While Tobirama resolved to continue his experiments, he also understood that if he were discovered by his older brother again, it wouldn’t end with just a beating and three months of confinement.
So what should he do?
How could he ensure that the development of Edo Tensei continued in secret?
Although he still remembered the summoning markings, reconstructing them would take a long time.
Within Konoha, he no longer had any way to obtain experimental subjects, nor any room for error.
Outside the village, there was no stable environment for research.
Just then, a figure flashed through Tobirama’s mind.
Toji.
His brother trusted him, and he had his own insights when it came to developing jutsu.
More importantly, he was the director of Gospel Hospital.
In theory, that was the easiest place to obtain human subjects.
Tobirama needed to find a way to bring Toji over to his side, to stain that pure white haori of his.
He had to make him understand that Edo Tensei was the final line of defense against death, that medicine alone could not protect Konoha, and that killing could serve a greater salvation… In the end, he needed Toji to stand with him.
Toji treated him as a friend.
And here he was, already thinking about how to use him, to drag someone upright and kind, someone devoted to saving lives, into his dark plan.
The thought made Tobirama feel despicable.
But for Konoha… ‘I have to use your strength.
I’m sorry, Toji.
To protect Konoha at all costs… that is my resolve.
My… ninja way.’ Tobirama repeated those words in his heart.
After a while, his wife Toka’s voice pulled him back.
“Tobirama, what happened this afternoon?
You seem distracted.” Tobirama looked toward the fading light in the sky.
“I did something.
Big Brother gave me a harsh lesson, and I’ve also been confined for three months.” “Was it right or wrong?” “I can’t tell, Toka.” “Then tonight, when Hashirama-sama returns, apologize properly first,” she said gently.
“And for these three months, stay at the clan grounds.
Teach your students.
Spend time talking with your friends.” “Alright.” Tobirama readily agreed.
The people around him only needed to enjoy peaceful days, but he had to think about much more.
* * * Even after making his decision, Tobirama didn’t act on it immediately.
During his confinement, he lived a rare, quiet life at home.
Until one day, two of his students came to visit.
“Monkey, Danzo.
It’s you two.” “Sensei.” Danzo spoke first.
“We heard from Takayuki that you haven’t been able to leave the Senju clan recently, so we came to check on you.
Are you sick?” “I’m not sick.” “Is that so?
But you look…” Danzo hesitated.
Tobirama stood up and cracked his neck.
“That’s enough, brat.
I don’t need you worrying about me.
Since you’re here, let me see how well you’ve been training.
As my students, slacking off is not allowed.” “Yes, sensei!” “Flying Thunder God Slash!” * * * Half an hour later, Hiruzen and Danzo collapsed on the ground, exhausted and gasping for breath.
They were completely no match for Tobirama.
“Danzo, you idiot.
You even said the sensei was sick.” Hiruzen struggled to get up.
“I think not only is he fine, he’s even stronger than before.” Was that really the case?
Danzo lay on the ground but reached a different conclusion.
He felt that Tobirama was tired.
As a student, he should become stronger as soon as possible and help share his teacher’s burden.
The fighting spirit in his heart ignited, and he pushed himself up.
“Sensei, again!” “Oh?” Tobirama snapped back to his senses and looked at him with slight surprise.
“Danzo, you seem quite energetic today.” “I’m in too!
I can’t lose to Danzo!” Hiruzen got back up as well.
The two boys exchanged a glance, then charged at Tobirama together.
* * * Late at night.
Toji had no idea that Tobirama had already set his sights on him, treating him as someone to pull over to his side.
If he knew, he would probably laugh.
At this moment, he sat on his bed with his eyes closed, resting quietly.
The room was silent, with only the ticking of the clock echoing.
Today was the last day of the month.
It was also the day he and Yanagi had agreed on for the “delivery.” When the clock struck midnight, Toji slowly opened his eyes and spoke in a low voice.
“Earth Grudge Fear: Clone.” A slit opened across his back as black tendrils surged out, quickly forming a humanoid clone.
Under his silent control, the clone slipped into the night, moving swiftly through the shadows of the Forest of Death toward the meeting point.
Toji didn’t know Yanagi’s exact situation, but through the curse mark carved into her heart, he could sense that it was still beating steadily.
She hadn’t encountered any fatal danger.
The moment her heart stopped, he would detonate the curse mark immediately, eliminating any risk of exposure.
* * * The Forest of Death wasn’t completely unguarded.
Several ninja squads on missions were patrolling the vast area, but with Toji’s sharp perception and prior intelligence, he avoided them easily.
The Earth Grudge Fear clone moved as if through empty space, quickly arriving at the designated location, a hidden tree hollow.
Yanagi was nowhere to be seen.
Though her talent was average, she was cautious.
She didn’t linger after completing the task and had already left.
Even with the information Toji gave her, she knew this wasn’t a place to stay.
Toji stepped deeper into the hollow.
The light was dim, and he almost missed the two figures lying on the ground.
He crouched down and noticed a note attached to them, listing their many crimes.
“This woman… is she playing some kind of hero?” Toji let out a soft chuckle.
Two black tendrils extended, lifting the unconscious bodies.
He quietly left the hollow and returned to the underground lab.
* * * Back at the lab, Toji tied the two experimental subjects firmly to the operating tables and connected them to various instruments.
A ninja’s strength in battle couldn’t simply be judged by rank alone, but in experiments, chakra quality and physical data could serve as a baseline.
Looking at the readings, Toji felt a bit disappointed.
“Two genin… The quality is lacking.” Both of them were still under Yanagi’s genjutsu, unconscious.
Toji placed his hands on their faces and activated the Mystical Palm Technique, correcting the disordered chakra in their brains.
The one with better physical condition, a scar-faced man, woke up first.
At first, he looked confused.
Then panic filled his eyes as muffled cries escaped his mouth.
“Take a deep breath.” Toji raised his hand, and several black threads slowly extended from his palm.
“Feeling dizzy is normal.” In the next instant, the black threads pierced into the man’s body.
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