Running into Haku had been unexpected, but life was made of unexpected meetings. Hikaru accepted it easily enough.
Besides, the child's appearance did not disrupt his plans. He continued wandering through the Land of Water according to his own pace, only deciding to return to Konoha once he reached the coast.
There was one thing that gave Hikaru a bit of a headache.
If Haku learned that he was the Hokage of Konoha, would he accidentally say something he should not?
After all, a Kage sneaking into another village's territory and causing trouble was already hard to justify. What Hikaru had done was even worse. Calling it villainous would not be an exaggeration.
That carried some risk of exposure.
However, after Hikaru told Haku, "My appearance in the Land of Water is our secret," and warned him not to reveal anything, the child seemed to find a purpose in that secrecy.
He immediately promised Hikaru that he would never reveal a single word.
That satisfied Hikaru.
Haku's loyalty was much like Kimimaro's. Once given, it was almost absolute.
Funny enough, although the Mist did not have many major storylines in the original tale, the shinobi who came out of that place were often terrifyingly professional.
There were embarrassing exceptions, of course, like the wielder of the Thunder Blades, but the others had left a strong impression on Hikaru.
Kimimaro, Haku, Kisame.
Whether it was loyalty or professionalism, they were all outstanding.
To put it bluntly, even if such people had many flaws, Hikaru still liked them, because this was what a true shinobi should look like.
Konoha had people with decent discipline too. Itachi Uchiha, for example, could be used as a representative.
Unfortunately, in Hikaru's eyes, Itachi was insane.
No matter how noble his actions appeared on the surface, it could not hide how self-righteous he was, nor the fact that he never truly used his brain to think through the best solution to the Uchiha situation.
"He already had the resolve to slaughter his entire clan. If so, why not strike first and kill all the hardline elders, force Fugaku Uchiha to step down, strip him of both the clan leadership and the Police Force command, then support a moderate elder to take over and return the Police Force to Konoha?
"I refuse to believe that under those circumstances, he still would've needed to massacre the whole clan just to protect Sasuke."
Hikaru's idea was not necessarily perfect.
But compared to what Itachi actually did, at least Hikaru's method could have preserved the Uchiha Clan.
Then again, the Uchiha seemed to have a talent for betraying both the village and their own families.
"When Kisame joins the Akatsuki later, I'll have Nagato bring him to me. A shinobi that good is not someone I can afford to miss."
Hikaru had no intention of letting Kisame slip away.
He already had two members of the "Mist Loyalty Trio." Once he got Kisame too, the set would be complete.
But that was for later.
Right now, what Hikaru needed to do was return to Konoha and re-summon Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama through the Reanimation Jutsu.
Aside from that, he also planned to summon Rin.
Since he had already decided to revive her, what was wrong with summoning her early and letting her adapt to the current world first?
More importantly, Hikaru knew Rin's death was not simple. Madara Uchiha had been involved.
Letting Rin return early and expose Madara's shadow could draw Hashirama and Tobirama's attention to him.
That would not be a bad thing.
Without the slightest politeness, Hikaru summoned all ten White Zetsu. Then, under Haku's frightened gaze, he sealed their chakra and knocked them unconscious.
After confirming that Black Zetsu had not left any hidden traps inside them, he brought Haku and the ten White Zetsu back to Konoha through Flying Thunder God.
November in the Land of Fire was also filled with falling snow.
However, compared to the Land of Water, the Land of Fire was much warmer.
The place Hikaru chose to return to was Tobirama's laboratory. The temperature there was naturally far more comfortable than outside.
He chose this location because, although the laboratory was large, Tobirama was the only person inside.
For now, Hashirama and Tobirama remained highly confidential existences.
Before truly reviving them, Hikaru had no intention of letting the world see their current appearance.
The two of them also had no such desire for the time being. They had even said that after their full revival, they would prefer to use transformation techniques and live under different identities.
They were former Hokage.
As the two men who had founded and stabilized Konoha, they did not want to create trouble for Hikaru.
Of course, they also understood that they could not truly affect Hikaru's decisions.
Hikaru was undoubtedly a man with firm convictions. Someone like him would not be easily swayed by others.
Still, they worried about the public impact.
Hikaru himself did not care. If he could not even suppress the influence of two former Hokage, how was he supposed to complete his grander goals?
"You're back?"
Hikaru's sudden appearance startled Tobirama, who had been studying the seal inside Nagato's body. But he quickly stiffened his face.
"As Hokage, you vanished for two or three months without a word. Do you think that's appropriate?"
"Hokage?"
Haku was still dizzy.
Flying Thunder God was not something everyone could adapt to. Passing through space at such speed was clearly hard on him.
But even in that dazed state, Haku still heard Tobirama's words.
Although he had lived in the Land of Water his whole life, he knew what a Kage was.
He had never imagined that the person who asked him to follow him would be the Hokage.
"If you want, you can take the job."
Hikaru smiled dismissively. Then he removed his mask and took off his cloak.
Haku had been watching him closely. This was the first time the child had seen Hikaru's real face.
His master was so young.
But could someone so young truly be Hokage?
"You really are an irritating brat," Tobirama said.
Of course, he knew Hikaru was joking. He would not get angry over something like this.
His gaze shifted curiously toward the child beside Hikaru. He did not know why Hikaru had brought back a child.
But when his eyes fell on the White Zetsu lying across the floor, each one filled with cells almost identical to his elder brother's, his expression changed immediately.
…
"What are these things?"
Tobirama stared at Hikaru with a grim expression.
The ten unconscious White Zetsu had shaken him deeply. He could not understand where Hikaru had obtained such things.
Most importantly, the cells, power, and chakra inside them were far too compatible with Hashirama.
Was someone else in the shinobi world doing human experiments with his elder brother's cells, just as he had once done?
Were these white creatures the results?
But how did Hikaru know about them?
And who had created them?
Soon, Tobirama realized something.
These white things were the same as the substance inside the body of that boy with the Rinnegan, Nagato.
Did Hikaru find those people and raid their lair?
"I think you've already guessed part of it, Tobirama."
Hikaru noticed the shift in Tobirama's expression and smiled.
"The thing inside Nagato gave me an idea. I believed there had to be people outside Konoha doing something similar to what you once did."
Tobirama's face darkened.
After all, he had been the one who started research on Hashirama's cells.
"I don't know how these materials spread," Hikaru continued. "But I knew someone had achieved impressive results. So I became interested.
"My original goal was to seize some of that white tissue, bring it back, fuse it with death-row prisoners, and use the successful results as sacrifices.
"But after spending some effort to find them and clashing with them, they realized they did not want to continue fighting me, so they proposed a negotiation.
"I took the chance to state my demands. What I did not expect was that they had already created living specimens."
Hikaru explained the trip in a half-true, half-vague way.
His words made Tobirama sink into thought.
He truly could not figure out who had managed to finish what even he had not completed.
But then he remembered that he had been dead for many years.
It was not that he had lacked ability. He simply had not had enough time.
Moreover, these experimental bodies were ugly. They could hardly be called perfect.
Still, they were useful enough.
Tobirama had many questions.
He looked at Hikaru and asked seriously,
"With your strength, you only negotiated with them? How did they obtain my brother's cells? Where did you find them? And who exactly are they?"
Four questions, each one cutting straight to the core.
Tobirama was as sharp as ever.
Nagato had not explained much back then, and Tobirama's attention had been drawn to the Rinnegan and the seal.
Besides, Hikaru had clearly wanted to use Nagato as a blade, so Tobirama had not asked too many unrelated questions.
But now that it was only the two of them, some matters needed to be examined properly.
"I encountered them near the Land of Rain. I could not kill them because they have space-time ninjutsu," Hikaru said after thinking for a moment.
"Strictly speaking, their strength isn't impressive. But they can use space-time ninjutsu to enter another dimension, making it impossible for me to hit them.
"Unfortunately for them, before the fight started, I had already left space-time marks behind. Wherever they fled, I could follow.
"They realized that too, which is why they chose to negotiate and give me these.
"As for who they are… prepare yourself first.
"The man I fought had one Sharingan. His space-time ability comes from that eye. Unless I'm mistaken, it should be a Mangekyō Sharingan.
"And Nagato also told me the person who approached him claimed to be Madara Uchiha."
"Madara Uchiha!"
Tobirama was indeed startled.
But he remained calm and began carefully reviewing every word Hikaru had said.
It was not that he doubted Hikaru.
On the contrary, he trusted Hikaru completely.
What he was thinking about was the content of Hikaru's words.
After a long while, Tobirama suddenly let out a soft laugh and shook his head.
"No. That isn't Madara Uchiha."
"Oh?" Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "How can you be so sure?"
"First, age," Tobirama said directly. "If it were Madara, he would be old and barely able to move by now.
"Time is the greatest enemy of every shinobi. Unless one truly becomes a god, no one escapes it.
"I admit Madara fooled me back then. He sacrificed one eye and used Izanagi to survive.
"But I do not believe he could still be active like this.
"More importantly, even if the person you described seems to match some of Madara's traits, you ignored one thing.
"If it were truly Madara, he would never hide in another dimension like a rat in a sewer.
"Madara Uchiha is proud. You cannot imagine how proud he is. He would rather fight with his last eye than live in such a pathetic way."
Hikaru quietly listened.
At that moment, he had to admit that the person who understood you best really could be your enemy.
Hikaru, having seen the original story, naturally knew how proud Madara was.
Madara truly would not act like Obito—weak, evasive, and still arrogant.
He was not the type to hide because he could not win.
He was the type to throw himself into battle against a powerful opponent and fight with everything he had.
Hikaru shook his head inwardly.
Tobirama had denied Madara's identity, but Hikaru did not mind.
He had planned to slowly draw out the idea that Madara might still be connected to events, then gradually build caution around that.
He did not intend to reveal everything at once and immediately hunt Madara down.
That would disrupt his own plans.
He had originally wanted to bring up the claim and then deny it himself. He had not expected Tobirama to do it for him.
That saved him trouble.
Still, Tobirama's expression remained grave.
"However, even if that person is not Madara Uchiha, he may still be connected to him. Perhaps a disciple or successor. You must be careful."
"Of course. That eye is probably a Mangekyō Sharingan. Unfortunately, my mark has already been removed. I can no longer track them."
Hikaru agreed naturally.
This was enough. Tobirama could interpret the rest however he wanted.
Then Hikaru pointed toward Haku.
"As for this child, his name is Haku. I encountered him on my way back after tracking those people to the Mist.
"The Fourth Mizukage is enforcing the Bloody Mist policy, and he's been brutal toward bloodline clans. This child is from the Yuki clan.
"He was being chased by ordinary villagers, and I happened to find him. So I brought him back."
"I see."
Tobirama nodded.
To be honest, whether Hikaru explained Haku or not did not matter much to him.
He did not care.
And he was not unfamiliar with the Yuki clan. Many of the Mist's bloodline clans had been forced across the sea because of Madara's actions in the past.
As someone who had lived through that era, Tobirama did not think especially highly of them.
Still, if Hikaru wanted to bring the child back, then so be it.
"It doesn't matter. The Anbu already has someone from the Kaguya Clan. Adding someone from the Yuki clan is nothing."
Tobirama glanced at Haku, then at the White Zetsu scattered across the floor. His meaning was obvious.
"Then we do what needs to be done. I'm sure you've been waiting for this."
Hikaru understood him at once and smiled.
"Call Hashirama here. I also want to see how effective these materials are."
Then Hikaru looked at Haku and thought for a moment.
"As for you, you'll stay at my home for now. I'll arrange a place for you at the Ninja Academy.
"And your name… from now on, use Mizunashi. Yuki Haku. What do you think?"
…
Haku would not have objected no matter what name Hikaru gave him.
Hikaru knew this well.
To Haku, Hikaru was everything now.
In a certain sense, Hikaru had truly replaced Zabuza.
Although that had not been his intention, the current reality was exactly that.
Haku had also fully confirmed that the person he now followed was truly the Hokage of Konoha.
Because of Obito's influence, Haku had never received a proper shinobi education, but due to the Land of Water's hatred and hostility toward the Land of Fire, he still knew the basics of the shinobi world.
That alone made him far better informed than Naruto's original Team Seven. Even Sakura, the supposed top student, had known little about other villages, let alone Naruto.
Of course, that might also have been related to the broader environment of the time. The world had been moving toward peace, and education had changed accordingly.
Still, Hikaru could not understand why other countries and villages were barely mentioned at all.
That, too, was something he could change.
After learning enough to understand Hikaru's identity, Haku felt dazed.
Especially after being led out of the Hokage building by a Senju shinobi and seeing the faces carved into the Hokage Rock, he became completely certain.
His heart was complicated.
Following such an important person, Haku truly did not know whether he could prove his worth.
But worry was useless.
As Lord Hokage had said, only by learning more and showing his value could he remain by his side.
After Haku left, Hashirama quickly arrived at the underground laboratory.
Naturally, he noticed the White Zetsu bodies scattered across the floor.
This time, Tobirama took the initiative to explain. He also mentioned the matter involving Madara Uchiha.
Like Tobirama, Hashirama did not think the person Hikaru encountered was truly Madara.
As close friends, they had known each other since childhood. They knew each other's personalities too well.
According to Hikaru's description, that person was nothing but a rat hiding in the dark.
He could not possibly be Madara Uchiha.
"I know Madara," Hashirama said firmly. Then he sighed softly.
"My battle with him back then… I thought it had ended everything. Later, I learned he had used Izanagi.
"At the time, I thought perhaps it was fine that he had left. We had once trusted each other more than anyone, but our beliefs had drifted apart.
"Looking back now, perhaps I was the one who was wrong. But there is no way to change the past.
"Madara is probably dead now. Even if he isn't, he should no longer be able to move.
"If there's ever a chance to find his remains, I'd like to see him.
"As for this person, perhaps he is Madara's successor or disciple. But clearly, Madara did not teach him well."
When the topic was Madara Uchiha, Hashirama seemed to have endless things to say.
Fortunately, he restrained himself and only gave his opinion.
Hikaru curled his lips slightly.
Find Madara's remains and summon him through the Reanimation Jutsu?
That was not impossible.
But who knew where Madara was buried?
Besides, Hikaru had no plan for dealing with Madara yet. Since there was no plan, he had no interest in acting out of goodwill.
For now, he simply agreed perfunctorily.
Many things could be decided later.
If he truly wanted to act, he could perhaps start with Obito.
After all, Madara had died in Obito's presence. Obito might know where Madara's body was.
If that failed, Hikaru could send Kabuto.
The current Kabuto was clearly a Konoha shinobi with an official Anbu designation. Hikaru did not believe he would betray Konoha and fully side with Orochimaru while Nono Yakushi was still alive.
"All right, enough of that. Let's focus on something practical."
Hikaru spoke.
"The materials are ready, and everyone is here.
"I think we can now test how much of your peak strength these bodies can restore."
…
When Hikaru's chakra dispersed, the previously dazed Hashirama and Tobirama regained consciousness.
They looked at each other, then turned toward the spots where they had stood before.
Only two corpses remained there.
Finally, they nodded toward Hikaru and began sensing their own power.
Hikaru watched silently.
After the two of them had released the Reanimation Jutsu on themselves, Hikaru used the White Zetsu bodies to summon them again.
The quality of these White Zetsu bodies was clearly far higher than those Obito had once attached to Sasuke in the original story.
Those had only been used for surveillance. Hikaru did not believe Obito would use top-quality specimens for such a task.
The best White Zetsu had later been attached to Yamato to deal with the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Even so, Tobirama summoned by Orochimaru in the original story had recovered around eighty percent of his peak strength.
As for Hashirama, Hikaru could not be certain, because Hashirama had never stated it clearly.
But Hikaru guessed that seventy percent should not have been a problem.
Since White Zetsu's power was most compatible with Hashirama himself, even eighty percent was possible.
This time, however, the White Zetsu Hikaru obtained had been enhanced by Black Zetsu.
Their vacant expressions combined with unusually high Yang Release chakra made that obvious.
With these bodies as sacrifices, Hikaru was not worried about the results being poor.
What he cared about now was how close the two brothers were to their true peak.
"These materials are good," Tobirama said suddenly, his face filled with rare delight.
Hikaru and Hashirama both looked at him.
"I can feel that I have more or less returned to my peak strength.
"However, because this body is not truly alive, I've lost some fine control over it. That's unavoidable.
"Still, the Reanimation Jutsu gives me an undying body and limitless chakra recovery. Considering everything, I should be able to perform at roughly my peak level."
Hikaru nodded.
For someone at their level, especially someone like Tobirama, fine control over the body mattered enormously.
Tobirama might not be on Hikaru or Hashirama's level, but he was still among the strongest shinobi in history.
Among such people, control over the body had reached an unimaginable degree.
That subtle command of every muscle, every movement, and every limit of the body was not something a reanimated body could fully match.
In that sense, the Reanimation Jutsu did weaken them.
But in exchange, their bodies could not truly be injured, and chakra consumption was no longer an issue.
Although their chakra output still had an upper limit, once depleted, it recovered rapidly. Unlike living bodies, they did not need long periods of rest.
The Reanimation Jutsu had both advantages and drawbacks.
Overall, the difference was not too large.
Thinking of this, Hikaru looked toward Hashirama with anticipation.
Tobirama had effectively returned to his peak.
What about Hashirama, whose compatibility with these materials was even higher?
"I should be around ninety percent. Maybe even near my peak."
Hashirama noticed their gazes and thought for a moment before answering with some embarrassment.
"In terms of chakra, I feel I've reached my living standard. I should be able to use all of my Wood Release.
"I can also use Sage Mode now.
"But whether I can use True Several Thousand Hands is still uncertain.
"Overall, I'm much stronger than before."
Hashirama's estimate was cautious, which was normal.
For people at their level, it was difficult to accurately judge strength without battle.
Hikaru was similar. He had never had a perfect grasp of his own level either, only comparing himself with figures from the original story.
But Hikaru believed the current Hashirama should at least be stronger than the version from the Fourth Shinobi World War, who could not use True Several Thousand Hands.
As for whether he had truly reached his living peak, that was hard to judge.
An undying body and infinite chakra recovery were not as useful to shinobi like Hashirama and Madara.
Their strength ensured they rarely suffered serious injuries, and their natural recovery was already monstrous.
Their chakra reserves were immense to begin with.
For them, the special traits of the Reanimation Jutsu were almost unnecessary.
It would be better to have their living bodies at their true peak, with perfect control and limitless potential.
A person's own body was the greatest treasure they could possess.
"I see."
Hikaru rubbed his chin. After thinking for a while, he suddenly asked,
"Then how about we test your current strength?"
"Test?"
Hashirama froze for a moment, then seemed to understand.
"You mean… spar?"
"That's a good idea!"
Tobirama nodded seriously, clearly approving.
"Brother, if you are not familiar with your current strength, battle is the best way to understand and adjust to it.
"And Hikaru's strength should not be inferior to yours when you were alive. Even if he is lacking in some areas, he can use this chance to understand himself more clearly.
"Besides, Hikaru's recovery ability is probably not much weaker than yours.
"You two sparring and testing each other would be the best method."
Using a spar to understand their current condition?
Hashirama hesitated.
After some thought, he nodded.
Indeed, Hikaru felt no weaker than Hashirama had been in life, and Hashirama had seen Hikaru's recovery ability as well.
It seemed slightly inferior to his own when alive, but considering the enemies Hikaru had fought, that was understandable.
And if things became dangerous, Hashirama could always stop.
His current body was reanimated. He did not have to fear backlash from his own techniques.
With that in mind, Hashirama nodded seriously.
"No problem. Let's find a place and test it."
"Good."
Hikaru's eyes lit up.
"I've wanted to see for myself just how strong the First Hokage is when close to his peak."
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