Hiruzen stared at the spot where Madara had vanished, a slight frown creasing his brow.
That definitely wasn't a Body Flicker Technique...
At the very least, it was a space-time movement technique on the same level as the Flying Thunder God Technique.
In a single instant, even the chakra signature had disappeared completely...
'Whatever his intentions may be, the fact that he chose to avoid battle means he doesn't want to engage in an overly intense fight. That suggests Konoha's military strength still makes him wary.'
Hiruzen temporarily set aside his doubts.
That mysterious combination of repulsive force, ninjutsu negation, and spatial movement abilities wasn't something he could fully analyze after seeing it only once.
Rather than wasting energy dwelling on it, it was better to focus on what could actually be done right now.
"Let's get Hanzō treated first, Minato."
Hiruzen picked up Hanzō's severed arm from the ground and covered it with a layer of Fūinjutsu.
Not bad...
The cut was clean, and not much time had passed. There was still time to reattach it.
"Big Brother, why concern yourself with this arm of mine?"
Hanzō shook his head and sighed.
"It's fine. Given my combat style, even if I lose an arm, I can simply create a replacement with the Hydrification Technique. It won't affect me too much..."
"It's me who's at fault. I've relied on the Hydrification Technique's physical immunity for too long, and once again I paid the price for it."
Rather than becoming discouraged by the setback, Hanzō's desire to grow stronger only intensified.
After all, in his eyes, Big Brother Hiruzen had once been at roughly the same level as himself...
Yet through relentless training, hadn't he reached the point where he could fight that strange man on equal footing?
Training works!
But where should he start?
Hanzō thought of Hōzuki Gengetsu.
Just like Madara, he had unknowingly set his sights on the Second Mizukage.
After all, Gengetsu also possessed the bloodline of the Hōzuki Clan. Perhaps he could use him as a reference?
Just as he had once studied Izuna's fighting style in his youth, he could start over and rebuild his foundation.
Hiruzen blinked, about to say something.
But Yahiko suddenly burst into tears.
Looking at Hanzō's mangled shoulder, he choked out between sobs, "Hanzō-sama, it's all my fault! I shouldn't have been so reckless!"
"Hokage-sama, thank you so much for coming to help us! I was far too narrow-minded!"
Yahiko's face twitched as grief and regret overwhelmed him, causing all the thoughts in his heart to spill out.
He had actually thought Konoha was arrogant?
How awful of him!
Everything Hanzō-sama had said was right. Konoha and Amegakure were comrades fighting side by side. The moment trouble appeared, they had rushed over to help.
If Hiruzen hadn't come, would even one of them have survived today?
Hiruzen took a long look at Yahiko, somewhat surprised.
Hot-blooded idiots like this were rare in the shinobi world.
But because of that, people like him often possessed remarkable charisma among shinobi and had the potential to become opinion leaders.
"Yahiko, stop crying!"
Hanzō said sternly.
"My left arm wasn't lost. I placed it as a stake on the future of Amegakure and Konoha!"
"Don't cry. Stand tall like a man and face the next challenge with your head held high!"
Yahiko shuddered and sniffed hard, forcing back his tears.
Hiruzen blinked.
Why did that line sound so familiar?
He felt like he'd seen it somewhere before, but couldn't quite remember where...
"Kid, come here."
Hiruzen beckoned to Yahiko.
Yahiko hurried over at a run and lowered his head respectfully.
"Hokage-sama!"
"You, that red-haired boy, and the blue-haired little girl..."
Hiruzen chuckled.
"That brat Jiraiya never even bothered telling me he'd taken students outside the village. I only recently found out that the three of you are Jiraiya's students."
Yahiko's heart immediately tightened.
"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama! We were the ones who kept pestering Jiraiya-sensei..."
"Please punish me! This is all my fault!"
He was terrified of causing trouble for Jiraiya.
Even more than that, he feared their actions might damage the cooperation between Amegakure and Konoha.
"It was wrong of him to take disciples without permission, but that also has a lot to do with Myōbokuzan's influence. I've already warned him not to do it again."
"Your identities are rather special. You're shinobi under the rule of my sworn younger brother, and relations between Amegakure and Konoha have returned to the proper path of cooperation."
Hiruzen gently ruffled Yahiko's orange hair.
"So, logically speaking, what should you call me?"
Yahiko froze.
He looked up at Hiruzen in shock, stammering but unable to get the words out.
Konan, however, immediately understood.
She quickly walked over and obediently said, "Shishō!"
"R-Right, Shishō!"
Yahiko echoed repeatedly, inwardly cursing himself for being so slow.
Hanzō's eyes lit up.
"You three must respect Hokage-sama even more than you respect me!"
"Respect for your teachers should become a core value of both Konoha and Amegakure. That's how our traditions are passed down."
Yahiko nodded vigorously.
"We definitely will!"
"Calling me Shishō in private isn't exactly wrong."
"I hope you'll accomplish great things. For the sake of a brighter future shared by Amegakure and Konoha, I hope that one day you'll be able to proudly tell everyone that you're outstanding shinobi recognized by both Hanzō and me."
Hiruzen patted Yahiko on the shoulder.
"But don't put too much pressure on yourselves. Just move forward one step at a time."
"Until you've grown strong enough, Hanzō and I will shield you from the wind and rain."
Feeling the warmth of the Hokage's hand resting on his shoulder, Yahiko finally understood.
He finally understood why Hanzō-sama sincerely called this man Big Brother.
"Shishō..."
At that moment, Konan spoke softly.
"Um... my Paper Release..."
"Hanzō-sama said it could be very beneficial to both Amegakure's and Konoha's industries."
"This contains my secret technique notes. Please accept them."
Konan took a scroll from her robes and respectfully handed it to Hiruzen.
Hanzō smiled.
This was a considerate child.
"Haha, Hiruzen, Konan's Paper Release is absolutely perfect for producing blank scrolls. But you know this child—she grew up in Amegakure, so her understanding of techniques is still rather limited."
"I'd like you to look it over and polish it a bit. If there are parts that other Konoha shinobi can learn as well, that would be even better!"
No relationship could last if one side only took and never gave.
Even though Hiruzen personally coming to their aid was a favor that a single Paper Release secret technique could never hope to repay.
Still, Amegakure's resources were limited. The important thing was to show the proper attitude.
Without the right attitude, things could quickly become disastrous.
"Very well..." Hiruzen replied with a smile as he opened the scroll and glanced through it.
Just as Hanzō had said...
This really might be a technique capable of improving productivity.
"It actually bears some resemblance to my sensei's Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags," Hiruzen commented from a purely professional standpoint, without overthinking it.
"It's a very clever concept. Impressive."
Standing nearby, Tobirama looked quite pleased and smiled faintly.
As expected of his beloved disciple...
He knew his techniques inside and out and always found the perfect opportunity to bring them up.
But the moment Senju Tobirama's name was mentioned...
Konan's expression instantly became awkward—one could even say rather unpleasant. She unconsciously stepped behind Yahiko, as though seeking a greater sense of security.
Hanzō cleared his throat.
"Hiruzen... um... Konan's technique is one that hopes for peace, you know?"
Hiruzen looked puzzled.
"Yes... so what about it?"
"Well..."
"Back then, Senju Tobirama used Impure World Reincarnation together with Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags as a special offensive strategy. I'm sure you know that already. It's actually quite famous throughout the shinobi world."
Hanzō chose his words as carefully as he could.
"As a leader, I naturally understand that the Second Hokage developed that technique to resist invading enemies..."
"It embodies the Will of Fire."
His expression gradually became harder to maintain.
"But, Hiruzen... Konoha shinobi can understand that. Shinobi from other hidden villages, however—even those from Amegakure—have rather..."
He searched for the right wording.
"...complicated impressions of him."
"When we're promoting things in the future, it's probably best to focus mainly on you, with Hashirama-sama as secondary. It's not that we can't mention the Second Hokage, but just like you taught me about public relations..."
"It's better to bring him up gradually... slowly... with proper timing... and only after laying the groundwork."
Hiruzen kept a straight face, fighting the urge to laugh.
Others didn't know it, but he certainly did—the original Darkness of the Shinobi was standing right beside them, listening to every word.
From what he'd gathered, Konan's Paper Release must have been misunderstood before, leaving her to be treated as some kind of dangerous menace.
The Akatsuki was an energetic shinobi organization. They had dealt with all kinds of people.
Tobirama's face darkened.
At least now he didn't have to pretend anymore.
He didn't even need to hide it from Izuna, since his current identity had become that of his own "grandson."
So now people could insult his grandfather, and he wasn't even allowed to get angry?
Izuna burst into hearty laughter.
No matter how many years passed, nothing amused him more than Tobirama's terrible reputation.
What a shame he couldn't drink right now.
Otherwise, this occasion would have called for a huge toast!
"There's been a misunderstanding here."
Hiruzen spoke with complete seriousness.
"Tobirama-sensei was actually a man who loved peace."
Fundamentally, that was true.
The problem was that he hid that side of himself so well that very few shinobi could ever associate him with peace.
Mainly because...
His methods had been just a little too extreme.
"Mhm, mhm..." Hanzō nodded perfunctorily before speaking earnestly.
"Hiruzen, I know it hasn't been easy for you, carrying all this on your shoulders for so many years... sigh"
"Anyway, we'll just have to be a bit more careful in the future."
Hiruzen remained expressionless, deciding to keep a perfect poker face so no one would notice anything.
To be fair...
Hanzō wasn't wrong.
A reputation only had value if it remained consistent. Its greatest benefit was reducing the cost of communication whenever cooperation was needed.
And in that regard, Hashirama's name was exceptionally useful.
As for Tobirama...
He was useful in entirely different situations.
'That's actually a good reminder...'
'Knowing Tobirama-sensei's way of thinking, whenever he realizes he's made a mistake, he always tries to correct it—sometimes overcorrecting. His summit with the Second Raikage ultimately ended in failure...'
'That means he'll inevitably be extra cautious when it comes to alliances and probably overly suspicious of shinobi from other villages.'
'We'd better keep him away from diplomatic affairs.'
'Tenzō will take charge, with Orochimaru assisting him. The two of them have sound judgment.'
'And Mito can make the final call.'
Hiruzen made his decision.
Whether it was Amegakure or Kirigakure in the future, Tobirama would have nothing to do with diplomacy.
He could simply stay in the Research Department, remain quietly in the village, devote himself to studying Hashirama's cells, and keep an eye on Danzō.
"All right..."
Hiruzen waved a hand with a smile.
"My sworn younger brother, I have no objection to you staking that arm on the future."
"But it's still a bit too early for that."
"Konoha has the medical technology to reattach it. The damage isn't that severe, so don't worry."
A giant question mark practically appeared over Hanzō's head.
He knew Konoha's medical ninjutsu was exceptional...
But they could even reattach severed limbs?
Didn't that mean that as long as someone didn't die on the spot, there was still a chance to save them?
Yahiko and Konan were equally stunned.
The strength and foundation of one of the Great Hidden Villages was simply beyond anything these two Amegakure shinobi could imagine.
"Then... Nagato..."
Yahiko asked before he even realized it.
"He'll be fine."
Yahiko took a deep breath.
At that moment, he understood more deeply than ever how important strength truly was.
Strength wasn't merely a weapon for defeating enemies.
It was also an absolute necessity for protecting one's comrades.
Without strength, no matter how unbreakable one's resolve, it would only be trampled under brute force.
You couldn't even protect the people you wanted to protect.
'Konan was right...'
'She said that until the Akatsuki brought peace to Amegakure and the shinobi world, she wouldn't even consider personal feelings.'
'It seems I was still too naive...'
'The most important thing now is to find a way for Nagato, Konan, and me to grow stronger together—to build up the strength needed to achieve peace.'
Yahiko thought to himself.
Konan was thinking the exact same thing.
Madara's overwhelming pressure had given them a tangible sense of urgency.
It made them realize that dreams could only be achieved through the hard work of relentless training.
As for love...
For people devoted to the grand ideal of peace, it was a luxury they simply couldn't afford to indulge in at this stage.