The summons arrived early.
Not unusual during wartime.
But the source made it significant:
Second Hokage — Senju Tobirama.
Requested attendees:
Senju Tsunade
Jiraiya
Orochimaru
No formal agenda included.
Which usually meant the topic was sensitive.
They entered the Hokage office together.
Tobirama stood behind his desk, posture calm but focused. Papers lay neatly arranged — battlefield reports, political assessments, academy records.
Among them:
One particular file.
Uchiha Kaen.
Tsunade noticed immediately.
"Something about him again?" she asked.
Tobirama nodded once.
"Yes."
He spoke directly.
No preamble.
"You represent the next leadership generation of Konoha."
That statement alone made Jiraiya straighten slightly.
Even Orochimaru listened more intently.
"I want your honest assessment of Uchiha Kaen."
No politics.
No expected answer.
Just evaluation.
Tsunade answered first.
Measured, thoughtful.
"He's stable. That's what stands out most."
She folded her arms slightly.
"He's powerful, yes — but not impulsive. Not pride-driven like some Uchiha are stereotyped to be."
A meaningful distinction.
Especially coming from Tobirama's granddaughter.
Jiraiya shrugged casually.
"I don't see a problem. He fights smart. Doesn't chase glory. Honestly? That's refreshing."
Then added with a grin:
"And he's reliable in a fight. That matters more than background."
Straightforward.
Predictable.
Valuable.
Then Orochimaru spoke.
Calm as ever.
"I still believe his potential is extraordinary."
Pause.
"But what interests me more is restraint."
Another pause.
"He consistently chooses not to dominate situations even when capable."
That observation caught Tobirama's attention again.
Because restraint often indicated emotional stability.
Or strategic thinking.
Sometimes both.
Tobirama leaned slightly forward.
"You don't consider him a threat?"
Tsunade shook her head.
"Not unless the village gives him reason to be."
Direct.
Honest.
Important.
Jiraiya nodded.
"Yeah. He doesn't seem resentful. Just independent."
Orochimaru added quietly:
"Alienating him would create risk. Inclusion reduces it."
Clinical wording.
But strategically accurate.
Tobirama absorbed all three perspectives.
Then he spoke more personally than usual.
"Tsunade, your opinion matters especially."
She understood why immediately.
Senju lineage.
Clan balance.
Future leadership implications.
"I trust him," she said simply.
"Not blindly. But instinctively."
Pause.
"And instincts matter in this profession."
That answer satisfied Tobirama more than any political calculation.
Because Tsunade rarely spoke without conviction.
He finally revealed his broader reasoning:
"Konoha's future leadership must integrate strength from all clans. Senju. Uchiha. Others."
Subtle vision.
Long-term stability.
"Kaen may become a bridge," Tobirama added.
"Or remain independent."
Both acceptable outcomes.
As long as neither became adversarial.
The meeting ended without formal directives.
Just understanding.
Observation would continue.
But not pressure.
Not coercion.
As they left, Jiraiya whispered:
"Big expectations for a quiet guy."
Tsunade replied calmly:
"Sometimes quiet people carry the most weight."
Orochimaru simply smiled faintly.
Still curious.
Always curious.
Elsewhere, Kaen trained lightly with Hitomi, unaware of the exact conversation but sensing something subtle shifting in village intent.
Not hostility.
Not control.
Just attention.
Measured.
Careful.
And for now…
Kaen remained exactly what he preferred:
Strong.
Independent.
And quietly shaping his own future.