Senju Hashirama rubbed his increasingly throbbing temples. This was not a matter that could be delayed; now that he had taken a disciple, the teaching had to begin immediately. He paced anxiously in place for a few moments, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the documents Senju Tobirama had left on the desk.
Suddenly, his eyes seemed to be drawn by a magnet, freezing on the title of the topmost document.
"Specific Proposal Regarding the Expansion and Systematic Improvement of the Ninja Academy: Senju Tobirama"
As the words "Ninja Academy" entered his vision, Senju Hashirama's pupils constricted sharply. Then, a thought flashed like lightning through the mist, instantly illuminating his mind.
The Ninja Academy! This was the institution Senju Tobirama had created to pass on the Will of Fire and systematically train ninjas. Although it was currently only a small-scale pilot, the framework was already established.
Senju Makoto was twelve years old, just the right age for the sixth grade of the Ninja Academy. Why not send him there for a year first!
The more Senju Hashirama thought about it, the better the idea seemed. First, the Academy provided a complete curriculum of cultural classes and basic training in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu. It would help Senju Makoto build a solid foundation, perfectly compensating for the possibility that his own teaching might not be systematic enough.
Secondly, many core children from the Konoha clans were currently in the sixth grade. For example, the young clan head of the Sarutobi Clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the young clan head of the Shimura Clan, Shimura Danzo...
Having Senju Makoto interact with these core clan members in advance to build a "good" relationship wouldn't be a bad idea at all.
Killing multiple birds with one stone! It was absolutely perfect!
As for how to deeply cultivate Senju Makoto a year later, it wouldn't be too late to decide based on his performance and interests then.
"Yes, that's how we'll do it!"
Senju Hashirama balled his right hand into a fist and tapped it into his left palm. The worry on his face vanished, replaced by a renewed spirit. He could already envision the beautiful scene of Senju Makoto "becoming one" with his classmates at the Ninja Academy.
Meanwhile, in the most remote corner of the Senju Clan compound, a small, independent courtyard stood quietly near some sparse trees. This was Senju Makoto's current residence.
The early morning sun was quite gentle. Senju Makoto sat up from his simple wooden bed, rubbing his eyes. He felt that his strength in all aspects had improved significantly again. He simply washed his face with cold water and prepared breakfast for himself.
After eating and tidying up, Senju Makoto walked to the center of the yard, moved his limbs briefly, and decided to start exercising.
In the Ninja World, where there is no complete order, strength is the law, power is the heaven, and the fist is authority.
The cultivation of Ninjutsu and Genjutsu naturally yields twice the result with half the effort if guided by a famous teacher. Figuring it out on one's own leads to detours and low efficiency. For now, the most direct and reliable way to get stronger was to hone his physique.
A strong body is the foundation of everything.
He decided to start with the basic Saitama Training Method, and moreover, an enhanced version.
Taking a deep breath, Senju Makoto began his "training plan." First was a constant-speed run of one hundred kilometers around the courtyard, followed by one thousand standard push-ups, then one thousand sit-ups...
In his previous life on Earth, a teenager who hadn't trained much would be exhausted to the point of collapse by completing even a tenth of this. Yet after finishing, Senju Makoto only felt his breathing was slightly hurried, nothing more.
"Indeed, we aren't even the same species..." Senju Makoto pondered inwardly, adjusting his breathing as his heart rate quickly stabilized.
The average physical fitness of humans in the Ninja World far exceeded common sense; their cell count was several times that of people on Earth, and their vitality, recovery, and strength limits were incomparable.
Furthermore, he now possessed the Otsutsuki bloodline.
Training at this level was somewhat helpful in accelerating bloodline fusion, but it was far from reaching a true "workout" effect. He remembered the green-clad man from his memories who forever burned with the blood of youth, and their anti-scientific, exaggeratedly ridiculous weights.
"Looks like I need to add some weight."
Senju Makoto went inside, took all his savings, and walked out of the yard toward the increasingly busy streets of Konoha. After wandering the village for about an hour, he found a decent-looking ninja tool shop and described his needs.
The owner was a beautiful young woman wearing traditional attire. Seeing the smooth-talking and exceptionally handsome Senju Makoto, she gave him a significant discount.
"Thank you."
Senju Makoto paid the money and carried the heavy set of weights back to his yard.
After putting on the adjusted weight straps and wristguards, the sudden increase in weight caused his movements to lag noticeably, but he quickly adapted and began training again.
This time, it finally felt right.
His muscles sent out signals of soreness under the overload, sweat began to pour, and his breathing grew heavy. Senju Makoto could clearly feel every cell in his body being awakened under this pressure, absorbing the remaining Otsutsuki bloodline more efficiently.
"It's working!"
Senju Makoto's spirit surged.
During a brief break between training sets, he leaned against the courtyard wall, wiped his sweat, and suddenly remembered the various medicinal supplements he saw at the Nara Clan apothecary while passing through the street earlier.
If paired with those supplements, the effects of this training would surely go up another level.
But... he didn't have enough money.
The Senju Clan provided subsidies for orphans within the clan, and thanks to the clan's deep foundations, the subsidy amount was significantly higher than others in Konoha—enough for him to live without worry or even visit entertainment houses.
But to consistently buy the premium medicinal supplements produced by the Nara Clan... that subsidy fell quite short. His deceased parents hadn't left much silver either. He had to find a way to make money...
Outside the yard, deep within the canopy of a leafy tree, a pair of crimson eyes had been silently watching the courtyard for a long time.
Senju Tobirama leaned against the thick trunk, his form completely merging with the shadows, his presence suppressed to near non-existence. His face, usually stern and tight, held no expression now; only his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.
After finishing his urgent tasks, he couldn't help but come here. Senju Hashirama's stubbornness angered him, but what he couldn't let go of was this child with Uchiha blood whom his brother valued so much—Senju Makoto.
He needed to confirm things for himself.
From the moment Senju Makoto began that seemingly nonsensical training—which was actually far higher in intensity than that of his peers—Senju Tobirama had been watching.
He saw the youth's attitude turn serious once he put on the weights; he saw the persistence as sweat soaked his clothes, and he saw those black eyes—which were previously "dull" and "uncoordinated"—now clear, focused, and possessing a steadiness far beyond his years.
"Was he... intentionally hiding his light before?"
Senju Tobirama murmured to himself. This suspicion caused his evaluation of Senju Makoto to rise slightly. Knowing how to hide one's sharpness when in a weak position and then going all out once an opportunity is gained suggested, at the very least, that he wasn't stupid.
"After becoming the disciple of my brother and gaining the protection of the Hokage, he truly began to show his training posture and normal eyes... he's a little guy who knows how to judge the situation and use resources."
As he was calmly analyzing, he suddenly sensed that Senju Makoto's chakra volume had surged several times since their last meeting. Senju Tobirama's red pupils constricted slightly, and his body instinctively leaned forward.
His fingers curled slightly, almost ready to perform a Body Flicker Technique to rush into the yard and investigate the source of that abnormal chakra.
Senju Tobirama's foot stopped at the edge of the branch, forcefully halting his momentum. Reason and doubt clashed fiercely.
If this were an ordinary member of the Senju Clan, he would have already appeared before them to check their body and chakra status with the most direct means. But this was Senju Makoto, a mixed-blood of the Senju and Uchiha, and the "only disciple in this life" personally acknowledged by his brother.
"Observe a bit longer... has he awakened the Sharingan?"
Senju Tobirama forced himself to suppress the urge to act. In all of Konoha, outside of the Uchiha elders, Senju Tobirama could be considered the person who understood that clan the best. When the Sharingan is awakened, there is indeed a noticeable increase in chakra.
But... even awakening a single-tomoe Sharingan shouldn't result in such a significant, such a... majestic increase! This volume of chakra had long since surpassed his peers...
Senju Tobirama decided to continue watching. Gathering more information was far more important than acting prematurely.
In the yard, the "rookie" Senju Makoto was completely unaware of being watched. Even if he knew, he probably wouldn't care. If Senju Tobirama really dared to come and investigate, it would be a perfect chance to let the irritable old man inside his body vent some steam...
Senju Makoto was still thinking about how to get money quickly. He could go directly to Senju Hashirama, but he felt such a small matter was unnecessary; a man must rely on himself!
A "shady" way to make fast money flashed through his mind: follow the First Hokage to the gambling dens and bet the opposite of him; it would be a guaranteed profit.
Unfortunately, the gambling dens in Konoha had all been driven out by Senju Tobirama. So, what other way was there for him, with his current strength, to get money quickly, stably, and without cost?