Hashirama Senju and Hoshino Yota had been conversing for quite some time, their talk filled with mutual admiration and praise.
Throughout their exchange, Tobirama Senju remained silent, quietly observing the two.
Yota, though grateful for the kind words, wasn't naive—he understood the meaning hidden behind those compliments. The Hokage's interest in his son wasn't mere curiosity.
Still, hesitation clouded his face. He didn't know whether to speak up or not.
Just as he was about to decide, a shadow flickered across the room. A masked shinobi knelt on one knee and reported, "Lord Hokage, Hoshino Kaede has regained consciousness."
Hashirama waved his hand casually. "I see."
The shadow vanished instantly, leaving no trace.
Yota knew that message had been meant for him as much as it was for the Hokage.
But something about it troubled him. From what he knew, Hashirama was a straightforward man—he had no need for such covert messengers.
His eyes shifted ever so slightly toward the silent Tobirama, and understanding dawned.
Still keeping a calm face, Yota bowed slightly. "Lord Hokage, there's something I'd like to request."
"Oh?" Hashirama smiled warmly. "Please, speak your mind."
"My son often talks about you, Lord Hokage. He's always admired you greatly and wishes to meet you in person."
For a brief moment, the office fell silent.
Then Hashirama coughed awkwardly and said with a smile, "In that case, let's make it today."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Yota bowed deeply and departed for the hospital.
Once he was gone, Hashirama leaned back in his chair, stretching lazily. The majestic aura of the God of Shinobi evaporated instantly.
"Ugh, I'm exhausted. This sort of thing suits you better, Tobirama. Next time, you can handle it."
Tobirama's expression didn't change. His gaze lingered on the direction Yota had left, eyes narrowing slightly.
"He doesn't trust the village," Tobirama said quietly.
Hashirama frowned. "What nonsense is that? A father's concern for his child is natural."
He clearly disagreed.
To Hashirama, parental love transcended politics or loyalty. Even a beast wouldn't harm its own young—how could a man's love for his child be a matter of trust or distrust?
Tobirama glanced at his brother but said nothing more. Instead, he shifted the topic.
"The village's population has been growing rapidly these past few years. We're starting to run out of space."
Hashirama waved dismissively. "Then expand. There's plenty of land around Konoha, isn't there?"
Tobirama's eye twitched. Easy for you to say. You're not the one handling the logistics.
He took a deep breath, silently reminding himself—this was his brother. His own brother.
"Hmph." He exhaled heavily and muttered under his breath, "Don't forget what we agreed on."
...
About half a cup of tea later, a knock came at the door.
"Enter," Hashirama said.
Yota stepped in, leading Kaede beside him.
"Lord Hokage, this is my son," he introduced.
Hashirama's gaze swept over the child—and paused. His keen senses immediately registered something astonishing.
Chūnin-level chakra…? At five years old?
Unbelievable. Though not on his own level, that amount of chakra in a child was extraordinary.
But gazes cut both ways. Kaede was also studying the man before him.
In his eyes, Hashirama's presence was overwhelming—like a blazing sun spanning the entire realm, radiating strength and warmth.
So this is the God of Shinobi… Kaede thought, his heart pounding.
After a brief moment of awe, he composed himself, bowed respectfully, and said,
"Greetings, Lord Hokage. My name is Hoshino Kaede."
"Hello there, little one," Hashirama replied after a brief pause, smiling warmly.
Somehow, all the words he'd planned to say vanished the moment he met the boy's eyes. Any sense of formality dissolved into genuine fondness.
From the corner, Tobirama looked away, suppressing a sigh. His brother's kindness knew no limits—and sometimes, that was exactly the problem.
"I heard you awakened a Kekkei Genkai,"
Hashirama said curiously, completely forgetting the official tone he was supposed to maintain. "Do you know what ability it gives you?"
Kaede scratched his cheek, smiling bashfully. Facing the cheerful and childlike First Hokage, he decided there was no need to hide it.
Power was meant to be seen—especially in a place like early Konoha, where talent was treasured.
"I think… I can control time."
The simple, innocent words made the room fall utterly silent.
Even Tobirama, ever the stoic, widened his eyes.
Time.
Spatial techniques existed—like Tobirama's own Flying Raijin Jutsu (Flying Thunder God), a space-time ninjutsu that allowed instantaneous movement through marked seals. But even that only manipulated space, not time.
To truly control time itself—such power bordered on the domain of gods. It meant the potential to reverse life and death.
As expected of the master of forbidden jutsu, Tobirama's mind instantly leapt to the deeper implications.
"Are you certain?" Hashirama asked, his warm expression turning serious.
If this were true, then Kaede's existence was a blessing upon the village itself.
Kaede nodded without hesitation. His eyes swept the room before landing on the potted plant on Hashirama's desk.
It was winter. The plant's leaves had long since withered, the color of life gone from it.
Kaede stepped forward and gently touched one of the brittle stems. His sapphire-blue eyes shimmered faintly—
—and before their eyes, a spark of green slowly spread through the plant.
Leaves unfurled. Petals bloomed.
It was as though spring had returned to winter.
Time itself… had reversed.
Tobirama's voice trembled slightly. "He really can… manipulate time."
Hashirama threw back his head and laughed with delight.
"Hahahaha! Incredible! Wonderful! To think such a bloodline would appear in Konoha!"
Even Tobirama, though stunned, quickly composed himself and flashed forward, appearing before Kaede in an instant.
"Little one, would you like to become my student?"
His eyes burned with fervor—this was no ordinary talent. This was unprecedented.
A time-based Kekkei Genkai—something never before seen in the entire shinobi world.
And that wasn't all. Now that he'd calmed down, Tobirama noticed Kaede's chakra levels. At five years old, he already possessed the reserves of an elite chūnin. What would he become as an adult?
To Tobirama, Kaede was like a flawless gemstone waiting to be polished.
But before Kaede could even respond—
"Hey, Tobirama! I'm still here, you know!" Hashirama interjected, his tone half playful, half indignant.
Without turning around, Tobirama said flatly, "Big Brother, whatever it is, we can discuss later. I'm busy."
"I've never taken a student before, so…" Hashirama trailed off, a grin spreading across his face as he watched his brother feign ignorance.
Good disciples were hard to find—and prodigies like this were rarer still. How could he let Tobirama take him first?
Kaede's heart raced. His eyes sparkled with excitement. To be apprenticed to the First Hokage himself…?
Who wouldn't be tempted? With such a teacher, his path in Konoha would soar beyond imagination.
Seeing Kaede's eager expression, Tobirama lowered his head in defeat. He didn't need to ask—he already knew the boy's choice.
Hashirama, meanwhile, couldn't hide his grin. His smile stretched wide, radiant with pride—like a rooster crowing in triumph.