At this moment in the Hokage's office, Hashirama, was buried in paperwork, diligently reviewing the stacks of documents brought in by Tobirama.
Upon hearing a knock at the door, he didn't even look up and simply said, "Come in."
When he finally finished with the document at hand and looked up, he saw that the visitor was one of Mito's personal guards.
He asked, "Is something going on with Mito?"
The guard replied, "Lady Mito requests your immediate return to the clan compound. She says there's an urgent matter to discuss."
Hashirama paused for a moment before turning to Tobirama and saying, "Tobirama, can you take over reviewing these for me? I'll head back and see what this is about."
Tobirama nodded, reached for the documents his elder brother handed him, and quietly sat to one side, continuing the work.
Hashirama wasted no time and rushed straight home.
As he entered the courtyard, he saw Arima seated inside, calmly gathering his chakra. To his surprise, the straw mat beneath the boy had begun to sprout roots and greenery.
Hashirama immediately understood the gravity of the situation, awakening Wood Release was of immense significance, not just for the Senju Clan but for all of Konoha.
Arima's Wood Release could one day become the village's strongest trump card. If he could master both Wood Release and Sage Arts, handling Tailed Beasts would be mere child's play.
Hashirama was elated, no less thrilled than when he and Madara first witnessed the founding of the village.
Both moments made him feel a renewed sense of hope for the future.
Right then and there, he decided to take Arima as his student.
However, he chose not to announce Arima's awakening publicly.
With other clans still eyeing Konoha with suspicion, news of a new Wood Release user from the Senju clan might ignite another war.
He immediately ordered the guards to summon Tobirama.
Hashirama quickly stepped into the inner room and asked his wife about the situation.
Once Mito explained everything in detail, he realized that it was his necklace that had triggered the awakening of Arima's Wood Release.
Watching the boy concentrating on drawing out chakra, Hashirama couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
This child represented a hope for the future, a reason to keep pushing forward.
Until Arima grew strong enough to stand on his own, Hashirama couldn't afford to relax.
Not long after, Tobirama arrived. He had already heard about Arima's awakening during the trip back and was equally thrilled.
Deep down, he had always believed that the Kekkei Genkai of their clan would one day reawaken in their descendants.
When Hashirama saw his younger brother, he led him into a secluded chamber to discuss what to do next.
He told Tobirama of his decision to take Arima as his disciple.
Tobirama, clearly moved, mentioned that he had heard from Mito about Arima's extraordinary talent, on par with both himself and Hashirama.
He immediately offered, "Brother, you're already burdened with so many responsibilities. You may not have much time to train Arima. Why don't we teach him together?
Besides, I have a feeling his aptitude for ninjutsu is very high, he'd be well-suited to learning some of my secret techniques."
Hashirama thought it over for a moment and nodded in agreement. And just like that, Arima gained two masters, both among the top-tier Kage level shinobi in the world.
After finalizing their decision, they returned to the inner room and signaled Naomi to wake Arima.
Arima, still focused on gathering chakra, felt someone gently nudging him. He came out of his meditation and opened his eyes to see that it was his mother who had roused him.
Then he noticed Hashirama and Tobirama watching him intently.
Hashirama chuckled and said, "Arima, now that you've started gathering chakra, that makes you a little shinobi in training. How would you like to study ninjutsu with your grandpa?"
Tobirama chimed in, "Arima, weren't you always envious of how I could disappear and reappear in a flash?
If you become my student, I'll teach you that technique, and I've got others, too. I can breathe fire and spit water."
Arima's heart swelled with excitement. He had always dreamed of leaping across rooftops like the adults, and now the chance was right before him, offered by the people he trusted most.
How could he possibly say no? With a big smile, he cheerfully said yes.
Hashirama pulled out a piece of chakra paper from his robes and handed it to Arima.
"Arima, let's test your chakra nature. This paper will show which elemental affinities you have."
Tobirama added a detailed explanation.
"Chakra is the energy created by blending mental and physical energy. This chakra paper can reveal five basic elements: fire, wind, lightning, water, and earth.
Fire makes the paper burn; wind cuts it in half; lightning makes it crinkle; water makes it damp; earth makes it crumble.
There are also Yin and Yang natures, but we'll get to those when you're learning more advanced techniques."
Following their instructions, Arima poured chakra into the paper.
To everyone's astonishment, part of the paper ignited, another part split, another wrinkled, one section got wet, and another crumbled.
All four people present gasped.
"Arima has all five basic chakra natures: fire, wind, lightning, water, and earth."
Hashirama burst out laughing with joy. He gently patted Arima on the head and said, "As expected from my student."
Tobirama also recognized that this young boy might very well become the most gifted among all of their disciples.
Gazing out the window at the blue sky and the village's tall defensive walls, Hashirama murmured, "I wish I could share this wonderful news with Madara too."
Word that the First Hokage had taken on a disciple quickly spread through Konoha's Jonin circles.
Clan leaders across the village began investigating this child named Senju Arima.
However, because Arima rarely left the Senju compound, all anyone really knew was that the First Hokage doted on him immensely.
At the same time, Arima couldn't stop thinking about something, he still owed a large amount of "virtue points."
If he didn't repay the debt within a year, all of his chakra affinities would vanish. This filled him with urgency, he needed to do good deeds, and fast.
Looking at the four adults around him, Arima said seriously, "I want to do good deeds; one every day."
Hashirama was stunned by the statement, but quickly recovered. In that moment, he realized that beyond teaching Arima techniques, he had to guide the boy down the right path.
With a grand sweep of his hand, Hashirama dumped all the paperwork onto Tobirama's shoulders and took his grandson-disciple out for a walk through the village, looking for chances to help others.
It was the hottest part of the day, the streets nearly empty beneath the blazing sun. They wandered around, but there wasn't a soul in sight who seemed to need help.
Hashirama then had an idea, they should check out the construction sites around the village.
Carrying Arima, he made his way directly to the area where new buildings were going up.
The village was undergoing massive expansion, and the construction area was a hive of activity.
From a distance, Arima watched the bustling workers, his heart filled with admiration.
These craftsmen toiled under the scorching sun, drenched in sweat. The contrast made him reflect on his own leisurely days eating popsicles and cakes.
Only now did he realize how hard the adults worked.
He asked Hashirama if they could go see whether anyone needed help.
When the workers saw the Hokage approaching, they immediately stopped what they were doing and bowed in respect.
The sight left a deep impression on Arima, he realized for the first time just how revered his grandfather was. A surge of pride rose in his chest.
Hashirama returned the greetings one by one and told the workers not to worry about him, he was just bringing his grandson to see if they could lend a hand.
The workers resumed their tasks with renewed enthusiasm, and the atmosphere on-site grew even more energized.
Arima leaned in and whispered to Hashirama, "Grandpa, that man's blade is all chipped, but he's still using it to chop wood. Should we help him hammer out the dents?"
Hashirama looked where Arima was pointing and realized the tool in question was a saw, the jagged edges were intentional, designed for cutting wood, not a damaged weapon.
He couldn't help but smile at Arima's serious expression and said, "Why don't you go ask him if he needs help first?"
Arima ran over eagerly but returned soon after with a disappointed look on his face.
Amused, Hashirama asked, "What's wrong, Arima? He doesn't need help fixing his blade?"
Arima replied awkwardly, "Grandpa, it's called a saw. The jagged parts are supposed to be like that, it's used by pulling it back and forth to cut wood, not like a sword or blade.
I've never seen one before. I almost tried to fix something that wasn't broken."
Hashirama gently wiped the sweat from Arima's forehead with his broad hand and said earnestly.
"Arima, you don't need to be embarrassed. Your heart was in the right place. As long as we act with a clear conscience, that's what matters, understand?"
Arima seemed to understand... at least a little. But he still had a long way to go, growing through mistakes was part of the journey.
Seeing how downcast Arima looked, Hashirama added, "Look at how hot it is. These workers are sweating so much.
You could help them cool off by making some soup. Sure, it costs money to buy the ingredients, but didn't you just get some pocket money for your birthday?
You have a choice: buy ingredients or buy candy. What do you want to do?"
Arima, though still very young, knew what truly mattered. He was willing to forgo sweets to repay his 'virtue debt.'
Besides, helping others also felt good.
He handed over all the coins in his pocket to Hashirama. Though reluctant, he turned away and resolutely placed the money in his grandfather's hand.
Seeing the boy's decision, Hashirama felt both comforted and proud.
It was no small thing for a child to resist the lure of candy, especially when helping others brought no direct benefit to himself.
Together, they went to the store, and Hashirama added his own money to buy a list of ingredients.
They returned home to fetch a large iron pot, then headed back to the construction site.
At an open spot nearby, they set up the pot. Arima collected wood scraps while Hashirama fetched clear spring water.
The sun blazed overhead. No wind stirred. Cicadas cried endlessly. Arima felt faint from the heat, his clothes soaked, his breath heavy. Without chakra, he might've collapsed.
He grew increasingly irritable, but just as he was about to reach his limit, a spark of inspiration hit him. He began circulating the small amount of chakra he'd gathered earlier.
Instantly, his body felt cooler. Overjoyed, he continued collecting wood while maintaining his chakra flow. Bit by bit, he grew more skilled at using it, his exhaustion easing.
He eventually gathered enough wood to cook a huge pot of soup.
Watching Arima's hard work, Hashirama felt even more committed to mentoring the boy and passing on his ideals.
He remained at a distance, his heart aching slightly, as he watched Arima labor.
When the pile was complete, Hashirama formed hand seals and used fire release, igniting the wood.
Arima watched the roaring flames with amazement, cheering loudly. Ninjutsu was incredible, he couldn't wait to learn that technique himself.
As they patiently waited for the soup to cook, Hashirama asked, "Arima, are you tired?"
Arima replied, "Grandpa, I was hot, tired, and miserable at first. But once I started using chakra, I felt way better. The more I used it, the easier it got. Now I'm not tired at all."
Hashirama smiled, sensing just how gifted his disciple truly was. He could hardly wait to see Arima become a powerful force in the world.
He said, "Arima, let me teach you how to form hand seals. Think of it as a reward for your hard work today. How about it?"
Arima's face lit up with joy and he gave his grandfather several enthusiastic kisses on the cheek.
He knew that once he could master hand seals, learning ninjutsu wouldn't be far behind.