Outside the ward of Konoha Hospital.
Tobirama Senju earnestly hoped that Emiya Shihara would not reveal the ancient secrets of the distant past to anyone—especially not to his elder brother, Hashirama Senju.
Because he knew exactly what kind of person his big brother was.
If Hashirama discovered that the Senju and Uchiha ancestors were actually brothers, both descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, he would inevitably show greater kindness and tolerance toward the Uchiha clan.
And that would severely undermine Tobirama's plan to suppress the Uchiha in the future.
In truth, if it were possible, Tobirama wished Emiya would only reveal the story of Indra Ōtsutsuki, the Uchiha ancestor branded evil. That would make it easier to keep the Uchiha in check.
But Tobirama also knew that Emiya was a man of integrity, a true gentleman. He wouldn't agree to such a one-sided narrative crafted solely to demonize the Uchiha.
So…
Tobirama's words were extremely cautious.
"Lord Emiya,"
"Right now, the situation in Konoha is very unstable."
Tobirama's voice grew heavier, and without beating around the bush, he began to weave his carefully crafted lie: "If these ancient secrets were to leak out, they would surely spark gossip…"
"Although Uchiha Madara wants to destroy Konoha, we still wish for the Uchiha clan who have joined the village to be considered our comrades…"
"If the villagers learn about Indra's story, they will certainly see the Uchiha as innately evil and will reject them all the more."
"…"
Emiya's expression flickered strangely.
What's this?
Bullying me just because I'm ancient, huh?
I'm not old—I'm dead.
The idea that the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, wished the village wouldn't ostracize the Uchiha sounded almost like a joke.
Besides...
Isn't it you who led the charge in alienating the Uchiha?
Yet…
Tobirama was a master of self-justification.
His explanations, spoken through his Hokage aide, were flawless.
"My elder brother has always treated the Uchiha with great kindness to help them integrate into Konoha. If he learns that the Senju and Uchiha ancestors were brothers, and considering he once had to kill his old friend Madara to protect the village, feeling a sense of guilt, he will only grow closer to the Uchiha."
"In that case…"
"The other clans would see this as unfair…"
"If the villagers discover that our ancestors, Ashura and Indra, were brothers, they will surely question my brother's impartiality…"
"My brother is Konoha's First Hokage."
"And now that the village's internal alliances are fragile, if anyone doubts the Hokage's fairness, the hard-won peace could collapse at any moment…"
Tobirama circled back to his original point: "Lord Emiya, for the sake of Konoha and the peace of the ninja world, I must beg you to keep these ancient clan secrets sealed away."
"…"
Emiya really couldn't find a reason to refuse.
After all, Tobirama spoke so well, framing everything on the high moral ground. His words plainly questioned whether Emiya, as a righteous man from the ancient era, would want to see the ninja world plunge into chaos and war once more.
These days…
Being a good person meant preparing to be morally blackmailed.
Luckily,
Emiya was even better at morally blackmailing others.
"I'll just try my best not to say the wrong things."
Emiya shook his head, hesitating slightly as he explained: "In our time, when people practiced spiritual cultivation, they often communicated through chakra. We rarely hid our true thoughts or lied to our comrades…"
"I'm sorry."
"I can only do my best."
A faint trace of apology crossed Emiya's face, hoping Tobirama would understand his noble character: "I'm not good at hiding what's really on my mind…"
"You're the one who should apologize."
Tobirama didn't take offense at Emiya's words. Instead, he sighed deeply, feeling a quiet yearning for the old days of the Sage of Six Paths.
"I've heard some of the legends left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, that in the era when he founded the Ninja Religion, people respected and understood one another…"
"To think…"
"Those stories were true after all…"
"Actually, it's not absolute."
Emiya rubbed his brow awkwardly, casually adding: "For example, the ninja religion could never understand Indra's ideas, the Uchiha ancestor. So he eventually left, aiming to use the Sharingan's power to destroy the ninja villages. Ultimately, Ashura united the chakra of everyone to defeat him…"
"What!"
Tobirama instinctively condemned Indra: "That inherently evil Uchiha ancestor!"
His words echoed Madara's behavior!
Madara too had left the village he helped found, seeking to destroy Konoha—and was ultimately killed by my elder brother, thwarting his evil schemes.
Madara and his ancestor were both no good!
"By the way…"
Emiya suddenly shifted tone and complimented Tobirama: "You and your elder brother seem very close. Such harmonious sibling relationships are rare."
"That's only natural."
Tobirama felt a surge of emotion, recalling how his elder brother had always looked out for him as a child.
Emiya—
This good man was really quite admirable.
At least, Tobirama felt they were having a very pleasant conversation.
From Emiya's words, it seemed the ancient ninja were all good people, living in a genuine earthly paradise.
Hmm…
Except for that inherently evil Uchiha ancestor.
"Let's go in."
Tobirama pushed open the hospital ward door, his tone humbler now: "We're helpless regarding my elder brother's injuries. I can only entrust him to Lord Emiya."
"No need for such formality."
Emiya waved his hand and stepped into the room. His back straightened, serious: "Rest assured, I am a medical ninja—I won't let my patient down."
The ward carried a faint floral scent.
Emiya's gaze landed on the man lying on the bed.
Long black hair, tightly wrapped in bandages, eyes closed, motionless—but breathing steadily.
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
The strongest ninja of this era without question.
"My elder brother has never been this weak."
Tobirama stood beside Emiya, his expression grim: "His battle with Madara a few days ago nearly exhausted all his chakra…"
"Let me see."
Emiya's fingers gently touched the patient's wrist.
"A Wood Release user?"
Emiya looked surprised, deep in thought: "Theoretically, Wood Release derives from the Divine Tree's power. When Ashura received chakra from the Sage of Six Paths, he awakened Wood Release. This power should not have been inherited by descendants…"
"My elder brother only awakened Wood Release after adulthood."
Tobirama quickly noted this hidden detail Emiya mentioned, then urged him to focus on Hashirama's condition: "Lord Emiya, how is his condition…"
"Don't worry."
Emiya looked at Tobirama and offered reassurance: "The patient's self-healing ability is very strong. His wounds haven't healed only because his chakra is almost completely depleted. Once his chakra recovers, he'll be fine…"
"…"
Tobirama thought Emiya was stating the obvious.
"However…"
Emiya paused, then mentioned the real concern: "He has overused his healing ability, accelerating cell division and regeneration. This has damaged his lifespan. Plus, in his efforts to strengthen Wood Release, he has expended too much of his life energy. This complicates things…"
"Complicated?"
Tobirama's face relaxed instead of tensing: "So, Lord Emiya, you can solve this?"
"In the ancient era, this was a minor problem."
"Just a bit of treatment with Yang chakra will do."
Emiya's eyes narrowed slightly, tinged with regret: "But in my current state, nearly lifeless, I can't use Yang chakra…"
If only…
I could be truly resurrected.