The private training ground prepared for Hokage-level shinobi was vast—far larger than any standard training site. Towering trees lined the perimeter, and the center was cleared and flat, perfect for duels, techniques, and field testing.
Hashirama, ever calm and smiling, stood beside Hoshino Kaede, arms folded. "You can use this place as you like from now on. No one else will enter without your permission."
Kaede blinked in surprise. The sheer size of this training ground was enough to overwhelm a young shinobi, but knowing that it was exclusively his now made his heart skip a beat.
Was this meant for Hokage? he wondered. Of course, Hashirama had no real use for it now. So, he passed it on—to his disciple.
Taking a deep breath, Kaede began warming up, stretching his limbs and rolling his joints. His body was still sore from yesterday's weight training, but he knew what was coming.
About fifteen minutes later, Hashirama waved a hand. "All right, time to spar. Let me see how far you've come."
Kaede froze, the kunai he'd been practicing with dangling loosely in his fingers. "Already? But I've only just started refining chakra properly! Isn't it a little soon for real combat?"
Hashirama simply smiled, unbothered.
Kaede knew he couldn't refuse. A part of him suspected that this wasn't just about gauging progress. Hashirama likely wanted to see the potential of his bloodline limit—and the strength of the Eye of Time.
So, gritting his teeth, Kaede stepped back, steadying his breath.
The two faced off.
Hashirama stood relaxed, making no move to attack. He was waiting—giving Kaede the first move.
Kaede narrowed his eyes, pulling a kunai from his pouch. His blue irises shimmered with a faint glow.
[Eye of Time—Activate.]
[Time Acceleration—Engaged!]
The world blurred around him. His time accelerated; his perception sharpened. Trees seemed to sway slower. His own movements felt weightless—like he'd become part of the wind.
Lightning! Kaede shot forward like a bolt.
Hashirama watched with a smile. "You're fast. Faster than most genin. But that won't be enough."
Kaede didn't stop. He shifted his weight and slid around Hashirama's flank, forming a rapid hand seal mid-movement.
Puff! Three identical clones emerged in white mist.
Hashirama's eyes gleamed with approval. "Ah, Clone Jutsu already? And they're well-formed. No visual instability. You've got talent, Kaede."
But Kaede wasn't done. He took advantage of Hashirama's distraction and lunged alongside his clones, aiming to overwhelm his teacher.
Yet the First Hokage didn't move aggressively. Instead, he calmly dodged, weaving between the clones like a dancer. Every movement was effortless, flowing.
Kaede grew frustrated. Is he not even trying?!
"Xiao Feng," Hashirama teased, "surely you're not putting all your faith in numbers, right?"
Kaede said nothing. His eyes flickered with intent. He twisted his wrist and launched the kunai toward Hashirama's back.
Thunk!
It missed by a wide margin, embedding itself in a tree trunk.
"Pfft—HAHAHAHA!" Hashirama burst into laughter. "You need serious practice with kunai throws! That was pitiful!"
Kaede's face remained still, but inside he was already preparing his next move.
As Hashirama chuckled, Kaede vanished.
Ding! Metal clashed as Kaede reappeared behind his teacher, a second kunai clashing against Hashirama's own.
Hashirama's eyes widened. "Flying Thunder God?!"
It was subtle, not perfect. But the technique had activated—Kaede had marked the first kunai earlier and used it as a jump point.
"If I hadn't been on guard…" Hashirama muttered. "You really caught me off-guard."
Kaede raised his eyebrows. "Sensei, don't underestimate me."
With a sharp backflip, Kaede launched himself into the air, angling for a vertical dive.
[Eye of Time—Time Dilation: Slow Field!]
The world below slowed. In Kaede's vision, Hashirama moved like molasses. The leaves barely rustled. Gravity itself seemed patient.
From above, Kaede descended with his kunai aimed precisely for a strike.
But just as he thought he'd won—
A hand snatched his wrist midair.
"Nice try," came Hashirama's voice, calm as ever.
Kaede's eyes widened in disbelief. "You moved… under Time Slow?"
Hashirama smiled and gave him a cheeky wink.
BOOM! With a single, well-placed kick, Hashirama sent Kaede crashing to the ground like a broken kite.
He hit the earth hard, skidding across the dirt. Pain flared in his abdomen. His stomach roiled. He coughed up bitter bile and dropped to his knees.
That kick... was no joke.
Before he could recover, the sunlight dimmed slightly—Hashirama's tall frame appeared overhead.
Instead of continuing the match, the Hokage sat beside him, cross-legged and cheerful.
"Well done, Kaede. You surprised me more than I expected."
Kaede clutched his stomach, face twisted in pain. "T-Thanks, Sensei… I think you almost ruptured my spleen."
"Ahahaha! Toughen up! Real battles aren't kind, you know."
Kaede rolled his eyes, still retching slightly.
Then, unexpectedly, Hashirama grew quiet. He leaned back and stared up at the sky.
"You know… I'm really grateful that you were born in Konoha. That you can grow up in peace—without the threat of war hanging over your head."
Kaede didn't reply.
"I fought my entire life for this peace. But lately… I've had this feeling. A sense that Konoha might not stay peaceful for long."
Hashirama's voice was soft now, almost wistful.
"I don't know if it's just old age making me paranoid, but I see cracks forming in the unity we built. Tensions. Greed. Power struggles."
Kaede's heart sank. He knew the truth.
He knew what would happen.
Soon after Hashirama's death, war would return. Tobirama would die in battle. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, would rise—wise and capable at first, but eventually corrupted by the weight of power.
White Fang… driven to suicide.
The Uchiha… exterminated.
The Senju… scattered and forgotten.
By the time of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Konoha would no longer resemble the dream Hashirama built. It would be a shell of the ideal it once stood for.
Hashirama's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Kaede."
"…Yes, Sensei?"
"If the day ever comes when this village falters… Can I ask you to protect it? To help it grow strong again?"
Kaede opened his mouth to speak, but words failed him.
So instead, he nodded. Firmly.
Hashirama smiled.
"Thank you."
Then, as if shedding the gloom, the First Hokage clapped his hands together and stood up. "Now, on to the next part of your training."
Kaede blinked. "There's more?"
Hashirama pulled out a scroll, unsealed it, and a larger scroll appeared in a puff of white mist. It was half a meter wide, heavy, and wrapped in iron clasps.
Kaede's breath hitched.
He knew what that was.
The Book of Seals.
"The… sealed book?" Kaede asked in disbelief.
Hashirama grinned. "Yep. This is a replica, of course—not the original. But it still contains all the recorded forbidden jutsu and techniques compiled by the village."
Kaede hesitated. "Isn't this… against the rules?"
"I'm the Hokage," Hashirama said with a carefree chuckle. "Do I need permission to give my student a gift?"
"You're giving this to me?!"
"Of course. You've earned it. And I trust you."
Kaede stared at the scroll in awe. His fingers trembled slightly as he took it, the weight more symbolic than physical.
He had read about the Book of Seals—jutsu too dangerous, too forbidden to be taught openly.
And now it was in his hands.
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