"Lord Tobirama… you never intended for an Uchiha to become Hokage, did you?"
Uchiha Ren spoke plainly, tearing away the final layer of pretense.
From the very beginning, he had never placed any naive expectations on Tobirama Senju.
If gaining Tobirama's approval had ever been a viable path—
He would have accepted the offer back then.
Become his disciple.
Walk the "proper" road.
But he hadn't.
Because he already knew—
That road didn't exist for someone like him.
"…You're right."
Tobirama answered without hesitation.
"I did think that way."
There was no point denying it anymore.
Everything had already been laid bare.
At the same time—
The last trace of underestimation in his heart vanished.
This boy…
Was far sharper than he had imagined.
Even the true nature of the Uchiha Military Police—
He had seen through it.
A poisoned bait.
Back then, Tobirama had been certain—
Even if the Uchiha realized the truth—
They still wouldn't refuse it.
More likely—
They would embrace it.
Treat it as honor.
As their rightful domain.
And willingly serve as Konoha's watchdogs—
Until the very end.
"And yet…"
Tobirama narrowed his eyes.
"You saw through everything."
"Shattered my arrangements."
"And still became Hokage."
His gaze sharpened.
"Then why summon me back with Edo Tensei?"
"What do you want?"
A pause.
"Don't tell me…"
"You dragged me here just to show off your victory?"
"To mock a dead man?"
He watched Ren closely.
Studying every shift in expression.
Searching for intent.
For truth.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Ren burst into loud laughter.
"How did you know?"
"I just wanted to see your regret—your despair."
"Do you have any idea how entertaining that is?"
His laughter echoed.
Unrestrained.
Provocative.
Tobirama's eyes darkened.
If he could—
He would have already severed Ren's head with Flying Thunder God.
But he couldn't.
His body—
Was no longer his own.
All he could do—
Was glare.
"Do you believe me?"
Ren suddenly stopped laughing.
His tone flipped instantly.
"…Just kidding."
"I'm not that bored."
He observed Tobirama's reaction carefully.
Just now—
The man had nearly lost control again.
…Interesting.
Back then, Tobirama had placed immense pressure on him.
Now—
It was time to repay it.
Little by little.
"…This damned Uchiha brat."
Tobirama silently added another label.
Personality: insufferable.
"I summoned you for one reason."
Ren's tone turned steady.
Serious.
"I want you to know—"
"You were wrong."
"I, Uchiha Ren—"
"Will become the greatest Hokage."
"I will surpass both you… and Hashirama Senju."
Confidence.
Absolute.
Tobirama watched him closely.
Calm.
Analytical.
Arrogant.
Typical Uchiha.
That… could be useful.
Ren ignored his gaze and continued.
"Lord Tobirama."
"You've been blinded."
"By prejudice."
"By obsession."
"The Uchiha have already chosen to integrate into Konoha."
"When Madara Uchiha left—"
"He gave the clan a choice."
"They could follow him."
"Leave Konoha."
"Start anew."
"With his protection, the Uchiha would still have thrived anywhere in the shinobi world."
"Our clan has survived for over a thousand years."
"But they refused."
"They chose Konoha."
"They chose to believe in Hashirama."
"They chose to protect this village as their home."
Ren's voice sharpened.
"So tell me—"
"After that choice—"
"Why were they still treated differently?"
"Why were they never trusted?"
"Why weren't they even given a single chance?"
His eyes locked onto Tobirama.
Unyielding.
"Isn't that… a betrayal of the Will of Fire?"
Silence.
For once—
Tobirama avoided his gaze.
Because this—
He could not answer.
Everything Ren said—
Was true.
The Uchiha had already made the first concession.
They had even abandoned Madara.
Logically—
They deserved trust.
Respect.
Not suspicion.
Not manipulation.
But—
None of it changed his conclusion.
Because he understood them.
Too well.
A clan that loved deeply—
Could protect with absolute devotion.
But that same love—
Could become hatred.
Hatred strong enough—
To destroy everything.
Konoha needed stability.
Above all else.
"…None of that matters anymore."
Ren waved it off lightly.
He had already won.
He had broken Tobirama's design.
Changed the Uchiha's fate.
"I'll show you."
"I'll let you witness everything I build."
"I'll take Konoha to heights neither you nor Hashirama ever reached."
"Hmph."
Tobirama scoffed.
"Arrogant."
Surpass them?
Ridiculous.
"I'll prove it."
Ren smiled faintly.
"Let's make a bet, Lord Tobirama."
"As long as I live—"
"You'll see Konoha prosper under my rule."
"And when that day comes—"
"You will acknowledge me."
"As the Third Hokage."
Silence.
Then—
"…Fine."
Tobirama agreed.
Without hesitation.
"I'll see what you're capable of."
Inside—
He was pleased.
This bet—
Had no downside for him.
In fact—
It ensured one thing.
Ren wouldn't release Edo Tensei anytime soon.
Which meant—
He still had a chance.
A chance to act.
A chance to overturn everything.
"Good."
Ren's smile deepened.
Then—
His gaze shifted.
Lingering.
Almost… greedy.
"But to achieve all that—"
"I'll need your help, Lord Tobirama."
A pause.
"I really can't do this without you."
Because whether it was—
Wealth.
Development.
Innovation.
There was no better tool—
Than Tobirama Senju.
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