Chapter 273: Two Hashirama

Parallel World, Konoha Outpost, Laboratory

"Those hands… what are they, exactly?"

Tobirama sank into thought. Just now, the moment a deceased soul summoned ahead of time via Rashōmon disappeared, it was snatched away across worlds by those ghostly hands.

Even separated by the vast distance of another world, those hands weren't blocked at all. Far too strange.

He was thinking maybe he should investigate those hands, as well as Link's Swamp of the Underworld. That technique also connected to an unknown space. He'd pulled only about five percent of that technique's formula for Edo Tensei to develop Funa-tsu – if he could dig deeper, there might be further possibilities.

In fact, they still hadn't fully figured out Funa-tsu itself. Next steps…

He felt torn. Even in his previous life, he'd never had enough time to research all the forbidden jutsu he wanted. Now resurrected to a new life, Link had brought him even more fascinating mysteries – so many that it was hard to decide which to tackle first.

But Tobirama, unlike Link, wouldn't let such thoughts distract him for long. He quickly set aside trivial ideas, pressed a hand to the ground, and summoned a coffin marked with the character "First."

"Clack…" The coffin's lid swung open, and an all-too-familiar yet strangely unfamiliar First Hokage stepped out.

"Mm—Edo Tensei?" The second Hashirama's tone sounded the same as the first one's: stern-faced, glancing sharply around the laboratory. "Who are you people—?"

Sensing the same old routine coming, Tobirama gazed at him calmly.

"That chakra, that face…? You're Tobirama?!" The second Hashirama's own face now showed confusion. "But Tobirama, why would you—"

Sure enough.

[So carefully sensing him, I do detect the tiniest differences; presumably no one but me and Minato could notice. Indeed, he isn't my own brother…]

Tobirama concluded while also feeling somewhat relieved: at least it wasn't his big brother.

But of course they couldn't leave the real big brother stuck in that intangible Summoning…

He let his mind swirl with many thoughts, but his expression didn't change much. Originally, he'd considered pretending to be "this" Hashirama's younger brother, but the trust in those eyes was so familiar, it made him avert his gaze.

"Sir, you've mistaken me. I'm not your Tobirama."

"Huh?" The second Hashirama froze. "Your chakra's one I'd never mistake. But Tobirama…why do you look like that? And why—Edo Tensei shouldn't be—"

Yes, here came the usual monologue.

Tobirama kept a straight face, ignoring the routine protest. "Link," he said, "go fetch my big brother with Summoning."

[But that doesn't match what we'd planned…] Link silently gave him a look.

[Shut up!] Tobirama stared back, arms folded across his chest.

Link gave a thumbs-up, returning to the main world with Funa-tsu, placed Rashōmon, and then brought the original Hashirama over again.

"Whoa!" x2

Both Hashiramas looked at each other. Even though the first one had come prepared to see "himself," the moment identical versions locked gazes, both let out the same exclamation.

"Amazing!" x2

"Tobirama!" x2

They used the exact same voice and tone. Tobirama was nearly getting a headache.

"Alright, big brother. From now on I'll call you 'Hashirama,'" Tobirama said, pointing to the version with an actual "living" body.

"Got it." x2

"I wasn't talking to you!" He gestured to the Edo Tensei version, the second Hashirama. "I'll address you as 'First Hokage.'"

"Understood."

The two men stared each other in the face, then both broke into laughter.

Tobirama pretended not to see that identical grin, adopting a calm expression. "First Hokage: we'll set up a special passphrase. Soon, I'll have Link summon you from the Pure Land. Then he can bring you out with that Summoning instead of Edo Tensei."

"Understood." Second Hashirama nodded, then launched into the same routine as the first one about how the Summoning's half-spiritual embodiment resembled re-forming the soul, etc., concluding, "Compared to Edo Tensei, it's an incredible jutsu."

Exactly what the first Hashirama had said.

Tobirama rolled his eyes. "Enough. We get it." He gave the code word, then released Edo Tensei. The half-buried living sacrifice's body was carried aside by shadows.

"No matter how many times I see it, Edo Tensei really shouldn't exist…" The original Hashirama sighed.

Killing people was one thing—especially enemies or criminals—but Edo Tensei requiring living sacrifices was too cruel, far too revolting.

Tobirama didn't respond, only motioning for Link to do the Summoning again.

Receiving the cue, Link summoned the second Hashirama from the other world using the passphrase. After that, he canceled the cross-world Rashōmon. With Bubble's extra chakra, he reactivated it, bringing the second Hashirama into the present.

The second Hashirama started on the usual line about Edo Tensei—

"Alright, that's enough," Tobirama cut him short. "Your own Konoha is still in the midst of war. I've brought you here so you can help fight on Konoha's behalf."

"Alright." That second Hashirama agreed immediately.

Tobirama felt speechless. He paused, eyes narrowing. "You're not afraid I'm trying to trick you or that I might be an enemy to your village? Why trust so easily!"

He genuinely worried that some other "Tobirama" might fool "some other Hashirama."

But the second Hashirama only beamed. "Because you are Tobirama, right?"

"…What a couple of identical fools," Tobirama grumbled, turning away. "Now go resurrect my idiot brother from Edo Tensei, and let him have a living body."

[Wait, letting that slip right here…? Also, how was it in any way a couple of lines was enough to trust him? That suspicious second Tobirama we know is long gone!] Link mentally groaned.

Anyway, since Rashōmon can't exist in two places at once, while summoning the second Hashirama here, neither Sarutobi nor the first Hashirama from the main world can be out. Might as well reincarnate him for real, letting that big shot get started early.

So Link signaled Utakata for more chakra, activated Funa-tsu back to the main world, then headed for the black ooze–storing the Edo Tensei lab. Surrounded by a rancid smell, he used Summoning to call out the original Hashirama.

"At last, time for my reincarnation, huh?"

The first Hashirama chuckled. Just imagining himself free in a living body again, excitement lit his eyes.

"All right, it's coming!"

~~~

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