A day's success is determined by the morning. There was a certain rhythmic satisfaction in refining chakra at dawn. Aki stepped out of his bedroom, stretched his small limbs, and with a light spring, leaped onto the roof. He moved across the shingles with practiced ease, heading toward a small, secluded lake on the outskirts of the village.
"Dragon—Ox—Rabbit. Water Style: Wild Water Wave!"
Successive ripples of water erupted from Aki's mouth, crashing into the lake's surface. He watched the technique dissipate and muttered to himself, "With my current chakra reserves, if I maintain perfect control, I can release three to five jinxes. But that's only if I stay stationary and dial the power down to its absolute minimum. C-rank and B-rank techniques are so draining. In a real fight, two or three spells would be my absolute limit. I'm still so weak. How do I solve this lack of energy?"
"That is because your physical age limits the amount of chakra your body can contain. Do not forget the fact that you are only six years old, Uchiha brat." A stranger's voice drifted from behind him.
"Who's there!" Aki spun around, dropping into a defensive stance. When his eyes landed on the figure, he froze in shock. He immediately snapped into a ninety-degree bow. "Lord First Hokage! Good morning."
"Haha, it's a bit too early, isn't it? It's barely 5:00 AM," Hashirama Senju chuckled. "Coming out to train at this hour... I was actually still asleep. Finding you has been a real struggle! How can you leave the house this early every day? Even training should be done in moderation. Don't forget you're only six. Children should enjoy their childhood! Come, have a gamble with me."
Aki walked over with a sense of helplessness. They really are monitoring me, he thought. My movements are being tracked perfectly.
"It seems you've realized something," Hashirama said, suddenly appearing inches from Aki's face like a curious toddler. "Tell me, I won't tell anyone."
If I tell you, I might as well tell the whole world, Aki mused internally. Should I say I'm a transmigrated soul? That my 'genius' is just forty years of life experience? Why did I have to be Madara's grandson? He remained silent, standing there with a blank, youthful expression.
Hashirama noticed Aki's guarded silence and felt a pang of complicated emotion. Is this really a six-year-old? When I was that age, I wasn't nearly this cautious.
Seeing that Aki wouldn't speak, Hashirama sighed. "How about this? I'll tell you two stories. I think you'll understand them; after all, you've spent half your life in the library. You know how the world works."
He gestured for Aki to sit beside him. "First, the era before shinobi existed. It was a time far more cruel and terrifying than now—endless war, betrayal, and slaughter. A monk discovered the use of chakra and used it to spread the teachings of Ninshu, hoping to lead the world toward peace. He was hailed as a Savior. But before his mission was complete, his life began to fade. He intended to pass his legacy to his children, but he struggled between choosing a successor of 'will' or a successor of 'power'."
Hashirama looked at the horizon. "The elder brother inherited the Sage's Eyes and chakra; he was entrusted with power, believing that peace required strength to be guarded. The younger brother inherited the Sage's Body and life force; he was entrusted with the monk's will, believing that peace required great love and compassion. When the monk finally chose, he chose the younger brother. He believed the world should be built on love, not maintained by force. The elder brother could not accept this and waged war against his brother. Time passed, but that war has never truly ended."
Hashirama turned to Aki. "Perhaps it's too early to ask, or perhaps you don't understand, but if it were you... would you choose power to maintain the world, or would you choose love?"
Aki kept his head down, silent for a long moment. Then, he spoke. "I choose love."
Hashirama was visibly stunned. He blinked and laughed softly. "Why?"
"I don't understand why my father makes me learn ninjutsu," Aki said quietly, carefully choosing his words to maintain his "innocent" facade. "I don't understand why everyone looks at me strangely, or why they say I have a cursed bloodline. So I read. Since I was three, I've looked for answers in the library. I learned the facts: my grandfather tried to destroy Konoha, and you killed him to protect the village. At first, I hated you. I hated everyone who looked at me with those eyes. So I learned chakra refinement and those 'simple' hand signs. I stole my father's scrolls and showed everyone I could do them. I was proud when they looked at me with shock. I became a 'genius'."
Aki looked at Hashirama with a fake sense of longing. "But I realized I don't like it. I like sleeping on the roof until the library opens. I like watching other kids ask their parents for snacks and toys. My father says geniuses don't do those 'weak' things, especially not in the Uchiha clan. But I think he's wrong. I want to be like the younger brother in your story, because I think he was happy. If you love others, they will love you back. Isn't that right?"
I hope he buys it, Aki thought. I'm laying it on thick, but I really do miss a quiet life.
Hashirama looked at Aki in astonishment and began to laugh, his heart lightened. Madara, you were wrong. Maybe I wasn't entirely right either, but I will prove we can head in the right direction. When I finally join you, there will be a powerful new guardian in Konoha.
Hashirama's expression became serious and formal. "My name is Hashirama Senju. As the founder and First Hokage of this village, I officially wish to take you as my disciple. Do you accept?"
Aki stared at him, genuinely numb. Wait, the First Hokage taking an Uchiha as a student? Isn't he afraid of raising a tiger that will bite him back? If I mastered his techniques, Konoha would be in trouble! He's too reckless. Aki didn't realize that Hashirama took the "confession" of a six-year-old at face value. After a few seconds of dazed silence, Aki knelt formally. "I accept, Master."
"What? You took that kid as your disciple? What are you thinking!" Tobirama Senju roared in the Hokage office. "He is Madara's grandson! He's young now, but when he grows up and we are gone, who will stop him if he seeks revenge with his talent?"
Hashirama scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. "I got emotional after hearing him speak. He's such a talent, a genius of the Leaf... I want to make him a protector. Besides, Tobirama, it's not as serious as you think." He then looked at his brother with absolute conviction. "I've observed him. He is the future of Konoha."
Tobirama saw that look and knew there was no arguing. He nodded grumpily. Lucky Uchiha brat, becoming my brother's student. I don't know if this is a blessing or a curse for the village. I'll just have to watch him every step of the way.