The Second Hokage returned to the Konoha encampment with his Anbu, escorting the captured Second Kazekage and Chiyo. Because the Kazekage's injuries were critical, Tobirama handed him over to the medical squad immediately. "Keep him breathing," he commanded. "He is useless to us dead, and under no circumstances is he to expire on our soil before the peace negotiations begin."
After settling the administrative chaos of the victory, Tobirama decided to stretch his legs. He happened to spot Aki and Hiruzen Sarutobi acting suspiciously, hauling a heavy, shrouded bundle into Aki's tent. Intrigued, he followed silently and listened from just outside the flap.
"Monkey-niisan, is this all of them? I think we're missing one puppet!"
"Kid, you forgot—Lord Tobirama smashed one of them to pieces during the fight!"
"Right. Anyway, thanks! If it weren't for you, Homura would never have let me take these out of the evidence lockup."
Inside, Hiruzen was sweating bullets. I'm not about to tell him I stole these, he thought. If Homura finds out, I'm dead meat. Aloud, he acted nonchalant. "It's nothing. Back when I used to steal Master Hashirama's sake, I'd always frame Lord Tobirama for it!"
"Oh? You've done quite a lot of 'under-the-table' work, haven't you, Monkey?"
Hiruzen didn't notice the subtle change in the voice behind him. He grinned mischievously. "That's just the start! I even invented a jutsu using a crystal ball to watch people from a distance. As long as I know their chakra signature, I can peep—I mean, observe—anyone without them knowing. Want to learn?"
Hiruzen noticed Aki's face turning pale, his eyes fixed on something behind Hiruzen. "What's with that look? You trying to prank me by acting like Lord Tobirama is behind me? I'm not falling for it!"
A heavy hand clamped onto Hiruzen's shoulder. The voice that followed was like ice. "It seems you've been quite busy behind my back, Monkey. So that's why Brother was always accusing me of stealing his wine. Five thousand laps around the perimeter. Now."
Hiruzen nearly jumped out of his skin, cold sweat pouring down his back. Without a word of protest, he bolted out of the tent like a lightning strike.
Tobirama looked at the puppets sprawled across the floor. "Chikamatsu's Ten Puppets? Why did you smuggle these out? I specifically told Homura to keep them under seal."
Aki realized there was no point in lying. "I asked Lord Sarutobi to bring them. I believe such powerful weapons are better kept in Konoha. That woman held off eight of us with these alone; each one is Jōnin-level. Leaving them with the Sand is too dangerous!"
Tobirama let out a dry laugh. "You, the boy who couldn't master a simple Five-Element Seal to save his life, think you can control puppets? Have you forgotten you're a total idiot when it comes to Fuinjutsu?"
Aki scratched his head, embarrassed. "I know I can't use them, but Konoha has plenty of sealing geniuses! Why not give them to the research department? Besides, Lord Hokage, you can't keep bringing up my lack of sealing talent. No one is perfect!"
Tobirama's gaze softened but remained critical. "Aki, your talent for Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and chakra control is among the top five I have ever seen—and that includes my brother and Madara. But your affinity for Yin-Yang and Sealing is a disaster. You can't even perform a basic Summoning seal. Forget the puppets. Stealing 'Hero's Water' in the Waterfall was one thing, but this is different."
"But Lord Hokage," Aki pressed, "these are threats to the village!"
"If your Master thought that way," Tobirama countered, "he would have never distributed the Tailed Beasts. He would have used them to conquer the world. Why didn't he?"
"I've often wondered that," Aki admitted. "The Land of Fire would be unstoppable."
"You are wrong," Tobirama said sternly. "Centralizing all power in one nation breeds absolute terror, not respect. When fear reaches a certain point, the rest of the world unites to destroy you. My brother, the 'God of Shinobi,' is respected not for his strength, but because he lit the fire of peace by seeking balance."
Tobirama sat down, his expression reflective. "At the first Kage Summit, the First Tsuchikage was a man capable of withstanding the combined might of my brother and your grandfather. He was like a fortress standing between us and the Stone. His successor, the Second Tsuchikage (Mu), is even more terrifying. He possesses three natural chakra natures and used them to create something beyond a Bloodline Limit: a Bloodline Selection (Kekkei Tōta) known as Dust Release."
Aki's eyes lit up. "Three natures? I have those! Does that mean I can...?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Tobirama interrupted. "He spent twenty years of blood and sweat to manifest Dust Release. You're barely eight. Your Fire Style is decent, but your Wind and Lightning are a mess. Thinking about a Bloodline Selection now is a dream."
"I might not be able to do it now, but I have the potential!" Aki argued. "I can't let my three natures go to waste. Teach me, Lord Hokage!"
Tobirama shook his head. "Bloodline Selection is a combination of three natures at once—a level of change far beyond the Uchiha's ocular powers. I don't possess that knowledge. Only the Stone does, and they guard it as their greatest secret."
Aki wasn't ready to give up. He knew Tobirama was a genius developer of jutsu. "Lord Hokage... have you ever heard of the Golden Pavilion?"
Tobirama's hand twitched, nearly dropping his tea. He suddenly looked very interested in the tent's ceiling. "I have a village to run. I don't have time for city gossip. Take those puppets to Homura." He stood to leave.
Aki blocked his path, a smug grin on his face. "Are you sure you don't want to hear about the Golden Pavilion? The gambling house where Tsunade takes me?"
Tobirama froze. "I don't keep track of where that girl goes."
"First time I went with her, we lost two million ryo," Aki whispered. "During our year of training, she took me there every weekend. She hasn't won a single ryo. I'm the Uchiha heir, but even my pockets have limits. If Aunt Mito found out who was funding 'Little Lady's' habit..."
Tobirama sighed, defeated. "Fine. If the peace negotiations go well, I will personally pressure the Second Tsuchikage to share the theoretical foundations of Bloodline Selection as part of our war reparations. But don't expect a miracle. It will cost the village dearly."
Aki bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Just then, an Anbu appeared at the tent entrance. "Lord Hokage, the Sand's negotiation team has arrived. Shall we begin?"