Chapter 9: My Grandson Is the Perfect Successor!

Tobirama was overwhelmed with emotions, unable to calm down for a long time.

The reason he had arranged this survival training was because he was deeply worried about his elder brother Hashirama's terminal illness.

The ninja world was indeed at peace—for now.

- Konoha.

- Kirigakure.

- Kumogakure.

- Iwagakure.

- Sunagakure.

The Five Great Ninja Villages had all signed a peace treaty.

But Tobirama knew better than anyone that this peace would not last. In his view, this so-called peace was built entirely on Hashirama's terrifying power. If all the other Kage joined forces, they still wouldn't be able to defeat Hashirama alone. And once Hashirama succumbed to his illness, the fragile peace would collapse instantly! As cruel as it sounded, this was the undeniable truth.

Tobirama could already foresee the future.

- Wars that were once fought between clans would escalate into wars between entire villages.

- The number of combatants would multiply exponentially.

- The scale of destruction would reach unprecedented levels.

The moment Hashirama was gone, the world would plunge into chaos once more. Even now, Tobirama could see the seeds of conflict sprouting.

- The desert villages would fight for access to water.

- The island nations would seek more land.

- The mountain villages would covet fertile soil.

- And Konoha possessed everything they desired.

Hashirama had attempted to prevent war by distributing the Tailed Beasts among the villages, hoping that their mutual fear would act as a deterrent. But Tobirama wasn't fooled. The reality was simple— It wasn't the Tailed Beasts that prevented war. It was Hashirama himself. As long as he lived, no village dared to start a war. Once he was gone, the peace treaty would become worthless. There was no such thing as friendship or bonds between villages. There was only self-interest.

Tobirama had learned this lesson the hard way. His brothers—

- Itama

- Kawarama

Both had died in battle. Their deaths had shattered his youthful idealism. From then on, he had devoted himself to preparing for the day Hashirama was no longer there.

This was why Tobirama had started personally training a new generation of ninja.

* Sarutobi Hiruzen.

* Shimura Danzō.

* Uchiha Kagami.

* Koharu Utatane.

* Homura Mitokado.

* Akimichi Torifu.

They were meant to become the pillars of Konoha. The ones who would inherit the Will of Fire. Among them, Tobirama had high hopes for Hiruzen. He had planned for Hiruzen to be the future Hokage. After all—

- Mokuken had failed to inherit Hashirama's power. He hadn't awakened Wood Release or even Senju's monstrous strength. And Tobirama himself had no children.

So, logically, the position of Hokage had to go to an outsider. Tobirama had resigned himself to this reality. But now— Everything had changed. Kazekaze's talent completely surpassed Hiruzen.

No—

It surpassed Tobirama.

It surpassed Hashirama.

It surpassed Madara!

And most importantly— Kazekaze was a direct descendant of Hashirama! A perfect successor!

Some fools claimed that nepotism was bad. But in reality— Power must be entrusted to those you can trust! Would it be better to give authority to someone unrelated? Someone who might one day turn against you? Only a fool would think so.

'No more Hiruzen.'

'No more Danzō.'

'No more outsiders!'

Kazekaze was the only true heir to the Hokage title! Tobirama suddenly froze.

'Wait…'

He had overlooked something critical. When Kazekaze had fallen from the centipede's back,

He had not panicked. Instead, in mid-air, he had calmly adjusted his posture and secured Koharu in his arms. Then, once they landed safely— He had simply dropped her.

'He wasn't scared?'

Any other seven-year-old— Would have been crying in terror. Would have been frozen in fear. But Kazekaze? Completely calm. There were only two possible explanations.

1.) He fully trusted that his teammates would rescue him.

2.) He was certain of his own power.

Tobirama dismissed the first possibility.

'Even if he trusted Hiruzen, there's no way he'd be that calm.'

Which meant— Kazekaze knew all along that he could handle the situation himself.

'Not an accidental power surge. Not a last-minute awakening. He has fully mastered his own strength!'

Tobirama— The greatest genius in ninja history. The creator of over 90% of Konoha's jutsu. Felt his understanding of reality crumbling.

If Kazekaze had been trained by a master, It wouldn't be as shocking. But— Kazekaze had no teacher. In the two years he spent outside Konoha, His only guardians were—

* Mokuken, who had no special abilities.

* Ayako, who was even less remarkable.

'Mokuken never mentioned this.'

Which meant— Even Mokuken had no idea. And that could only mean—

'No one ever trained Kazekaze in chakra control. No one taught him how to use monstrous strength. No one guided him at all.'

Yet somehow— He mastered everything… on his own.

'Two years. No—less than two years. How long did it really take him?'

He was beginning to tremble.

'He taught himself?"

'Self-taught?!'

'Without any guidance?!'

'Impossible!'

And yet— Kazekaze had done it. Tobirama— The most rational, most calculating of all shinobi— Was completely, utterly, and entirely shaken to his core.

'What was Hashirama doing at seven?'

Oh, right. Competing with his clan to see who could pee the farthest.