Chapter 105: Tobirama's New Name; The Hokage's Terrifying Intelligence Network
Shisui couldn't take his eyes off the boy.
It was a known fact in the Shinobi World that the Uchiha clan was a factory for
striking features and high-tier aesthetics. Consequently, the "Red-Eyed Clan"
were the ultimate critics of beauty. They had a biological preference for
anything that looked sharp, elegant, and powerful.
Tobirama's new vessel—hand-sculpted by the man himself—was a masterstroke. He
fit the Uchiha "visual tier" perfectly. Even En Uchiha was whispering to his
squad-mates: "The brat looks like a young Lord Izuna, but with a sharper, more
regal edge. He's almost... too handsome."
Another veteran glared at En. "Watch your mouth. Even if it's the truth,
comparing a refugee to the Young Master is border-line blasphemy!"
Hiruzen watched the scene play out with a satisfied smirk.
My Master really is the King of Cosplay, Arata thought. He knew exactly which
buttons to press to make the Uchiha fall in love with him at first sight.
"This brother... I feel like I've seen him before," Shisui whispered, stepping
closer. He looked like a puppy who had finally found its owner. "Do we... know
each other?"
The crowd erupted into good-natured laughter. Even the Anbu were chuckling
behind their masks.
"Oh, I see how it is! One look at a cool older brother and suddenly it's
'Destiny'?" Fugaku laughed, clapping Shisui on the back. "Shisui, you've got a
sharp eye and a sharper tongue. Maybe you should come over and visit my son,
Itachi—see if you 'recognize' him, too!"
Shisui turned bright red. "No! Fugaku-sama! That's not what I meant! I just... I
really felt something!"
Hiruzen's expression turned subtle. Uchiha melodrama at its finest, he thought.
One 'fated encounter' and they're already writing the script for a five-act
tragedy.
Tobirama (as the youth) looked at Shisui. He offered a small, rare nod of
approval, his eyes softening with a genuine, non-fabricated warmth.
He liked the kid.
Shisui was the descendant of Kagami Uchiha, the only Uchiha Tobirama had ever
truly called a friend. Kagami had been a man of iron and light, a soldier who
had bled for the village without hesitation. To become the "assigned brother" of
Kagami's heir felt like a poetic closing of a circle.
Saru did well with this arrangement, Tobirama admitted.
"Come here. Let me look at you," Tobirama said. His voice was cold and arrogant,
yet it possessed a magnetic pull that was impossible to resist.
Shisui was dazed. His "New Brother" carried an aura of absolute authority. He
was just a teenager, yet even the Academy teachers lacked his natural gravity.
Shisui walked forward, his heart hammering.
"You're willing to be my brother? Shisui, was it?"
Tobirama's Two-Tomoe Sharingan spun slowly, the crimson light giving his
features a predatory, ethereal glow. "I will protect you. That is the duty of an
older brother."
Shisui's face turned scarlet. He nodded frantically. "Yes! And I'll protect you
too, Brother!"
Hiruzen watched this exchange and felt a massive urge to facepalm.
Master... you're a fifty-year-old man, Hiruzen thought. Stop having 'staring
contests' with children that make them blush. It's weird. It's highly
un-Kage-like.
But then a thought occurred to Hiruzen. Maybe the mask is the only way he can be
himself. When he was the Second Hokage, he was the 'Evil Teacher.' Now that he's
an Uchiha, he gets to be the 'Cool Big Brother.' He's actually '兄控' (an older
brother type) who missed his chance to have a younger brother to spoil.
"He's a dangerous brat, Hiruzen. Look at that charisma," Danzo whispered,
leaning into Hiruzen's ear. "Shisui is completely under his spell. He's a
natural-born cult leader!"
"I'm not scaring you, Hiruzen! This is Kage-level Charisma! And he's clearly a
'Hawk.' If he unifies the Uchiha with that attitude, we're in trouble!"
Danzo was practically vibrating with suspicion.
Hiruzen took a long, steady breath, using chakra to keep his facial muscles from
twitching.
Danzo, you're the smartest man in the room and the biggest idiot all at once,
Arata thought. Charisma? Check. Hawk? Check. Unifying the Uchiha? Check. You got
every point right—except for the fact that the person you're terrified of is
your own idol.
"Relax, Danzo. He's just a kid," Hiruzen whispered back. "Besides... he has you
to watch him, right?"
"I'm counting on your 'guidance.' Just remember: be subtle. No Root tricks. If
you break him, I can't help you."
Hiruzen meant it. If Danzo actually tried to "brainwash" Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen
would have to hold a funeral for his Assistant by the weekend.
"I know, Hiruzen," Danzo grumbled. "I'll monitor him. If I see an opening, I'll
try to 'Will of Fire' him myself. But don't tell me I'm 'working hard'—it's my
duty."
Hiruzen smiled. If you only knew you were trying to recruit the God of Shinobi,
Danzo... you'd probably faint.
Nearby, Shio Uzumaki clenched her fists.
What is wrong with these Uchiha? she wondered. They have zero interest in women,
but the moment a 'Brother' appears, they act like they're in a romance novel!
She noticed that Tobirama's attitude toward her was cold and professional, but
the moment he looked at Shisui, his "vibe" changed completely.
She didn't know that in Tobirama's mind, Shio was a "Tool that had been
utilized." He had protected her, and she had vouched for him. The debt was paid.
Shisui, however, was Legacy. There was no comparison.
"You're quite popular, young man," Hiruzen joked, seeing Shio's pouting
expression. "In Konoha, you need to treat people well. Don't be a heartbreaker.
If someone cares for you, you speak your mind clearly."
It was Hiruzen's "Cross-Generational Revenge."
The original Tobirama had been a lifelong bachelor who spent his free time
nagging Hiruzen and Danzo to get married and have children. Now, Hiruzen was
flipping the script. He was going to use his position as Hokage to "Matchmake"
his teacher into a mid-life crisis.
Tobirama narrowed his eyes, feeling a sudden, inexplicable sense of dread.
Saru... what are you implying?
"Since Shisui agrees, the matter is settled," Hiruzen announced.
"But a new life requires a new name."
Hiruzen had briefly considered naming him "Uchiha Tobirama," but he realized
that was too "Hell-tier" of a joke. Naming an Uchiha after the clan's greatest
hater was an invitation for a riot.
Tobirama thought for a moment. He looked at Shisui. "My name is... Uchiha Seisui
(青水)."
Isshin Uchiha's eyes lit up. "A magnificent name!"
"Shisui means 'Still Water.' Seisui means 'Pure/Blue Water.'"
"One calm, one flowing! A perfect duality! Shisui, it seems your brother already
cares for you deeply—he's balanced his name to yours!"
Isshin began doing "hype-man" work for the new kid, hoping to win him over. If
he couldn't stop the two from being together, he'd act like he authorized the
whole thing.
Tobirama looked at Isshin with a hint of clinical interest. This old goat is
quite the talker. I suppose I neglected to purge the 'Smart' ones back in the
day.
In reality, Tobirama's choice was simpler. The "Sui" (Water) represented his
past life—his element, his identity. The "Sei" (Blue/Pure) represented his new
start—the "Uchiha Blue" of the clan's traditional armor. It was a
war-declaration: The War for the Uchiha Soul begins now.
"You are very well-read, Elder," Tobirama said with a polite, thin smile.
"I've spent my life studying the future!" Isshin beamed, energized by the boy's
attention. "Lord Hokage... I have a request. Since these two are now brothers,
may I be designated as their Official Guardian?"
"I promise to raise them strictly according to the Will of Fire!"
Danzo's face turned sour. How dare this old crow try to claim the genius?
"You are the Clan Head, Isshin. It is only natural that you look after the
youth," Hiruzen agreed, ignoring Danzo's frantic sleeve-tugging.
"However," Hiruzen added, his voice dropping to a low, commanding tone. "The
rest of you are dismissed. Isshin... stay for a moment. We need to talk."
Once the crowds had dispersed and the Anbu had secured the perimeter, Hiruzen
and Isshin walked slowly along the base of the Hokage Rock.
"Isshin," Hiruzen said, his voice flat. "Do you really think I didn't notice
that the boy looks exactly like Izuna Uchiha?"
"And I'm sure you've noticed he has a... 'unique' potential."
Isshin froze. His heart skipped a beat. Did Shio talk? No, she's loyal... how
does he know?
"Isshin, don't underestimate the Hokage's eyes," Hiruzen said, looking up at the
stone faces above them. "I'm allowing Seisui into the clan because he is an
Uchiha. A lost bird deserves to return to its nest."
"I won't target him because of his bloodline. In my Konoha, we are all comrades.
But," Hiruzen paused, lighting a cigarette and looking Isshin dead in the eye,
"I expect the 'Ancestral Blessing' he carries to be used for the Village, not
for a coup."
"I am giving you a chance to lead your clan into the light, Isshin. Don't make
me regret it. Don't make the Will of Fire... disappointed in you."
Isshin stared at Hiruzen, speechless.
He was terrified by the depth of the Hokage's intelligence network—but also
strangely moved. Hiruzen knew the kid was a "Messiah-tier" talent, yet he was
simply handing him over to the clan with a warning.
Isshin looked up at the statue of Hashirama Senju, glowing in the afternoon sun.
Maybe... Isshin thought, maybe the Will of Fire isn't a trap. Maybe it's a
promise.
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