The next day.
The weather was clear, a fine day.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's mood at this moment, however, was gloomy. He was holding a fruit basket he had just bought, heading towards the Senju clan grounds.
Just yesterday.
Urgent news suddenly came from the Hokage's office...
His most respected teacher, Senju Tobirama, had actually collapsed in his office from exhaustion after days of hard work!!
What sorrowful news!
Teacher, to have worked so hard for the development of Konoha that he collapsed from exhaustion!
Greatness needs no further words!!
Fortunately, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, "happened to be" in the office at the time. The moment he saw Senju Tobirama collapsed in the Hokage's office, he immediately called for Konoha's medical-nin.
Even now, there has been no good news of Senju Tobirama waking up.
Just as he neared the Senju clan grounds, Sarutobi Hiruzen saw Shimura Danzō, who was also carrying a fruit basket.
"Danzō, you've come to see Teacher too?"
"Of course. Teacher collapsed in the Hokage's office. As his student, how could I not come to visit him?"
"...."
Shimura Danzō stopped and walked over to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
As a student of Senju Tobirama, he was also here to visit him.
The two walked forward as they spoke.
The further they went, the more familiar faces they saw.
Ninja from the Hyuga clan...
Ninja from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio...
And...
Ninja clans of all sizes in Konoha had sent people to visit Senju Tobirama.
It could truly be said that Senju Tobirama's students and former subordinates were all over Konoha!
Even the Uchiha clan, who had never gotten along with Senju Tobirama, sent a clan member to visit—Uchiha Kagami had just finished his visit.
Ever since the Uchiha clan established the Konoha Military Police Force and began competing with Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Kagami had been chosen by Tobirama as his student.
No one knew why Senju Tobirama would suddenly take an Uchiha as his student.
Clearly... this lord had never had a good relationship with the Uchiha clan.
Perhaps it was a gesture of goodwill from Senju Tobirama towards the Uchiha clan?
No one could say for sure.
And the elders of the Uchiha clan did not stop it.
After all, they saw Senju Tobirama frequently in Konoha. Making the relationship too tense would benefit no one.
It was always a good thing if a channel of communication could be established between the two sides.
"Kagami, you came too. How is Teacher now?"
"Yes, Kagami... Teacher, is he alright?"
"I don't know. I couldn't even see Teacher. I'm afraid he hasn't woken up yet... sigh..."
Uchiha Kagami said.
When he went to visit Senju Tobirama, he didn't even get to see his face.
It wasn't just him; everyone else who came to visit was stopped in the living room by Uzumaki Mito.
To this day...
Senju Tobirama had not yet regained consciousness.
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Teacher, he... sigh... Konoha cannot be without him!"
Shimura Danzō: "If he doesn't take care of his body, in a place as big as Konoha, there's no one who can fill his position... All the ninja clans of Konoha have received Teacher's kindness!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Yes, yes... Teacher is the pillar that holds up the sky of Konoha!"
Shimura Danzō: "Greatness needs no further words!"
"...."
Upon hearing that Senju Tobirama was still unconscious, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō were immediately filled with worry.
Their back-and-forth expressions of concern sounded more like they were singing Senju Tobirama's praises.
Of course...
These words all came from the heart.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō could be said to have owed Senju Tobirama a great debt since the very beginning of Konoha's founding—it was Tobirama who had cleaned up their mess during the tulip scam. Otherwise, the two of them would have been in deep trouble.
Now, they were Senju Tobirama's trusted disciples, both having joined the ANBU he had formed and been entrusted with important responsibilities within it.
Not only that, but the two of them had witnessed with their own eyes how hard Senju Tobirama worked on a daily basis.
Now their teacher was still unconscious... The pain, it's too painful.
Uchiha Kagami, however, did not join in.
Firstly, he was an Uchiha. Secondly, he had become Senju Tobirama's student very late. And since becoming his student, Tobirama had been busy with work, so their interactions had been limited. Tobirama would only guide Kagami's training when he had spare time... And finally, Uchiha Kagami's idol is Lord Kōkage!!
The current trend throughout the Land of Fire was to cater to the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
Uchiha Makoto was naturally a key figure in their propaganda.
Naturally...
The Uchiha clan was the same, and their propaganda was even grander!
The entire Uchiha clan was singing the praises of Uchiha Makoto's glorious deeds—single-handedly building an enterprise abroad no less than Konoha, leading the Akatsuki Ninja Village to victory in a foreign war... and...
A consensus had formed within the Uchiha clan—This is what an Uchiha should be!
After a brief exchange...
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō waved goodbye to Uchiha Kagami—even though they knew they wouldn't be able to see their teacher this time, they still had to go.
Not going would be a problem of attitude, a sign of disloyalty to their teacher!
Soon, the two arrived at a large villa.
Living room...
"Hiruzen, Danzō, you two have come as well."
"How is Teacher?"
"He hasn't woken up yet. But don't worry, Tobirama should be fine. He just worked too hard and suddenly collapsed from exhaustion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō met Uzumaki Mito in the living room.
As expected.
Senju Tobirama still hadn't woken up.
And Uzumaki Mito was mechanically repeating the reason for Senju Tobirama's collapse.
Although Konoha publicly announced that Senju Tobirama had collapsed from exhaustion... this was only the official story.
Uzumaki Mito knew the inside story!
Senju Tobirama hadn't simply collapsed from exhaustion; it was more accurate to say he had fainted from anger caused by Uchiha Makoto!
Senju Hashirama had told Uzumaki Mito the whole story—because of Tobirama's constant prejudice against Uchiha Makoto, a genuine offer of cooperation from Makoto to Konoha had fallen through. Afterward, when Tobirama saw the huge profits of the cooperation, he wanted to go back on his word, but Uchiha Makoto had blocked all paths for him to do so.
In the end... Senju Tobirama couldn't take the blow and ridiculously fainted from anger.
When Uzumaki Mito first heard about this, she was speechless.
Senju Tobirama had always been known for his shrewdness and wisdom, handling the complex clan relationships in the village with ease. But when it came to the Uchiha clan... he was unbelievably foolish.
Yes... Uzumaki Mito felt that Tobirama had acted foolishly in this matter.
Uchiha Makoto was about to marry into the Senju clan.
In the future, the two families could be considered one.
The hope of a new era had appeared.
With their relationship set to become so solid, Tobirama was still clinging to old grudges, playing tricks on Uchiha Makoto behind his back, and ultimately causing such a mess.
Even Uzumaki Mito felt that Senju Tobirama was being too petty.
Could Uchiha Makoto be blamed for using tricks in this?
Obviously not.
Uchiha Makoto was only passively retaliating. Tobirama was only getting what he asked for, reaping what he sowed.
And that was not all. Tobirama had even fainted from anger... it was truly embarrassing.
And such a truth was too shocking to be told.
The dignified Shadow Hokage of Konoha had fainted from anger. If the news were to spread, it could easily cause a huge uproar.
Especially since the matter also involved the Kōkage of the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
This was a huge scandal!
And Uzumaki Mito had more political sensibility than Senju Hashirama. She repeatedly emphasized to the public that Senju Tobirama had collapsed from overwork and exhaustion.
"Alright, your thoughts have been conveyed. Tobirama needs to rest now. When he recovers, you can come visit him again."
"Alright, Lady Mito."
"Then we'll take our leave."
After putting down the fruit basket, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō wanted to see Senju Tobirama.
But Uzumaki Mito still refused them.
There was nothing the two could do but leave for the time being.
And not long after the two left.
Senju Tobirama finally woke up!
In the room...
Senju Tobirama wearily opened his eyes.
The members of the Senju clan trained their bodies year-round and were often in good health and full of energy.
Even at his age, Senju Tobirama should have more vigor than an ordinary person.
But he was truly tired now—not just physically, but mentally as well.
In recent years, Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Makoto had engaged in a battle of wits, clashing secretly several times. The number of victories he could claim was few and far between, while the failures were many.
"Brother, Sister-in-law, you're both here... I... what happened to me?"
"Tobirama, you suddenly fainted. You nearly scared me to death at the time. Thank goodness you're alright... You were suffering from overexertion, and your emotions were too agitated, causing the blood to rush to your head, leading to a sudden syncope."
"To put it simply, you fainted from your own anger."
"You can't do this again next time."
Senju Hashirama walked forward, a worried expression on his face, and explained the situation to Tobirama in full detail—you fainted from your own anger!
And after a brief moment of confusion.
Senju Tobirama's chaotic consciousness quickly focused, and the broken string of memories came flooding back like a tide.
He remembered everything—Uchiha Makoto had used his own strength against him this time, playing him in the palm of his hand again. And even now, knowing that Makoto had used tricks, he couldn't settle the score afterward and could only find a way to beg Uchiha Makoto to agree to cooperate again.
And then... in that moment, the blood rushed to his head, he suddenly couldn't breathe... and finally, everything went black.
"Damn it... despicable!!"
"I was thoroughly schemed against by Uchiha Makoto again."
"Uchiha Makoto, you naturally evil Uchiha brat!!"
Remembering everything, Senju Tobirama's fists couldn't help but clench.
A thick sense of unwillingness welled up in his heart.
And what followed was an indescribable sense of shame. He had actually fainted from anger caused by Uchiha Makoto—and his brother and sister-in-law both knew.
Damn it!
Don't tell me the whole of Konoha knows too?
Then it's all over!
"Brother, don't talk nonsense... I collapsed from exhaustion."
"Recently, I've been busy with office documents, negotiating business with the wealthy merchants, and I have to go to the lab at night, working multiple shifts... My body couldn't take it, and I collapsed from exhaustion."
"I collapsed from exhaustion!"
Senju Tobirama stubbornly insisted, not admitting at all that he had fainted from anger caused by Uchiha Makoto.
The dignified Shadow Hokage of Konoha, fainted from anger caused by someone else—that was too humiliating.
Even if the truth of the matter was not known, it would surely lead to countless speculations.
Once it got out, what would happen to his reputation in the future?
And if Uchiha Makoto found out about this, Tobirama could already imagine how Makoto would mock him the next time they met.
"Tobirama, I heard you fainted from anger... what happened?"
"No way, no way... the dignified Shadow Hokage of Konoha has such a narrow mind..."
"The person who made you faint from anger, could it be me?"
"This is just reaping what you sow!"
"....."
Just thinking about such a scene.
Senju Tobirama felt so ashamed and angry he wanted to bury his head in his quilt.
How humiliating!
How could I have fainted from anger?
"That's right, Tobirama. I immediately announced to the public that you collapsed from overwork and exhaustion, for the sake of Konoha."
"Sister-in-law, you're the most reliable!"
Uzumaki Mito's words pulled Senju Tobirama back from his shame.
He instantly felt a great weight lift from his heart—his lifelong reputation in Konoha was saved after all.
"But Tobirama, in the future, regarding the Uchiha clan... you should still choose to trust them... This time you fainted, the Uchiha clan sent Uchiha Kagami to see you."
"Yes, yes, after I told Madara about this, he was planning to come see you too... but later... the Uchiha clan decided to send Kagami..."
"Brother, you told Uchiha Madara about this?"
"Ahem... don't worry... I didn't tell him you fainted from anger because of Uchiha Makoto."
Senju Hashirama chuckled. At the time, Uzumaki Mito had repeatedly emphasized that his brother Tobirama had collapsed from exhaustion, so he had remembered that.
But Senju Tobirama was still startled.
Uchiha Makoto was in the distant Akatsuki Ninja Village, but Uchiha Madara was right here in Konoha!
He didn't dare to imagine if Uchiha Madara knew the truth.
He would lose all face when he saw Madara in the future!
Thank goodness... thank goodness.
Thinking this, Senju Tobirama shot a glare at his brother and once again stubbornly emphasized.
"Brother, I collapsed from exhaustion. Don't slander me."
"I know, I know. But Tobirama, you must learn a lesson from this!"
"Uchiha Makoto really wanted to cooperate with Konoha..."
"Yes, Tobirama, your brother is right."
Uzumaki Mito and Senju Hashirama, in a rare display of marital harmony.
The two of them together persuaded Senju Tobirama to let go of his prejudice and sincerely trust Uchiha Makoto.
Senju Tobirama nodded but said nothing.
Trust Uchiha Makoto?
No one understands the Uchiha, understands Uchiha Makoto, better than I do!
If I do, Konoha will sooner or later be destroyed by the collusion between Uchiha Makoto and the Uchiha clan!
The entire ninja world will sooner or later be plunged into a sea of fire because of Uchiha Makoto!
Brother, Sister-in-law, sooner or later you will all regret it.
...
Akatsuki Ninja Village.
"Senju Tobirama suddenly collapsed from exhaustion?"
"Tsk tsk... calculating the time, Senju Hashirama should have arrived in Konoha by now."
"He didn't faint before, he didn't faint after, but he faints at this exact moment..."
"It seems the shock was too great for him this time!"
Uchiha Makoto sat in his office, looking at the intelligence report in his hand.
Senju Tobirama's sudden collapse was a major event for all of Konoha. This urgent intelligence was delivered to Uchiha Makoto's desk at the first opportunity.
After a brief analysis...
Uchiha Makoto had almost guessed the real reason for Tobirama's collapse.
"This matter probably won't end so easily."
"There are too many interests involved... It's unrealistic to completely shake off Konoha... But the initiative is now firmly in my hands."
"Next, I'll just wait for a certain bastard to come begging."
The thought of Senju Tobirama having to proactively sue for peace.
Uchiha Makoto couldn't help but want to laugh.
<><><><><><
Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247
~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]