Chiri froze for half a second.
Then, at the fastest speed of her life:
"I DO!!!"
The volume alone made Kaede flinch.
"…My ears are ringing."
Hashirama burst out laughing.
"Good! From today onward, you'll train with me as well."
Tobirama frowned.
"Brother. What about village administration?"
Hashirama waved lazily.
"Wood clones exist. And aren't you here?"
Tobirama's eye twitched.
As expected. He's dumping paperwork on me.
Sensing the murderous stare, Hashirama smoothly changed topics.
"Kaede, come to my house tonight. Mito will make something good."
"We'll also talk about your Shōton in detail."
Kaede's eyes lit up.
His self-developed Crystal techniques were crude and inefficient.
Guidance from Hashirama meant a massive leap forward.
"I'll be there."
Tobirama added calmly.
"Starting tomorrow, you and Chiri won't attend the Academy anymore. You'll train with us and meet my other students."
Both nodded immediately.
After a brief conversation, they left the Hokage Building.
Walking through Konohagakure, Chiri still felt dizzy.
"It feels like a dream."
"If it is, I hope I never wake up."
Kaede chuckled.
"You really love the Hokage."
She turned shy.
"Kaede… thank you. I never imagined I'd get a chance to train under him."
"This is just the beginning," Kaede said. "With your talent, becoming his disciple is possible."
Chiri clenched her fists.
"I'll work hard!"
Kaede, meanwhile, was already planning.
Becoming Hashirama's disciple exceeded expectations.
It also meant responsibility.
If I carry his name, I'll protect the village he built.
Not for glory.
Not for power.
For a quiet future.
"By the way," Chiri said suddenly. "When are we sparring?"
"Whenever you want."
She thought for a moment.
"Tomorrow night."
"Deal."
Kaede hadn't gone all-out against Kyō.
Since killing the Hidden Cloud spy, his chakra and control had risen sharply.
His actual strength already brushed jonin-level.
A spar would give him a clearer picture.
Chiri waved brightly.
"I'm heading back to the Uchiha District. See you tomorrow!"
"See you."
Kaede turned toward home.
Time to train Tenpūton again.
Uchiha District.
An old, hoarse voice echoed inside a dim room.
"Have you seen your brother?"
"Yes," a teenage boy replied. His eyes burned crimson, three tomoe spinning. "He secretly took forbidden medicine. Who gave it to him?"
"Restrain yourself, Setsuna."
Setsuna snapped.
"He's only six! He shouldn't die like this!"
The old man sighed.
"He stole it himself. Thought it would increase chakra. He wanted to beat a classmate."
Silence.
Kyō was his grandson.
Not a genius.
But not worthless either.
Yet he gambled his life over a school match.
And lost everything.
"Which clan was the child from?" Setsuna demanded.
The old man's voice hardened.
"This ends here. Kyō brought this on himself. If you keep causing trouble, our branch will lose all standing."
Setsuna laughed coldly.
"He was my brother."
"If you won't tell me, I'll find out myself."
"I'll make him pay."
He slammed the door and left.
The old man trembled.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
Years of scheming.
Years of influence.
All crumbling because of two reckless children.
"…Madara-sama… why is my fate so cruel…"
His coughing echoed through the empty room.