"Hmph. Fools."
Senju Tobirama's cold voice cut through the air like a blade. He stood before the Hokage's desk, his sharp eyes narrowed and filled with disdain as he looked out the window at the restless crowd gathering beyond the village square.
"Do you truly think you can bring me down with this pitiful display?" he muttered, his tone dripping with contempt. "I am Konoha's Shadow Hokage — the Kyūsennansai who has governed this village from the shadows since the day of its founding. Every major or minor affair within these walls passes through my hands. My brother trusts me implicitly, the clans follow my direction, and the village runs by my will. And you think a few villagers making noise can tarnish my name?"
His gaze hardened, and his lips curved in a thin, humorless smile.
"Ridiculous."
Across from him, Uchiha Setsuna smirked, his arms crossed. "Big words, Senju Tobirama. But words alone won't shield you from what's coming. The Uchiha will no longer stay silent while you manipulate the entire village!"
Tobirama's eyes flicked toward him, cold and dismissive. He found Setsuna's posturing almost amusing. So this is the level the Uchiha Clan has fallen to, he thought with scorn. Arrogant, yet utterly blind.
The Uchiha patrolled the streets of Konoha every day, strutting like roosters as they bullied villagers and boasted of their "glorious" heritage. They had convinced themselves they were indispensable to the village, that they still stood as Konoha's backbone.
And now they think this petty incident can be used to bring me down? Naive.
Tobirama folded his hands behind his back and paced slowly around the office.
Personnel is power. Politics is control. I built this village's systems from the ground up — the ANBU, the infrastructure, the bureaucratic order. Without me, the machine stops turning.
He smiled faintly, remembering the private meeting he had held days earlier.
I've already secured the support of the other clans. The Hyuga, once neutral and opportunistic, have quietly aligned with me. Even the smaller clans — the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka — they all understand who truly holds Konoha together.
He stopped, his voice lowering into a quiet, confident murmur. "I delayed the deployment of our forces on purpose. Let the Uchiha think they were the only ones who noticed. The truth is, the other clan heads already know — and they agree with me."
He chuckled darkly. "A lesson the Uchiha have never learned: this world runs on interests, not ideals."
---
Tobirama's mind replayed the council meeting. The clan heads had gathered around a large table in the Hokage's conference room, their expressions cautious yet understanding.
He hadn't needed to say much — just a few subtle words to convey his position.
> "Konoha's preparations must be handled carefully. We cannot act recklessly."
That was all it took.
The clan heads exchanged glances and nodded. Every one of them understood. None wanted to sacrifice their clan's trained shinobi or hard-earned resources for some vague "alliance" with Akatsuki Village. Talk of honor and righteousness meant nothing to those who had survived the Warring States Period. Every clan head present had walked through rivers of blood to protect their lineage. To them, "allies" and "promises" were only useful when they served their clan's survival.
And Tobirama knew this perfectly.
The so-called alliance agreement with Akatsuki Village? A meaningless scrap of parchment — one his elder brother Hashirama had been naive enough to believe in. Tobirama had always found it laughable. The Land of Fire didn't need two powerful ninja villages. The existence of Akatsuki Village only divided resources, diluted funds, and created unnecessary tension with the Daimyo's court.
Why share what should rightfully belong to Konoha?
That was his unspoken truth.
---
Now, as he stood in his office, Tobirama's eyes glinted with a cold determination. "A handful of ignorant villagers stirred up by outside influence think they can defy the will of Konoha. They must be reminded who truly governs this village."
He turned sharply toward Uchiha Setsuna, who was still standing defiantly in the center of the room.
"Setsuna," he said in a low, commanding tone, "you will remain here until I've finished handling this matter. I will not have you fanning the flames of rebellion."
"What?" Setsuna barked, clenching his fists. "You dare order me around like a prisoner?!"
Tobirama's eyes narrowed. "If you wish to fight me, then go ahead. I'll even let you strike first."
The air between them turned to ice. Chakra pressure radiated from Tobirama's body — a sharp, suffocating force that made even the ANBU guards stationed outside the office flinch. His killing intent alone was enough to make seasoned warriors hesitate.
This was not the Second Hokage the world remembered as Hashirama's mild-mannered brother. This was the Shadow Hokage — the true iron ruler of Konoha.
Setsuna's bravado faltered. He knew exactly what kind of man Tobirama was. The tales of his power were carved into the memory of the entire Uchiha Clan. He was the man who had single-handedly defeated Uchiha Izuna — who fought Madara Uchiha to a standstill — who earned the title of the fastest shinobi in the world.
Even Madara himself had once admitted: "Tobirama is dangerous."
---
Setsuna's jaw tightened. "You…!"
But no words came out. He could feel Tobirama's gaze pinning him in place like a spear through the heart. To attack now, to even raise his voice, would be to destroy the fragile balance between the Senju and Uchiha Clans. Such an act would brand him the instigator — the one who broke the peace that his own clan had bled for.
That weight was too heavy to bear.
Grinding his teeth, Setsuna finally exhaled and lowered his eyes. "Fine," he muttered bitterly, retreating to the corner of the office. "But don't think this means I agree with you."
Tobirama's expression didn't change. "Hmph. Then stay quiet. You two—" he turned to the ANBU guards, "—keep an eye on him. No one leaves this room until I say so."
"Yes, Lord Tobirama!" the two masked ninja replied immediately.
As Tobirama strode past them toward the door, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. So much for the great Uchiha pride. All bluster and no backbone.
---
The moment he stepped out of the Hokage's office, another ANBU appeared at his side, kneeling respectfully. "Lord Tobirama, your orders?"
"Gather the ANBU," Tobirama commanded without hesitation. "A group of villagers has been incited into disorder, attempting to storm the Hokage Residence. We will restore order — swiftly and decisively."
The ANBU hesitated for a brief second. "My lord… these are civilians."
Tobirama's gaze was like steel. "And Konoha is my village. No one — civilian or shinobi — has the right to challenge its authority. If the roots begin to rot, you cut them off."
The ANBU bowed his head immediately. "Yes, Lord Tobirama!"
"Good. And one more thing," Tobirama added as the ANBU prepared to leave. "Send word to my disciples. I want them assembled at once. We'll handle this situation together."
The ninja vanished in a blur, leaving Tobirama standing alone in the corridor.
---
As he walked toward the village square, Tobirama's cloak billowed behind him, his expression unreadable. Outside, the shouts of angry villagers echoed through the air.
"Step down, Tobirama!"
"Return the Hokage's power to Lord Hashirama!"
"Stop your tyranny!"
Their voices were shrill, but to Tobirama, they sounded distant — like the buzzing of insects.
He stopped at the top of the stairs overlooking the square, his crimson eyes reflecting the restless crowd below. For a brief moment, he said nothing.
Then his voice boomed across the plaza — cold, commanding, and absolute.
"Silence."
The effect was immediate. The noise died down, replaced by a heavy, almost suffocating quiet.
"I have governed Konoha since its founding," Tobirama declared, his chakra-infused voice carrying across the entire square. "Every system that keeps this village alive — from its military to its schools, from its ANBU to its economy — was built by my hand. I am the reason you sleep safely at night. And yet you dare raise your voices against me?"
Some villagers began to tremble. Others lowered their heads. The aura radiating from Tobirama was not merely that of a man — it was the weight of the entire village's authority pressing down upon them.
He raised his hand, and a dozen ANBU appeared instantly, surrounding the square with perfect synchronization.
"Those who wish to live," Tobirama said calmly, "will disperse immediately. Those who choose defiance…" His gaze sharpened. "…will learn what it means to challenge the Shadow Hokage."
The first villager tried to shout — but before he could speak, Tobirama's hand flicked forward.
Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
A roaring torrent of water erupted from his palm, coiling like a dragon before crashing into the ground in front of the mob. The sheer force sent people flying backward, their screams echoing through the square.
The message was clear: This is your final warning.
---
As the ANBU moved in to restrain the remaining protesters, Tobirama turned his gaze upward toward the Hokage Monument in the distance.
"Brother," he murmured softly, almost regretfully, "your kindness keeps you blind. The village cannot survive on compassion alone."
His crimson eyes glinted beneath the sunlight.
"Konoha doesn't need two hearts. It needs one mind — mine."
Then, turning back toward the ANBU captain, he said coldly, "Seal the perimeter. No one enters or leaves without my command."
"Yes, Lord Tobirama!"
---
Back in the Hokage's office, Uchiha Setsuna could only listen to the distant sounds of chaos — the cries of the villagers fading one by one.
He clenched his fists in frustration, his pride stinging. "Tobirama… you call yourself Konoha's savior. But one day, your iron hand will choke the life out of this village."
Outside, the storm continued — the sound of Tobirama's will enforcing itself upon the people of Konoha.
And in that moment, every villager understood why Senju Tobirama was called the Shadow Hokage — the man whose authority could make even the proudest clans bow and the bravest hearts tremble.
---
To be continued…
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