"There, there… don't cry."
"Good girl, Tsunade."
"…"
Mito Uzumaki gently wiped away Tsunade's tears, her voice soft and patient as she soothed her granddaughter.
Little by little—
Tsunade calmed down.
But beside them—
Senju Toma stood frozen.
Like he'd been struck by lightning.
His mind—
Blank.
Second Uncle… is dead?
Impossible.
Tobirama Senju possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique.
A master of countless forbidden jutsu.
If he wanted to escape—
Who in the shinobi world could stop him?
Yet—
Reality stood before him.
Unyielding.
Even if he refused to believe it—
He had no choice but to accept it.
His eyes trembled.
Memories surfaced—
After his father, Hashirama Senju, passed—
It was Tobirama who raised him.
Taught him.
Guided him like a son.
"… Toma."
Mito's voice pulled him back.
"Now is not the time to grieve."
"…I understand."
Toma wiped his eyes.
Took a deep breath.
Then followed Mito into another room.
—
His heart pounded.
He already knew—
Why he had been called back.
This—
Was about the position of Hokage.
He was ready.
Ready to take it.
—
Mito spoke calmly.
"Tobirama's final decision…"
"The Third Hokage is to be…"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"…What?"
Toma froze.
His mind went blank again.
Hiruzen?
Who was he?
A mere Sarutobi—
Daring to claim the Hokage seat?
If Tobirama had named Uchiha Kagami—
Toma might have forced himself to accept it.
But Hiruzen?
And more importantly—
Hiruzen had survived.
While Tobirama had died.
That alone—
Reeked of something wrong.
"…This is impossible!"
Toma snapped.
His composure shattered instantly.
He questioned it again.
And again.
Until finally—
He could no longer deny it.
"…Mother."
"You didn't call me back just to support Hiruzen, did you?"
His voice turned cold.
Disbelief.
Frustration.
Anger.
All barely restrained.
Even if the Senju tolerated it—
The Uchiha never would.
This—
Would cause chaos.
Mito sighed inwardly.
She understood.
Better than anyone.
In great clans—
Even the position of clan head could spark internal conflict.
Let alone—
Hokage.
If she openly supported Hiruzen—
Her own son might turn against her immediately.
Toma was now the de facto clan head.
If he willed it—
The Senju could isolate her instantly.
Could she fight her own son?
For Hiruzen?
Impossible.
"…Of course not."
"I support you."
Without hesitation—
She stated her position.
Toma's expression eased.
Relief flickered across his face.
"Good."
"Hiruzen is nothing."
"Your real opponent…"
"…is the Uchiha."
Toma nodded.
Hiruzen had never mattered.
If he wished—
With Senju power alone—
Hiruzen could be found dead the next day.
"Five shuriken in the back."
"Ruled as suicide."
Simple.
But—
The Uchiha—
Were different.
"They now have someone…"
Mito continued.
"Someone who may rival Madara Uchiha."
"He has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Toma's pupils shrank.
Madara.
That name alone—
Was enough.
He could still see it—
The battlefield.
The towering Susanoo.
Unstoppable.
In that era—
Only Hashirama had stood against him.
And now—
Another had appeared?
Toma's chest tightened.
Because he knew—
He was no Hashirama.
Not even close.
No Wood Release.
No Sage Mode.
No overwhelming vitality.
Compared to his father—
He was ordinary.
At best—
Slightly more chakra.
Slightly better talent.
Nothing more.
How could he compete?
"Don't underestimate yourself."
Mito's voice was steady.
"This is only potential."
"Madara was an exception."
"Such figures do not appear easily."
She paused.
"Just remember who your true enemy is."
Toma exhaled slowly.
His confidence steadied.
Mito wasn't wrong.
Throughout history—
Mangekyō users appeared.
But none matched Madara.
And—
Tobirama's research suggested—
The Mangekyō had flaws.
Overuse—
Led to blindness.
Only by transplanting the eyes of a close relative—
Could one evolve further.
Madara had done it.
With Izuna's eyes.
But Uchiha Ren—
Had no such option.
No siblings.
No replacements.
His power—
Had limits.
—
Mito's eyes narrowed slightly.
" Toma… don't you think…"
"Hiruzen is useful right now?"
Toma blinked.
"…What do you mean?"
"If Tobirama chose him—"
"Then let him step forward."
"No need for us to act."
"The Uchiha will deal with him."
"And in the process—"
"We observe."
"We gather information."
"Measure that Uchiha's strength."
Toma's eyes lit up.
Of course.
Intelligence—
Was everything.
Countless shinobi had fallen—
Simply due to lack of information.
This—
Was perfect.
"…Understood."
"I'll follow your plan."
A smile crept onto his face.
Sharp.
Satisfied.
As expected—
His mother saw further than anyone.
Mom really does love me most.
Mito nodded gently.
Satisfied.
Then—
A thought passed through her mind.
Hiruzen… don't blame me.
At least—for now—
The Senju stand with you against the Uchiha.
If you can handle them—
We won't stand in your way.
As for her earlier promise—
To help Hiruzen deal with the Uchiha—
She had already set it aside.
Times had changed.
Back then—
There was no Mangekyō user.
Now—
Everything was different.
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