Chapter 146: Setting Off for Battle
To be honest, Tobirama was really worried that Aniki might lose his life on the battlefield because of his extremely absent - minded personality.
But he also knew that Aniki's talent was praised by all the elders in the Senju clan. In fact, many elders even said that Aniki might re - awaken the Kekkei Genkai (Blood - inheritance Limit) that had been dormant in the Senju clan for decades, and was expected to suppress the Uchiha clan at one fell swoop.
Out of curiosity, Tobirama specially checked the clan scrolls, but he couldn't find a single bit of information about the Senju clan's Kekkei Genkai (Blood - inheritance Limit). It was only after asking his Father, Senju Butsuma, that he learned the detailed information. After the stipulation by the previous inheritor of Wood Release, the Kekkei Genkai (Blood - inheritance Limit) was only passed down among successive clan leaders and elders through sealing techniques, and there were no longer any written records.
If they wanted to change the way of inheritance, they had to wait for the next person with the Kekkei Genkai (Blood - inheritance Limit) to appear and make the change.
Tobirama was really confused about this. After all, generally speaking, the more you knew about something, the more likely you were to master it, right?
But Senju Butsuma didn't give an explanation. He just told Tobirama meaningfully to think about the clan's name.
However, this only made Tobirama more and more puzzled. He knew that their Senju clan had always been known as the Forest Senju in the ninja world, but he really couldn't figure out what kind of power the Forest Release - or perhaps Wood Release - should have to be unanimously respected by his Father and the elders.
Moreover...
Tobirama glanced at Hashirama, who had started rummaging around for regular supplies again and kept asking him for help. He couldn't help covering his face with his hand. Please don't tell him that being absent - minded was a necessary quality for awakening Forest Release!
Just as Tobirama resigned himself to helping Hashirama search for the regular supplies, a somewhat childish voice rang out. "Aniki, Father told me to tell you to go to the assembly quickly. — Whoa, it's such a mess! What are you rummaging for again when we're about to set off?"
This was Senju Wakan, who didn't have that scar on his face because he hadn't gone to the battlefield yet.
Tobirama looked up at the little boy with light - brown hair and black eyes, sat up straight, and said, "He can't find the regular supplies he prepared himself."
The light - brown - haired boy tiptoed in carefully and stood beside Tobirama. "Huh? Did Aniki actually prepare such things by himself? And why is he still looking for stuff when we're about to leave?"
"Wuwuwu, Wakan, help your brother look for it quickly!" Hashirama started whining again. "I swear I had everything ready last night, but I can't find them this morning!"
Tobirama sighed, stood up, and walked outside. "I have an extra set. You can use mine first."
"Tobirama, I love you, brother! Wuwuwu —!"
Wakan watched his Aniki fumbling with his protective gear. After making Tobirama's room a complete mess, he rushed out. Wakan couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth. "So, Brother Tobirama, you shouldn't spoil Aniki so much..."
Tobirama raised his hand to rub his face. "I'd like to... The problem is that this guy has already formed this habit."
Wakan squatted down to help Tobirama tidy up. "Is Brother Tobirama also going to start taking missions?"
"Yes. After the clan members' main force leaves in batches, I'll go to the mission department to pick a mission," Tobirama sorted the scattered items on the ground one by one. "As for you, you mustn't slack off in the near future."
"Huh?" Wakan looked up, looking a bit confused. "Why?"
"It's not uncommon to mobilize young ninjas for missions during wartime. Didn't Aniki graduate from the clan school early during the battle with the Uchiha two years ago?"
With worry in his crimson eyes, Tobirama said, "Although I didn't have the best timing, I've learned all I should and am barely starting my ninja career at a normal pace.
But you, Wakan, learned things quickly at the clan school, even better than some older people. You might be sent to the battlefield early. However, age is a big limitation for ninjas. Only a very small number of geniuses can defeat adults when they're still children.
You know Father's way of doing things. If that really happens, Father will definitely make you graduate first to encourage other clan members to allow their children to graduate early. I'm really worried about you."
Wakan was slightly stunned but soon smiled. He walked over and patted his brother on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Brother Tobirama. Even if that happens, there's no need to be afraid. Just like Aniki said, it's no problem to run if you can't win. Instead, Brother Tobirama, you should care more about yourself."
Tobirama sighed again. "It's no use at all. There are just too many things to worry about with one after another... Especially Aniki. Why did God give such good talent to a guy who only causes trouble..."
Wakan blurted out almost subconsciously, "Maybe it's because God took pity on him and didn't want him to kill himself too early?"
Tobirama: ...There's really no way to refute that.
While Wakan and Tobirama were quietly cleaning up the mess, Hashirama forced his way into the Setting Off for Battle team under his father's angry stare. Then he let out a long sigh of relief. "I'm in! I'm in!"
"You're always in a rush," a peer teenager in protective gear beside him, Senju Hiro, said. "Did you ask your brother to help you again?"
"Ah, Hiro," Hashirama raised his hand to scratch the back of his neck, smiling awkwardly. "I did ask Tobirama for help."
"Your brother has it really hard. He has to take care of you, such an unreliable Aniki, while preparing for his own mission." Senju Hiro stood there coldly with his arms folded. "If it weren't for the age difference, I'd really believe that Tobirama is your Aniki."
"Hahaha—! To be honest, I have the same feeling!"
"Back then, when my mother was still alive, she always said that Tobirama was more like an older brother than me!"
Looking at Hashirama, who was grinning foolishly and didn't care at all, Senju Hiroichi sighed, "You really aren't trustworthy in anything except your strength..."
Hashirama proudly raised his chin instead of feeling ashamed, "You bet!"