"That's right. Just like that."

  In the Senju compound, the First Hokage was patiently instructing Kaya Shihōin.

  Truth be told, Kaya’s natural talent wasn’t anything to write home about. But thanks to the system’s bonus multiplier and a bit of leftover cash, his progress had skyrocketed these past few days. It made it seem like Hashirama’s teaching was incredibly effective, convincing even the man himself that Kaya was some kind of hidden prodigy—just one who had gone unnoticed due to a ck of proper guidance.

  Of course, Kaya knew better. This was nothing more than a fortunate misunderstanding. But even without the system’s cheat-like acceleration, he was still learning a lot from the First Hokage. After all, this was guidance from the God of Shinobi himself.

  "Little Kaya, you’ve been making a lot of progress tely. You must be putting in some serious effort on the side, huh? Haha! So tell me—what’s driving you to work this hard?”

  What kind of question is that? Obviously, I just want to stay alive.

  That was his true thought, but he couldn’t exactly say that out loud.

  He paused, considering his answer, and then came up with something textbook-perfect.

  "I want to become Hokage—like you, Lord First, and Lord Second. I want to protect this vilge and bring happiness to everyone who lives here."

  "Oh? That’s a fine dream. Haha!"

  Hashirama ughed heartily, not all that surprised. After all, in Konoha, nine out of ten kids probably said the same thing.

  Then Kaya added, with just the right dramatic pause:

  "Actually... I have another wish."

  "Hm?"

  "Last time, my father was nearly killed. I was terrified. Ever since then, I’ve been thinking about one question..."

  He looked up at Hashirama.

  "Why does conflict exist?"

  Hashirama fell silent, his expression shifting slightly as he stared at the boy.

  "I’ve heard that many people in the vilge have died on missions. Some of my friends have lost their parents. Some were born into this world already as orphans. I want to understand why this happens... and I want to find a way to stop it. I don’t have any answers yet, but I’m trying..."

  Hashirama stared at Kaya, speechless for a long time. His gaze grew yered, unreadable.

  Kaya, for his part, suddenly felt uneasy.

  Did I go too far with that line? Is he starting to suspect something?

  But instead of probing further, Hashirama suddenly smiled—gentle and warm—and reached out to ruffle Kaya’s hair.

  "That’s a noble dream. In fact... your question is one I’ve spent my entire life asking. I’ve searched for the answer for years, but even now, I still haven’t found it. Maybe I just don’t have what it takes to solve it. But I believe—someday, someone will. Maybe... that someone is you."

  "..."

  Kaya looked at his back in silence, an unexpinable feeling stirring in his chest.

  “Hashirama, we need to talk. Seriously.”

  A few weeks ter, while the First was half-heartedly training Kaya and teasing little Tsunade at the same time, a figure suddenly strode in.

  Hashirama’s face briefly grew serious, but the next second, his usual bright smile was back.

  "Madara! Perfect timing. Come, let’s grab a drink."

  He cpped a hand on Madara’s shoulder.

  But Madara didn’t budge. He simply stared at Hashirama with calm, unreadable eyes.

  "I told you before—your method won’t work. Do you really think this is peace?"

  Hashirama was quiet for a moment before smiling again.

  "Things have gotten better, haven’t they? If we just keep trying—"

  Madara’s face stayed exactly the same: calm, cold, detached.

  Eventually, even Hashirama’s smile began to falter. He knew Madara too well. When he was angry, you could argue with him. But when he was this quiet... that was far more dangerous.

  "Let’s talk outside."

  Soon, distant shouting echoed through the compound—Hashirama and Madara arguing.

  "Don’t worry about it," Tsunade said cheerfully to Kaya. "Grandpa and Grampa Madara always fight like this. Every few days, they’ll argue, then make up and go drinking again."

  "Is that so..."

  Kaya forced a smile.

  But something felt off. Whether it was because he knew how their story should end, or because he was picking up on something subtle in their atmosphere, Kaya couldn’t shake the feeling that this time... was different.

  "So you’re the one Hashirama picked to be his student?"

  Later, after wrapping up training with Tsunade and just stepping out of the Senju compound, Kaya heard a voice from behind.

  It was Madara.

  "Uh... are you talking to me?"

  He gnced around—no one else in sight. Gulping, he turned back.

  "This is the kid Hashirama said might inherit our ideals? Tch. He looks kinda dumb."

  "Uh..."

  Kaya winced.

  Hold up. That was a lot of information packed into just two sentences.

  First of all—Hashirama had chosen him as a disciple? Madara wouldn’t lie about something like that. So the First really was considering him as a successor.

  And “inheriting ideals”? That must’ve been because of that speech Kaya gave earlier... and maybe a few stray remarks he’d made since, ones that carried just a bit too much modern awareness.

  "He’s never going to succeed. Hashirama thinks too well of people. He believes that because he is a certain way, others can be too. But he doesn’t understand just how twisted human nature can be..."

  Madara continued speaking, half to himself, half to Kaya—his gaze fixed on the Senju compound as he spoke in a low, steady voice.

  Kaya stood there awkwardly, frozen in pce.

  A moment ter, Madara turned and walked away.

  "Most likely, neither of us will ever find the answer. Maybe... just maybe, your generation will."

  Before long, Kaya spotted Madara again—this time standing atop the Hokage Rock, staring silently down at Konoha like a statue carved into the cliffside.

  He stood that way for a full day and night, unmoving.

  As Kaya looked up at that lonely figure, he suddenly felt it—

  A quiet, unmistakable sorrow radiating from Madara’s back.

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