"Ahem, big brother, please mind your image," Tobirama muttered, rubbing his forehead helplessly as the corner of his mouth twitched.
"Oh, oh!" Hashirama realized belatedly, straightening up with forced seriousness, but his exaggerated effort only made the sight more comical.
Yota couldn't help but laugh quietly and turn his head aside to hide it.
Hashirama didn't mind. With a serious face, he strode over to Kaede and crouched down to meet his eyes.
"Little one, would you like to be my disciple?"
Hashirama's gaze was filled with warmth and anticipation.
Kaede didn't hesitate for a second. He knelt, bowing deeply with sincerity.
"Disciple Kaede greets his teacher!"
Hashirama's face lit up with pure delight, a bright smile spreading across his features.
"Good! From this day forward, you are my disciple, Hashirama Senju's..."
He paused for a heartbeat, his tone deepening.
"...and my only disciple."
The authority in his voice left no room for argument. His commanding presence filled the room, leaving everyone speechless.
Even Tobirama, though clearly disapproving, could only remain silent. When Hashirama made up his mind, no one, not even his younger brother, could sway him.
Hashirama patted Kaede gently on the head.
"Come to my office tomorrow. I'll begin your training."
Kaede nodded obediently, then took his father's hand as they left the Hokage's office.
Once they stepped outside, Yota exhaled deeply, as if a heavy weight had lifted from his chest.
"Dad, you're too nervous," Kaede teased with a grin.
"What did you say, you little brat!" Yota's face darkened instantly. "That was Hokage-sama! The Hokage!"
"Yeah, I know," Kaede replied with mock innocence. "My teacher."
Yota nearly exploded on the spot. He grabbed Kaede by the collar and gave him a good scolding, his voice echoing through the streets.
By the end, his mood had greatly improved. After all, happiness often came from teaching your child a lesson.
Kaede, rubbing the large bump on his head, silently vowed revenge. It's never too late for payback, even after twenty years.
As that thought crossed his mind, Yota suddenly felt an uneasy chill down his back, but after looking around, he saw nothing out of the ordinary and dismissed it.
He turned to Kaede with a serious expression.
"Remember, listen to Hokage-sama and don't cause him any trouble."
He hesitated for a moment, then added,
"And... it's best to avoid Lord Tobirama if you can. No, actually, that's impossible."
"Although Hokage-sama is the face of Konoha, it's really Tobirama-sama who runs the village. Every move made here is under his watch."
Whenever Yota mentioned Senju Tobirama, his brows furrowed slightly. He couldn't shake off the unease that name carried.
Kaede, seeing his father's cautious tone, couldn't help but feel admiration—and a bit of curiosity.
Senju Tobirama, the man who would become the Second Hokage, was known as a strict and calculating genius. In both politics and military command, he stood unmatched.
During his leadership, Konoha advanced rapidly, establishing new systems and departments that would define the village for generations. He was both a brilliant strategist and a powerful shinobi.
The more Kaede thought about it, the more respect he felt. Tobirama was undoubtedly a capable leader—one who kept the village stable through sheer resolve.
"Dad, do you dislike Lord Tobirama?" Kaede asked with a raised brow, unable to hide his curiosity.
His father's tone toward Tobirama always carried an odd tension, as if something deeper lay beneath.
Yota sighed softly, understanding what his son was implying. After a brief silence, he chose his words carefully.
"No. Lord Tobirama's contributions to Konoha are undeniable. He handles almost every matter in the village, both great and small."
"Then why..." Kaede tilted his head, puzzled.
Yota turned to glance back at the Hokage Building, his expression complex.
"Perhaps... it's because I can't put myself in Lord Tobirama's shoes," he said quietly.
Then, with a small smile, he ruffled Kaede's hair.
"Enough about that. Focus on tomorrow's training. It's going to be tough."
Kaede pouted slightly, dissatisfied. Why say half and stop? It only makes me more curious.
But he knew pressing further wouldn't work. So, instead of brooding, he shrugged it off and focused on what was to come.
"I understand," he replied half-heartedly.
Then his eyes lit up mischievously. "Give me some money."
"Why? I don't have any. Your mother handles all the money," Yota replied flatly.
Kaede's grin widened slyly. "Dad, if you don't give it to me, I might accidentally tell Mom that you're hiding some secret money stash, and then... wooo... wooo..."
Before he could finish, Yota appeared in front of him in an instant, covering his mouth with one hand.
"Shh! You're merciless, kid. Fine, take it."
Between losing a little and losing everything, Yota made his choice quickly. But how did this brat even know about my stash?
Kaede took the coins gleefully, smirking as he ran off. When he reached a safe distance, he turned back and flashed a triumphant smile.
"You little swindler!" Yota shouted, realizing too late he'd been tricked. But seeing no point in chasing after him, he sighed and muttered,
"This kid still has a long way to go before he can outsmart his old man."
Meanwhile, Kaede skipped down the bustling streets of Konoha, happily spending his spoils.
"This one, and this one... oh, that too!"
He stuffed his hands with snacks until they were full, oil glistening at the corners of his mouth.
After Konoha's founding, its economy had flourished under Tobirama's planning and organization. Merchants from all over the world had seized the opportunity, flooding in to open shops.
Before long, a lively commercial district had formed.
Though the variety of goods was still limited, it was a start—and life in Konoha had never been so vibrant.
Kaede strolled along, completely content with his small feast.
Of course, that was until trouble found him.
The busy market streets needed guards to maintain order. To prevent chaos, Hashirama had held a meeting and ordered each clan to send members to assist in patrol duty.
It worked—at least on the surface.
But, as always, there were those who used their authority to bully civilians and flaunt their power.