"This... Tobirama-sensei," Sarutobi Hiruzen stammered, looking troubled. "This matter is complicated and not suitable to discuss here."
The person who exterminated the Uchiha clan was in their "Organization".
If Hiruzen told the truth now, wouldn't Itachi be exposed as a spy?
But if he lied?
What if Orochimaru rejoined this "Akatsuki" and used Impure World Reincarnation to summon the Hokages again? The First and Second might decide to avenge the Uchiha and eliminate Itachi themselves, thinking he was a traitor.
The teacher and student were thinking along the same lines.
When Orochimaru saw the photo of Mitsuki, he had his suspicions.
His conversation with Makoto further confirmed it: Makoto, or someone in the organization, was from the future.
But Orochimaru was cautious.
He never revealed this suspicion aloud.
To everyone else, he just act like he had a secret child.
"If it's not suitable, then don't speak of it," Tobirama said sharply.
Unlike his naive brother, Tobirama immediately sensed the political rot in Hiruzen's hesitation.
He backed down without needing a step down.
When Hashirama opened his mouth to press further, Tobirama shot him a glare that make him retreat.
'Shut up, brother.'
"Orochimaru!" Tobirama turned his gaze to the snake. "Stop negotiating! Since you claim your goal is to protect the Shinobi World, have your people stand down! Release the barrier! Let us go assist the village! We can discuss the details later!"
"My most respected Second Hokage," Orochimaru hissed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Another purpose of my coming here is to kill Sarutobi-sensei and set this stalled windmill in motion again."
"Even if I don't kill Sarutobi-sensei now... I cannot intervene. If I stop the invasion, the 'wind' of change will cease."
"First Hokage, Second Hokage," Orochimaru continued. "As entities I summoned, you are bound to me. You cannot assist Konoha."
"Similarly, Sarutobi-sensei cannot leave this roof. He is the centerpiece of the drama."
"As for the others..." Orochimaru glanced at Makoto. "That is beyond my control."
Hiruzen seized the moment.
"As I said before!" Hiruzen shouted to Makoto. "I pledge on the honor of all previous Hokage that I agree to your terms! As long as they don't harm the village... please have the Mizukage and Tsuchikage take action!"
"Good," Makoto nodded. "I trust your promise."
"Hah," Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed the day would pass without Konoha burning to the ground.
"But if you go back on your word," Makoto added casually, "you might receive breaking news in the Shinobi World within days about the First and Second Hokage working in the Red Light District."
"NANI?!" Hashirama yelped. "Wait! Why would I be included? Tobirama I can understand—he has that cold, bad-boy vibe—but why me?"
The First Hokage pointed at himself, full of grievance.
'The fuck you mean "Tobirama I can understand"?!' The Second Hokage clenched his fists.
He really wanted to hit someone right now!
"Wood clones have better texture," Makoto explained with a straight face. "More realistic. You might actually be more popular. The market pays a premium for quality for that."
"..." Hashirama paled.
"Sarutobi," Hashirama turned to Hiruzen, his face deadly serious.
He placed a heavy hand on his student's shoulder.
"I hope you understand. Keeping our word is the Shinobi Way we Hokage must follow. Absolutely. No exceptions."
He didn't even call him "Monkey" this time.
"U-understood," Hiruzen's mouth twitched.
Wasn't "Keeping promises is my Nindo" something Naruto always yelled?
Since when did it become the official Hokage policy? Was this an imperial decree to save Hashirama's virtue?
"Oh right," Makoto turned to leave, then stopped. "I almost forgot. There's someone I'd like to ask you two about. Since you're dead, maybe you've seen her."
"Someone?" Hashirama tilted his head. "For people still alive, shouldn't you find them yourself? Or ask the Monkey?"
"Name, photo, or portrait," Tobirama demanded, cutting to the chase.
"No name."
"No photo either."
"..."
Tobirama almost lost his composure again.
No name? No photo? Are we supposed to play riddles here?
"But as for the portrait," Makoto pulled out a pen and paper. "I'll draw one now."
Makoto began to sketch.
How were Makoto's drawing skills actually? A long time ago, they were quite average.
But now it was different. Just as Ino had once marveled, Makoto's spiritual energy and control were extremely terrifying.
The natural energy Makoto absorbed strengthened not only his physical power but also his spiritual energy and precision.
Think about it - if only his power increased without corresponding control and precision, even going to the bathroom could become a catastrophic event for him.
Makoto's current precision made him equivalent to a human printer.
In seconds, the portrait was completed.
Makoto stepped forward and handed it to Tobirama.
"Quite brave of you," Tobirama sneered, holding the paper without looking at it. "With Orochimaru having relaxed his control, aren't you afraid I might use Flying Thunder God Slash to send you to meet Izuna?"
"You won't," Makoto shook his head calmly.
"Heh, how do you know I won't?" Tobirama challenged, chakra sparking around him.
'Because I've been watching the future, Tobirama!' Makoto thought. 'Even your speed is useless if I know when you strike.'
"Moreover," Makoto smiled. "I know your next line will be—'Nani? Why did you draw a picture of Madara in women's clothing?'"
"Hmph," Tobirama scoffed. "As if I would say that."
He looked down at the drawing.
His eyes widened.
"Nani? Why did you—"
He froze.
"What do you intend to do with this cross-dressing photo of Madara?!"
Realizing he nearly fell into the trap (again), Tobirama swiftly corrected himself.
Truly worthy of the fastest shinobi of his era!
"NANIIIIIIIII? Madara's cross-dressing photo?!" Hashirama shouted.
His depression vanished instantly!
He stomped his foot and rushed over. "Let me see! Let me see!"
"Here, brother," Tobirama handed the paper over with visible disgust.
'Just looking at Madara makes me sick.'
Hashirama stared at the drawing.
"My god," Hashirama gasped. "This really is Madara... Wait, no!"
He paused, squinting.
Then he turned a stern gaze toward Tobirama.
"Tobirama, I always thought you were smarter than me. But you actually didn't notice?"
"?" Tobirama frowned.
"Notice what?"
"This is clearly Madara's daughter! They're like two peas in a pod!"
"Even more alike than you and Orochimaru's child!"
Tobirama's vein popped.
"I knew it!" Hashirama nodded sagely. "After Madara left the village alone—without comrades, friends, or clan—he must have been lonely. That depression led to... this."
"Look at this child's Sharingan," Hashirama cooed. "How beautiful. How full of spirit. She even has his eyes."
"Impossible," Tobirama snorted, crossing his arms.
"That guy Madara only ever had you on his mind, Brother. HE WAS OBSESSED WITH YOU! How could he have a child with a woman? He barely tolerated them."
"..."
The air went silent.
Outside the barrier, Jiraiya stared in shock.
"What?" Jiraiya whispered. "The First Hokage and Uchiha Madara were really in that kind of relationship? So Vigorous Paradise is actually historical non-fiction?!"
"Kakashi... you ... you... you absolute genius."