"What's wrong? You look surprised."
Hashirama waved a hand in front of Kaede's face.
"It's just the Scroll of Seals. The techniques inside aren't nearly as satisfying as using a good Wood Style."
Kaede gave an awkward laugh. Of course, only the God of Shinobi could call the Scroll of Seals "just a scroll."
Hashirama smiled warmly. "Learn whatever you can from it. Even with a Kekkei Genkai, knowing more ninjutsu gives you versatility."
Kaede nearly choked. You call forbidden techniques just 'ninjutsu'? And 'learn whatever you can'? Sensei, your confidence in me is terrifying!
His inner screams went unheard.
Then Hashirama's gaze lingered on him for a while, enough to make Kaede shiver.
"W-what is it, Sensei?"
"Hmm? Nothing much," Hashirama said, patting his student's shoulder. "Just remember — don't overdo it with those training weights."
He could see at a glance that the burden Kaede carried already exceeded what any normal child could bear. But seeing how determined his student was, all he could do was give a gentle reminder.
Kaede grinned and patted his chest confidently.
"Hehe, don't worry, Sensei. I was worried at first, but I've already adapted. It doesn't even hurt anymore."
Hashirama nodded slightly and didn't press further. "Good. As long as you understand the limits."
Then he clapped his hands together. "Alright! Enough resting. Time for training!"
Kaede's face fell instantly.
"Sensei, my stomach still hurts. Can I rest just a little longer?"
"Nope!" Hashirama replied cheerfully. "I didn't kick that hard. Stop pretending. Now go—ten laps around the village!"
Kaede looked like he wanted to cry. "Sensei…"
"Twenty laps!" Hashirama's tone was merciless, crushing Kaede's last shred of hope.
He drooped his head in despair and started running.
Hashirama folded his arms, watching his student sweating under the sun, and couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
"You're being too lenient again," came a calm voice from nearby.
Tobirama stepped out of the shadows, face as expressionless as ever, his crimson eyes studying the scene critically.
Without looking back, Hashirama said, "Tobirama, that boy has his own will. I don't want to restrain him too much."
"He knows what he has to do—no, what he must do."
Tobirama folded his arms, saying nothing. He didn't agree, but he didn't argue either.
The two brothers stood side by side, watching time drift by.
---
By noon, Kaede's stamina was completely drained. Sweat streamed from his body, pooling beneath his feet.
There were still ten laps left. His legs felt like they were bound by lead. Every step was agony.
"Huuh… huuh…" His chest heaved violently; every breath burned like fire in his lungs.
The weights on his body pressed down heavier and heavier. His vision blurred.
One step. Then another.
Finally—
Thud!
He collapsed to the ground, his body shutting down before his mind could react. Darkness consumed him.
Hashirama, who had been quietly observing from afar, appeared beside him in an instant.
The boy's face was flushed red, sweat dripping like rain. Hashirama's heart tightened.
He pressed a glowing green hand to Kaede's chest, letting healing chakra flow through him.
A soft warmth spread through Kaede's unconscious body, and he let out a faint groan, still half-asleep.
Tobirama arrived a moment later, glancing at the scene.
"Strong willpower," he said flatly, "but not much sense of restraint."
Hashirama shot him an annoyed look, then lifted Kaede gently into his arms before vanishing in a flicker.
Tobirama stood there alone for a while, thinking quietly.
Then, almost to himself, he murmured, "Still… he's far better than most of my own students. His future's worth watching."
---
Kaede, of course, knew nothing of Tobirama's rare praise.
When he fainted, Hashirama carried him back to his own residence and ordered the servants to inform Kaede's parents so they wouldn't worry.
Then he had them prepare a special medicinal bath.
As expected from the wealthy Senju clan, the servants poured in piles of rare medicinal herbs without hesitation — expensive ingredients that lesser shinobi could only dream of affording.
Kaede was placed in the steaming tub, his body slowly absorbing the restorative essence.
The bath lasted until nightfall.
When he finally stirred, Kaede groaned in pain. "Ugh… where… am I? Ow—damn, that hurts!"
Every movement sent a wave of soreness through his body. He gritted his teeth and looked around.
"Wait… this smell… medicine?" He sniffed the air — the strong scent of herbs filled the room.
Looking down, he realized he was sitting in a large wooden tub.
So that's it. Sensei must've done this after I passed out.
He winced at the memory of the last thing he remembered — the crushing fatigue, the searing pain — and shivered.
Are all ninja trainings this brutal? "Train till you drop" isn't a joke here…
He could already foresee the suffering that awaited him in the coming days.
Just as he was brooding, the door creaked open. Hashirama entered, looking tired but smiling warmly.
"Oh, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Just a bit sore," Kaede admitted honestly. "Otherwise, fine."
Hashirama stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Good. Looks like the herbal bath worked well."
Then his gaze dropped lower—
Kaede immediately sank deeper into the water, his past self muscle memory kicked in.
Leaving only his drenched head above the surface, his cheeks burning red.
"Sensei, what are you looking at?"
"Aha—nothing, nothing!" Hashirama rubbed his nose awkwardly.
Kids these days… so self-conscious already? he thought with a sheepish smile.
"Your clean clothes are on the table," he said as he stood to leave. "If you have trouble with your training, come see me anytime. Your taijutsu is still too weak — you'll need to toughen up. From now on, you're to run around the village every day. No slacking off."
Kaede nodded vaguely, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Alright, Sensei, I got it. You can go now."
"Hahaha! Honestly, such a shy kid!" Hashirama chuckled as he turned toward the door, still grinning.
He tried to sneak one more glance, but Kaede caught him instantly, glaring daggers.
Hashirama laughed twice, scratching his head as he made a hasty retreat, gently closing the door behind him.
....
And so began the days of hardship — sore muscles, endless laps, and the painful realization that the path of a shinobi was far more grueling than Kaede had ever imagined.