"Um… I apologize for the unfair things my Second Granduncle did to you," Tsunade said softly. She knew that Tobirama had indeed gone too far back then, and she prepared to bow.
Seeing her about to bend down, Isamu quickly stopped her.
"Alright, that was something your Second Granduncle did—it has nothing to do with you. Besides, everything he did was for the village. I stopped hating him a long time ago. If I were Hokage, I would've made the same choice."
"Thank you, Isamu."
"It's nothing."
The two of them looked at each other, and for a moment, it felt as if time had frozen.
But—
"Older Sister, why are you apologizing to him?" Nawaki suddenly interrupted, unable to hold back any longer. "Second Granduncle was the Second Hokage. His decisions were definitely right. I agree with him completely. Other than Grandpa Hashirama, he's the greatest!"
"Nawaki!" Tsunade snapped.
She was about to step in, but Isamu raised a hand to stop her.
He looked at Nawaki calmly.
"Your grandfather Hashirama was indeed powerful—who doesn't know the God of Shinobi? And although Tobirama wasn't as strong as him, he was still an exceptional man."
"Hmph, good that you know!" Nawaki puffed up with pride.
But before he could enjoy it—
"His methods were clever," Isamu continued, his tone turning cold, "but his mouth was foul."
"What did you just say?!" Nawaki exploded. "How dare you speak about my Second Granduncle like that? He was the Second Hokage! You'll be punished for this!"
The two Hokage were his pride—his idols. He even dreamed of becoming Hokage himself. There was no way he could tolerate this.
Tension instantly filled the air.
Tsunade was caught in the middle—on one side was her younger brother, on the other was someone she cared about.
"Isamu…" she tugged on his sleeve, signaling him to let it go.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." Isamu gently patted the back of her hand.
Then he turned back to Nawaki, his gaze sharp and full of disdain.
"Punish me? Who's going to punish me?"
"I'm not wrong. Your Second Granduncle did have a foul mouth."
"You—!"
Enraged, Nawaki threw a punch.
Isamu didn't even bother dodging.
He caught the fist effortlessly with one hand and slowly tightened his grip.
"Ah—! Let go!" Nawaki winced in pain. "I'm the grandson of the First Hokage! If you hit me, you'll go to jail!"
"Hmph." Isamu snorted. "Forget you—even if Senju Hashirama himself stood here, he wouldn't dare say something like that."
"What do you actually have?" he continued coldly. "Other than your identity, what else is yours?"
"Your strength is pathetic, yet you speak with such arrogance."
"With your current ability, you wouldn't even qualify as cannon fodder on the battlefield."
"You're weak."
After that, he released Nawaki's hand and flung it aside.
"Let's go, Tsunade."
He turned and left with her, leaving Nawaki frozen in place.
---
For a long moment, Nawaki stood there in a daze.
Then—
Tears silently streamed down his face.
He didn't make a sound.
Since childhood, he had always been admired and praised. The moment people heard he was the grandson of the First Hokage, they treated him with respect and flattery.
No one had ever spoken to him like this.
No one had ever crushed his pride so completely.
The more he thought about it, the harder it became to hold back the tears.
---
After walking some distance—
"Isamu… wasn't that a bit too harsh?" Tsunade asked softly. "Nawaki is still just a child."
"It's fine," Isamu replied calmly. "He's not that fragile."
"He's just trapped in his status and can't see past it. What I said might hurt now—but if he gets through it, it'll be good for him."
"If he can truly understand it, his future won't be low."
"…Alright." Tsunade nodded. Deep down, she knew he wasn't wrong.
Soon, they reached the entrance of her house.
"Alright, you're home. I'll head back," Isamu said, turning to leave.
"Wait."
He paused.
For a split second, all kinds of ridiculous thoughts flashed through his mind.
Wait… she called me back… don't tell me…
He stood there, lost in imagination, a faint grin creeping onto his face.
"Hey! Are you even listening?" Tsunade smacked him lightly.
"Ah—yeah, of course. What is it?" Isamu snapped back, instantly putting on a serious expression.
"What were you smiling about just now…" she muttered, then continued, "Nawaki hasn't come back yet. Go check on him when you head back. Don't let him become withdrawn."
"Oh… that's it." A hint of disappointment flashed across Isamu's face. "Got it. I'll go check on him now."
"Wait."
He turned again.
This time, Tsunade didn't speak.
She stepped forward—
And kissed him lightly on the cheek.
Then, with a flushed face, she turned and ran inside, slamming the door shut.
Isamu froze on the spot.
"…What just happened?"
He touched his cheek, still stunned.
"…So this is what it feels like."
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"Heh… life in Konoha is getting more and more interesting."
---
After walking a short distance, he spotted Nawaki still wiping his tears.
"Heh. Crying alone in the middle of the night? Aren't you embarrassed?" Isamu said bluntly.
"I'm not crying! It's just dust in my eyes!" Nawaki snapped stubbornly.
"Relax. I don't care about that." Isamu's tone turned serious.
"If you want my respect, then train. Get stronger."
"When you're strong enough to defeat me, you can take revenge for today anytime."
"But right now—you're not qualified."
"Hmph! Don't act so arrogant!" Nawaki shouted. "One day I'll defeat you with my own strength! I'll make you bow to me—and to my grandfather!"
"I'll become the greatest Hokage! Just wait!"
Isamu looked at him, then smiled faintly.
"I'll be waiting… Senju Nawaki."
"But for now, future Hokage—you should go home. Your sister's worried about you."
"…None of your business!"
With that, Nawaki turned and ran toward home.