Chapter 264 The Hokage's Encounters with the Guard Team
Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju were momentarily stunned. Born in the Warring States period, ninjas of their time were already quite admirable for simply lining up neatly during assembly; they had never seen anything like this.
At that moment, Touko Uchiha returned the salute, saying, "Loyalty."
Simultaneously, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had accompanied Touko Uchiha on inspections before, also returned the salute, saying, "Loyalty."
Seeing this, Hashirama Senju wanted to follow suit and return the salute as well. After all, wasn't this the kind of scene he dreamed of seeing in his village's ninjas?
Fortunately, Tobirama Senju reacted in time, stopping his brother's impetuous right hand; otherwise, his return salute would have created chaos.
However, Tobirama Senju was secretly alarmed upon seeing the current state of the Security Department. Those standing at the forefront of the welcoming procession were likely mid- to high-ranking ninjas of the Security Department, and less than 30% of them bore the Uchiha clan crest. The rest were...
[The Uchiha clan has truly relinquished power within the Security Department.] Tobirama watched this scene with a complex expression. In all his arrangements for the Uchiha clan during his lifetime, placing them solely in charge of the Security Department—a powerful but thankless task—was a crucial element. He had even allocated a portion of legislative power to the Security Department. In his calculations, the Uchiha clan's character would certainly prevent them from relinquishing such significant power, and by controlling the Security Department, they were destined to remain outside the village's core power structure.
If the Uchiha clan were willing to relinquish their power in the security force, it would mean they were willing to humble themselves and integrate into the village. This was exactly what Tobirama Senju wanted to see. However…
Tobirama Senju gritted his teeth, looking at the prominent "Fifth Hokage" inscription on the back of Touko Uchiha's robe. He wanted to see the Uchiha clan integrate into the village, but that didn't mean he wanted to see an Uchiha Hokage. For an Uchiha ninja to be worthy of the Hokage position, it meant they had awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, and every single one of those who possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan was a lunatic!
At this moment, Kakashi, the security force captain on duty in the security unit, stepped out from the crowd. After saluting Touko Uchiha and Hiruzen Sarutobi, he looked at Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju following behind them.
"Hokage-sama, who are they?" Kakashi asked curiously.
"They are honored guests," Touko Uchiha replied.
"I understand," Kakashi nodded. "Where in the Security Forces are you two Hokage and your guests planning to visit?"
"Let's go to the mess hall first. It's almost lunchtime. We can go to the training grounds after the shift changes," Uchiha Touko said.
"Alright, so we'll have dinner at the Security Forces' mess hall tonight?" Kakashi asked.
"That's settled," Uchiha Touko nodded.
Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, led by Kakashi, went to the Security Forces' mess hall.
It was lunchtime, and the Security Forces members who had finished their patrols were queuing at the windows, waiting for their food.
Kakashi led the group to a private room in the mess hall used for official receptions.
But Tobirama Senju spoke up at this moment, saying, "Why are we in a private room? Can't we at least see what the village ninjas usually eat?"
Tobirama's tone was clearly impolite, and Kakashi frowned slightly, looking at Touko Uchiha.
"Second Hokage, I brought you here simply because I didn't want to disturb the team's meal. The dishes in the private room are the same as outside; at most, we'll add a few more dishes according to the guests' tastes and requests," Touko Uchiha said helplessly.
"Second Hokage?" Kakashi was stunned upon hearing Touko Uchiha's words, then looked at Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with disbelief.
At this moment, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju also deactivated their transformation jutsu.
"Second Hokage? And... First Hokage?" Kakashi said incredulously.
"No need for formalities! You're a member of the Hatake clan, aren't you?" Hashirama Senju said cheerfully.
"Boy, why do you have the... aura of the Sharingan on you? I remember, isn't the Hatake clan known for their swordsmanship in the ninja world?" Tobirama Senju said. He originally wanted to say that Kakashi smelled of Sharingan, but he wisely changed his words.
"Is this what the Second Hokage meant?" Kakashi said, releasing the seal on his eyes, revealing a pair of crimson Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Mangekyou Sharingan?" Tobirama Senju's eyes widened as he turned to look at Touko Uchiha.
If it were just the Mangekyou Sharingan, Tobirama Senju wouldn't be too surprised. After all, he had killed Uchiha who had awakened these eyes before. But these eyes appearing in the eye sockets of an outsider, and the Uchiha clan's tacit acceptance of it, completely shattered his worldview. He knew that the Uchiha clan during the Warring States period always showed no mercy to those who coveted their bloodline limit.
"Kakashi's Sharingan was a gift from a hero of our Uchiha clan before his death, and the Uchiha clan respects the hero's decision," Uchiha Touko said. Senju Tobirama
fell silent. He realized that decades after his death, the world had suddenly become something he couldn't understand.
"However, since the Second Hokage has requested it, let's eat outside," Uchiha Touko said.
Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama reverted to their disguises and followed Uchiha Touko out of the private room and into the main dining hall.
"Hokage-sama!" The members of the security force who were already eating stood up to greet Uchiha Touko.
"Eh, no need for formalities, eat first, don't worry about us," Uchiha Touko quickly waved his hand.
However, despite saying this, every time Uchiha Touko passed a table, several members of the security force spontaneously stood up to greet him, their eyes filled with heartfelt respect.
"Touko, you seem to be quite popular as Hokage," Hashirama Senju whispered to Touko Uchiha after walking a little further away.
"You flatter me, First Hokage," Touko replied. Tobirama Senju
's face was filled with shock. He had taken in every bite of the food on every ninja's plate in the cafeteria: beef, lobster, salmon—ingredients that were usually reserved for nobles were now brazenly on the plates of the security ninja.
Moreover, judging from the fact that their plates were piled high with more vegetables than staple food, these expensive ingredients seemed to be unlimited!
At this moment, the group arrived at the food serving window. Tobirama Senju stared in utter astonishment at the towering piles of lobsters and a freshly butchered tuna.
"Are the village ninjas eating this well now?" Tobirama Senju asked.
Uchiha Touko handed the meals prepared by the cafeteria staff to the three Hokage behind him, then took one for himself. He led the group to an empty seat before speaking, "The security force is responsible for the entire village's security. After patrols, they need extensive training, so their nutritional needs are naturally high. Currently, among all the departments in the village, the Anbu and this unit have the best food and lodging. The other departments are slightly inferior."
Senju Tobirama's expression became extremely complex. Whether it was the towering buildings he had seen on the way here, or the spirit and logistical support of the security force members he witnessed, it all highlighted one thing: the village was developing much better under Uchiha Touko, the Fifth Hokage, than it had under him and his elder brother!
If Uchiha Touko didn't have the Uchiha surname, Senju Tobirama would only feel gratified by the village's development. But unfortunately, Uchiha Touko had that damned Uchiha surname!
Although the reanimated body can maintain its vitality without eating, it can still enjoy the taste of food. Hashirama Senju seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his meal. As the former head of the Senju clan, he had eaten similar things before, but this time, he found it particularly delicious, as it was food he shared with his fellow villagers. Tobirama Senju
, on the other hand, seemed preoccupied and found the meal tasteless.
After the meal, Uchiha Touko and Kakashi, as planned, led everyone to the police force's training grounds.
When they arrived, it was the training time for the fire-style ninjas.
In the spacious training grounds, police officers in training uniforms were in small groups, listening attentively to their instructors' instructions.
Most of the instructors' uniforms bore the Uchiha clan crest.
Seeing this, Tobirama was stunned. When had the Uchiha clan started interacting with commoners like this?
"Inagaki Seigo! What are you doing? Is this how you use the Phoenix Flower Technique? How many times have I told you! Pay attention to the chakra ratio! The ratio!" At this moment, a furious roar rang out from a corner of the training ground.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw an Uchiha clan Jonin pointing at a boy who looked like he had just graduated and reprimanding him.
"Sorry! Instructor, I was too hasty!" the boy
said, bowing his head in apology. "Never mind, it seems I was too demanding of you. After all, a ninja like you without the Sharingan cannot be judged by the standards of a genius." The Uchiha clan instructor crossed his arms and snorted coldly.
Senju Tobirama's face immediately showed a satisfied expression after hearing this. Sure enough, this is the Uchiha he likes!
"Sorry, Instructor, please give me another chance!" the reprimanded boy hurriedly said.
"What's the use of giving you another chance!" Uchiha Tessou scolded. "Do you really think you can master this technique just by trying again?"
"Instructor... I..."
"I'll demonstrate it for you one last time!" Uchiha Tessou said coldly. "Watch closely with your mediocre eyes! If you still can't learn it, you'll be sent back to the basic chakra control class for six months!"
"Yes!" Inagaki Seigo nodded vigorously, then began to stare intently at Uchiha Tessou's movements.
...
"Is this how the security forces train?" Senju Hashirama, who had witnessed the entire scene, couldn't help but ask curiously.
"No, that's not it. The instructors for the other ninjutsu classes are generally better-tempered, but the instructor for Fire Release ninjutsu is a Jonin from the Uchiha clan, so…"
"I can sense that your Uchiha instructor really wants to teach that civilian," Hashirama Senju said. "When Madara was teaching you, he said even more hurtful things than he did."
Uchiha Touko: …
"It seems the Uchiha clan has truly integrated into the village. If Madara could see this, I think he would be very happy," Hashirama Senju remarked.
"First Hokage, the Uchiha clan has always been a part of the village, hasn't it?" Uchiha Touko said at this moment.
"Yes, the Uchiha clan has always been a part of the village," Hashirama Senju said with some emotion. After the village was established, integrating the proud Uchiha clan into the community had always been a major headache for him. His attempt to make Madara Uchiha the First Hokage failed, further straining the already tense relationship between the Uchiha clan and the other ninja clans in the village. Madara's departure only widened the rift further.
Therefore, this had always been a source of worry for him, and now, seeing this scene, Hashirama Senju was naturally extremely gratified.
After visiting the training grounds, the group returned to the Hokage's office.
"Fifth Hokage, regarding the enemy who stole the Edo Tensei, do you have any leads?" Once back in the Hokage's office, Hashirama Senju asked with a serious expression.
"Not yet, but he must be a very troublesome enemy. The Third Hokage should know Orochimaru's strength. Defeating him might not be difficult, but killing him quickly is something even I'm not sure I can do," Uchiha Touko said. "
So, we have to stay in the village in this state for a while longer, right?" Senju Tobirama said at this moment.
"That's right," Uchiha Touko said, "I'm very sorry to disturb your rest, but for the sake of the village, please be patient for a while. During this time, you can make any requests to me."
"Staying a little longer is fine, it's all for the village, but Touko, could you find me a set of dice?" Senju Hashirama said, scratching his head and laughing.
...
________________________________________
Can't wait for the next chapter?
30+ advanced chapters are already available on Patreon!
👉 patreon.com/Horizons685
______________________________________
(End of this chapter)