Return of the Second Hokage

Tobirama Senju spent his entire life fighting against the Uchiha clan. During his childhood, he witnessed his brother, Kawarama Senju, being killed by five Uchiha clan adult ninjas, planting a deep-seated hatred for the Uchiha within him.

During the chaotic Warring States Period, his brother Hashirama led the Senju clan in countless battles against the Uchiha. Tobirama, as the Senju's sharpest weapon, always fought on the front lines.

Known as the "Fastest Shinobi," Tobirama earned his legendary reputation by using the Flying Thunder God Technique, which he developed, to traverse battlefields and eliminate many Uchiha elites.

But that wasn't enough for him. 

To ensure the Senju clan's victory in the war, Tobirama finally seized an opportunity like a patient hunter. In a battle against Madara's brother, Izuna Uchiha, Tobirama deliberately showed a flaw. At the moment Izuna thought he had an advantage, Tobirama used Flying Thunder God Slash to end his life.

This victory shifted the balance of power between the Senju and Uchiha, leading to the Uchiha's eventual defeat.

In the war between the Senju and Uchiha, Tobirama played a crucial role.

Later, when Madara and Hashirama reconciled, the Uchiha and Senju co-founded the first ninja village in the world: Konoha. It seemed the strife between the Senju and Uchiha had ended.

However, Tobirama never let his guard down against the Uchiha.

Thus, he opposed Madara becoming Hokage, leading to Madara leaving Konoha in anger. After Hashirama's death, Tobirama became the Second Hokage and created the Konoha Police Force, a "leash" specifically designed to monitor the Uchiha.

Tobirama's hostility towards the Uchiha was based on his understanding of the Sharingan's dangers from their long-term conflicts.

Tobirama conducted numerous forbidden experiments, including those involving Uchiha bodies, which revealed the secret of the Sharingan to him. He found that the Sharingan is awakened through intense emotional pain following the loss of a loved one.

The deeper the love, the greater the pain upon loss, and the stronger the hatred that replaces that love when the Sharingan awakens. The awakening leads to a descent into darkness, with the intensity of this darkness directly proportional to the strength of the Sharingan and the user's extremity.

Madara Uchiha was a prime example of this phenomenon.

In conclusion, Tobirama believed that the Uchiha were inherently evil, driven by madness and psychopathy at their core.

Yet, within just eight years, these "madmen" revived a declining Konoha, transforming it into a prosperous and peaceful haven.

"Tobirama, how do you think those Uchiha managed to achieve this?" Hashirama scratched his head and looked at his brother.

After a moment of contemplation, Tobirama replied, "By relying on overwhelming military strength, they abandoned the one-nation-one-village system and proclaimed a stance of permanent neutrality. They then implemented an open-door policy, attracting talent and resources from across the ninja world, transforming Konoha into an immigration hub, and reinterpreting the Will of Fire.

These strategies were all proposed by Uchiha Dan, the Sixth Hokage. I always feared another Madara would emerge from the Uchiha. Now it seems Dan is as powerful as Madara but not of the same nature. This is fortunate for both the Uchiha and Konoha."

Even Tobirama, who always held prejudices against the Uchiha, had to admit that Uchiha Dan was an excellent Hokage.

"Hearing all this makes me want to meet Dan in person and see what kind of man he is," Hashirama said, stroking his chin with curiosity.

"Big brother, don't forget that Uchiha Dan has awakened the legendary Sage's Eye. We are now in Edo Tensei bodies, and if we get too close, he might see through us. Until we understand his full strength, we must proceed cautiously."

"You're right, I got carried away," Hashirama chuckled awkwardly and then changed the subject, thinking of his granddaughter, Tsunade. "I wonder what Tsunade is up to these days. Sarutobi said she has been living alone without starting a family. Why is that? I just hope she hasn't picked up my bad habits like gambling and drinking. Those can be quite harmful."

Worry etched his face as he spoke.

Listening to his brother's rambling, Tobirama couldn't help but shake his head and bluntly remark, "Who taught her to gamble and drink in the first place? Now you regret it? Let's stop standing around. Since we're back in the ninja world, let's take this chance to visit Tsunade."

With that, he led the way down the hill.

"Tobirama, wait for me," Hashirama called, following his brother.

"When we get to the village, don't call me Tobirama. Also, put on this raincoat," Tobirama instructed, pulling out two black raincoats from who knows where. These would help conceal their identities.

If they walked through Konoha's streets without any disguise, they would soon be surrounded by the villagers.

After all, as the First and Second Hokage, their faces had been carved into the Hokage Rock for decades and were quite well-known.

Half an hour later.

"Central Commercial Street, we've arrived. Please take your belongings and disembark in an orderly manner," announced the electric train.

Amidst a throng of tourists, the two raincoat-clad men stepped off the train, entering Konoha's busiest shopping street.

Earlier on the train, the more information they gathered through passengers' conversations, the free Konoha Daily, and rolling TV news, the more surprised Hashirama and Tobirama became.

As they traveled, they saw a vibrant and dazzling Konoha firsthand.

It was truly remarkable.

Only by walking through Konoha, surrounded by skyscrapers and bustling crowds, could one fully grasp the village's prosperity.

Trains, airships, televisions, cell phones, radios...

Such modern amenities were unimaginable in Hashirama and Tobirama's time.

They had visited Konoha Hospital earlier but learned that Tsunade had been on leave for a week.

Where could they find her?

Konoha had over three million residents; finding one person among such a crowd should be easy — if they had a phone. 

But neither Hashirama nor Tobirama knew Tsunade's number or how to use a phone.

Seeing a girl expertly using her phone to invite friends out, Hashirama couldn't help but sigh, "We really are relics of the past, aren't we?"

Tobirama patted Hashirama's shoulder, comforting him, "Don't lose heart, big brother. We are ninjas. If we want to find someone, we should use ninja methods."

They found a secluded corner away from the crowd.

Sensing chakra was a ninja ability that allowed them to create a mental map of the area, identifying friends or foes.

However, sensory ninjas were rarer than medical ninjas in each village.

Top-tier sensory ninjas like Tobirama could be counted on one hand in the history of the ninja world.

He closed his eyes, squatting down, and touched the ground with one finger, expanding his sensory perception.

In an instant, countless chakra signatures appeared in his mind like flickering candles.

Each flame varied in color and intensity, indicating the ninja's chakra nature and amount.

In simple terms, the brighter and taller the flame, the stronger the ninja.

"Konoha is said to attract talents from across the ninja world. Now I see it's true. So many strong individuals, far more than in our time."

Tobirama marveled while keeping his eyes closed, grateful for their cautious approach to returning to the village.

"Have you found Tsunade?" Hashirama asked anxiously.

"Hold on… yes, I found her," Tobirama replied, standing up.

Among Konoha's countless chakra signatures, one was particularly pure and massive, shining like a white sun, and it felt very familiar to him.

That was the Yang Release chakra of the Senju clan.

There was no doubt; that it was Tsunade.

"But... her location seems to be in the direction of the Uchiha compound," Tobirama frowned.

He recalled Sarutobi mentioning Tsunade's close relationship with the Uchiha, having joined their camp early and having a significant connection with Dan. This displeased him as her grandfather.

Hashirama, on the other hand, was less concerned about such details. "Let's hurry then."

So, they bought tickets and boarded the train again.

Next stop, Uchiha compound.

In the Hokage's office at the Hokage Residence.

"It seems my plan to draw out the enemy worked. Two big fish have shown up."

Dan murmured to himself.

Just moments ago, his Rain Tiger at Will technique detected two enormous, ominous chakra signatures, laced with a cold aura.

That cold aura signified Edo Tensei.

As for the identities of these big fish, Dan easily guessed.

The First and Second Hokage of Konoha.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had finally brought these ancestors back from the Pure Land.

While Tobirama was using chakra to sense others, he and Hashirama were already exposed to Dan's Rinnegan.

They were heading to the Uchiha compound. Their target... was Tsunade?

Since Karin left Konoha, Tsunade had been despondent, temporarily leaving her post at the hospital to rest at home.

During this time, her friend Samui visited her upon learning about Karin, offering comfort.

To help Tsunade get out and about, Samui invited her to help train her daughter, Marissa, for the upcoming Chunin Exams.

Tsunade agreed.

So right now, Tsunade should be with Marissa at the Uchiha training grounds.

The two Hokages are heading straight for Tsunade. Was this a family reunion?

Dan, always one to enjoy a spectacle, decided to join the fun.

His Rinnegan released a pulse of chakra, and he disappeared from his office.

"Uchiha compound, next stop. Please disembark in an orderly fashion and follow the scenic area regulations. Enjoy your visit."

The announcement rang out as Hashirama and Tobirama got off the train amidst a crowd of excited tourists.

Once on the village outskirts, the Uchiha compound had been developed into one of Konoha's most famous and lucrative tourist spots. The streets were lined with shops selling Uchiha-themed merchandise.

But the two Hokage had no interest in these items.

They walked into a narrow alley, sensed Tsunade's exact location again, and then jumped over the wall, sneaking into the Uchiha forest.

They reached the training grounds, avoiding patrolling ninjas, hiding behind a large tree.

"There they are…"

Hashirama's eyes narrowed as he saw two figures sparring fiercely, each punch creating shockwaves and loud explosions.

One was a blonde woman with a full figure, wearing a green cloak and a ponytail. Her movements exuded dominance.

Her opponent was a tall, muscular figure with equally brutal moves. She occasionally shouted strange phrases like "Ora, Ora, Ora."

"Tsunade must be fifty-four now. She looks much younger than I expected…"

Hashirama recognized his granddaughter immediately. He thought she would look elderly by now but was surprised by her youthful appearance.

"That purple diamond on her forehead is Lady Mito's Yin Seal. Tsunade seems to have mastered the art of longevity. She might live to a hundred, unlike us short-lived ones."

Tobirama looked relieved.

He had worried about her solitary life, but seeing her in such good shape eased their minds.

"But who is that man sparring with her? Her disciple? His voice sounds strange, like a child's," Hashirama wondered.

Tobirama stayed silent, watching the muscular figure for a while before exclaiming, "Brother, we were mistaken. That's not a man; it's a girl. And I think I know who she is."

"Who?" Hashirama asked curiously.

"On the train, we heard people talking about the Chunin Exams. They said Uchiha Dan's daughter, Marissa, is the favorite to win. She must be the one."

"What, she's eight years old?"

Hashirama's eyes widened in disbelief that the muscular figure fighting Tsunade was an eight-year-old girl.

Unbelievable!