Chapter 11 End

No blood was shed as he anticipated.

Tetsu felt as though his sword was cutting through air, meeting no resistance.

No blood spilled from Tobirama's neck, only a few pieces of paper fluttered out.

"No... Impossible! You're not alive?!" Tetsu's voice trembled with fear. He had thought Tobirama's ability to survive attacks was just a secret technique, but now he realized Tobirama was standing right in front of him.

"He's... undead!"

"You talk too much," Tobirama retorted coldly.

In a swift motion, Tobirama's claw-like fingers twisted into Tetsu's head, crushing it like a watermelon.

"Run!" Others scrambled to flee, realizing the danger Tobirama posed.

But Tobirama wasn't about to let them escape.

"It's too late to run," Tobirama growled angrily. What started as a lighthearted encounter had turned deadly.

"Genjutsu: Bringer of Darkness!" Tobirama cast the jutsu, enveloping the area in an impenetrable darkness.

"Hey, where are you, Crow!?"

"Is this some kind of Hokage's jutsu!?"

The dark realm echoed with these frantic cries, yet there was no response.

Even though some were just a few meters apart, they couldn't perceive anything in the darkness.

Fear gripped everyone's hearts. In the darkness, panic ensued as enemies lost their bearings, unable to see or hear anything. Tobirama became a reaper in the shadows, his blade cutting through his foes with ruthless efficiency.

Despite some realizing it was an illusion and attempting to escape through self-harm, their efforts were in vain. The Genjutsu of Darkness, created by Tobirama specifically to counter the Uchiha clan's Sharingan, proved unbreakable even to those who wielded the famed dojutsu.

As the last ninja fell, Tobirama stood amidst the carnage, his robe unstained by blood.

"Is this... the power of a Kage?" The defeated ninja moaned, realizing the terrifying extent of Tobirama's abilities.

______

When Raidō, Genma, and Iwashi returned, they were met with a grim sight: a field littered with lifeless bodies.

Their admiration for the Hokage soared to new heights. "What a formidable Hokage..." Their eyes gleamed with newfound respect.

In total, Tobirama had single-handedly eliminated eleven jōnin and twenty tokubetsu jōnin.

"Hokage-sama, the battlefield has been cleared, and we found no signs of further trouble," reported one of Tobirama's guards.

Tobirama nodded calmly, unsurprised by the attempt on his life. Such internal threats often leave little evidence.

But lack of evidence wouldn't stop him. A cold determination flickered in Tobirama's eyes.

Originally, he intended to address internal threats gradually. But after this brazen attack, he decided on immediate action upon his return to Konoha.

"Have the bodies been secured?" Tobirama inquired.

"Yes, they've been sealed in scrolls," came the response.

Some of the assailants possessed valuable kekkei genkai, even in death.

Especially the Kumogakure ninja who had attempted to assassinate him using Storm Release.

"Raikage, huh? It seems old grudges will soon be settled," Tobirama mused silently.

With that, Tobirama and his team pressed on towards the capital of the Land of Fire.

______

As the spring breeze swept over the battlefield, the remnants of the conflict slowly faded away.

Not long after Tobirama and his escorts departed, several mysterious figures began to emerge from the shadows.

"Wow, he's really something, isn't he? Almost on par with the God of Shinobi himself," remarked a white figure.

Black Zetsu responded nonchalantly, "He's just a stronger than average ninja. Once Madara-sama returns, the Second Hokage will be insignificant."

"Hey, I've always wondered, do powerful shinobi poop differently from regular people?" asked White Zetsu with an odd curiosity.

"Idiot..." Black Zetsu sighed in exasperation.

No longer interested in White Zetsu's strange musings, Black Zetsu scanned the area. "It's unexpected that Senju Tobirama retained his original strength even in his reincarnated state. This could pose a challenge to our plans. We need to report back to our leader."

"Wait, aren't we going to keep an eye on the Hokage?" White Zetsu questioned.

"No need. After witnessing what happened here, nobody will dare to challenge the Hokage anytime soon. We have other matters to attend to, so let's not waste any more time here," Black Zetsu replied dismissively.

With that, Black Zetsu ignored White Zetsu's reaction and merge into the nearby tree.

______

Several hours later

After a smooth journey, Tobirama and his entourage finally arrived at the capital of the Land of Fire.

Stretching out before them was a sprawling urban landscape, bustling with activity and filled with a variety of buildings.

Taking a brief glance around, Tobirama spotted the person designated to welcome him.

"Hokage-sama, welcome! The daimyo has been eagerly anticipating your arrival," greeted the Minister of the Fire Country with unexpected enthusiasm.

"I encountered some trouble on the way, which caused a slight delay," Tobirama replied with a faint smile.

Sensing something amiss in Tobirama's words, the minister's expression shifted slightly, but he maintained a smile as he escorted Tobirama and his group into the capital.

Surprisingly, the daimyo requested a private audience with Tobirama alone.

Kenji, feeling puzzled, delved into Tobirama's memories and uncovered many hidden truths.

Why did the Senju clan, once prominent co-founders of the village alongside the Uchiha, fade into obscurity later on?

Why is Tsunade the only remaining member of the Senju clan?

In Tobirama's recollections, after his elder brother founded Konoha, he took proactive steps to integrate the Senju clan into the Land of Fire.

There was even a marriage between the son of Senju Hashirama and the princess of the original Land of Fire Daimyo.

This connection makes Tsunade a blood cousin to the current Daimyo of the Land of Fire, effectively making him Tobirama's second great-grandfather.

"As expected of Hashirama," Tobirama mused inwardly. These details, absent from the original narrative, shed light on some of the mysteries of his past life and demonstrated that the first Hokage, despite his seemingly carefree demeanor, possessed hidden depths.

As the attendant guiding the way led them through seven or eight twists and turns, Senju Tobirama finally laid eyes on the daimyo.

"Tobirama-sama, it's truly an honor to see you again," the daimyo greeted, exuding a feminine air both in attire and tone, much to Tobirama's inner dismay.

"If I recall correctly, your name is Takeshi, right?" Tobirama queried.

"Wow, Tobirama-sama, you still remember my name," Takeshi's voice carried a hint of emotion, almost sounding tearful.

A chill ran down Tobirama's spine.

"Tobirama-sama, since your passing, Hiruzen took over as Hokage. The Senju clan members remaining in Konoha were dispatched to the battlefield by Danzo and Hiruzen for various reasons, often on the most perilous missions. Over time, those who stayed in the village perished, leaving only Tsunade behind."

"Hiruzen not only decimated the Senju within Konoha but also sought to extend his influence to the remnants of the Land of Fire. He even placed his own son among the twelve guardians to gather intelligence. Tobirama-sama, our life is really difficult!" Takeshi lamented with a sorrowful expression.

"It appears much has unfolded since my demise..." Tobirama was taken aback by the deluge of information. He hadn't anticipated the audacity of Hiruzen and Danzo.

Their persecution of the Senju clan was bold, but considering their actions against the equally renowned Uchiha, it was hardly surprising that they'd target the Senju as well.

Perhaps his leniency toward Hiruzen had been misplaced.

Tobirama ruminated silently.

Gazing upon the distraught daimyo before him, Tobirama spent the ensuing moments not only empathizing but also offering words of solace.

"I will eradicate the cancer within Konoha, one by one," Tobirama vowed to the daimyo, offering a promise of hope amidst the despair.

______

The following day

The official meeting between the Hokage and the Daimyo unfolded remarkably smoothly, devoid of any mishaps.

Tobirama had accomplished his purpose in traveling to the Land of Fire this time around.

The populace voiced no objections to their new Hokage, and the Daimyo expressed approval as well.

During his free time, Tobirama wandered around the capital, but his facial scars and distant expression often attracted attention.

He also made a point to meet with the leader of Konoha's ninja stationed in the Land of Fire, Renjiro Kato.

Renjiro wasn't affiliated with the Third Hokage and had ties to the Kato clan.

From Renjiro's account, Tobirama gleaned insights into the recent happenings in the Fire Country and the policies adopted towards it during the tenure of the Third Hokage.

______

Time flew by and another day passed.

Tobirama was prepared to go back to Konoha Village as fast as he could. He didn't want waste time on the journey, he plans to leave imprints of the Flying Thunder God Technique along every stretch of the road.

His goal was to eventually cover the entire world with his Flying Thunder God marks, enabling him to travel in an instant.

Since it wasn't convenient for the Daimyo to accompany him, an envoy was dispatched to accompany Tobirama back to Konoha and witness the official succession ceremony of the Hokage.

The envoy, a tall and slender man named Shizuo Saito, greeted Tobirama with a warm smile upon seeing him.

After exchanging pleasantries, Shizuo gestured towards a rather lavish carriage and proposed, "Hokage-sama, the journey is long. Why not accompany me back to Konoha in this carriage?"

Tobirama glanced at the carriage but declined, stating, "Though I hold the title of Hokage, I am first and foremost a ninja. The journey may pose unforeseen challenges, and it's best for me to remain agile."

"Rest assured, Hokage-sama. With you present, who would dare to challenge?" Shizuo expressed his confidence.

Despite Shizuo's reassurances, Tobirama remained adamant. With a resigned sigh, Shizuo boarded the carriage carried by four guards, and the convoy departed shortly after.