There were never any shortages of farsighted people in this era.
The Sarutobi clan was a perfect example.
From Sora’s perspective, the generation preceding the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had been filled with intelligent people.
Their strategy was practically shameless in its simplicity—
cling tightly to the two Senju brothers.
Whatever the older brother did, follow him.
Whatever the younger brother did, follow him too.
And history would eventually prove that their decision had been the correct one.
Hiruzen would become the Third Hokage.
Later, as clans such as the Senju gradually declined, the Sarutobi clan would eventually grow into one of the largest clans in Konoha.
Compared with the Sarutobi clan’s obvious alignment with the Hokage faction, the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans had yet to openly choose a side.
But among those three clans—
there was the notoriously intelligent Nara clan.
A Nara representative glanced at Tobirama before stepping forward.
“The Nara clan is willing to contribute one million ryō toward Elder Hatake’s establishment of the Konoha Ninja Academy.”
He continued,
“In addition, all medicinal herbs supplied by our clan to the Academy will be sold at twenty percent below the normal price.”
The Akimichi clan head, who had been waiting nearby, grinned.
“My Akimichi clan will also contribute one million ryō.”
The three clans had always advanced and retreated together.
With the Nara acting as their brain, the other two rarely had any reason to hesitate once a decision had been made.
The Yamanaka representative immediately followed.
“The Yamanaka clan will contribute one million ryō as well.”
At that moment, another figure approached from nearby.
Hyūga Kiyoshi.
He spoke calmly.
“The Hyūga clan will contribute three million ryō.”
By this point, the Academy was already practically guaranteed to happen.
The amount of money collected was more than enough to establish a school.
And as Sora’s student, Kiyoshi had little reason not to support his teacher.
As for whether the clan itself had formally approved his decision?
Kiyoshi had his own authority within the Hyūga.
Then—
“How could something this important happen without the Uchiha clan?”
A familiar voice sounded.
“We’ll contribute three million ryō as well.”
Sora turned.
Uchiha Yū.
He hadn’t appeared publicly in quite some time.
His complexion was still somewhat pale, and his aura remained weak.
Even after half a year, the injuries Sora had inflicted clearly hadn’t completely healed.
Yet Yū was smiling with absolute confidence.
Most of the people present saw nothing unusual.
Tobirama did.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He’s close to breaking through.
A faint killing intent surfaced within him.
Tobirama had fought the Uchiha since the Warring States era.
He had never possessed much affection for the clan.
And a Kage-level Uchiha was fundamentally different from an ordinary Kage-level shinobi.
Their combat potential was simply too dangerous.
Uchiha Yū…
was getting close.
With all three of Konoha’s great clans now contributing, the smaller clans had even less reason to refuse.
The Inuzuka clan contributed one million.
The Aburame clan contributed one million.
The Kurama clan contributed one million.
The Shimura clan did the same.
Several civilian elite jōnin were also present, but none offered major donations.
Their personal wealth was limited.
A small contribution wouldn’t meaningfully change the project—
and forcing themselves to donate more might look like they were trying to steal attention from the established clans.
Finally, the Senju clan itself contributed another three million ryō.
In total—
twelve clans, together with Tobirama’s personal contribution, raised approximately nineteen million ryō.
The Konoha Ninja Academy had officially moved beyond the idea stage.
…
On the surface, it was only a small school.
At present—
it had exactly one teacher.
Hatake Sora.
But everyone could already see its potential.
That very day, the Elder Council convened another meeting.
And almost immediately—
the arguments began.
Several major clans wanted the Academy constructed close to their own compounds.
Each representative enthusiastically explained why their district was ideal.
Some offered additional money.
Others promised resources.
The Grand Elder of the Senju clan went even further.
He proposed building the Academy directly inside the Senju district.
Tobirama rejected every proposal.
Watching the arguments, Sora noticed something interesting.
The Senju clan currently had several hundred members.
And judging from their behavior…
it seemed to have already split into two political factions.
One followed the Hokage’s direct line—
Hashirama and Tobirama.
The other appeared to gather around the Senju Grand Elder.
As for Hashirama himself?
The First Hokage stared at the maps everyone was arguing over…
and nearly fell asleep.
After listening to everyone debate for long enough, he finally waved his hand.
“Put it here.”
His finger landed on a location near the Hokage Building.
It wasn’t close to any clan compound.
Instead—
it was positioned near the center of Konoha’s civilian residential area.
Sora glanced at Hashirama.
The man often looked unreliable.
But sometimes…
there really was wisdom hidden beneath that carefree personality.
With the location decided, construction and logistics could be left to everyone else.
Sora had no interest in managing any of that.
His responsibility was simpler.
He needed to create the Academy’s actual educational system.
…
After the Elder Council meeting ended, Tobirama unexpectedly approached him.
“Elder Hatake.”
“Would you like to come to my home for dinner?”
Sora raised an eyebrow.
This was the first time Tobirama had ever personally invited him over.
He had nothing else to do.
So naturally—
he agreed.
…
Tobirama Senju’s Residence
Tobirama’s home was built in a traditional style.
Wooden floors.
Minimal furnishings.
Almost nothing resembling the more modern conveniences Sora had grown accustomed to.
More importantly—
everything was immaculate.
Furniture was positioned perfectly.
Not a single object seemed out of place.
Nothing was messy.
Nothing was casual.
The entire house felt exactly like Tobirama himself.
Strict.
Orderly.
Serious.
Sora looked around.
To him, there was something almost uncomfortable about it.
To put it less politely—
the place didn’t feel lived in.
“Your house is really clean.”
Sora glanced around again.
“Don’t you think it’s missing something?”
Tobirama began preparing tea.
“I live at the Hokage Building.”
“My quarters are beside my office.”
“I only return here once a day to clean.”
“Normally, I eat at my brother’s home.”
He placed the tea set on the low table, filled the kettle, and knelt with the same rigid precision he seemed to apply to everything.
Then he looked at Sora.
“You mean this place doesn’t feel like a home.”
Sora blinked.
“Yeah.”
“That’s exactly what I meant.”
He sat down across from Tobirama.
Then, after thinking for a moment, he asked,
“Tobirama.”
“You’re already in your forties this year, aren’t you?”
“Have you never thought about getting married?”
This was something Sora had found genuinely surprising after returning to the world.
Tobirama Senju didn’t have a wife.
Or at least—
that was what Sora had assumed.
Tobirama’s hand paused.
“Once.”
Sora looked at him.
“I had a wife once.”
Tobirama glanced toward a picture frame sitting some distance away.
Inside was an old black-and-white photograph.
His voice remained calm.
“She was the daughter of the Sarutobi clan head.”
“She passed away during the Warring States era.”
Sora fell silent.
After a moment, Tobirama continued.
“A lot of people know about it.”
“You were living with the Hatake clan back then.”
“You should have heard something.”
Sora gave him an awkward look.
“You probably won’t believe me…”
“But I rarely talked with those kids.”
During those years, Sora had watched brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and entire generations die one after another.
And he had been powerless to do anything.
Eventually—
he had simply become numb.
Other people’s deaths stopped meaning much to him.
Tobirama looked back toward the photograph.
Then he spoke again.
“Madara killed her.”
Sora froze.
Tobirama’s expression did not change.
“And my child.”
Sora’s eyes widened.
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