Chapter 570: Preparing in Advance
After returning to Konoha, life gradually returned to normal.
With news of Madara Uchiha's crushing defeat spreading, the ninja world regained its vitality, and the long-term development plans resumed in an orderly fashion.
However, Minato found himself under immense pressure—especially since Tobirama would often drop by his office unannounced.
Sometimes, Tobirama would engage him in discussions about the future of the ninja world. Other times, he would lend a hand with official matters.
Minato, despite being Hokage, couldn't help but feel uneasy in front of such a senior figure.
Tobirama's rank and experience far exceeded his own, and Minato constantly worried that a misstep on his part might earn the Second Hokage's disapproval.
Fortunately, Tobirama didn't seem to have any real complaints. His frequent visits were mostly driven by curiosity.
Besides, after watching his elder brother enjoy a house full of grandchildren, he sometimes found it difficult to stay home himself.
Ironically, it was in the Hokage's office that he found some measure of peace.
"It should have been this way long ago."
"If my brother weren't so indecisive and softhearted,"
"you wouldn't have had to suffer through so many wars."
As their conversation turned to the past conflicts of the ninja world, Tobirama's tone carried a lingering resentment toward Hashirama.
If his brother had followed his advice from the start, then even without Madara, the two of them could have unified the entire ninja world.
Had that happened, the Second and Third Shinobi Wars would never have taken place.
"Lord Hashirama didn't want the flames of war to spread. That's understandable."
"Thanks to his efforts, the ninja world enjoyed a long period of peace."
Minato wasn't just saying this to defend Hashirama—he genuinely believed that people had different ideals and perspectives.
One couldn't simply say Hashirama was wrong, nor could they claim Tobirama's approach of unifying the world by force was the absolute right answer.
"What did that accomplish?"
"The moment he died, war erupted anyway."
"If he was so capable, he should've just stayed alive."
Tobirama, unconcerned with political correctness, had no problem mocking his brother—it was practically a daily routine for him.
"And what about you? You should've stayed alive too."
"Now you're blaming everything on me?"
Before Minato could respond, Hashirama walked in, carrying Karin in his arms.
"What?"
"Did I say something wrong?"
Unfazed, Tobirama stood up and effortlessly snatched Karin from Hashirama's arms.
"Say hello to your grandfather."
The moment he held her, his expression changed entirely. A rare, radiant smile spread across his face.
Minato was dumbstruck.
Was this really the normally stern and no-nonsense Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju?
"Grandpa," Karin called out sweetly, making Tobirama's grin widen even more.
"Why are you stealing my granddaughter?"
Hashirama reached out to take her back, but Tobirama easily dodged him.
"And what exactly do you plan on teaching Karin?"
"Tsunade's love for gambling is something she learned from you."
"If it weren't for me, she'd probably only know the numbers on a pair of dice."
Tobirama stated his case with undeniable logic, leaving Hashirama at a loss for words.
With Tsunade as a living example of his questionable influence, Hashirama knew that even sneaking Karin out for a visit was already pushing his luck.
"Here, here."
Hashirama sighed as he sat down on the sofa, while Minato grew even more restless.
Having no direct superiors anymore should have made things easier, yet now he had two retired legends casually observing him at work. It was hard to feel at ease under such scrutiny.
"Don't mind us, just carry on with your work," Hashirama said kindly, waving him off.
"Alright..."
Minato got up and returned to his desk, but no matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn't focus.
Even Hokage assistant Shikaku Nara, normally composed, found himself making frequent trips to the restroom—an unusual sight.
...
Meanwhile, Kawakaze was completely unaware of Minato's predicament.
Not that it would have made a difference—there was nothing he could do about it anyway.
In the Hatake clan estate, Kawakaze and Tsunade were sitting with Sakumo and his wife, casually chatting.
Not far away, Ritsuki and Seina played together, while Onimaru and Shiromaru kept watch, ever dutiful.
"When are you planning to go after Madara?"
Sakumo couldn't bear to see Tsunade lingering in her Edo Tensei form any longer.
This was the umpteenth time he'd brought it up since his return.
"Big brother, stop rushing me."
"I'm more anxious than you are."
"Orochimaru should have news in the next few days."
"I'm waiting for his results."
"Sharpening the blade before cutting wood—there's no need to hurry."
If there was an opportunity to further increase his strength, Kawakaze wouldn't turn it down.
Although he was already confident in his power, having more trump cards never hurt.
If anything unexpected happened, he wanted to be fully prepared.
"It's not that I'm trying to rush you," Sakumo sighed.
"As long as Madara is still out there, I can't feel at ease."
If he thought he stood a chance against Madara, he would have gone himself already.
"Relax."
"I've got this under control."
"Once Madara is taken care of,"
"Nagato and Yahiko's weddings can finally happen."
"It'll be a time of celebration, so we have to make it grand."
Kawakaze shifted the topic, finally making Sakumo forget about Madara—at least for now.
"Of course."
"Their weddings have to be done properly."
"Nagato... that kid has been through a lot."
Sakumo glanced at Kawakaze as he spoke, as if blaming him for not taking better care of his students.
"Alright, big brother."
"Kawakaze didn't mean for things to turn out this way."
"Besides, there's still a chance to make things right, so let's not dwell on it."
"The outcome will be worth the wait."
Tsunade stepped in to defend Kawakaze. She had complete faith in him, and unlike Sakumo, she wasn't impatient about the resurrection process.
"You always take his side."
"As his elder brother, am I not allowed to criticize him?"
Sakumo crossed his arms, exuding an air of authority that made him seem far more imposing than Kawakaze.
"Yes, yes, you're right."
"You're the eldest, after all."
Feeling a little guilty, Kawakaze simply accepted the scolding.
"You're all talk."
"If you're so capable, why don't you go do it yourself?"
"Easy to lecture when you're just standing there."
Nayuki gave Sakumo a few light slaps on the arm, clearly siding against him.
"You—"
"Sigh..."
Sakumo held back his words, then let out a long sigh as his posture softened.
"Haha~"
Seeing him deflate, Kawakaze and Tsunade couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at? Hurry up already."
"I'm looking forward to that wedding feast."
Sakumo waved them off and walked over to where Ritsuki and Seina were playing.
"My little darlings, Grandpa's here to play!"
With an exaggerated grin and a comically enthusiastic stride, he scooped the two girls into his arms.
"Sister-in-law, I'll be counting on you and Tsunade to handle Nagato and Yahiko's wedding preparations."
"It won't be long now."
Kawakaze knew that despite Nayuki's silence, she shared Sakumo's feelings.
He understood their impatience all too well.
"With you saying that, I feel reassured."
"Come on, let's go shopping."
A smile spread across Nayuki's face as she grabbed Tsunade's hand, ready to head out.
"Go ahead. I'm going to check on Orochimaru."
Kawakaze got up as well. By the time Sakumo realized what was happening, the courtyard was empty—leaving only him and the two children.
"Really? They all left without even saying goodbye?"
"Am I even the head of this family anymore?"
Staring at the now-vacant stone table, Sakumo couldn't help but feel like he'd been left behind.
"You still have me, Dad."
"Uncle, you still have Ritsuki!"
The two little girls chimed in sweetly, instantly melting Sakumo's frustration away.