As Sasuke left the area, lost in his own thoughts, Tobirama couldn't help but wonder about the internal struggle the young Uchiha might be facing – torn between loyalty to his team and the Temptation of Orochimaru's power.
Glancing at the spot where Sasuke had vanished, Tobirama then turned his attention to a shadowy alley nearby.
Moments later, three anbu operatives emerged from the darkness.
"Hokage-sama," they greeted respectfully.
Tobirama acknowledged them with a nod. "That boy just now...he's the sole survivor of the Uchiha clan, isn't he?"
Confirming Tobirama's suspicions, one of the ANBU replied, "Yes, Hokage-sama. That's Uchiha Sasuke, son of the late Uchiha Fugaku, leader of the Uchiha clan destroyed by his older brother, Uchiha Itachi. As for why Sasuke survived, it remains a mystery to my subordinates."
Tobirama feigned interest, responding, "Ah, I see. Thank you for the clarification." Then, he issued an order, "Arrange for Sasuke to join the ANBU, alongside Uzumaki Naruto."
The anbu nodded in acknowledgment.
Curious about their mentor, Tobirama inquired, "And who's mentoring them?"
"It's Hatake Kakashi, Hokage-sama."
"Good. Inform Kakashi of their inclusion in the anbu . It'll give them a chance to strengthen their bond. I have high hopes for their friendship," Tobirama concluded before resuming his stroll through Konoha's streets.
The three anbu exchanged glances, and one of them swiftly turned to relay the news, while the remaining two vanished into the shadows.
______
"Hello, Hokage-sama!"
"Good day, Hokage-sama! Hungry? Oh, right, you can't eat!"
"Hokage-sama!!!"
As Tobirama strolled through Konoha, the villagers greeted him warmly, overwhelming him with their kindness. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, he decided to retreat from the bustling streets and head back to the Hokage Building.
Upon reaching the building's entrance, he spotted a familiar face: Shizuo Saito, the envoy from the daimyo.
"Ah, Hokage-sama, thank you once again. If not for your timely intervention, I might not be here today," Shizuo expressed his gratitude with a bow.
"No trouble at all, Saito-san. It's my duty," Tobirama replied, helping him to his feet.
"Saito-san, what brings you here today?" Tobirama inquired.
"Hokage-sama, now that your inauguration ceremony is over, I must return to the capital and report to the daimyo. I cannot stay here any longer" Shizuo explained.
"In that case, I'll arrange a ninja escort for you," Tobirama offered.
"Hokage-sama, actually, there's another matter I wished to discuss with you," Shizuo lowered his voice, casting a glance at the anbu nearby.
Understanding his intent, Tobirama signaled for the anbu to withdraw, granting them privacy.
With the coast clear, Shizuo leaned in and revealed, "Hokage-sama, the daimyo learned of Sunagakure's recent actions. If Konoha seeks to take military action against them, the daimyo pledges full support and will cover all expenses."
Tobirama's face lit up with a smile upon hearing this news.
"Well, that's excellent to hear. Please convey my gratitude to the daimyo," Tobirama responded gratefully.
As Shizuo's convoy departed, Tobirama watched them go before returning to his duties as Hokage.
______
44th Training Ground, Forest of Death
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Tobirama molded chakra and formed seals with his hands, unleashing a massive fireball that surged towards the towering trees ahead.
It was colossal, nearly 20 meters in diameter. The intense heat it emitted scorched everything in its path, reducing tall trees to ashes as it tore through the forest.
As the fireball dissipated, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, Tobirama couldn't help but feel impressed by its power.
"Wow, that's incredible. This natural energy-infused Ninjutsu is at least three times stronger than usual," he remarked, his eyes widened with amazement.
Running along the burnt path, Tobirama extinguished any remaining sparks with water release techniques, a dark circle forming under his eyes due to the exertion.
He hadn't expected such generosity from the system. All it took was letting Sasuke join the Anbu, and he was granted Sage Mode as a reward.
Activating Sage Mode, Tobirama's appearance subtly changed, resembling the mystical Shikkotsu Forest's sage mode rather than those of Mount Myōboku or Ryūchi Cave.
With Sage Mode active, Tobirama decided to test the limits of his power in the forest outside Konoha.
"This Fireball alone rivals Madara's Ninjutsu power, doesn't it?" he mused, eager to push his abilities further.
However, he hadn't used Wood Release since acquiring it, so he seized the opportunity to test it out.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
As Tobirama performed the hand seals, a shockwave of energy erupted from him, causing countless trees to uproot and rapidly grow in all directions.
The ground trembled, and residents of Konoha mistook it for an earthquake, seeking shelter until the vibrations ceased.
As they looked up, bewildered, Tobirama marveled at the power of his Wood Release infused with natural energy, eager to explore its full potential.
"Good" Tobirama said calmly, unfazed by the sight before him.
Stretching out as far as the eye could see was an expansive forest, dense and teeming with life. Hidden within its depths were sharp wooden thorns, capable of piercing even steel.
The scale of the Ninjutsu was immense, dwarfing even the Forest of Death with its ten-kilometer diameter. It felt like dropping a missile in the heart of a city, drawing special attention.
However, such a colossal Ninjutsu drained Tobirama's energy, causing his Sage Mode to automatically deactivate after its release, leaving him depleted.
"It seems this technique should be reserved for major threats. Powerful, but incredibly draining," he remarked, catching his breath and rising to his feet.
Just then, several Konoha ninjas emerged from the dense forrest behind him, their expressions changing upon seeing the Hokage.
"Hokage-sama, we've been ordered to investigate unusual activity in the Forest of Death. Since you're here, what's the situation?" a middle-aged ninja stepped forward to inquire.
"Oh, this? Just a mishap while practicing Ninjutsu. Please inform the village there's no need to panic," Tobirama explained casually, wiping his forehead.
The revelation surprised the ninjas; only high-ranking officials were aware of Tobirama's Wood Release abilities. The lower-ranking ninjas were unaware, hence their astonishment.
Peering into the dense forest behind Tobirama, then back at the Hokage, the ninjas nodded in understanding.
"Truly remarkable, Hokage-sama! Your Wood Release surpasses even that of the First Hokage," one of them praised.
Tobirama humbly shook his head, then turned and departed, leaving the surprised ninjas behind.
"Oh, and keep this to yourselves," he instructed before vanishing in a flash.
Left in awe, the remaining ninjas stood there, marveling at their Kage's incredible abilities.
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