Early the next morning.
Renya climbed out of bed, his entire body sore and aching.
He moved his neck with difficulty and muttered, "Damn old man, you really didn't hold back…"
He didn't think much of it and subconsciously assumed it was the aftermath of yesterday's battle.
But when these words reached Senju Tobirama's ears, they took on an entirely different meaning…
He had come to Renya's door to wake him up to make breakfast, but just as he arrived, he heard Renya's muttering and immediately froze in place.
Senju Tobirama's pupils contracted, the hairs on his body stood on end. His usual calm completely vanished, and only one thought echoed in his mind:
"Did Renya… discover the experiment?!"
Damn it, I even increased the dosage—how could this happen!
If this gets out and reaches big brother's ears… what will happen to me?
And not just my big brother—my sister-in-law would probably tear me apart!
After all, both big brother and sister-in-law are incredibly fond of this kid Renya.
If they find out I used Renya for research, they absolutely won't let me off!
But what truly terrified him was—how would Uchiha Renya see him now?
His life's reputation would be ruined in an instant…
Unaware of Tobirama's mental breakdown, Renya opened the door and saw him standing right there.
"Hey, old man, what are you doing?"
Hearing that, Senju Tobirama finally came back to his senses.
Although he was still panicking inside, he carefully observed Renya's expression. Seeing no signs of anger or resentment, he immediately understood—
It was just a misunderstanding!
Realizing this, Tobirama finally let out a sigh of relief.
See? How could he have made such a rookie mistake?
Renya looked a bit puzzled. "Old man, are you okay?"
What's with this geezer's face going pale one second and green the next…
"I'm fine," Senju Tobirama said quickly. "Hurry up and make breakfast. I'm heading out soon."
Renya twitched the corner of his mouth and muttered under his breath,
"Calling me to make breakfast first thing in the morning… You're something else."
Though he grumbled, he still obediently headed for the kitchen.
Once Renya left, Tobirama wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
That really scared the hell out of him. He'd nearly thought the secret was out.
...
After breakfast, Senju Tobirama went to the Hokage's office, saying he was going to help his big brother with paperwork.
Before leaving, he told Renya to call over Danzō and Koharu around noon—he wanted to inspect their training results.
Renya looked a bit grim and murmured under his breath, "Is Hashirama-san's condition really that bad now?"
It was only the tenth year of the ninja world—by all accounts, Hashirama should have at least another four or five years left. This kind of decline shouldn't be happening so soon.
Thinking of this, he decided to go check on the situation himself.
"Let's hope Hashirama-san is okay…"
————————
Senju Hashirama's residence.
Renya had just entered the courtyard when he saw Hashirama kneeling on a cushion.
Little Tsunade was flailing her chubby arms, babbling as she tugged at her grandfather's long hair, drooling down her plump chin.
"Hashirama-san!" Renya waved the milk he was carrying. "This is for Tsunade."
The baby suddenly stopped fussing and stared intently at the milk carton printed with a baby deer.
Hashirama freed one hand to take the box, then noticed his clothes were soaked with Tsunade's drool. He gave a helpless yet doting smile.
"You came at the right time. This little one just started recognizing bottles. Every night she needs to be rocked forever before she'll fall asleep."
Renya squatted down and gently poked Tsunade's round cheek with his fingertip. The baby instantly grabbed his finger and tried to stuff it in her mouth.
Seeing this, Renya carefully pulled his finger back and placed the bottle by her lips.
It was then he noticed Hashirama was wearing a casual kimono at home, and asked curiously,
"Hashirama-san, you're not handling paperwork today?"
He had assumed that Hashirama's health was too poor, which was why Tobirama had taken over. But with this energetic look, he didn't seem sick at all.
The wind chime hanging from the veranda suddenly jingled, startling the baby into a hiccup. Hashirama quickly patted her back.
"Planning to retire and spend time with my granddaughter."
He gazed at the baby Tsunade in his arms, a gentle smile curving his lips.
"Recently, I've had Tobirama familiarizing himself with the process. Around this time next year…"
Before he could finish, Tsunade suddenly scrunched up her face and whimpered. Hashirama immediately pulled out a rattle and shook it in front of her.
"There, there. Grandpa's right here."
Renya silently watched Hashirama soothe the baby.
He knew—the former God of the Ninja World, Senju Hashirama, no longer existed.
Or perhaps, when he killed Uchiha Madara with his own hands, the heart of the God of the Ninja World had already died…
After a long while, Hashirama finally lulled Tsunade to sleep.
"Little Renya, do you think Tobirama can be a good Hokage?"
"Little Renya?"
Seeing no response, he turned around instinctively—Renya's figure had already disappeared.
"This kid… not even a goodbye?"
————————
Renya walked alone through the Senju compound.
He was well aware that Hashirama-san's death was now inevitable.
If not for Tsunade, he might have passed even sooner…
Rubbing his temples, Renya grumbled to himself,
"Uchiha Madara, what a bastard. Faking his death just to deceive Hashirama-san."
Poor Senju Hashirama, burdened by the grief of killing his closest friend, had faded away in sorrow.
And Madara… was hiding in the shadows, scheming it all!
Renya sighed helplessly. If Madara hadn't pulled this stunt, the ninja world might have enjoyed fifty years of peace.
And he could have just coasted by…
But he also knew—it wasn't all Madara's fault. This ran far deeper. Even Madara was just a pawn.
The true mastermind behind it all was Black Zetsu!
Black Zetsu had lurked in the ninja world for a thousand years, orchestrating the rift between Indra and Asura, secretly altering the Uchiha clan's stone tablet, leading Madara completely astray.
"Whatever. Let's just take it one step at a time," Renya muttered, checking the time and getting ready to summon Danzō and Koharu.
He hadn't forgotten Tobirama's orders.
————————
In a cave somewhere in the ninja world.
Uchiha Madara was stitching Hashirama's flesh into his own chest with a needle and thread.
"Hashirama, bet you didn't see this coming," Madara whispered. "I never died."
Following the stone tablet's instructions, he had now fused Hashirama's cells into himself. All that remained was to wait for the power of 'All Creation' to emerge.
"Hashirama, only I can bring true peace," Uchiha Madara said, eyes gleaming as he stared at the flesh sewn into his chest. "That day will come soon—I'm sure of it."
He had no idea that in the corner of the cave, a pitch-black figure was quietly merging into the stone wall.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo