Chapter 18 – Disappointing Supplies
Senju Tobirama's chakra was, unsurprisingly, extraordinary. Its density and quality gave off an overwhelming sense of energy—far beyond anything someone like Hajime could have imagined.
The strongest opponent Hajime had ever faced before this was a jōnin—the unfortunate captain of the Tsugawa pursuit squad who had fallen to an assassination. That man's chakra had left quite the impression. But now...
Well, it might not sound pleasant, but comparisons really are cruel.
To put it simply, if the average ninja's chakra could be likened to a basic beer, then what Hajime considered "high-quality" chakra would be something like a premium baijiu. And Senju Tobirama's chakra? That wasn't even a liquid anymore. It was solid alcohol—fuel-grade.
And if this was just the younger brother… Hajime didn't even dare imagine what the elder Senju brother must be like.
Using this rather odd analogy, Hajime estimated his own chakra now to be somewhere around low-tier baijiu—maybe 30 to 70 proof. Moving from that to true premium grade? That was the goal.
Of course, Tobirama's chakra might be incredible, but Hajime wasn't foolish enough to overindulge. He merely took the opportunity to feel what the chakra of a true powerhouse was like—nothing more.
After all, he couldn't actually take ownership of someone else's chakra. That kind of thing was impossible. Tobirama wasn't a White Zetsu. At best, Hajime could only borrow chakra, so he didn't hold any unrealistic expectations.
And as for controlling Tobirama indefinitely—yeah, no. That was never going to happen.
In fact, Hajime had come to realize something quite important: he wasn't even using the full version of the Spore Technique.
When used by the original White Zetsu, the Spore Technique allowed him to silently implant spores into a target's body, remotely trigger their growth at precisely the right moment, and then instantly drain chakra—delivering a potentially lethal blow.
In White Zetsu's hands, it was a flexible, deadly tool.
In Hajime 's hands? Not so much. He could only activate it via direct physical contact. No remote growth, no stealthy implantation.
To be more accurate, his version of the Spore Technique was basically just a chakra absorption and redistribution method. And even then, he could only absorb pure chakra—not elemental jutsu. So it offered no defensive capability at all.
Why such a big difference? Likely because Hajime wasn't a "pure" White Zetsu. The human part of him held back some of the Zetsu abilities—he couldn't split, he couldn't create spores from thin air, so there was no way he could perform remote parasitism or hijacking.
Ironically, Hajime found comfort in that shortcoming. Yes, he'd lost much of the original technique's power, but that also meant he wasn't just another Zetsu clone. Deep down, he was still human.
And that, to him, was a good thing.
...
When Tobirama finally awoke, he maintained the cautious alertness of a seasoned shinobi. Still, he made no move to attack. After all, when he had been helpless and unconscious, the man before him had not harmed him. Quite the opposite—he had treated his injuries.
As for why he'd lost consciousness in the first place? Best not to ask too many questions.
"I'll say it again," Hajime began as he sat down on a nearby tree stump, "this is all a big misunderstanding. Whoever you're after, they're not in our camp."
This time, Tobirama didn't argue. He didn't agree either—just gave a small nod. It wasn't that he suddenly trusted Hajime . Rather, he knew there was no point dwelling on it. Even if his target had been here before, they would've escaped long ago while he was unconscious.
"How long was I out?" Tobirama asked.
"About ten hours, give or take," Hajime replied, unshouldering a scroll and placing it before Tobirama. "Given how much blood you lost, it's no surprise you collapsed. Forcing yourself to keep fighting only made things worse."
Tobirama nodded again.
Of course, he knew blood loss wasn't the real reason he blacked out—it was the sudden drain of his chakra. But he was mature enough not to bring it up. No point in stirring the pot. If Hajime wasn't going to mention it, neither was he. Let bygones be bygones.
Likewise, Hajime wasn't about to bring up Tobirama barging into the camp and making unreasonable demands. Tit for tat.
"I'm Hajime , by the way. And you are?"
"Senju Tobirama."
They'd exchanged names. That made it official—they knew each other now.
"Well then, Tobirama… I'd like to ask a favor."
Hajime opened the scroll, revealing a sealing formula within.
"I want to access the supplies sealed inside, but I don't recognize the technique used."
When Hajime had "liberated" the scroll during his raids, he hadn't given much thought to the sealing methods. The plan was simple: grab and go. But once he got it back to camp, he realized—oops—he didn't actually know how to unseal it.
Tobirama took one glance and said, "This isn't too complex. Looks like basic supplies. I can undo it… but I need to know where you got it. What's your connection to the Sarutobi clan?"
It was just a general supply scroll. The seal wasn't complex. As someone from a prestigious clan with deep historical roots, Tobirama was well-versed in such techniques. Plus, the Senju and Sarutobi clans had long-standing ties. Tobirama had seen—and used—similar scrolls before.
"No connection at all," Hajime replied. "I found it on the battlefield. There was a skirmish between the Sarutobi and the Ishiwa clans—this probably got left behind."
Tobirama shot him a doubtful look. "Found it," huh? More like "took advantage of the chaos and stole it."
Still, it was just a mundane scroll—not exactly a critical asset. And Tobirama, experienced as he was, understood the realities of smaller clans and wandering shinobi. They did what they had to in order to survive. So he decided to help.
After all, Hajime hadn't harmed him when he was helpless. And besides, no one in their right mind would kill a Sarutobi over a box of tea. Best to let it go.
Tobirama slowly raised his hands, formed the necessary hand seals, and pressed his palm against the scroll's seal.
With a poof, the seal broke—and a pile of supplies appeared out of thin air.
Hajime was thrilled.
He began inspecting the goods.
His smile vanished.
In the span of just a few minutes, Hajime 's emotions went through the classic three-act transformation. Because what had looked like a treasure trove… wasn't quite what he hoped for.
There were grains—three sacks, maybe 300 kilograms total. Enough to ease the camp's food shortage for now.
There were over twenty ninja tool kits, a box of medicine, and…
Fifty. Crates. Of tea.
In that moment, Hajime 's grudge against the Sarutobi clan began to bloom.
Tea? That much tea? Are you fighting a war or hosting a tea ceremony?