"Mom, I'm back!"
Aki shouted, unable to suppress the joy bubbling up in his heart. He led the First Hokage into his home, though the sight of his Uchiha kinsmen cowering in fear at Hashirama's presence along the way had annoyed him. Despite that, the moment he reached his front door, he was overcome with happiness. After six months in the Forest of Death, he was desperate to see his parents; he felt he would have been happy even if they scolded him, though he knew they adored him.
Watching Aki's excitement, Hashirama felt a deep sense of validation. "Perhaps the Uchiha will indeed become the guardian clan of Konoha in the future," he mused to himself.
"Ah! My son is back! Let me see my dear... son," Nanako Uchiha called out, but her warmth instantly evaporated when her eyes fell upon the First Hokage.
Aki, beaming, turned to his mother. "Mother, I asked Master to come and remove that scar on your arm, and he agreed! My special training is finished, and I've been promoted to a Chunin of the Leaf! Your son did well, didn't he?". In that moment, Aki didn't sound like a forty-year-old man; perhaps the lack of a nurtured childhood in his past life or the long act of being a child had finally blurred his sense of age. He looked at his mother with sparkling eyes, genuinely seeking her praise.
Nanako's heart melted at her son's adorable expression. "My son is the best, a genius among geniuses! Go wash up now. I'll prepare a feast to reward you," she said, gently pushing Aki toward his room.
Hashirama watched the interaction and smiled faintly. "It seems you've grown up, Nanako. Are you really that unhappy to see me?".
Nanako turned to him, her gaze icy. "How should I welcome you, Lord Hokage? With banners and firecrackers for the man who killed my father?". Her voice was cold enough to pierce bone.
Hashirama sighed. "You may hate me, but you know I had no choice. For the sake of Konoha, I had to strike down my friend. I do not believe I was wrong. I did not purge the Uchiha; I allowed them to remain a great clan and even took Aki as my disciple. Can you still not let go of your resentment?".
"The name 'Konoha' was given by my father," Nanako countered. "When the Hokage was chosen, he left. When he returned years later, you say he wanted to kill you—but that account comes only from you and your wife. It is hard for me to believe my father was that kind of man".
Hashirama looked at her silently, unsure of what to say. He realized that killing Madara was the source of her deepest hatred—she likely believed he feared Madara would seize power. He remembered how he had nominated Madara for the first Hokage, organized his wedding so he wouldn't be lonely, and even helped him translate ancient texts. Those texts had allowed Madara to evolve the Uchiha's Susanoo into a terrifying, physical manifestation of destruction.
Feeling a bit awkward, Hashirama tried to push through. "I am your son's master and your uncle. Aki said you had a severe scar on your arm and wanted me to remove it. I can't just be chased away like this. Give me your arm; I'll treat it and leave".
"I don't need it!" Nanako snapped. "Go to the hospital and treat the wounded if you want to show how 'kind' you are. Don't act all hypocritical here".
"I am treating you today whether you like it or not!".
"No! I won't!".
"Wood Style: Forest of All Creation!".
"AAAAHHH!!!!" A high-pitched scream rang out through the compound.
A short while later, Aki and Hashirama walked out of the house. Aki stared at the clear five-finger mark on the Hokage's face, feeling a massive headache brewing. "It was just a scar treatment... why did it have to turn into a war?".
Seeing Hashirama's miserable expression, Aki felt even more frustrated as they made their way to the Hokage's office.
"So... your mother did this?" Tobirama Senju asked, pointing at the slap mark on his brother's face while looking at Aki with suppressed amusement. Aki nodded helplessly.
Tobirama couldn't hold it back anymore and burst into laughter. "Brother, you really are something! Now there's another person in this world who can hit you without you fighting back—first Mito, then Tsunade, and now Nanako! Hahaha! I wanted to see her reaction to us, but I was too busy with missions to go myself. This is gold! Absolute gold!".
"We are talking about official business!" Hashirama snapped at his brother. "If you're so brave, you go see Nanako. I bet she'd try to cleave you with a kitchen knife".
After nearly an hour of bickering, the two finally calmed down. Aki watched the two legendary figures, his "egg pain" (frustration) reaching a fever pitch.
"Aki's training over the last six months has hit a bottleneck—his age," Hashirama explained, turning serious. "No matter how much he learns, his body cannot yet handle the power of higher techniques. I want you to find a Jonin to lead him on some C-rank and B-rank missions. Do you have a candidate?".
Tobirama thought for a moment. "Danzō Shimura is leading a team that includes Kagami Uchiha, an expert in Fire Style and Genjutsu, and Torifu Akimichi, who excels in Taijutsu. Danzō himself is a Wind Style specialist, which would be perfect for teaching Aki. Kagami and Torifu can handle his Fire Style and physical training. What do you think?".
Hashirama nodded. "That's a good recommendation. Neither of us specializes in Fire or Wind. Danzō's team is the best choice. Aki, what do you say?".
"I follow your decision, Lords," Aki replied. Tobirama signaled to the shadows, and an Anbu appeared. "Bring Danzō to the office".
Soon, a man with a distinct X-shaped scar on his chin entered and bowed. "Lord First, Lord Second. Chunin Danzō Shimura, reporting for orders".
Tobirama sighed at his disciple. "Danzō, I've told you not to be so formal. Look at Sarutobi, then look at you. You're too rigid.".
"Lord Second, protocol must be maintained," Danzō replied stiffly. "Hiruzen is reckless; I do not wish to be like him. What are your orders?".
Tobirama pointed to Aki. "This boy is joining your team for a while. This is Uchiha Aki. He has the strength of a Chunin but lacks real combat experience. He uses Fire, Wind, and Lightning. Your team is the best fit for him. Teach him well".
"Understood," Danzō said, turning to Aki. "I will do my best to instruct you in ninjutsu and how to handle the unexpected during missions".
Aki bowed. "I look forward to learning from you". He then turned to the two brothers. "I will not let you down. I will work to become a firm wall that protects Konoha from the wind and rain".
Danzō's eyes flashed with a strange light at Aki's words before he led the boy out of the office.
"Did you teach him that line?" Tobirama asked, looking at Hashirama with suspicion.
"It's the first time I've heard it, too! Haha!" Hashirama laughed. "A firm wall... if he truly means it, this child will be the best choice to protect Konoha after we are gone".
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Tobirama said seriously. "An Uchiha can never be the Hokage, especially not Madara's grandson. As long as I am alive, that is not up for discussion. A person who says such things is either truly selfless or a master manipulator. Either way, he is not Hokage material".
"Sigh, Tobirama, your prejudice toward the Uchiha is too deep," Hashirama whispered as he shook his head and walked away.