How could one describe that expression?
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had once discussed it in private.
They called it merciless.
Whenever Tobirama Senju made a major decision regarding the village, he did not consider family ties, friendship, morality, or even ethics. He relied solely on pure logic and a cold calculation of gains and losses.
To him, everything before his eyes was a problem seeking the optimal solution. Even his own life was nothing more than an expendable variable.
Rules and restrictions were stripped away.
If something benefited the village, it would be executed without hesitation.
And now, as they looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, though his appearance was entirely different, the resemblance was unsettling.
It was as if their teacher had stepped back into the room.
Hiruzen ignored the stunned trio. He calmly drew on his pipe, eyes narrowing slightly.
Yes.
After sorting through it again, he was even more convinced his line of thinking was correct.
Reviving Tobirama Senju in the body of an Uchiha would provide an internal and external trump card, one that could completely draw the Uchiha to his side. At the same time, he would gain a research scholar and a powerful combat asset.
Most importantly, there would be no risk of creating a power behind the throne.
With so many advantages, the rest was simply a matter of overcoming technical obstacles.
If he wanted Tobirama to return in his original body, Hiruzen truly had no good method in memory.
Countless people in the shinobi world had tried similar feats. Only certain life-transfer secret arts were rumored to work, and only if used at the moment of death.
In the Sarutobi clan records, there was an ancient line passed down through the ages:
To restore a long-departed soul to its original body in full vitality requires the power of a sage.
The problem was, Hiruzen did not need Tobirama to return in his original flesh. As long as the body was not excessively frail, it could be strengthened later through training.
What he needed was Tobirama's intellect. His mastery of research. His deep understanding of the Uchiha.
"Summoning Jutsu: Reanimation can already draw out the soul of the deceased. That clears a major hurdle…"
"The remaining issue is how to transfer the soul into a living body, and how to ensure compatibility."
"The Ghost Transformation Jutsu of the Kato Clan is highly instructive…"
"If I can develop something akin to possession, prepare a suitable body for teacher, then he can return."
"Even if there's slight incompatibility between soul and flesh, I trust teacher can overcome it himself. After all, this is a rare opportunity I'm offering him. To live once as an Uchiha… I'm sure he would want that."
Another thought surfaced.
Tobirama had left behind numerous notes on Forbidden Jutsu. Many involved the soul.
In the past, Hiruzen had sealed away the laboratory and those unfinished techniques. He feared experimental half-measures might cause disaster, and at the time, bearing the burden of Hokage had already drained him.
"Teacher, you left those notes as a hint, didn't you?" Hiruzen's lips curved faintly. "You were waiting for me to bring you back as an Uchiha."
A thin layer of smoke drifted through the room. Light and shadow split his face in half.
"Even more alike…" Koharu and Homura felt a chill.
Hiruzen… what are you thinking?
Danzo Shimura's thoughts were entirely different.
He was envious.
Once, in private within Root, Danzo had stood before a mirror and practiced imitating Tobirama's iconic expression. He had even secretly asked someone to sketch him for comparison.
A devoted admirer studying his idol.
Hiruzen, are you trying to surpass me again? Danzo thought. But I haven't conceded.
Looking the part means nothing.
The true inheritor of teacher's will is me.
"My apologies," Hiruzen said lightly, as if nothing had happened. His expression shifted in an instant, replaced by a warm smile. "I was lost in thought about the Uchiha."
"I called you here today to discuss reforming Konoha's shinobi system."
"I believe you've all noticed that the current structure no longer suits our circumstances. The main problem lies between the jonin rank and the upper leadership."
"Konoha has over a hundred jonin. Yet there is no clear path of advancement for them. Nor is there a defined management layer to coordinate their work efficiently."
Hiruzen had identified a structural imbalance.
Nominally, the village had four members of top leadership. But Koharu and Homura served primarily as advisors, participating in policy and overseeing the Administrative Department.
The Administrative Department acted as the bridge between Konoha and the Land of Fire. It handled funding allocated by the daimyo and reported village conditions in return.
They did not directly manage jonin.
As for Danzo, though he had once commanded Root, he had shaped it into a private army.
Danzo could not be entrusted with personnel authority.
Nor could Koharu and Homura in this matter. It was not a question of their integrity, but of principle. The Hokage should keep direct control over the village's core combat strength as much as possible.
Could Hiruzen personally manage more than a hundred jonin?
Impossible.
The consequences were visible.
Management was limited by the administrator's energy and the complexity of the subjects.
Even with Danzo having once shared part of the burden, Hiruzen had nearly collapsed from exhaustion.
A buffer layer was necessary.
With an intermediate tier, governance would become more efficient. He would save time for strategic planning and training. It would also give the village's shinobi a tangible goal to strive for.
The benefits were obvious.
"I intend to establish twenty core jonin," Hiruzen said slowly. "The preliminary title is Konoha Commissioner."
"They will be selected based on merit and overall capability. Each commissioner will oversee five to six jonin and report directly to the Hokage."
Koharu and Homura instinctively frowned.
It was not that they opposed change for its own sake.
They had long believed, as Hiruzen once did, that Tobirama's institutional framework was flawless. The ancestors' system should not be altered lightly.
But in Hiruzen's view, if there was a flaw, it should be corrected decisively.
In Tobirama's time, he had not managed a hundred shinobi alone.
The members of his personal guard, along with seasoned jonin from the Senju Clan dating back to the Warring States era, had effectively served as proto-commissioners.
The system simply had not been formalized in peacetime before his death.
In a sense, the fact that Hiruzen had endured for so many years was proof of extraordinary resilience.
Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance, preparing to speak.
Hiruzen's expression turned blank.
"Think carefully before you speak. I want meaningful input."
The two fell silent, genuinely considering the proposal.
Only Danzo spoke.
"Hiruzen," he said in a low voice, "you will regret this."