Outside the Hokage's office, the young Danzo was a bit nervous when he left, even quietly glancing back.
"Danzo!" Hiruzen's figure suddenly jumped out. The sudden appearance almost scared Danzo out of his wits.
"Don't worry about it." Hiruzen hadn't gone home. He was worried Tobirama would scold Danzo, so he had stayed to comfort him.
Seeing his friend's furtive glance, he assumed the worst. "Don't mind Teacher Tobirama's words. It was impossible to hurt me. Actually, during the fight, the timing of that seemingly dangerous Wind Style ninjutsu was really just right!"
The young Danzo's forehead twitched.
Hearing these words, it sounded as if this monster was the victor! Clearly, I was the one who won! And Teacher Tobirama didn't scold me at all. He even praised me and gave me a very important secret mission!
Unfortunately, he couldn't tell this guy about it. He had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. He suddenly felt a sense of superiority. He was the true core of the mission; Hiruzen was just a smokescreen. It was truly a pity this joy could not be shared.
"What's wrong with you, Danzo?" Hiruzen waved a hand in front of his eyes, a bit worried he had been scolded silly.
"I'm fine," Danzo pushed away the hand and spoke in a deep voice like an adult. "Let's go back and prepare. The mission could start at any time."
"That's true," Hiruzen stroked his chin and nodded, muttering, "I heard the village hospital doesn't have many patients left." If the hospital had no patients, Shirou would have no reason to stay. He would surely practice medicine in the ninja world like in the legends.
-----
The villagers didn't know about this. They only knew there was an excellent medical ninja in the hospital. They were more concerned about another matter: moving. The village was gradually becoming livelier as more and more people started to move in.
As the planner of Konoha's internal migration plan, Tobirama hadn't expected it to be executed so smoothly. The heads of the ninja clans quickly agreed after seeing the Senju clan take the initiative. The times had changed. Other countries had established ninja villages. This was the future trend.
Tobirama was very satisfied with his achievements. He accompanied Shirou and Hashirama on a tour of the thriving village, hoping Shirou could see that Konoha's future was more worth looking forward to than the Ninshu of the ancient era.
They had even sacrificed the Senju clan for this. Many ninjas of the Senju clan could no longer use the Senju surname from the next generation onwards. They had to choose a new one.
"The Senju surname will disappear from now on," Tobirama said in a deep voice. "It may be a bit apologetic to Lord Emiya, who bestowed our surname upon us, but this is a necessary choice. For the sake of Konoha, our next generation will no longer be allowed to use the Senju surname. Everything about the Senju will be integrated with Konoha."
"You guys are really..." Shirou could only express his respect for this.
The Sage didn't allow his children to use the Otsutsuki surname mainly to prevent later people from always remembering the existence of the Rabbit Goddess, Kaguya.
"Is Lord Emiya leaving?" Tobirama suddenly changed the subject. "These past few days, you have been practicing medicine in Konoha Hospital. For your good deeds, Konoha will always be grateful."
"Tobirama," Hashirama wanted to stop him.
"I do want to see this world," Shirou didn't deny it. "I also want to go out and find a way to treat the First Hokage. There might still be precious materials in the ninja world that can heal his body. At least, they existed in the ancient era."
"What materials? Where can they be found?" Tobirama's words were inevitably impatient when it came to his brother.
"Remnants of the God Tree," Shirou said. "It must be living remnants. The God Tree is the origin of Wood Style, and even chakra. If we can find living remnants, it might be able to treat the First Hokage, and you won't have to worry about his lifespan anymore. In the ancient era, the Sage and Ninshu cleaned them up. I am not sure if there are any left in this era."
Tobirama nodded thoughtfully.
Very good. Another secret.
He secretly noted it down before revealing his true intentions. "Speaking of which, Lord Emiya is not familiar enough with this era. As a token of gratitude, Konoha would like to send two genin to assist you. Theoretically, we should send stronger ninjas. However, you do not like conflict. Having two genin stay by your side will not arouse the vigilance of enemy countries."
"This..." Shirou hesitated. Actually, if Tobirama hadn't mentioned it, he was thinking of requesting the same thing.
Black Zetsu was always thinking of making him a sacrifice. If there were always two Konoha ninjas by his side, Black Zetsu couldn't rashly appear and urge him to speed up Project Tsuki no Me.
During this time, it had been frequently appearing, urging him to leave quickly.
What's the rush... do you really think I'm a filial son? Reviving Kaguya will only make everyone unhappy.
Even with his magnanimity, he was getting a bit impatient. Now, Tobirama's arrangement could help him avoid the nagging.
"Monkey, Danzo," Tobirama called out to Hiruzen and Danzo, whom he had arranged in advance. Pointing at the two boys who leaped out, he introduced, "Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, these two little ones are the most outstanding new-generation ninjas in Konoha."
Shirou looked at Tobirama with some hesitation.
Wait... is he serious? Sending Hiruzen and Danzo? This is Konoha's future Third Hokage and Fifth-and-a-Half Hokage.
"Having these two stay by your side is also in the hope that they can learn from you," Tobirama said, worried Shirou would refuse.
He stroked their heads and explained sincerely, "If they are fortunate enough to receive your guidance and inherit your ninja way, they will also be able to bring change to Konoha's future. Lord Emiya, Konoha hopes that the ninja world can be forever peaceful. But these next-generation children ultimately need guidance. Only in this way can the ideal of peace be passed down continuously."