"Lord Tobirama, when will you be resurrected? I will do my utmost to protect Aomi!"
Senju Tobirama looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with surprise; had Monkey really guessed that Aomi wanted to resurrect him?
It seems that although Monkey's tenure as Hokage had some issues, his intelligence was still intact.
"That depends on Aomi, it's not something I can decide..."
Senju Tobirama said with a sigh: "If it weren't for this matter confusing Aomi, I wouldn't even see you, Monkey."
"But, it should be soon, maybe in three to five years..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully.
It all fits. Aomi only goes berserk when his mind is shaken, leading to the teacher seizing control of his consciousness.
And this process seems to be accelerating. Sarutobi Hiruzen understood that for a personality like Senju Tobirama to say 'soon', resurrection was a certainty, with almost no deviation.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
To be honest, he quite likes Aomi; truly a good kid.
But with Senju Tobirama eyeing him, as Hokage, he is helpless, merely watching him be ruthlessly possessed.
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's feelings towards Senju Tobirama were very complex.
Just as Senju Tobirama criticized him, as Hokage, one should not fear the darkness in them, but dare to shoulder it all.
When Senju Tobirama seizes Aomi, what will the villagers say?
How will they deal with the people around Aomi, it would be difficult even to get past Tsunade...
Tsunade revived because of Aomi. After overcoming the hard time of having her close ones slaughtered by outsiders, she faces a family member instead seizing her hope. How would Sarutobi Hiruzen not wonder how Senju Tobirama would face Tsunade then?
Yet, looking at Senju Tobirama, he seems completely unbothered, merely asking Sarutobi Hiruzen to take care of Aomi, without mentioning Tsunade at all, as if he doesn't care.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts diverged more and more, deeply feeling that his own darkness was far lesser compared to his teacher's.
For Konoha, he could even be so ruthless towards his kin!
"Monkey, let Aomi take charge of Root."
Senju Tobirama said with an uncompromising tone: "The darkness of Shimura Danzo confuses Aomi, so let him change it all, and forge a decent Root!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded silently.
After seeing the darkness of Shimura Danzo, Aomi's mind wavered, allowing Senju Tobirama to seize control of his body.
Still letting Aomi interact with Root, the teacher intends to accelerate the possession process!
"Aomi, it's not that Uncle Hiruzen doesn't want to help you, it's just that I really have no means against the teacher..." Sarutobi Hiruzen apologized with great guilt in his heart.
"Teacher, how do you plan to handle Danzo?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said softly: "He did a lot of wrong things, but it's not to the point of death. After Uchiha Setsuna's rebellion back then, you didn't execute him, but gave him a chance to live..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had feelings for Shimura Danzo. Even though they were like political enemies and allies, the bond since youth remained.
In any case, Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted Shimura Danzo to live, even if just to keep him alive.
Senju Tobirama squinted his eyes.
At this point, in his mind, Shimura Danzo was already a goner.
But the issue lay in Aomi not being particularly concerned about whether Shimura Danzo lived or died, he cared more about the issues of truth and falsehood.
As Hokage Assistant, the misuse of the Will of Fire by Shimura Danzo deeply confused Aomi. If he had killed Shimura Danzo earlier, it would be fine, but if he continued to act now, it would seem like an attempt to cover things up.
"This matter, I do not decide..."
Senju Tobirama mused:
"If Aomi wants him to live, then strip him of all his duties and never restore them, imprison him, and when war breaks out, let him charge as a suicide squad member, giving him a chance to die on the battlefield."
"If Aomi wants him dead now, then let him die."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes moved, releasing a breath.
Although Senju Tobirama would not give Shimura Danzo a chance to return to the upper echelons, after all, he granted him an honorable death.
As for Senju Tobirama's claim about letting Aomi decide...
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, it was just a pretense, aren't you Aomi himself!
"The vacant position of Hokage Assistant should be filled by Tsunade, you understand what I mean?"
Senju Tobirama said slowly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded; what else could it mean?
With Tsunade as the granddaughter as Assistant, once she returns, he, as Hokage, should step down, accepting the teacher's punishment, being a mere figurehead until then...
Then, Konoha's Second Hokage would return to the Ninja World through Aomi's body.
But, what can be done?
Sarutobi Hiruzen could only agree, increasingly feeling that his mindset wasn't suitable for being Hokage.
The courage to sever ties was utterly insufficient to compare with Senju Tobirama's profound schemes and darkness.
No wonder, he as Hokage fell so short of the teacher...
Thinking this, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a bit relieved, it wasn't that he was incapable, but that the teacher was too ruthless!
"When you see Aomi later, say what should be said, don't say what shouldn't."
Senju Tobirama waved his hand: "Monkey, this is the last chance, don't disappoint me."
Sarutobi Hiruzen solemnly promised: "Lord Tobirama, everything is for your resurrection, I understand."
Senju Tobirama responded with a puzzled "Mmm", what's this got to do with his resurrection?
Isn't this for Aomi!
But at this moment, Aomi's power had started to retract, and the Genjutsu Space dissipated.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Aomi in front of him, swallowing.
He couldn't tell if the current Aomi was Senju Tobirama or Aomi himself?
He really couldn't tell, truly couldn't.
Aomi ignored Sarutobi Hiruzen and started talking with Senju Tobirama.
"Aomi, are you satisfied with my handling?" Senju Tobirama looked at the silent Aomi, somewhat nervously asking.