"What are you talking about, Tobirama..."
Aomi stood smiling on top of the mountain, breathing in the clear and refreshing air, gazing into the distance at the Hokage Rock.
"Didn't you understand what I said to him?"
"I've already told Asuma not to blindly follow my words. I'm just an ordinary ninja school student."
"Is there anything wrong with letting Asuma learn to see with his own eyes and think with his heart?"
"Do you really want to see a Uchiha like me teach the son of the Hokage how to be a Konoha Ninja?"
Aomi laughed playfully, while Senju Tobirama remained silent.
What Aomi said was indeed correct, and he was indeed doing just that.
From the beginning to the end of their conversation, Aomi had been guiding Asuma to think independently through inquiries and let him answer his own doubts.
Asuma's answers were all the result of his own thinking...
But.
If Aomi had been inducing Asuma to form a prejudice against Sarutobi Hiruzen or Konoha, Senju Tobirama might not be so uneasy.
The manipulation and schemes of playing with people's hearts always leave traces...
But an open and honorable strategy has an unmatched power, and the so-called self-thinking Asuma has already developed an unfaltering trust in Aomi!
Asuma even started to subtly use his own identity and resources to help Aomi.
In Konoha, the identity tied to the Hokage lineage that so many people longed for, and the ticket to the upper echelon that the Uchiha Clan had desired for many years...
Aomi had acquired it so easily.
He didn't even actively do anything, just showcased his Will of Fire, and the son of the Hokage came looking for him, even with a shy and pleading tone, asking Aomi to become his companion!
No one could see any problem with Aomi as a result, not even Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had led Konoha for many years.
Because Asuma truly wanted and was willing to do it from the bottom of his heart...
Senju Tobirama took a deep breath, unsure if it was because of Aomi's extraordinary charisma or Asuma's exposure of Konoha's darkness, but his feelings were very complicated.
Following Aomi's line of sight, Senju Tobirama saw his own statue on the Hokage Rock, and the scenery before his eyes became a blur.
Back when he first assumed leadership over Konoha, he had also subdued each ninja clan in this way...
Showing the Will of Fire through actions, even the Uchiha Clan was more joyous than worried about Uchiha Kagami becoming his disciple.
Is this some kind of reincarnation?
And as he contemplated, Aomi's voice slowly emerged: "Tobirama, no need to be so anxious..."
"I've never deceived you. I've told you before, my purpose is simple, to let kind-hearted people have better lives, to give those who err their due punishment, and to make the village and the Ninja World better."
"It's all evident in my actions, I've only one question for you, does my Will of Fire still meet your standards?"
Senju Tobirama snorted coldly, the words of retort reached his mouth, yet he did not know how to speak them.
He felt something was amiss, but even he didn't know what, nor could he articulate it...
But if that's the case, doesn't that mean Aomi is in the right?
Impossible, there's definitely a problem with this wicked Uchiha brat!
"Aomi brat, I'll be watching you!"
"Imprisoning this old man within your body was the biggest mistake you've made... The true face of yours, this old man will see clearly!"
Aomi laughed.
Is this old man getting confused even about himself?
"Tobirama, should I understand that you're actually quite willing to be sealed within me now?"
Aomi's gaze was subtle, retreating a step without a trace: "I feel, indeed, keeping some distance might be better, you're somewhat intruding into my life, and I'm starting to doubt your motives..."
Senju Tobirama twitched at the corners of his mouth, with Aomi's words, he himself felt somewhat questionable.
"Brat, don't get slick-tongued! All you said to Asuma was just exaggerating the darkness of the village!"
Senju Tobirama forcibly changed the subject, holding a stern face, he spoke in a low tone:
"Remember our bet? You said within two years, the Will of Fire would burn the innocent, and if you lost, you'd have to agree to one of my demands!"
"I'm telling you now, my demand is that you're forbidden from doing anything that harms Konoha's interests!"
Senju Tobirama's tone was heavy, but his gaze had a hint of evasion.
Having someone so similar to him, Aomi's moral bottom line might also be similarly flexible...
What is a ninja's oath worth, after all, compared to toilet paper?
But, to Senju Tobirama's surprise, Aomi slowly nodded, answering seriously:
"What I promised you, I won't go back on, Tobirama."
"Just like you said, even if it's a Uchiha ninja, you wouldn't hand them over to the enemy as a bargaining chip in a cease-fire agreement."
"I am the same, I'm a Konoha ninja, Konoha's interests are my interests, why would I harm them?"
Having said that, Aomi silently muttered in his heart:
"Konoha's future is mine, I'm not an old man with dementia like you, damaging my own things..."
Senju Tobirama stared into Aomi's honest eyes, nodding silently.
"Oh, Tobirama, I also wanted to ask you a question."
Aomi smiled, patting him on the shoulder: "If one day, for the sake of Konoha, are you willing to lend me your power?"
Senju Tobirama was taken aback, narrowing his eyes: "For Konoha, I would."
Only, Senju Tobirama did not know how he could lend his power to Aomi?
"This brat must be coveting this old man's wisdom, he's quite discerning."
Upon hearing Senju Tobirama's affirmative answer, Aomi chuckled and nodded:
"If that's the case..."
"Rest assured, Tobirama. Even on the day you lose, I won't make you prostrate yourself on the ground, I would truly feel distressed, you once, and even now, are my idol, after all..."
[Acquired from confrontation target Senju Tobirama: You have obtained Ninjutsu: Tandem Paper Bomb Jutsu!]
"Arrogant brat, this old man believes in Konoha, believes in my students, I don't need you to go easy!"
Senju Tobirama waved his hand dismissively, his demeanor showing disdain for Aomi's words, but the electronic sound of rewarding betrayed a somewhat pleasing heart.
A few days later.
In the darker corners of the village.
Shimura Danzo, the student trusted by Senju Tobirama, known as the "Darkness of the Ninja World" and "Root of Konoha," was in the Root base reviewing information regarding Aomi, a cruel and satisfied smile on his lips.
"This old man already possesses Wood Release, and if I acquire a Sharingan..."
"For the position of Hokage, who else but me!"
Meanwhile, in the village's most dazzling place.
Inside the Hokage Building, the rebellious Asuma knelt before the astonished Sarutobi Hiruzen, his eyes full of regret and pleading.
One bright and one dark, two core figures of Konoha.
At this moment, because of Aomi's presence, their minds were set into turmoil...