"I only know a little about her situation."
Aomi didn't keep Tobirama in suspense; it was clear that this former Second Hokage was truly anxious.
"Her younger brother, Nawaki, died in the Second Ninja War, and it seems she also lost someone she had feelings for... During that war, Salamander Hanzo fought against Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, granting them the title of the Sannin, gaining fame in Konoha."
"But I've heard that recently the relationship between these three seems to have fractured, causing conflicts even with their teacher, the Third Hokage."
"According to rumors, she's developed hemophobia and faints at the sight of blood, though it's uncertain if it's true."
Senju Tobirama frowned. Even Nawaki was dead?
But he didn't dwell on it too much; that's the cruel nature of war. Even he, as the Second Hokage, died, let alone Nawaki.
Yet even so, Tsunade's plight still pained him.
"This is something that can't be helped, Tobirama..."
Aomi sat beside Senju Tobirama, sighing, "Tsunade's childhood was enviable, with a noble background and many loving elders, but the reversal came shockingly fast..."
"Continuous upheavals and wars, combined with your handling of the Senju Clan, left her almost without those loving family members, while her former comrades have taken different paths."
"This sense of being utterly alone is probably quite lethal for a woman, isn't it?"
Aomi left some words unsaid.
If Senju Tobirama knew that Jiraiya had become a loyal operative of Mount Myoboku, even changing his forehead protector, and that Orochimaru was engrossed in human experiments, not even sparing the children of the village, with Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen also involved...
What would he think?
However, there was no need for Aomi to tell him these things, because only by witnessing everything with his own eyes would Senju Tobirama feel it more genuinely.
And feel more enraged.
Senju Tobirama remained silent; he did not doubt Aomi's words.
The Ninja World is just that kind of world.
Once everyone has different goals, former friends and companions become like strangers, even resorting to killing each other.
Connections, friendships, and teacher-student relationships often lead to mutual slaughter in pursuit of one's goals.
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were like that, as were Orochimaru and the Third Hokage, Uchiha Obito and Namikaze Minato, Jiraiya and Nagato, and many other unknown ninja playing out similar dramas.
But that isn't the main point.
The main point is that Senju Tobirama saw Tsunade's dismissive attitude toward becoming Hokage, unable to hide the sadness in her eyes, and he truly felt sorrow.
Konoha was originally a village built to protect everyone, yet it couldn't even protect those closest to the Hokage.
In the original timeline, Senju Tobirama witnessed the Hokage Tsunade after overcoming her inner demons, strong and decisive once again, but what he saw now, was the most vulnerable moment of her life.
"Little Tsuna..." Senju Tobirama shook his head, suddenly feeling a sense of dread about Konoha's future.
Even with all sorts of reasons, if even the granddaughter of two Hokages is dismissive about becoming Hokage, what does that say about the village's future?
What is the current state of Konoha under the governance of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo?
Is it Tsunade's personal tragedy, or has the entire village begun to face problems...
Senju Tobirama pondered deeply, his mind in a complex tangle of emotions.
But Aomi had different thoughts.
Entering the chain of teacher-student succession in the Hokage lineage, there are various methods.
Broadly speaking, as long as there is a connection of blood or teacher-student relationship to the Hokage, it counts.
Aomi was a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, and among the paths of teacher-student succession available to Aomi, there were Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Namikaze Minato, with Jiraiya being an unlikely choice.
Originally, Aomi intended to take Uchiha Obito's place as Namikaze Minato's disciple, but in reality, becoming Tsunade's disciple would be a better choice.
After all, Namikaze Minato's abilities weren't much different from Senju Tobirama's; even with a bound talent, they overlapped heavily.
But Tsunade was different, with the blood of Senju Hashirama and Uzumaki Mito flowing in her veins, along with the unique talent in Fuinjutsu...
And her figure and appearance were quite to Aomi's taste.
Sometimes, if you want to become Hokage, you could start by becoming the Hokage's man...
"Tobirama, this is why I summoned your soul into me, the current Hidden Village system cannot bring peace to Konoha, to the Ninja World."
Aomi lifted his head, aligning his gaze with Senju Tobirama, observing the azure sky, and said slowly, "This isn't because of you, but it needs someone to deal with it."
"Perhaps one day the Ninja World will usher in true peace, but before that happens, many more will suffer Tsunade's fate, or perhaps one ten thousand times worse; I don't want to wait that long."
Senju Tobirama slowly nodded; if anyone had the clearest and most thorough understanding of the Ninja World situation, it had to be him.
In this regard, Uchiha Madara doesn't qualify, and neither does Senju Hashirama.
But Aomi's following words momentarily made him forget the sadness brought by Tsunade: "Although I wanted to borrow your wisdom, I found that you're not much help either, so I'll have to do it myself..."
[From the confrontation target Senju Tobirama: Blade Technique (Uchiha Izuna - Senju Tobirama Analysis Edition)!]
"Aomi brat!" Senju Tobirama gritted his teeth, about to retort, when he heard Aomi continue leisurely:
"Shh, the Will of Fire exam results will be out tomorrow, I suggest you check your scores before arguing with me, dear Second Hokage."
"Ridiculous, if I can't best you in the exam, then my statue on the Hokage Rock might as well be replaced by yours!" Senju Tobirama waved his hand, his expression confident and assured.
Aomi shrugged; Senju Tobirama may have been a good Hokage and teacher, but he surely wasn't a good student.
No matter how good the answer, if you start by preaching and criticizing, the grader is unlikely to give high marks.
The Will of Fire exam tests for compliance, not one's true understanding of the Will of Fire...
#
The next day.
Ninja Academy.
Aomi looked at the perfect score on his test paper and Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughtful comments, nodding casually.
For him, this was no different from writing a primary school essay.
Noticing Aomi's perfect score, Senju Tobirama sensed something amiss and stubbornly remarked, "It's just a tie!"
At that moment, an unfortunate wailing arose from the front.
"Waaah! What did I write? Why did I answer like this?" Inada Kojiro burst into tears, crying over the Third Hokage's harsh comments.
Senju Tobirama was completely stuck.
Could it be that he didn't score a perfect mark?