Senju Tobirama: Shadow Hokage, Konoha's Nine-Thousand-Year Elder—The Pillar Holding Up the Sky
Hashirama Senju stubbornly refused to back down, insisting that his younger brother had to give the injured villagers an explanation—and an apology.
Tobirama Senju, on the other hand, resisted with everything he had. In his eyes, his brother was being willfully obtuse—trying to force him into social death.
The atmosphere once again grew tense.
Uzumaki Mito, standing to the side, frowned deeply.
Villagers spreading rumors and gathering to cause trouble—fine, turning a blind eye once or twice was acceptable.
Once Tobirama led Konoha's forces to assist on the battlefield, public opinion would naturally dissipate.
But these villagers had gone too far.
They had actually intended to march to the Hokage Building in protest.
How could such behavior be tolerated?
Mito had already heard about it earlier that afternoon—about Tobirama dispatching ANBU to conduct what was jokingly referred to as "Konoha's Unlimited Free-Sparring Tournament" with the villagers.
Yes, Tobirama's methods were undeniably rough.
He had used ANBU to forcibly disperse the crowd, beaten the villagers, and detained them in ANBU custody.
But Mito did not believe Tobirama had done anything fundamentally wrong.
This was a matter of governance principles.
If such actions were ignored, it would invite endless future trouble—planting hidden dangers that could one day drag Konoha into the abyss.
She understood Hashirama's ideals perfectly.
He had sworn to build a village where ninja and civilians lived in harmony, where children could grow up learning and playing safely under Konoha's protection—rather than carrying weapons and fighting to the death as they had in their youth.
For that dream, Hashirama was willing to compromise, to suffer, even to sacrifice everything—including his own life.
But reality was complicated.
Sometimes, painful choices had to be made.
Blindly protecting everything in the name of protection alone—what could that truly safeguard?
In the end, it would only leave problems buried beneath the surface, waiting to explode in the future.
Mito's heart leaned toward Tobirama.
But she didn't say it outright.
She knew Hashirama well—once he clung to a belief, it was nearly impossible to shake.
"Enough. Stop arguing."
Mito spoke again, stepping in as mediator.
She had noticed Hashirama's emotions spiraling—his body had subconsciously shifted into a stance he only adopted right before attacking.
At this rate, he might really sneak in an elbow strike and forcibly end the matter.
"Since you two can't reach an agreement—and this isn't a trivial issue—why don't we convene an emergency meeting?"
"Let Konoha's ninja clans judge who's right and who's wrong."
Mito refused to take sides directly between the brothers.
Even as the sister-in-law, playing referee was no easy task.
"Excellent idea!"
Tobirama immediately nodded in agreement.
He was sick of Hashirama's stubborn idealism.
For years, he had worked tirelessly—up before dawn, asleep after midnight—handling Konoha's administration, managing personnel, finances, village systems, all while juggling his own research.
All for Konoha.
He could endure any hardship.
Yet somehow—
The more he did, the more grievances he accumulated.
Hashirama caused trouble without realizing it.
Madara might strike at him at any moment.
The Uchiha clan never gave up their ambitions.
Uchiha Makoto lurked beyond the village like a wolf.
And now this?
Such a tiny matter—and yet his brother chased him relentlessly, determined to ruin him socially.
Fine.
Let the ninja clans decide.
Seeing Tobirama agree, Mito turned to Hashirama.
"Hashirama, Tobirama has agreed. What about you?"
"Then let's do it," Hashirama nodded.
Even now, he believed his ideals were correct.
He trusted that the clans would agree with him.
"Good. Big Brother—let's make it clear in advance."
"We'll abide by the final decision of the meeting."
Tobirama smiled broadly and immediately locked in the agreement.
He was afraid Hashirama would flip the table with brute force.
"Fine. No problem."
With Hashirama's promise secured, Tobirama's smile widened.
Hashirama's strength was overwhelming—he could flip the table at will.
But if this stayed within rules and debate?
Big Brother was completely out of his depth.
Konoha's systems—personnel, finances, administration—
Every single one had been designed by Tobirama, the Shadow Hokage.
The clans lived under rules he had written.
Their core heirs were either his students or members of ANBU under his command.
Many of them had participated in that very operation earlier that day.
Big Brother—
I've been prepared for this for a long time.
This victory belongs to Senju Tobirama.
The three left the Hokage Office together.
A meeting that would decide whether Tobirama would suffer social death was swiftly announced.
The clan heads—many in the middle of dinner—immediately put down their bowls and rushed to the conference hall.
The Conference Hall
Tobirama scanned the room.
Familiar faces everywhere.
Uchiha Madara.
Uchiha Setsuna.
The Uchiha clan…
Tch. Those innately evil Uchiha are definitely here to watch me suffer.
Ignore them.
The rest?
All allies.
Tobirama nodded subtly to them.
A glance was enough.
Don't worry, Lord Tobirama. We understand.
We know why this meeting is being held.
We've already heard about the villagers being beaten and detained by ANBU.
You acted to protect the Hokage's dignity, to defend Konoha's authority.
Those villagers were far too audacious.
They deserved a heavy hand.
The Hokage looks angry—but you're his brother.
Shadow Hokage. Nine-Thousand-Year Elder.
How could he truly be angry with you?
This meeting exists to protect you.
Hashirama presided.
"Tobirama dispatched ANBU without authorization to beat Konoha's villagers and detain them."
"I believe his mistake is severe. He must personally apologize to those villagers."
Hashirama spoke passionately, even invoking the Will of Fire, urging the clans to recognize the seriousness of Tobirama's actions.
But—
The moment the meeting began, its conclusion was already sealed.
Unless Hashirama overturned the table with sheer force.
Almost no clan head could truly sympathize with civilians.
From the clans' perspective—
Villagers had gathered unlawfully, spread rumors, and even planned to protest at the Hokage Building.
Tobirama had merely beaten them, detained them, and subjected them to "ideological education."
No one died.
Medical-nin were even assigned—free of charge.
Wasn't that merciful?
The clan heads weren't fools.
They all understood the stakes.
Even if Hashirama truly wanted justice for the villagers—
Should they really help him humiliate the Shadow Hokage?
Unless they'd lost their minds.
Tobirama was Hashirama's own brother.
Everyone knew he handled nearly all Hokage duties in practice.
There was no one who could replace him.
Backing Hashirama now would only invite disaster later.
Offending Tobirama could doom a small clan overnight—just through mission assignments alone.
Finally, Hashirama asked:
"And what are your opinions?"
Silence.
Then—
"Hokage-sama, I believe Lord Tobirama's decision was correct."
Sarutobi Sasuke stepped forward first.
"Tough measures were necessary. The villagers merely suffered minor injuries. There's no need to humiliate Lord Tobirama with a public apology."
"My son also participated in the operation. Lord Tobirama's kindness toward our clan is immeasurable."
"Agreed," the Shimura clan head followed.
"Lord Tobirama was not at fault."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
The Ino–Shika–Cho clans stood.
"I share that view," the Hyūga clan head added smoothly.
More and more hands rose.
Power seeks its master.
Hashirama had loosened his grip.
Tobirama had seized it firmly.
This meeting itself was a loyalty test.
From beginning to end, Tobirama said not a single word.
He simply sat there, letting his brother speak.
Big Brother…
You've always been this impulsive.
If I hadn't prepared in advance, you'd have buried me long ago.
As the outcome became overwhelmingly one-sided, Tobirama felt a surge of satisfaction.
His years of quiet cultivation in Konoha had not been in vain.
The clans supported Hashirama—
But they supported him, too.
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