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After listening to the Second Hokage, I felt really down. I got up and walked over to the window.
Looking out at the little town holding a week-long memorial ceremony, I couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions.
"I thought that after coming to this world, having a family that cares for me and a teacher who really values me, I'd totally forget about my past life. I didn't think much about the habits I had back then. But now, I realize I never really became part of this world.Love? I don't think I've truly felt it. I always believed that everything I have in this life is just payback for what I missed out on in my past life—that's why I keep trying to take more.Since arriving in this world, I've never really felt grief, so I've never truly experienced sadness. Even with everything the Second Hokage just said, I didn't really feel anything. Evil doesn't exist without reason, huh?If there's no real love in my heart, then there's no real hate either. If I've never truly been kind, then I'll never understand true evil.He's worried I'll follow the same path as my grandfather, Madara Uchiha. But he has no idea—I've never even known what real love is.Respecting my teacher isn't the same as loving him. That came from gratitude, from him helping me walk the right ninja path.And my 'love' for my parents? No, it's not love either. It's just that I never had it before, so now I treasure it.Love… I don't think I've ever truly had it."
The Second Hokage stood beside me, watching silently through the window as well.
We didn't say a word.
I was silent because I couldn't figure out how I really felt about this world.
He was silent because he thought I was upset by what he said.
So the two of us just stood there, watching the town outside in silence.
As the hours passed and dusk settled in, we were still at the window, still watching. Finally, the Second Hokage broke the silence.
"If you really want to change, then work at it. There's nothing in this world that can't be changed.You've got to walk your own path.Maybe one day, you'll be the one who breaks the curse of the Uchiha bloodline."
I turned to him and asked seriously, "Do you believe in past lives, sir?"
He looked at me, a bit confused by the question, then thought for a moment.
"So, you actually believe in all that Buddhist and Yin-Yang nonsense?"
I pressed again, "Do you believe in it?"
He chuckled and said,
"There's no such thing as immortality or past lives. All that exists is the future.What we should do is use our strength to build a better future, not waste time dwelling on past lives or some so-called 'eternal life.'You get what I'm saying?"
I could tell he was trying to snap me out of my thoughts, but I still mumbled,
"I believe it. I really do think there's reincarnation… that people get reborn."
He looked surprised, then gave a small laugh.
"I don't know where you've been reading those Buddhist or Yin-Yang books, but let me tell you something—There's no reincarnation.When someone dies, it's the end. Period. I even created a jutsu that proves all that stuff is nonsense."
I blinked, confused. "You did?"
He continued,
"It's called the Impure World Reincarnation.Well, I prefer to call it Edo Tensei.It lets me bring back the dead and control them in battle.I originally created it so we could use the powerful ninja who died fighting against us, so our own Konoha ninja wouldn't suffer as many losses.I used it a lot during our battles with Iwagakure.While testing the jutsu, I noticed that the revived retain all their memories, right up until the moment they died.So believe me when I say—there's no reincarnation or any of that.What matters is the present. You need to live in the now!"
"Live in the now!"
Even though what he said didn't totally match how I felt, those four words hit me hard.
"Yeah... In my past life, I loved purple and green. They were mysterious and healthy, even fascinating.But in this life, I hate them. Everyone around me thinks those colors are sad, unlucky.I never cared much about animals in my past life, but now I hate cats with gold or silver fur—because people here think they bring bad luck.They hate foxes too, say they bring misfortune. And I've just followed along.But this isn't Earth anymore.This is my home now."
I took a breath and turned to the Second Hokage.
"Sir, can I leave the village for a while? I want to travel around the Land of Fire."
He looked at me for a moment, then said,
"Come with me to deal with those idiots first.After we're back, I'll give you a list of places your grandfather visited, and some old Uchiha strongholds.You can check them out."
I thanked him, bowed, and left his room.
Elsewhere...
"General, our spy in Konoha reported that the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, has left their base in the Land of Rain. He's headed toward Mount Ōkama."
A soldier in armor delivered the news to a large, muscular man sitting in a grand hall.
The man looked at the woman pouring tea for him and replied with a grin,
"Got it. Go spread the word to those fools.Heh, just when those idiots decided to mess with Tobirama—brilliant timing.Tell our people to behave themselves.If that monster Tobirama starts targeting them, I won't be able to protect anyone."
He waved the soldier off.
That night, under the cover of darkness, the armored general finished patrolling Mount Ōkama and returned home. It was already late, and his wife had gone to bed. He quietly removed his armor, changed into a kimono, and sat down in the main room, reaching for a cup of tea.
Suddenly, a voice came from the shadows.
"Kakashi Sakumo… long time no see."
It was the Second Hokage, sitting right across from him.
Startled, Sakumo jumped. When he recognized Tobirama's face in the lamplight, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Tobirama! Can you please stop showing up like that?!One day you're going to scare me to death, and then who'll you explain it to?!"
Tobirama didn't laugh.
"The Daimyō died in his own bedroom. Who did it?"
Sakumo laughed awkwardly.
"How would I know? I'm chasing the killer too!Actually, I'm glad you're here. You're way better at this than me—hope you catch them..."
"Cut the crap." Tobirama cut him off coldly."I'm asking you again—who did it?"
Faced with Tobirama's killing intent, Sakumo shrugged.
"It's not like I don't want to tell you. I honestly don't know.All those people are connected to your Konoha Council one way or another.Who knows which power-hungry idiot wanted to be the next Daimyō."
Tobirama was quiet for a moment, then said:
"Give me what you know, and I'll promise this—I'll let the Hatake clan join Konoha."
Sakumo was stunned.
"Seriously? You'll let us join Konoha?"
Tobirama nodded.
"You know your clan has ties to the Uchiha. Back then, my brother didn't trust you, so he turned down your request to join.But now it's different.Help me find the killer and you'll have done a huge favor for Konoha.I heard your clan has a real genius, too.If he joins Konoha, we'll make sure he gets the best training possible. Think about it."
Sakumo smirked.
"Ah, so that's what this is about. It's the genius you're really after, huh?"
Tobirama ignored the jab.
"It benefits both sides."
Sakumo's face darkened.
"All seven major noble families in the Land of Fire were involved.Apparently, the Daimyō touched a nerve and threatened their interests.Unless you can wipe them all out, well… you know what'll happen."
Tobirama paused for a moment.
"Where's the Daimyō's son?"
"Where else? In the keep tower."
"Starting today, I'll protect him personally.He's going to become the new Daimyō."
"That's not good.Doing that… you're basically declaring war."
Back in the forest outside the city, Tobirama found Aki waiting for him. He handed Aki a folded paper.
"These are the old locations of the Uchiha clan. Some of them were secret bases. Go check them out.There's nothing you can do here."
Aki blinked.
"I can leave now?"
Tobirama started walking away.
"I'm not babysitting you anymore.Report back to Konoha in six months!"
"....."