Tsunade remained silent after hearing the heavy truth.
First Hokage Hashirama and Second Hokage Tobirama slowly recovered from the emotional storm of learning what would become of the Senju clan—but Tobirama's expression remained dark, a mixture of bitterness and reflection clouding his sharp features.
He clenched his fist under the table.
Of all my disciples… I chose them.
He had handpicked Hiruzen Sarutobi, shaped Danzo with his own teachings, believing both would carry the Will of Fire. He had been strict, calculating, and perhaps too cautious.
He could even understand the Uchiha incident, to an extent—after all, the Sharingan was a dangerous tool, and any misuse could devastate the village. His own policies were forged with paranoia in mind.
But the Senju?
His family. His brother's legacy.
They had followed his teachings and integrated with the village, all to avoid this exact outcome.
And those two still destroyed them...
Tobirama's eyes sharpened. A sudden clarity struck him.
Wait… this hasn't happened in my world yet.
He leaned forward slightly, eyes glinting. Which means I can still stop it.
"No," he muttered. "I won't let it happen. They can't be allowed to inherit anything."
Tsunade and Hashirama turned toward him. Even Kaizen paused mid-thought as Tobirama's killing intent briefly spiked.
The Second Hokage's voice was cold. "When I return, I'll make sure Hiruzen and Danzo never touch the seat of Hokage. I'll end them myself if I have to."
Kaizen gave a small chuckle. "You figured it out faster than I thought, Lord Second."
Tobirama narrowed his eyes. "Figured what out?"
"That this chat group—" Kaizen gestured around them, "—isn't just for talking. It's here to give us a chance to change our fates. To rewrite the tragedies that ruined our legacies. You realized it without me needing to say it."
Hashirama and Tsunade exchanged glances. They were impressed—even a little disturbed—at how quickly Tobirama jumped to such a decisive and violent conclusion. But that was the Second Hokage. A genius who didn't hesitate when the village was on the line.
Kaizen, however, cleared his throat and raised a hand.
"Before you start re-planning your entire life," he said with a grin, "I need to confirm something."
Tobirama glanced at him.
"What period are you currently in, Lord Second?"
Tobirama leaned back slightly. "It's the seventeenth year of Konoha. The First Ninja War is drawing to a close. In one month, I'm scheduled to meet with the Second Raikage to sign an alliance treaty."
His expression relaxed slightly. "Once that's done, the war will end."
Tobirama let out a long breath, visibly relieved at the thought. Even a man as stern as him longed for peace.
Hashirama patted his brother's shoulder proudly.
But Kaizen and Tsunade exchanged a knowing look—both of their expressions grim.
Noticing the silence, Tobirama stiffened.
"…Something's wrong, isn't it?"
Hashirama looked between the two, frowning. "What is it?"
Kaizen rubbed his temples. "Well… how do I put this?"
He paused for a moment, then spoke clearly.
"One month from now, during that alliance meeting… the Golden and Silver Brothers of the Cloud Shinobi will launch a coup. They'll assassinate the Second Raikage and destroy the treaty."
Tobirama's expression froze.
Kaizen continued.
"To protect Konoha's next generation, you'll stay behind and delay the enemy's forces. You'll die in that battle. The war ends… but at the cost of your life."
Tobirama's eyes trembled.
I die... right before peace is secured?
The Second Hokage clenched the edge of the table, the light of contemplation and anger flickering in his eyes. Now that he knew what Sarutobi and Danzo would do after his death, this truth burned even worse.
He muttered under his breath, "Then it was my death that gave them the freedom to act."
"No," he said more firmly, "this can't happen. I won't die like this."
For a moment, he sat silently, eyes sharp and calculating, a thousand plans flashing through his mind.
Kaizen didn't interrupt. He understood.
Then Hashirama raised his hand.
"Uh… I'm currently in the tenth year of Konoha," he said. "That's still safe, right?"
Kaizen looked over and gave a faint smile.
"Well, yes and no."
Hashirama's eyebrows rose.
Kaizen continued, "You die two years from now, in the twelfth year of Konoha. No one really knows how—you just deteriorated suddenly and passed away."
Hashirama blinked, then… chuckled.
"Only two years left, huh?" he grinned. "That's not bad."
Tsunade looked at him in disbelief. "You're not even a little sad?"
"I already thought I was dying," Hashirama replied cheerfully. "Turns out I've got two more years. Bonus time!"
Then he looked at Kaizen seriously. "But… do you know why I died? I've felt weak ever since my fight with Madara. It's like my body's decaying from the inside out."
Kaizen nodded. "That's exactly what we suspected. Most scholars think your death was a result of your injuries from the Valley of the End."
Hashirama nodded solemnly. "So I wasn't wrong."
He turned to the others and explained, "After that battle, my regeneration stopped working properly. My chakra began to thin out. Every day, I could feel my body growing weaker. I knew it wouldn't last."
Kaizen, Tsunade, and Tobirama fell silent.
This quiet moment was broken by Kaizen, who glanced over at Tsunade.
"Now it's your turn."
Tsunade straightened, her eyes calm but firm. "It's the 63rd year of Konoha in my world. Jiraiya… just died."
Kaizen, Hashirama, and Tobirama went still.
"There's an organization called Akatsuki," Tsunade continued. "They're collecting tailed beasts. So far, they've captured all but two: the Eight-Tails of Kumogakure and our Nine-Tails."
Everyone's expression darkened.
"It won't be long before the leader, Pain, attacks Konoha directly."
She fell silent again, trying to push back the emotions that threatened to surface.
Now it all made sense. Why Tsunade was desperate to unlock the chat group's mutual aid function. Why she pushed so hard for a fifth member.
Hashirama's large hand landed softly on her head.
"Don't worry, Tsuna," he said, voice gentle. "Now that we have this chat group, everything can be changed."
Tobirama nodded. "You're not alone anymore."
Kaizen smiled as well. "Exactly. Once the fifth member joins and the cross-world assistance feature activates, we'll be able to help you directly."
Tsunade's shoulders trembled. She blinked quickly to hold back tears.
"Thanks… really."
Kaizen clapped his hands. "Alright. So, let's summarize."
"We have one month before Tobirama's death, two years before Hashirama's, and an imminent Akatsuki invasion in Tsunade's world."
"But the next meeting is in three months. At that time, the fifth Hokage will be summoned, and the cross-world support system will finally activate."
Everyone nodded.
Tsunade exhaled slowly. "We just have to hold out until then."
Kaizen suddenly turned toward Tobirama, smiling meaningfully.
"But right now… the most important person is you, Lord Second."
Tobirama blinked. "Me?"
Everyone turned toward him.
"Because you're the next one to die," Kaizen said bluntly. "And you're the only one with a chance to prevent it… by rewriting history."
A sharp glint flashed in Tobirama's eyes.
"…Then I'd better start preparing."
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