The research into techniques concerning the dead by Tobirama had actually begun when Hashirama was still Hokage.
Therefore, Hashirama was aware of some of it. He frowned slightly, interrupting Tobirama, and asked, "Tobirama, are you still researching that jutsu of yours?"
Tobirama was silent for a moment, then said, "Don't worry, Anija, I haven't done anything out of line."
"Life and death are not so simple. I always feel that this jutsu you're researching... will bring disaster," Hashirama said softly.
"Jutsu are tools in the hands of people; they themselves have no special meaning or attributes. So I don't agree with your point of view, Anija. You say it will bring disaster... In my opinion, it's not the jutsu that brings disaster, but the people," Tobirama also said softly.
"Are we even discussing that topic? Hashirama-jiisan, why are you interrupting? Can't you trust Ojiisan's character? Although he sometimes seems cold and heartless, he's actually kind at heart," Hibari said with a chuckle.
Tobirama felt somewhat comforted by the first half of Hibari's words, but the latter half made him feel a little annoyed.
He frowned and said, "Hibari, are you praising me or scolding me?"
Hibari chuckled and said, "I'm speaking the truth! Ojiisan, think about it, since you became Hokage, haven't you become much more ruthless? You don't consider personal connections for many things. You even charged me a high price just to approve a plot of land..."
"Precisely because I am Hokage, I must maintain a ruthless attitude!" Tobirama said without hesitation.
"Well, you're the Hokage, you're the greatest, what you say goes." Hibari shrugged slightly, then didn't continue discussing the matter with Tobirama. Instead, he asked, "You still haven't finished. That jutsu for the dead... Oh, right, what was it called again? Edo Tensei? Can't you give it to me? I'm very interested in it too."
Tobirama didn't continue discussing the 'ruthlessness' matter with Hibari. Instead, he continued, "It is indeed Edo Tensei, but this jutsu hasn't been completely perfected, and I'm no longer planning to continue researching it. So this jutsu is incomplete, and there's no need for you to learn it."
Hearing Tobirama's words, Hibari was also stunned for a moment, then asked, "Why not complete it? Is it because your ability isn't enough, Ojiisan?"
Hearing his grandson question his ability like that, Tobirama almost spat out a mouthful of blood in anger. He looked at Hibari with a dark expression and said, "You brat, do you only feel happy when you've angered me to death?"
Hashirama and Mito both laughed along. Hibari then realized he had said the wrong thing and scratched his head awkwardly.
Fortunately, Tobirama didn't really bother with Hibari. He paused, formulated his words slightly, and then said, "Firstly, the deeper one researches this jutsu, the more it requires... sacrifice... the cost of life. Even if one uses those who are irredeemable to experiment, it ultimately goes against humanity. Secondly, my original reason for researching this jutsu was merely a past obsession from my youth, wanting to try and break the boundaries of life and death. But now, I have let go of this obsession. As the saying goes, life and death, reincarnation never ceases; this is a destined rule. Perhaps it is possible to break this rule with human power, but... I no longer have that obsession."
Listening to Tobirama's words, Hibari also fell silent. He didn't know what his grandfather's mental journey had been, but since his grandfather said he had let go of his obsession and wasn't interested in such things anymore, he couldn't force him.
Then Tobirama took a sip of tea and continued, "The last point is that I don't have too much time to research this anymore. Hibari, when you were studying with me, you should have understood that the more one researches ninjutsu that transcends 'boundaries,' the more time and energy it requires... But precisely now, I am Hokage, and everything must prioritize the village. Moreover, the current situation is becoming increasingly tense, and war could break out at any time. How can I possibly calm down and do these things? Therefore... it's not that my ability isn't enough, but that I don't want to continue anymore!"
Hibari listened to Tobirama emphasize again that it wasn't his ability lacking, and smiled awkwardly, saying, "Look at what you're saying. I just spoke too quickly; how could I genuinely doubt your ability, Ojiisan?"
"Hmph, who knows what you're thinking, kid," Tobirama snorted.
"Look at you, getting so petty..." Hibari playfully retorted with a smile, then didn't continue to needle Tobirama. Instead, he asked, "Then how do you plan to handle this Edo Tensei? Destroy it?"
Tobirama thought for a moment and said, "This is, after all, a ninjutsu I painstakingly researched for many years, containing a vast amount of valuable knowledge and experience. It would be too wasteful to simply destroy it. But I also have no interest in continuing to research it. So, I plan to seal it as an incomplete kinjutsu. Later, after I retire, if I have the leisure and interest, I might ponder it again, or if other talented individuals in the village have an obsession in this area, they can take it to study it, as long as it's not abused in the end."
As a 'kinjutsu inventor,' Tobirama had no prejudice against others who liked to research such things. In his view, it was simply a pursuit of truth. It was just that he was no longer interested and had no time, which was why he had stopped this pursuit.
If in the future someone truly wanted to follow the path he had forged, he could completely understand, as long as the jutsu didn't fall into the hands of ill-intentioned individuals and wasn't abused.
Therefore, he didn't say that this jutsu could absolutely not be touched by anyone else.
Hearing this, Hibari, after some thought, said, "Ojiisan, I'm very interested in this. Are you really not going to consider teaching me?"
Tobirama looked at Hibari, smiled slightly, then said, "I already told you, this jutsu is incomplete and has many flaws, so I can't teach it to you..."
Seeing Hibari's slightly disappointed expression, Tobirama's tone changed, and he continued, "But as I just said, if someone truly has an obsession in this area, they can take it to study. Therefore... Hibari, I can't teach you, but if you really want to understand this jutsu, then go research it yourself. I will give you all the materials, and I also look forward to you researching a good result!"
Hearing Tobirama's words, Hibari's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Ojiisan, we have a deal then! Just hand it over to me these next two days!"
"Hand over? I don't have that much time to hand over anything to you. Everything related to this jutsu is in that laboratory. From today onwards, that laboratory is yours, so you no longer have to sneak in secretly. Go in openly. The first bookshelf inside, from left to right, according to the numbered books, contains the research materials for this jutsu. Go look at them yourself. If there's anything you don't understand then, come ask me, and I'll give you some pointers when I have time," Tobirama said, giving Hibari a side-eye.
Hibari rubbed his chin, then nodded and said, "Alright, I'll do as you say, Ojiisan. I won't bother you."
Only then did Tobirama speak with a very serious expression, "Hibari, you can take this jutsu to learn and research, but you must remember: never abuse it, and never wantonly trample on life!"
Hibari grinned, chuckling as he said, "Don't worry, Ojiisan, I understand that much. I won't mess around."
After discussing all these matters, the group sat there again, chatting about everyday family affairs. Hashirama even shamelessly tried to get sponsorship from Hibari, hoping to trick Hibari into investing a large sum of money for him to build a new town.
"Oh, come on, Hashirama-jiisan. What town are you building? Do you have money with nowhere to spend it? If you have that much time, why not invest the money in Konohagakure instead..." Hibari said, quite unwillingly.
"Your vision is still too narrow, you should be taken to the capital city to broaden your horizons. Don't be constrained by what's right in front of you. Look at it broadly: aren't the people in Konohagakure also the people of the Land of Fire? If I build the Land of Fire better, won't Konoha indirectly become better too? Sigh... it's true, how noble my current thoughts are; even I am surprised. It's understandable that you, young man, can't comprehend it." Hashirama said, shaking his head a bit smugly, appearing as if he were helpless and misunderstood.
Hibari was stunned by this scene. Hashirama wasn't so eloquent before. Could it be that his personality changed after retirement? Or did he truly 'gain experience' in the capital city?
"Putting everything else aside, just look at your thick skin, Hashirama-jiisan; you really did train it up in the capital city..." Hibari retorted with a chuckle.
Just then, little Tsunade let out a tired yawn. Mito, seeing this, also smiled and said, "Alright, it's getting late. Let's stop chatting here. Everyone who needs rest should go rest."
Hibari glanced at the sky; it was indeed getting late. So he quickly stood up and said, "It looks like war is about to break out. When that happens, it won't just be our village's problem; the entire Land of Fire will be affected. Building a city now is just asking for trouble, and there's a high chance it'll fail. If you ask me, let's first handle the current matters. Once this war is won, I'll immediately start the Mitsumine Group's 'Construction Department' to properly support your idea, Hashirama-jiisan, alright?"
Hashirama, hearing this, seemed to think it made sense, so he also said, "Then it's a promise, alright? Don't you dare go back on your word, kid!"
"Got it, got it..." Hibari said, waving his hand, then greeted the others and quickly dashed out the door.
"Don't forget to wake up early tomorrow; I still need to test you," Tobirama said, looking at Hibari's retreating figure.
"Don't you worry about a thing!"
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