The results proved that Senju Tobirama's research was correct. When these heirs of the Ninja Clans attempted to practice Chakra nature transformation from a different perspective, they were pleasantly surprised to find that they had gained a deeper grasp of Chakra nature, and some Ninjutsu that had previously been difficult to use became second nature.
Previously, Ninja used test paper made from a type of tree that could absorb Chakra nature to determine the Chakra attribute best suited for them, and then proceeded to learn Ninjutsu of that attribute. Ninjutsu of other attributes could only be learned by those with exceptional talent, much like Hiruzen Sarutobi's father, who had managed to master multiple attributes by relying on his own formidable talent after attempting various types of Ninjutsu.
The emergence of Senju Tobirama's method for practicing Chakra nature transformation meant that the threshold for learning Ninjutsu had been lowered. No one needed to rely on the Chakra guidance provided by Ninjutsu to learn nature transformation anymore; they could rely entirely on their own understanding of Chakra attributes to master the transformation.
The first person to attempt this was Hiruzen Sarutobi. After carefully reflecting on the significance of Chakra attributes, he followed Senju Tobirama's advice to the letter, mastering a new Chakra attribute through self-practice alone without ever using the corresponding Ninjutsu even once. Hiruzen Sarutobi's example made the others eager to try, wishing they could immediately cultivate other attributes as well.
Fūmori Masaki, however, was not as anxious. He knew his own aptitude was not outstanding, and had it not been for that fortuitous celestial magic aptitude, he would never have had the possibility of becoming a disciple. Even though Senju Tobirama had revealed the secret of nature transformation, it only provided a better path to avoid going astray; in the end, it still depended on one's own aptitude. In this academy, only Hiruzen Sarutobi was capable of mastering all five Chakra attributes.
Fūmori Masaki felt he should focus his energy on his family's inherited Wind Release Chakra. It was his innate attribute, and no other Ninjutsu would feel as natural to use as Wind Release. Moreover, the insights he possessed from another world gave him an understanding of wind that surpassed the current common knowledge of the Ninja World, and his mastery of Wind Release Chakra was far beyond what it had been before.
It wasn't that Fūmori Masaki didn't want to learn other Ninjutsu, but with the First Great Ninja War only a few years away, it took the average person years, or even over a decade, just to master one Chakra attribute. He believed that before the First Great Ninja War arrived, he would only be able to master the essence of Wind Release. If he wasted his energy elsewhere, what use would it be to end up with two Chakra attributes that couldn't even be brought to the table?
Furthermore, if he remembered correctly, the first enemy Konoha would face in the future was the Land of Lightning. Those guys from Kumogakure were all experts at using Lightning Release Chakra, and his own Wind Release Chakra happened to be the perfect counter to Lightning Release.
Thinking of this, Fūmori Masaki felt even more strongly that he should fully master the essence of Wind Release Chakra. This way, when facing those from Kumogakure, he could seize the initiative and increase his chances of surviving the war against Kumogakure.
Senju Tobirama was naturally pleased with the students' enthusiasm, but he also knew his training method was not perfect. Watching those who focused their energy on developing other Chakra attributes, he had already secretly removed them from his list of potential disciples—failing to realize that one should treat their innate aptitude as the primary means, and focusing solely on learning other Chakra attributes, was simply putting the cart before the horse. Did they think everyone was Hiruzen Sarutobi?
For those still on the list of potential disciples, Senju Tobirama did not relax. With only that level of awareness, they were still not qualified to become their disciples. In the days that followed, Senju Tobirama trained everyone strictly according to his own standards for a Ninja and held regular tests.
Senju Tobirama's tests were undoubtedly very difficult. At the beginning, everyone could meet the standards perfectly, but as time went on, the difficulty of the tests increased, and the corresponding training became even more severe. About half a year had passed, and the people in the academy had polarized; the excellent ones could still pass the tests, while the others had all fallen before them.
At this point, the day set by Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama was not far off. They were about to select their disciples from the thirty-eight students in the academy. Without the two of them needing to announce it, everyone in the academy could sense who had the potential to become disciples of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
If there was one person who was unexpected, that person was undoubtedly Fūmori Masaki. Everyone knew that the Fūmori Family had declined, leaving only him, and Fūmori Masaki had never been known for his talent; what he was known for was the hardship he endured to revive his family.
Yet, such a person could be mentioned in the same breath as excellent heirs like Hiruzen Sarutobi in Senju Tobirama's physical, technical, and Ninjutsu tests. This left them unable to understand: when had this guy Fūmori Masaki become so formidable?
Only Fūmori Masaki himself, along with Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, knew that Fūmori Masaki's skills had advanced by leaps and bounds entirely due to celestial magic. They did not feel that Fūmori Masaki was cheating; celestial magic was a part of Fūmori Masaki's personal aptitude, which, in the end, was no different from Ninjutsu. Like everyone else, he had reached this point through his own power.
After this training session ended, Senju Tobirama left the academy and walked slowly toward the Hokage Residence. He felt that the time was right; he and his brother should announce the formal acceptance of their disciples. As the future successors of Konoha, it was better to start cultivating them early.
This session of Konoha Academy was quite successful. The heirs of the Ninja Clans studied together and improved each other, they were no longer so strange to one another, and they slowly formed their own bonds. He and his brother had also found their candidates for disciples; in the future, they would all shoulder the responsibility of making Konoha more prosperous. There was also some progress regarding the Ninja combat model for Ninja Villages; come to think of it, this inspiration had come from the students themselves.
It started during a test when the heir of the Yamanaka Clan lost in a one-on-one sparring match, and lost badly at that. As a result, he was teased by his friends. He protested indignantly that his family's Secret Technique was not suitable for individual combat, and that having him fight an opponent one-on-one head-on was problematic to begin with. This incident gave Senju Tobirama an idea. Just as the student had said, the Secret Technique of the Yamanaka Clan was never suited for individual combat. The Yamanaka Clan formed a complementary combination with the Nara Clan and the Akimichi Clan, known as Ino–Shika–Chō.
The Ino–Shika–Chō combination had been very famous during the Warring States Period. By coordinating different Secret Techniques, they could unleash power far exceeding what they could possess individually. This made Senju Tobirama feel that the future Ninja model could also adopt the three-man Ino–Shika–Chō combination, which might have unexpected results.
Senju Tobirama arrived at his brother's office and knocked gently on the door. Senju Hashirama's voice came from inside, but whether it was Senju Tobirama's imagination or not, he felt his brother's voice sounded somewhat weak.
Senju Tobirama walked into the room and saw Senju Hashirama sitting listlessly by the desk, one hand balled into a fist resting against his cheek, looking at the scroll in front of him. But judging by his vacant gaze, it was clear he wasn't paying attention to it.
Brother, Senju Tobirama said.
Hmm? Ah, it's you, Tobirama. Is something the matter? Senju Hashirama snapped out of it, a smile appearing on his face.
Something was definitely wrong, Senju Tobirama thought to himself. If it were in the past, Senju Hashirama would surely have sensed that it was him standing at the door, rather than only noticing just now.
Brother, I need to talk to you about the academy. Senju Tobirama scrutinized Senju Hashirama's expression slightly and began to explain his thoughts.
Senju Hashirama nodded repeatedly and said, Yes, that's right. It's time to take on disciples. So, the candidates have all been decided, right?
Besides Hiruzen Sarutobi and Fūmori Masaki, the disciples I have decided on are the following individuals, Senju Tobirama said. They are Akimichi Torifu, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, Utatane Koharu, and Uchiha Kagami.
For every name Senju Tobirama mentioned, Senju Hashirama nodded slightly. He had also been following the affairs of the academy and was very satisfied with these individuals. However, when he heard the name Uchiha Kagami, he sighed softly and said, Uchiha Kagami, he is indeed excellent. We should take him under our wing.
Brother, has something happened with the Uchiha Clan? Senju Tobirama frowned. Senju Hashirama had specifically mentioned Uchiha Kagami, so he must have had something on his mind, and the reason likely lay with the Uchiha Clan.
Actually, Madara said some inexplicable things to me today. Senju Hashirama was silent for a moment. I feel a bit uneasy; perhaps a troublesome matter will arise before long.
Senju Tobirama shook his head. At a time when the Ninja Clans were gradually learning to get along harmoniously, this man was always voicing discordant notes. Although his brother Senju Hashirama was very attached to his childhood bond with Madara, Senju Tobirama had always been worried about whether Madara would cause trouble that would put his brother in a difficult position. Now, hearing what Senju Hashirama said, his premonition had come true.
In any case, let's prepare. Senju Hashirama managed a forced smile. Tell everyone that we are about to select disciples from the academy, and have them get ready.