"Ahem, brother, please… maintain your dignity."
Senju Tobirama pressed his fingers against his forehead, trying to soothe the twitch forming in his temple. Watching Senju Hashirama, the God of Shinobi, the man known throughout the ninja world as a pillar of peace, now squat eagerly in front of a five-year-old, was more than even he could handle.
"Oh! Right, right."
Hashirama quickly straightened up, coughed into his fist, and tried to look serious. The effect, however, was laughable—more like a child playing pretend than the esteemed First Hokage.
Even Hoshino Yota, who had maintained a respectful and composed demeanor the entire time, couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped him. He quickly turned his head aside, stifling the rest of his amusement behind a hand.
But Hashirama didn't mind. His joy was genuine.
He looked down at the small boy before him—Hoshino Kaede, the one who had awakened a time-based Kekkei Genkai—and smiled warmly.
"Little guy, do you want to become my disciple?" he asked, eyes filled with hope and excitement.
Kaede didn't even hesitate.
He dropped to his knees and bowed deeply, voice loud and full of respect.
"Disciple Hoshino Kaede greets the teacher!"
Hashirama beamed. His smile stretched from ear to ear, radiating such warmth it felt like the sun had entered the room.
"Good. From today on, you are officially my student, Hoshino Kaede," he declared with pride. Then his tone shifted, turning uncharacteristically solemn. "You are… my only disciple."
The statement carried a finality that left no room for debate. Even Tobirama, who had opened his mouth to protest, closed it again.
When Hashirama made up his mind, not even the sharp-witted Tobirama could sway him. Blood relative or not.
"I expect you at my office tomorrow," Hashirama said, resting a hand on Kaede's head. "We begin training then."
Kaede nodded eagerly. With the formalities complete, he stood up, took his father's hand, and the two left the Hokage's office together.
---
As the door shut behind them, Yota released a long-held breath.
"Phew… That was intense."
Kaede glanced up at him with a sideways smirk.
"Dad, you were totally nervous back there."
Yota's face darkened instantly. "You little brat! That's Hokage-sama you're talking about!"
Kaede blinked innocently. "I know. He's my teacher now."
Yota trembled, his hands clenched into fists.
The next thing Kaede knew, a sharp flick to the forehead left him with a growing bump.
"Ow! That hurt!"
"Next time, try showing a little humility."
Despite the scolding, Yota couldn't hide the slight curve at the corner of his lips. It felt good, having a son who was both clever and courageous.
Kaede grumbled under his breath, rubbing his forehead. But in his heart, he was already planning payback.
A gentleman's revenge is never too late… even if it takes twenty years.
As Kaede plotted, Yota suddenly paused mid-step.
A strange chill ran down his spine. He turned his head left and right.
"…Something doesn't feel right."
But the streets were quiet, the wind calm. He eventually shrugged it off, attributing it to stress.
He turned to Kaede, lowering his voice.
"Listen to me carefully, Kaede. When you begin training with Lord Hokage… follow his guidance closely, but never cause him trouble."
Kaede nodded sincerely, but Yota wasn't done.
"And one more thing… be cautious around Lord Tobirama."
Kaede tilted his head. "Why?"
Yota sighed.
"It's not that he's a bad man—far from it. But he… sees everything. Every word, every movement. Nothing escapes him. While the Hokage is our leader in name, it's Tobirama-sama who controls the pulse of this village."
Kaede's gaze turned thoughtful.
In his previous life, Senju Tobirama had always stood out to him. He was often portrayed as strict, cold, even harsh—but those traits belied a genius mind and a burning desire to protect the village.
He was the architect of Konoha's modern infrastructure, the founder of ANBU, the creator of countless jutsu and bureaucratic systems.
Yes, he was ruthless—but he was also necessary.
Kaede looked back at the Hokage Monument silhouetted against the clouds and spoke.
"Dad, do you… not trust Tobirama-sama?"
Yota gave a weary chuckle.
"No, Kaede. I respect him. He's the reason Konoha has flourished so quickly. His contributions are immeasurable."
"Then why—?"
Yota stopped walking. His eyes narrowed as he looked back toward the Hokage's tower.
"…Because I can't see into his heart."
Kaede fell silent.
Yota reached over and ruffled his hair, smiling again.
"But you don't have to worry about that. Just focus on your training tomorrow. It won't be easy."
Kaede pouted. "You're dodging the question."
"And you ask too many for a five-year-old," Yota shot back with a grin.
Kaede rolled his eyes dramatically. "Fine, fine…"
Then his expression turned sly.
"By the way, Dad. Can I have some money?"
Yota blinked. "What for?"
"Snacks."
Yota snorted. "Ask your mother. I don't have any."
Kaede's eyes narrowed mischievously. "Are you sure? Because I heard there's a stash hidden behind the second drawer in your room…"
A gust of wind blew, and before Kaede could finish, his mouth was smothered by a large hand.
"Shhhh!! Not so loud!!"
The silence between them was hilarious.
"…Take it. Just take it."
Kaede grinned victoriously as he snatched the bills from his father's hand and dashed off.
Yota watched him go, shoulders slumped in defeat.
"That little devil… How does he even know where I hide my money?"
---
Kaede soon made his way to Konoha's commercial street—a lively avenue that had rapidly grown under Tobirama's urban plans. Bright banners swayed in the breeze, and merchant stalls filled the air with tempting aromas.
Konoha had developed impressively in only a few years. Businessmen from across the Land of Fire had settled here, setting up shops and teahouses. The streets buzzed with laughter, chatter, and the occasional child's squeal.
"This… this… oh, and that too!"
Kaede's small hands were quickly overloaded with sweets, rice balls, and skewered meat. His mouth glistened with oil as he munched contentedly.
Life, he decided, was good.
However, the crowded streets weren't without their problems.
The rapid influx of people meant increased need for law enforcement. For now, the Hokage had decreed that each clan would contribute members to help maintain order.
On the surface, it seemed fair.
But in practice…
There were always a few among the so-called guards who liked to throw their weight around. Petty bullies in shinobi armor, flexing their rank to harass civilians.
Kaede wasn't worried. He was used to these types.
Still, it didn't stop his mood from souring slightly as he turned a corner and saw one such Chūnin, clad in a clan vest, shoving a merchant over a spilled basket of apples.
The man barked threats and accusations, drawing stares but no interference.
Kaede licked his fingers clean, narrowed his sapphire eyes, and sighed.
"So much for peace…"
He tightened his grip on his food bag, slowly walking forward.
He didn't want trouble.
But if it came looking for him—
He would remind Konoha that time itself now walked its streets.
---
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