at the very top, but they'll firmly occupy second place and coexist with Konoha forever...'
That logic would never have worked in the old Konoha.
The divide between the Uchiha clan and the village had simply been too deep. The chain of mutual suspicion couldn't be broken, and there was no guarantee that once they became a blade, they wouldn't simply be discarded afterward.
But Hiruzen had changed all of that...
And beyond that, Seisui had appeared.
A generational bridge like him ensured that the Uchiha clan and Konoha would remain tightly integrated, while also subtly raising the average intelligence level of the clan...
Watching Tobirama continue his work, Izuna smiled to himself.
A strange sense of déjà vu washed over him.
It felt satisfying.
And yet somehow impossible to process.
When Seisui immersed himself in research, the serious expression on his face looked exactly like Senju Tobirama's.
The result was a bizarre sensation, as though he were watching Senju Tobirama working on behalf of the Uchiha clan.
'Hmph.'
'Even if that's the case, fine. Let's just call it that bastard atoning for his sins against the Uchiha!'
'Bah—no, that's not right. Seisui carries Uchiha blood too...'
Izuna hurriedly corrected himself and began reflecting.
Every time he thought about that guy, he became a little extreme again!
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