"Big Brother, our grandson Kazuku is an undeniable genius!"
"No, a genius among geniuses, practically a monster!"
Tobirama couldn't contain his excitement, praising Kazuku effusively.
Outside, he maintained a cold, authoritative image, but with Hashirama, he could relax.
Kazuku's staggering talent left him almost incoherent with excitement.
After all, since Hashirama, the Senju clan had been on a decline.
It was as if…
The Senju clan had one bushel of talent: Hashirama took nine pecks, Tobirama three, and the rest of the clan owed two…
Hashirama's son, Kima, had no ninja talent. He hadn't inherited Wood Release or monstrous strength.
Nor did he have a Hokage's mindset.
No matter how much training, Kima would peak at jonin.
If he inherited the Hokage's mantle, he'd struggle to gain respect, risking Konoha's division.
And he'd lack the ability to handle external issues.
The rest of the Senju clan wasn't much better.
Out of necessity, Tobirama had to groom Hiruzen Sarutobi as the next Hokage.
Unlike Hashirama's nobility, Tobirama wasn't so idealistic.
Absolute power was best kept in trusted hands.
His fierce opposition to Hashirama's proposal of Madara Uchiha as Hokage proved that.
Kazuku's talent was like Columbus discovering the New World to Tobirama.
"Wait, Tobirama."
"What's with all this genius and monster talk? What did Kazuku do in the Forest of Death?"
Tobirama's rambling left Hashirama bewildered.
But in his heart, he grew deeply curious about Kazuku.
That was his grandson!
Only then did Tobirama realize he was rambling. He took a deep breath, composed himself, and recounted the Forest of Death events in detail.
How Kazuku adapted to the wilderness.
How he faced danger.
And finally, how he unleashed his chakra, defeating beasts even Hiruzen couldn't easily handle!
To Hashirama, the tale sounded like pure fantasy!
Unleashing chakra?
One-shotting two beasts weighing over twenty tons?
Forget seven—at fifteen, Hashirama couldn't have done that.
"At fifteen, I was still skipping stones with Madara by the river…"
Thud.
Hashirama's mood plummeted.
"Big Brother, you're not… jealous of Kazuku's talent, are you?" Tobirama couldn't help but tease.
"No, of course not. It's just… isn't that too exaggerated?" Hashirama paused. "Kazuku's only seven, with no training."
"Suddenly mastering monstrous strength? That talent's too incredible, right?"
Though Hashirama acted shocked and astonished…
In his heart, he thought…
Worthy of being my grandson!
"Now you see why I called Kazuku a genius and a monster?" Tobirama clenched his fists, his eyes gleaming.
"I guarantee, within ten years, Kazuku will be Hokage!"
Tobirama's words rang with conviction.
When he'd lost hope for the Senju clan, Kazuku appeared.
His talent, calm demeanor, adaptability, and vast chakra all met Tobirama's criteria for a Hokage successor.
No—exceeded them!
Effort could set a ninja's floor.
But chakra reserves were innate. No amount of training could turn chakra into tons of chakra!
Chakra volume determined a ninja's ceiling!
Tobirama had high hopes for Hiruzen because his chakra was notably high for his age.
But now…
If Hiruzen's chakra was the stream where Hashirama and Madara met…
Kazuku's chakra was an ocean!
"Tobirama, calm down," Hashirama interrupted.
Tobirama's descriptions and expectations for Kazuku left him stunned.
His usually stoic brother was showing so many expressions today!
"Did I hear that right? Hokage within ten years?"
"Kazuku's only seven!"
Hashirama's gaze was one of shocked disbelief.
Kazuku was seven!
Even if he was as incredible as Tobirama claimed…
It didn't change that he was seven.
Ten years later, he'd be seventeen.
A seventeen-year-old Hokage?
Impossible!
The Hokage's appointment required approval from Konoha's leadership, the villagers, and the Daimyo!
Ninja villages existed under the Daimyo's authority.
Villages handled military affairs.
The Daimyo managed politics and economics.
Without the Daimyo's economic support, villages would struggle.
When Hashirama nominated Madara, the Daimyo was the biggest obstacle!
A seventeen-year-old Hokage?
The Daimyo would never agree!
"Hokage isn't just about strength. It involves many factors, especially the Daimyo's approval," Hashirama said.
Though thrilled by Kazuku's talent, a seventeen-year-old Hokage was too far-fetched.
This tied to their personalities.
Hashirama had strength Tobirama lacked but not his assertive demeanor.
He cared about the Daimyo's feelings and even bowed to weaker Kage.
In Madara's presence, those Kage wouldn't dare breathe loudly.
If not for Hashirama's near-saintly personality, the ninja world might've unified under him!
"No, Big Brother, you misunderstood," Tobirama shook his head.
Far more assertive than Hashirama, in the original story, he named Hiruzen Hokage with one sentence, ignoring the Daimyo entirely.
"I knew it. A seventeen-year-old Hokage is too much," Hashirama slapped his thigh.
But he only thought the age was excessive. Kazuku inheriting the Hokage mantle seemed natural.
Based on his understanding of the Daimyo, Kazuku would need to be around twenty-four for them to approve.
But Tobirama's next words left Hashirama dumbfounded!
"I said within ten years, not exactly ten!"
Tobirama paused. "Kazuku could be ready for Hokage at sixteen, fifteen, or even fourteen!"
Hashirama: "???"
(End of Chapter)