"My services don't come cheap."
Tobirama Senju rubbed his fingers together, his expression serious as he stated his terms.
Across from him, Uchiha Ren sneered inwardly.
He knew exactly how this would go.
No matter what price he offered—
Tobirama would shake his head and say:
Not enough.
Add more.
This old fox…
He had to seize control.
"Lord Tobirama, I think you've misunderstood something."
Ren's expression turned cold.
"You're my prisoner."
"A tool brought back through Edo Tensei."
"And you still want to negotiate with me?"
He took a step forward.
"Do you think just because I call you 'Lord Tobirama'…"
"You actually matter here?"
The disdain was unmistakable.
"…You insolent Uchiha brat!"
Tobirama nearly choked on his anger.
He had been prepared to negotiate.
To set conditions.
But this—
This was outright disrespect.
No courtesy.
No dignity.
After everything he had done for Konoha—
And this was how he was treated?
Trying to force him into unpaid labor?
Ridiculous!
"Hmph!"
Tobirama sneered.
"So what if I've been summoned?"
"You may control my body—"
"But not my mind."
"Research requires intelligence."
"And tell me—"
"Do the Uchiha even have that?"
"A bunch of brainless fighters!"
His lips curled with contempt.
That—
Was his leverage.
Edo Tensei could bind the body—
But not the mind.
Without his cooperation—
There would be no research.
No results.
You want me to work for free?
Dream on.
A faint, confident smile appeared on his face.
"Lord Tobirama…"
Ren sighed.
"…if you insist on playing this game, then I'll have to take certain measures."
His tone softened.
Dangerously so.
Then—
He changed the subject.
"A certain girl… Tsunade."
"…?!"
Tobirama's instincts screamed.
Something was wrong.
"What are you planning to do?!"
"Tsunade is quite adorable, don't you think?"
Ren's smile widened.
Tobirama's expression darkened instantly.
He had overlooked something.
This Uchiha—
Was ruthless.
And likely possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Provoking a madman—
Was never wise.
"Tsunade hasn't graduated from the Academy yet."
Ren spoke casually.
"But one day… she will."
"And the world isn't exactly peaceful right now."
"Konoha is still at war with other villages."
"We're always short on shinobi."
A pause.
"So if the conflict intensifies…"
"It would be perfectly reasonable—"
"For her to be sent to the battlefield."
Silence.
Cold.
"War… tends to kill people."
Ren's voice remained calm.
"Even a Hokage like you died on the battlefield."
"So if the Hokage's granddaughter were to fall as well…"
"That would be… understandable, wouldn't it?"
"…You bastard!"
Tobirama's eyes burned with fury.
"I've never seen someone so shameless!"
"You dare threaten a child?!"
That—
Was the Senju bloodline.
Hashirama's legacy.
Tsunade had been kept in the Academy precisely to avoid such risks.
If she were sent to war—
She would insist on proving herself.
Even if assigned to support—
There were no guarantees.
And if she died—
How could he ever face his brother?
"You misunderstand me."
Ren raised his hands innocently.
"I'm not doing anything."
"War is dangerous."
"Many Uchiha have already died for Konoha."
"When I was her age, I nearly died on a mission myself."
"So why should she be special?"
"Who can predict what happens in war?"
His smile deepened.
Satisfied.
Tobirama had been cornered.
Completely.
"…You damned Uchiha brat."
Tobirama's voice dropped.
But this time—
There was no follow-up.
No argument.
Because he knew—
He had lost.
He could endure being used.
After all—
He had done the same to others.
A fitting retribution.
But Tsunade—
Was different.
"…Fine."
The word came out slowly.
Reluctantly.
"I agree."
"I'll help you with your research."
His gaze hardened.
"But you will guarantee—"
"You will not harm Tsunade."
"No matter what happens in the future—"
"If anything befalls her—"
"I will hold you responsible."
Even if his soul returned to the Pure Land—
He would find a way back.
And settle the debt.
"Of course."
Ren's expression shifted instantly.
"As Hokage, protecting the First Hokage's bloodline is my duty."
"…Shameless."
Tobirama couldn't help but mutter.
That change—
Too fast.
Too smooth.
Then—
Ren's face darkened.
"Tobirama…"
"I think you're being disrespectful."
His voice dropped.
"I agreed to your condition."
"I promised to protect Tsunade."
"And yet—"
"You still refuse to address me properly."
A step closer.
"You won't even call me Hokage."
"That makes things… difficult."
Tobirama's expression twitched.
Shameless.
Utterly shameless.
But—
The situation was clear.
For now—
He would endure.
Wait.
And one day—
Take everything back.
His throat tightened.
Reluctantly—
He spoke.
"…Hokage-sama."
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