Chapter-19 Madara, Be The Second Hokage!

"So, it turns out that I am the cowardly one?"

Tobirama looked bitter. "I never thought I was the source of that cowardice."

"Strictly speaking, this isn't cowardice."

"Tobirama has the courage to die, so he's not cowardly. He's simply a Hokage who, in a dire situation, weighed the pros and cons and chose the path with the least sacrifice for the village."

"But often, short-term compromises make the price far more costly in the future."

Wakato wasn't a master strategist, but he knew the simple principle: "strike once to prevent a hundred blows."

If Tobirama had been ruthless enough, he would have dared to lead the six Sarutobi in a fight to the death. Even if they all perished, as long as the Golden Horn troops were destroyed, how could Kumogakure dare to underestimate Konoha afterward?

With a bit of luck, either Sarutobi or Danzo might survive. The courage to fight to the death wouldn't be lost as long as the spirit remained. In the following decades, the Third Hokage would not lean toward strategy but would instead pursue every means possible to crush Kumo Village!

However, a moment of weakness and compromise only worsened Kumogakure's disdain for Konoha, forcing Konoha to pay dearly later...

"There's no need for comfort, sir."

"Compared to my former self, I am indeed less sharp now."

Compared to Tobirama in the late Warring States Period, the current Second Hokage was like a stone with its edges smoothed down. Even at the First Five Kage Conference, Tobirama was much more formidable than now.

Why! As expected, he had relied too much on his elder brother!

Luckily, he still had a chance to make things right! If he didn't die here today, everything could still be rewritten! Sarutobi and the others wouldn't lose their fighting spirit because of his death.

Kumogakure... Just wait for me.

Next time, I'll make you pay a hundredfold!

Tobirama clenched his fists, and a fierce fighting spirit flared up within him. Wakato was satisfied with this outcome. He had gone to great lengths to ignite Tobirama's resolve. It wasn't that he feared Tobirama wasn't ruthless enough; he only feared Tobirama would start compromising like Hashirama.

This battle, along with Wakato's Mouth Escape Technique, should be enough to fuel Tobirama's anger and fighting spirit, giving him the foundation of belief he needed on his journey to unite the ninja world!

...

"Thank you, sir, for the advice. Tobirama will keep it in mind."

"What are your next plans?"

"I need to return to the village immediately. This war—or the First Ninja War—is not over yet, and I need to make arrangements as soon as possible!"

"I can give you a ride."

Wakato's World Teleport was far superior to the Flying Thunder God Technique. Unlike the latter, Wakato could teleport anywhere without the need for marks or concerns about interference, except for a limit on the number of uses.

Tobirama hadn't recovered enough chakra to use the Flying Thunder God to return to Konoha.

"I appreciate your kindness, but I must decline. I still need to catch up with the squad."

For now, it wouldn't make sense for Tobirama to return to Konoha. Instead, it was better to regroup with Sarutobi and the others.

If Uchiha Kagami could be saved, it would ease relations between the village and the Uchiha clan in the future. Decades later, the dire fate of the Uchiha clan might be avoided.

If Kagami dies...

Who knows how long it will be before the next Uchiha emerges with the mindset to serve as Hokage, one who can rise above narrow-minded nationalism?

Tobirama had to save Kagami!

"Alright, suit yourself. Just don't waste your life recklessly again."

"Sir, next time—"

"Handle your village affairs first. I'll come looking for you."

With that, Wakato activated World Teleport and vanished, leaving Tobirama momentarily stunned.

Were all so-called "immortals" this straightforward?

Tobirama shook his head, clearing away distractions. Although he'd been shaken more today than in his entire life, those thoughts were irrelevant.

Surviving and changing the future was what mattered most. This was his greatest gain!

He gathered his things and set off in the direction Sarutobi and the others had gone.

He wondered how they'd react when they saw him alive.

...

...

Wakato returned to Hokage World No. 1.

Senju Hashirama, whom he'd sent back first, was in the Hokage office, eagerly recounting his unusual experience to Tobirama. In the hour or so since Hashirama's disappearance, Tobirama had nearly lost his mind with worry.

His elder brother, the Hokage, abducted from his own office by a stranger? If word got out, the entire Konoha Village would descend into chaos in a matter of days! And if that maniac Madara showed up asking about his brother, Tobirama would have no answers.

Thankfully, Hashirama returned in time.

But when he described his time-traveling adventure, Tobirama could hardly believe it. He even wondered if his brother had lost his mind.

Traveling to the future and almost being killed? How could that be possible?

Yet Hashirama spoke with absolute conviction, insisting it wasn't an illusion.

This made Tobirama pause.

Two possibilities:

Either Hashirama had been hit by an extraordinarily intricate Genjutsu, or he was telling the truth. As absurd as it sounded, given his brother's strength against Genjutsu, it wasn't entirely impossible.

Even though he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Tobirama struggled to fully believe.

Hashirama continued describing his journey with enthusiasm, and when he mentioned that Madara would eventually betray the village, leading the Nine Tails in an attack on Konoha and dying at Hashirama's own hands, Tobirama's suspicion grew.

Could this really be true? No wonder the villain Madara had been appearing less frequently. Was he plotting something?

"Brother, why would Madara betray the village?"

Hashirama's face froze.

"Good point! I still don't know why Madara left! I must ask him right away..."

"Tobirama, I'll tell you when I return."

"And by the way, it's time to arrange a marriage for you soon. Tobirama, you can't stay single forever!"

Tobirama blinked, bewildered: "???"

He wanted to question him further, but Hashirama was already out of the office, heading toward the Uchiha clan's forbidden shrine.

...

"Madara, I'm here!"

In the underground chamber of the Nanga Shrine, Hashirama found Madara waiting for him.

"Haxi hot mom, you're late..."

"Hahaha! I got held up by something rare."

Madara rolled his eyes and waved him off, pointing to the mysterious stone tablet in the shrine.

"This is a tablet passed down for generations in Uchiha. It has never been shown to outsiders. It's special and can only be read with certain powers."

"The part I've interpreted so far states that to pursue stability, a god divided Yin and Yang into two poles. Their interaction brings all things into being!"

"This is the truth that underpins everything in the world."

"In other words, only by combining two opposing forces can true happiness and peace be achieved."

"But it could also mean something else..."

"It's a pity Uchiha and Senju cannot be truly united. Hashirama, do you think I don't know? Once you're gone, Tobirama will likely succeed as Hokage. When that happens, one day, the Uchiha clan will—"

Before Madara could finish, Hashirama interrupted him, saying:

"Madara, I've decided! You will be the Second Hokage!"

Hashirama declared solemnly.

...