But who was he, really?
After merely three months of structured training, he had already reached Jōnin-level strength.
By identity, he was the student of the First Hokage — a title that carried immense weight on its own.
By talent, he far outstripped most of the elder veterans sitting in this chamber.
Realizing that, Kaede's earlier tension slowly eased. Perhaps he had been worrying too much.
As the smaller clans whispered among themselves, Kaede sat quietly, his expression calm and unmoved.
Hashirama said nothing, sitting at the head of the table with his usual gentle smile — though his silence felt deliberate, as if he were waiting for something.
Behind him stood Tobirama, his eyes faintly narrowed with hostility. Kaede noticed it instantly.
That bloodlust was aimed… at someone across the room.
Kaede's heart skipped. Tobirama's hostility wasn't even concealed — sharp and cold like a drawn blade.
It didn't take much to understand: this was going to be an unpleasant meeting.
The tension in the room was already palpable, and the discussion hadn't even begun.
Kaede followed Tobirama's gaze.
An elderly man sat there, his vitality strong despite his age — unmistakably a member of the Senju clan.
Kaede frowned inwardly. Wait… this doesn't add up. Why would Tobirama show hostility toward his own clan?
He darted a subtle glance at Hashirama.
The Hokage, naturally aware of his student's curiosity, cleared his throat lightly and raised his teacup to mask the gesture.
As he took a sip, his eyes met Kaede's briefly — a wordless, weary signal.
Kaede sighed inwardly. Got it. Internal clan politics.
"Great," he thought bitterly. I was just sitting here quietly, and now trouble's falling out of the sky onto me.
No wonder Tobirama's expression was so dark — the Hokage's judgment was being questioned.
It had to be about him.
After all, the First Hokage's student was a prestigious position — something every Senju clansman would have coveted.
From their perspective, "Why should the Hokage take an outsider as his apprentice when our clan has so many capable heirs?"
Unfortunately for them, Hashirama had little patience for clan favoritism. Tobirama shared that belief.
Their strength had long since surpassed the narrow boundaries of bloodline politics.
And so, it was clear what was about to happen — the elders couldn't touch the Hokage, so they'd target the easiest one instead: his only student.
—
A rasping voice broke the silence.
"Lord Hokage, this must be the disciple you've taken under your wing?"
The speaker — the same elder Tobirama had been glaring at — spoke with feigned politeness, but everyone could hear the bite beneath the words.
Hashirama's smile didn't waver. "Yes, Elder Naoki. This is the student I've taken in these past few months."
His tone was even, but his eyes — deep and unreadable — seemed to hold the weight of a bottomless abyss.
Even someone as seasoned as Elder Naoki flinched slightly under that gaze. Still, he pressed on, his sense of duty (and pride) forcing him to continue.
"A fine young man indeed," Naoki said smoothly. "Your judgment, Lord Hokage, is truly extraordinary."
Kaede's brow twitched. Extraordinary? Seriously? At least pretend to mean it while you're looking at me!
Hashirama chuckled softly. "You flatter him. He still has a long way to go."
"Ah, Lord Hokage is too modest," Naoki said, waving off the reply. "After all, as the God of Shinobi, your student could hardly be ordinary."
He ignored the warning look Hashirama shot him — the one that could've frozen a lesser man.
Kaede could practically feel the air tighten.
Sure enough, the elder was building toward something.
"But…" Naoki's tone dragged, his words oozing confidence.
Hashirama's smile faded. His fists, resting on the table, slowly clenched.
"The title of 'Hokage's student' is not one to be taken lightly," Naoki said. "For the sake of Konoha's future, I believe it's only right that we assess his true strength."
He said it quickly, leaving no room for interruption — his words spilling out in one practiced breath.
Tobirama's face darkened instantly, his eyes flashing like steel.
Unbelievable. Did he really just say that?
Even Hashirama's expression grew cold — not because he doubted Kaede, but because Naoki's tone left no room for respect.
It was an open challenge to the Hokage's authority.
Before Hashirama could respond, however, a deep, mocking laugh broke through the tension.
"Old man," a voice sneered, "have you no shame?"
Heads turned instantly — all eyes landing on Uchiha Madara, seated at Hashirama's left.
Shock rippled through the room.
Madara… defending a Senju?
The absurdity of it froze everyone in place.
Madara noticed the stares and smirked, rising slightly from his seat. His chakra flared — dark, suffocating, and impossibly heavy.
The murderous aura rolled through the hall like a storm. Even seasoned warriors trembled, their hearts pounding as if the air itself was turning to lead.
Hashirama quickly extended his hand, intercepting most of the aura before it could crush anyone.
"Madara," he said softly, "calm down. This is a meeting, not a battlefield."
He spoke lightly — far too lightly for the situation — and Kaede realized just how much freedom the Uchiha leader enjoyed in his presence.
Tobirama, however, couldn't hide the faint smirk tugging at his lips. As much as he disliked Madara, the man had just said exactly what he himself wanted to.
Once the atmosphere stabilized, Hashirama turned back to Elder Naoki.
"So, what you mean is," he said slowly, "you want my student to prove himself in combat?"
Naoki's heart leapt — but he quickly shook his head with feigned humility.
"Oh no, no, I wouldn't dare fight him myself."
He smiled, all false modesty. "However… my grandson just turned ten this year. He's young, but it might be a fair match. What do you say, Lord Hokage?"
Even some of the other elders couldn't hide their discomfort. Did he really just say that out loud?
Kaede stared at the man in disbelief.
Unbelievable. The thicker the skin, the stronger the jutsu, huh?
Very typical on fiction meetings...
Hashirama's gaze softened, then turned toward his student.
"What do you think, Kaede?"
Instantly, all eyes shifted to the young boy.
This was a must-win battle.
Age difference or not, defeat was not an option.
Because in this world, only the victor's words carry weight.
All around the chamber, clan leaders watched with thinly veiled curiosity.
If he won — well, it would be expected of the Hokage's student.
But if he lost… the consequences could stain his reputation for years.
Naoki smiled kindly, but his words were poison.
"Well, little one, if you're nervous, that's understandable. Being the Hokage's apprentice is quite the burden."
Kaede raised his head, eyes calm. Then, without hesitation, he nodded.
"Fine," he said evenly. "If you can handle the embarrassment, I'll be happy to oblige."
For a five-year-old, his words cut like blades.
Naoki's brow furrowed for a moment — but then he relaxed, chuckling inwardly.
A mere kid. Even with Hashirama's guidance, how strong could he really be in three months?
He smiled smugly. "Then let's not delay. No time like the present. Consider it a friendly demonstration before the council begins."
Hashirama and Tobirama exchanged a brief look.
Without a word, Hashirama gave a subtle nod.
Tobirama lifted his hand and gestured toward the window.
A masked ANBU vanished instantly to deliver orders.
"Two hours from now," Hashirama announced, "the match will be held at the training grounds beside the Hokage Tower."
No one objected. In fact, several clan heads seemed… interested.
As the council adjourned, the elders filed out, most of them already sending for their clans' younger members — everyone wanted to witness the battle of the Hokage's prodigy.
When the room finally emptied, Hashirama and Tobirama exchanged glances once more.
This time, both brothers allowed themselves faint, knowing smiles.
Whatever happened next — it was going to make some not-so-little 'stir' in Konoha.