"Naruto: My Ninja Skills"Chapter 185: Fragments (5)
Yūshin began tailing Kurama.
Through close observation, he discovered this terrifying humanoid creature was genuinely idle. If the two were compared, Kurama was the true retired old gentleman, while Yūshin was merely a poor imitation of one.
After observing Kurama for some time, Yūshin found this fellow almost too harmless to believe... When wandering the shinobi world, even if occasionally subjected to minor harassment—whether by ordinary civilians or ninja—Kurama would simply laugh it off.
This surveillance work proved quite tedious; after all, no one could expect a retired old man's life to be particularly thrilling.
Moreover, Yūshin couldn't maintain such a mission indefinitely. By year's end, he was forced to return to Konoha—because Kumogakure had capitulated. At least for Konoha, this Shinobi World War could be declared over.
The other ninja villages were also reaching their limits. Iwagakure had achieved its strategic objectives and shifted from offense to defense.
Sunagakure, having suffered severe losses, could only quietly lick its wounds.
Throughout this war, Kirigakure had been conducting small-scale infiltration operations. Since the flames of war never reached the Land of Water's territory, they wouldn't suffer excessive losses regardless of the conflict's duration... Kirigakure's remote geographical position, protected by vast seas, allowed them to fully exploit their role as troublemakers in this Shinobi World War.
Aside from losing one Tailed Beast—a deeply felt pain—post-war Kirigakure differed little from its pre-war state.
Kumogakure suffered considerable losses: first, this village was extremely belligerent; second, it endured attacks from both Konoha and Iwagakure.
The following year, Iwagakure called for the Second Five Kage Summit. Faced with reality, the major ninja villages had no choice but to respond.
This Five Kage Summit's purpose was naturally to negotiate a ceasefire. Additionally, Iwagakure and the Land of Earth sought to restore their great nation status.
Nothing controversial here—their strength spoke for itself. They had always been a great nation and would naturally be recognized as such.
After several days of wrangling, a ceasefire agreement was finally signed. Everyone was exhausted from fighting... Though all parties remained somewhat dissatisfied with the agreement, they had no choice but to bow to reality.
They discovered that compared to the prolonged, devastating clan wars of the past, the Shinobi World War consumed ninja at an alarmingly rapid pace... What used to be a dripping faucet had become a pumping system.
The First Shinobi World War ended, peace returned, but simultaneously planted seeds for the next Shinobi World War.
Compared to the original timeline's First Shinobi World War, Konoha should be satisfied with these results. The Land of Fire hadn't fallen into a besieged situation, and the Flying Thunder God-wielding Second Hokage hadn't been killed by Kumogakure defectors.
Frankly, Iwagakure becoming the war's primary instigator was extremely advantageous for Konoha... Without exaggeration, this should be credited to Yūshin, though no one knew it.
For this Five Kage Summit, Yūshin had to participate—he needed to support Tobirama Senju... Compared to the Hashirama-Tobirama brother combination from the First Five Kage Summit, the current Tobirama-Yūshin pairing was clearly inferior overall.
Fortunately, they could still intimidate people. After all, few in the shinobi world had witnessed the First Hokage's true power. The Senju brothers were legendary ninja, and Tobirama plus Yūshin were also legendary ninja. Legend equals legend—no problem there.
After Yūshin concluded the Five Kage meeting and returned to Konoha, when he again attempted to locate Kurama, he could no longer find him... Not the Nine-Tails sealed by Mito Uzumaki, but the Kurama who had traveled from the future to this timeline.
Yūshin worried Kurama might cause trouble, but could do nothing about it.
Fortunately, after the war's end, the shinobi world truly entered another peaceful period. No reports emerged of inexplicable major disturbances anywhere, so Yūshin gradually relaxed.
He'd temporarily treat Kurama as a genuinely retired old gentleman...
That was impossible.
Borrowing Hashirama Senju's famous words: "Kurama, you are far too dangerous."
Unable to find him, so be it. After returning to Konoha, Yūshin threw himself enthusiastically into researching and studying Edo Tensei... Yūshin could naturally use this forbidden technique—after all, the infamy would be borne by its developer, Tobirama Senju.
Following this Shinobi World War, the Uchiha Clan's status received corresponding elevation, as they had performed actively during the war. How much work you do, how much effort you contribute, how much authority you enjoy—nothing controversial about that.
However, based on the Second Hokage's policies, though the Uchiha Clan's status improved, it didn't improve dramatically. Many still regarded the Uchiha with cold suspicion. Overall, the Uchiha's living environment was inferior to that during the First Hokage's era.
The Second Hokage indeed treated the Uchiha with fairness and justice, but this didn't prevent his constant vigilance toward them. Otherwise, years later he couldn't have blurted out "evil Uchiha brats."
His contradictory attitude influenced others in the village—after all, "superiors set examples, subordinates follow suit" wasn't mere rhetoric.
After Yūshin thoroughly mastered the original Edo Tensei and incorporated his unique understanding, time had reached Konoha Year Thirty—five years later.
Yūshin remained in Konoha, but due to his years of seclusion, many new-generation ninja could no longer immediately recognize his identity.
This was fine—elderly people should eventually fade into obscurity.
Well, calling him elderly wasn't entirely accurate.
On one hand, Yūshin had reached the age for lamenting his lack of achievements, his wasted years, and approaching old age.
On the other hand, he'd also reached the age for leaving the village, entering the mountains, slaying serpents, and commanding the world.
This morning, as Yūshin was meticulously adjusting his facial wrinkles, a Fireflies-affiliated ninja hurriedly knocked on his door.
"Lord Yūshin, the Second Hokage is summoning you."
"Ah, Tobirama? How long has it been since I've seen Tobirama?"
Yūshin felt somewhat confused. After careful consideration, he realized it had been about half a year since they'd last met.
The Hokage's work was extremely busy, while Yūshin had been wholeheartedly focused on research. Not meeting was quite normal... Elderly people rarely visit each other.
However, he still had to accept orders from his nominal superior. Yūshin tidied himself up and prepared to head to the Hokage office building.
Then he received the ninja's reminder.
"Lord Yūshin, the Second Hokage is at his residence."
"Day off? Oh, I understand."
After stepping outside, he noticed people chiseling away at the opposite cliff face.
"What are they doing?"
"Someone proposed carving the Hokage's statues into the cliff face, to remind future generations not to forget their predecessors' achievements."
"I see, flattery... But such spectacles can ruin nations."
Yūshin thought that as Konoha grew larger, no wonder he'd always felt something was missing—turns out the Hokage Rock had never been carved... Whatever, let them carve it; it's Konoha's landmark architecture after all.
Yūshin had developed an elderly mentality. As Konoha increasingly resembled Konoha, he paradoxically felt a sense of loss.
Led by the ninja, Yūshin soon arrived at Tobirama's residence... He certainly knew where Tobirama lived, but had to let this ninja complete his mission.
Upon arrival, Tobirama and his wife personally welcomed Yūshin. After dismissing the ninja, Yūshin discovered there were no guards here... In this vast residence, only the three of them remained.
"The Hokage personally welcoming me—I'm truly flattered." Upon seeing Tobirama, Yūshin immediately began teasing.
Unexpectedly, Tobirama didn't retort. He simply gestured toward Yūshin, then made a welcoming motion.
"Come in. I don't think I've ever properly hosted you."
"Most people wouldn't dare accept your hospitality."
Theoretically, Tobirama was the type who might poison guests' food—after all, despicability is the despicable person's passport.
Chihori simply smiled at Yūshin; she felt this kind of banter hadn't occurred in ages.
After the three reached Tobirama's reception room, Chihori said:
"You two chat—I'll go cook."
"Cooking so early? By the way, where's Aoi?"
Yūshin and Tobirama sat across from each other with a low table between them. Only now did Yūshin inquire about Hagūgen Aoi... After all, this child bore the Hagūgen surname, unlike ordinary Senju.
"Don't know where she's gone to play. Don't worry about her."
Chihori replied simply, then turned toward the kitchen.
Gone to play? Probably sent away deliberately.
After Chihori left, Yūshin lowered his voice and asked Tobirama: "What's your situation? You look terrible."
"What do you mean terrible? People naturally age." Tobirama seemed completely unconcerned.
Yūshin didn't argue with him. He directly reached out and grasped Tobirama's wrist. With just a simple examination, he discovered Tobirama was already at death's door.
"What's really happening?"
Tobirama continued smiling. After glancing toward the kitchen, he craned his neck and whispered:
"Chihori is just an ordinary ninja—she's long past her limit."
Life has its boundaries. This statement made Yūshin immediately understand.
"So you've been using your own chakra... life force, to sustain Chihori's life?"
Good heavens, the Senju Clan had actually produced a saint—and a romantic one at that.
Yūshin felt an inexplicable sadness.
"There are many methods..."
"But I feel this is best—doesn't trouble others, and Konoha still has you. I have nothing to worry about."
"What do you mean 'Konoha still has me'? I've long since retired."
"I know you don't want to be Hokage, but after we're gone, Konoha is entrusted to you."
Yūshin suddenly felt he'd encountered a deadbeat.
Chihori stood alone in the kitchen—a teardrop fell onto her withered hand.
Initially she might not have understood what Tobirama was doing, but as a medical ninja, she eventually realized... By the time she discovered this, it was already too late.
So, this was fine.
"I'm not joking—I might drop dead any day, and I'm fundamentally uninterested in managing Konoha... Entrust Konoha to me, and I worry I'll end up with a map growing on my forehead."
"Only you know your own situation, but I'm already dying. Living people's affairs are naturally none of my concern."
Tobirama Senju wouldn't listen to Yūshin's protests. No matter how reasonable Yūshin was, could the living ever out-argue the dead?
Yūshin remained silent for a long time. Various emotions ultimately transformed into a sigh.
"What about the next Hokage's candidate? Who do you favor?"
"Sarutobi—Sarutobi Hiruzen. Only him."
"Picking the tallest among the short—let it be him then."
Yūshin had nothing to say. Such matters naturally followed Tobirama's preferences.
At this moment, Chihori began serving dishes, and Yūshin and Tobirama tacitly ended this topic.
Subsequently, Yūshin chatted with the couple about the past. After a simple meal, he departed.
When Yūshin next visited this residence, it was a month later.
The couple lay side by side on a bed, faces ashen. After their family completed their farewells, Yūshin stepped forward.
"Yūshin..."
Yūshin leaned close to Tobirama's ear and heard him whisper weakly:
"After I die, don't bring me back to work..."
This referred to Edo Tensei. Hah, you don't get to decide. Now you regret it? Too late.
"Also... beware of the Uchiha."
Yūshin was truly exasperated.
"Just sleep. How can someone like you die so happily? It's unreasonable."
Well, even troublemakers have the right to happiness.
Chihori also seemed to want to say something. Yūshin brought his ear close and grasped her withered hand.
"Yūshin... August 9th..."
"What?"
"August 9th... your... birthday. You never... pay attention... I'm afraid... after I die... no one will... remember anymore."
Only then did Yūshin recall that every year, there was always one day when Chihori would try to stay by his side, bringing him exquisite homemade food.
You might as well not have told me...
Yūshin straightened up. Even someone accustomed to life and death like him now found this room somewhat suffocating.
He walked through the crowd and silently left the house.
Outside, the sky was overcast, dark clouds hung low, and rain seemed imminent.
Honestly, watching familiar people leave one by one caused Yūshin tremendous pain.
Yūshin didn't seem like someone who had friends, nor did Tobirama. But these two, thrown together, had ultimately become friends.
Tobirama could so readily abandon Konoha because he wanted Yūshin to serve as the safety net. Frankly, it was quite inconsiderate, but Yūshin couldn't hold it against him.
What else could he do in such circumstances?
And Chihori...
Distant thunder rumbled, and instantly torrential rain poured down.
From within the house came uncontrollable sobbing.
Yūshin involuntarily looked up, allowing the rain to wash over his face.
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