Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 95: Tobirama Senju: Why Did I Leave Behind Edo Tensei?

Who was the first powerful figure Hyuga Fuji brought back using Edo Tensei?

It wasn't Hyuga Meikoku—it was him, Tobirama Senju!

However, that brat seemed to be well aware of Edo Tensei's risks and imposed significant restrictions on him.

It wasn't until the eve of the war's conclusion that those restrictions were gradually lifted.

Recently, it appeared that Hyuga Fuji's techniques had achieved a breakthrough, as Tobirama was fully resurrected through a transfer of his soul into a body made of White Zetsu using the Reincarnation Technique.

Now in control of this body, he was able to use a powerful transformation technique called the "Impersonation Jutsu," allowing him to live in Konoha disguised as someone else.

But as a consequence, his power was severely limited.

White Zetsu's original strength was no more than that of a Chūnin. While Tobirama could use some of his own jutsu with this body, many of his more powerful techniques were simply unusable.

Resistance… seemed utterly futile.

In the meantime, Tobirama had witnessed scenes such as the Fourth Hokage firmly taking charge and Danzo being imprisoned.

He also observed the various actions of his former disciples, leaving him with mixed feelings but no sense of regret.

Hashirama had founded Konoha with the simple goal of sparing children from war. Whether Tobirama had succeeded in maintaining peace was beside the point; there was no reason for his disciples to clean up his mess.

As for what Konoha had become, aside from being slightly irked that the Uchiha clan had finally risen to prominence, Tobirama was generally pleased.

He had also taken note of Fugaku's sacrifices.

Judging by Fugaku's extensive use of the Mangekyō during the war, it was clear he was prepared to permanently lose that power. Such significant support—how could Fugaku not be seated in such a position?

But… all of this had little to do with Konoha's strength and everything to do with the man walking beside him!

"Your influence is growing. Power, intellect, age, position—everything about you places you just beneath the Hokage, earning widespread support. But it also obscures your true nature."

"Every move you make seems to strengthen Konoha's foundation, but…"

"But isn't that exactly what I'm doing?" Hyuga Fuji interrupted with a light smile. "Konoha isn't lacking in smart people; I am indeed strengthening the village's foundation."

"Hmph, is it Konoha's foundation you're building, or your own?"

Tobirama snorted coldly.

Based on what he knew, Konoha had indeed gained many powerful jutsu from Fuji's research, but the weaknesses, research notes, and countermeasures had all become part of Hyuga Fuji's private arsenal.

The trade association belonged to Fuji. If he were to leave, Konoha's people wouldn't be able to manage it, and it might even turn against them.

Judging only by appearances would blind anyone to the truth.

"You've suppressed Kirigakure, pressured Sunagakure, and plan to act against Kumogakure and Iwagakure next. And with Konoha growing ever stronger, it's becoming less reliant on the Land of Fire's financial support… It all looks prosperous on the surface, but it's like a raging fire boiling oil!"

Facing Tobirama's icy expression, Hyuga Fuji's smile remained unchanged. "If everyone in Konoha could unite at this moment to dismantle the one-country, one-village system, wouldn't that be the ideal outcome?"

"I've given them the opportunity. If they failed to seize it and shifted the blame to me, isn't that their own bias, Second Hokage?"

Tobirama stared coldly at him.

Indeed, if Konoha's people could unite now to overthrow the daimyo and fully take control of the Land of Fire, the resulting situation would lead to a crushing victory in any conflict.

Konoha would unify the shinobi world, realizing Uchiha Madara's former vision… What a bitter pill to swallow—there came a day when Tobirama actually wished for Madara's vision to come true.

But that was impossible.

If everyone could see the truth so clearly, this world wouldn't have so many disputes.

"You have indeed strengthened Konoha's power and foundation, but in doing so, you've also pushed Konoha into an inescapable dilemma!"

Hyuga Fuji replied calmly, "Enjoying the prosperity I've brought while refusing to pay the price for it—Second Hokage, surely you aren't that naïve?"

Tobirama frowned.

The Fourth Hokage's rise was Fuji's doing.

The Uchiha's integration into Konoha was his doing.

The problems Tobirama had left Konoha to deal with were solved by Fuji.

…And much more.

Konoha's current political clarity and harmonious development—80% of the credit belonged to Fuji!

It was Fuji who had elevated Konoha to its current peak.

Strictly speaking, Konoha was the one leeching off Fuji, not the other way around!

Hyuga Fuji, once a member of the Hyuga Branch Family, had no reason to fully align his heart with Konoha. Tobirama wasn't so naïve as to expect that.

As he thought this through, Tobirama suddenly felt a wave of disinterest.

Could he really not have foreseen changes within the Hyuga clan?

An unreasonable system would inevitably create someone who sought to destroy it—it was only a matter of time.

Back then, he had only focused on the Uchiha, thinking the Hyuga Branch Family wouldn't be capable of causing significant trouble. That was a miscalculation… If the clan's members had truly been integrated into Konoha from birth, perhaps things would have turned out differently.

But it was too late now.

Killing Hyuga Fuji at this point would be meaningless—the situation had already taken shape. Besides, Tobirama wasn't even Fuji's match. It was better to use this opportunity to do something meaningful for Konoha.

Well… the fact that he couldn't fight back was the main reason.

Such cunning at such a young age, paired with this level of strength and a willingness to desecrate the dead—this Hyuga brat was indeed inherently evil!

Faced with this realization, Tobirama looked at Fuji's smiling face as if through a sinister lens, finding him despicable and vile. Yet, deep down, there was a hint of admiration…

At that moment—

Clang!

A flash of white light burst forth as two figures stood opposite each other in front of them.

"Step aside, Sakumo! If we kill him, this all ends! The people we love won't have to suffer anymore."

Kneeling under the glowing blue energy of his aura, Dan Kato gritted his teeth as he faced the White Fang standing in his way. "You're a shinobi of Konoha!"

"…"

Hatake Sakumo remained silent, but his grip on his blade was unyielding.

"Your eyes still have clarity. You haven't been controlled by him—step aside!"

"…"

Faced with Sakumo's indifferent demeanor, Dan grew frustrated. Twirling his kunai, he engaged in close combat with the White Fang.

But against Konoha's White Fang, Dan clearly stood no chance.

"Unlike Edo Tensei, or the temporary revival using White Zetsu bodies like mine…"

Tobirama snapped out of his thoughts, his heart tranquil as he watched the spectacle. He neither lamented Sakumo's actions nor found satisfaction in Dan's.

Instead, he regarded Dan's partially physical, partially spiritual form with the curiosity of a scientist.

"A technique based on the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, used to materialize the soul?"

Both Dan and Sakumo were pawns on Fuji's chessboard, with little knowledge of his true abilities. They were merely waiting for an opportunity to turn the tables.

Dan… was too impulsive.

"I wanted to study souls more efficiently, so I refined the Spirit Transformation Jutsu using research into the power of Tailed Beasts. This allowed for the creation of materialized spiritual entities. However, there are very few shinobi capable of using this forbidden technique."

Haneda Fuji appeared somewhat regretful. "Dan-senpai was the perfect test subject, so I indulged him slightly. I hope that doesn't offend you."

Tobirama furrowed his brows as he examined Dan's form.

The Yin Release, born from spiritual energy governing imagination, creates form from nothing.

The Yang Release, born from physical energy governing vitality, breathes life into form.

Creation from nothing—bestowing both physical form and life upon a soul.

This wasn't merely Yin Release or Yang Release… but the theoretical Yin-Yang Release!

A result of research grounded in the Spirit Transformation Jutsu?

This brat has mastered all the forbidden techniques I developed. Edo Tensei, Flying Thunder God… now even the Spirit Transformation Jutsu has been turned into something entirely new.

As this realization dawned, Tobirama felt a pang in his chest.

This Hyuga brat's mastery of these techniques already surpassed Tobirama's prime capabilities!

Why… why had he ever left behind these forbidden techniques, especially Edo Tensei?!

(End of Chapter)