Chapter 11

The two of them, however, behaved in completely different ways.

And as the two of them behaved differently,

fate, it seemed, would also be somewhat different.

Senju Butsuma brought the young Hashirama,

back to the Senju clan's settlement,

but the scene was completely different from what had been playing on the white screen,

this time it was Senju Butsuma with a complicated expression on his face, following behind Hashirama Senju.

Not the slightest waver showed on the young Hashirama's face,

only resolve!!!

Once the other clansmen had left,

and only Senju Butsuma's family remained,

Senju Butsuma opened his mouth,

then swallowed back the words he had originally meant to say.

Thinking of the strength Hashirama Senju had just displayed,

he felt his heart pound with shock!!!!

His own son had, without anyone noticing, already completely surpassed him in strength!!!

If it had been any other time,

Senju Butsuma would have already started laying into the young Hashirama.

But now…

Senju Butsuma did not think that would be a good idea.

"Hashirama… you've grown up…"

After much deliberation,

Senju Butsuma only managed to lead with that one line.

And standing to one side, Tobirama Senju and his brothers,

they too wore utterly dumbfounded expressions.

As if they were seeing their big brother for the very first time.

How could it be that, all of a sudden,

their father, who had always been so strict…

became so meek and hesitant before their big brother???

The positions of the two of them seemed to have swapped!!!!

Father had become like them,

and big brother…

seemed to be the true head of the Senju clan!!!

Yet none of them found it the least bit uncomfortable!!!

Watching Senju Butsuma act meek and hesitant before the young Hashirama,

they actually felt a secret thrill about it!!

At this moment, Hashirama,

he had nothing to say,

only frowned as he looked at Senju Butsuma.

Senju Butsuma let out a sigh.

"Hashirama, you… you shouldn't have done that today."

"Even if Uchiha Madara is your friend and you wanted to let him go, you should have told me in advance…"

"At the very least… at the very least you should have discussed it with me…"

"Otherwise… I'm afraid the clan members will all have quite a few complaints about you…"

Hearing Senju Butsuma say this,

Tobirama Senju and the others standing to one side,

their expressions became even more like they had seen a ghost!!!

Senju Butsuma, who had always been known for his strictness,

how had he become so easy to talk to???!!!

Was this still the father they knew, the one even ghosts would flee from?!!

"Why would an elephant care about the opinions of ants…"

"What they think of me—does that really matter?"

"I don't see any need to explain myself to anyone!!!"

The young Hashirama shook his head.

Looking at the young Hashirama's utterly unbothered manner,

Senju Butsuma felt as if he were seeing his son for the very first time.

The seriousness that now showed on the young Hashirama's face,

the look of resolve,

made Tobirama Senju and the others realize for the first time,

that their big brother actually had this side to him as well.

GLOSSARY:

- Senju Butsuma

- Hashirama Senju

- Tobirama Senju

- Madara Uchiha

Looking at the expressions on their faces,

The young Hashirama seemed to have made some kind of resolution.

He said calmly to Senju Butsuma.

"Father, actually a year ago my strength had already surpassed yours…"

"Even a year ago, I had already mastered all the Wood Release ninjutsu…"

"But at that time, my strength was still not enough to sweep away all obstacles."

"So I did not reveal my strength…"

"But now I believe there is no longer any need…"

"My strength — within the clan, there should no longer be anyone who can be my opponent…"

"So I believe I have no need to explain myself to anyone else…"

"If they have anything they need me to explain, have them come find me in person themselves…"

Senju Butsuma heard these words,

His pupils jolted, shrinking to the size of a pinprick.

"You… you… what did you say??!!!"

"You actually mastered ALL the Wood Release ninjutsu!!!???!!"

And the expressions of Tobirama Senju and the others were no better than his!!!

They all remembered,

Hashirama Senju had clearly only awakened Wood Release a few years ago,

But now,

He was actually telling them,

He had already mastered all the Wood Release ninjutsu?????!!

This kind of speed,

Had already broken the records of the Senju clan!!!!

【Orochimaru: Hiss!!! So this is the talent of the God of Ninja??? Terrifying to this extent!!! At this age, he has actually already mastered all the Wood Release ninjutsu???】

【Shimura Danzo: It seems my thoughts were indeed correct!!! As long as Konoha truly possesses Wood Release again, then the entire ninja world will surely submit at Konoha's feet!!!!】

【Tobirama Senju: …Is this really my big brother? …Although I admit big brother's talent is rarely seen in a century within the Senju clan, this is probably a little too outrageous!!!】

【Nagato: This is the spirit of the God of Ninja!!!! A god has no need to explain himself to mortals!!! A god can never do anything wrong!!!】

【Deidara: I'm now increasingly thinking…that Ao might never have actually fought the First Hokage…this might be something he made up…】.

12. A bunch of old fossils! There's no boat for you in the new era!