Considering Kazuku was only seven, Hashirama omitted parts of his story with Uchiha Madara.
Like Madara's brother dying at Tobirama's hands.
Or their final battle at the Valley of the End, where, to protect the village, he killed his dearest friend.
He didn't tell Kazuku these.
In a way, Hashirama shared Konohagakure's light.
He hoped Kazuku would become a radiant Hokage, inheriting his and Madara's dream, finding the right path.
Though arduous and thorny, Hashirama believed.
If it was Kazuku…
He could do it!
He was his grandson, after all!
Hashirama shared this now because he had little time left.
His terminal illness worsened daily.
It could collapse any moment.
If he didn't speak now, he might never get the chance.
Though Tobirama was capable and ambitious, the best to inherit Hokage, his methods could be extreme.
If Kazuku was solely trained by Tobirama…
Hashirama feared…
The Uchiha clan could become Konohagakure's problem.
So, he hoped Kazuku would understand and trust the Uchiha.
Even Madara had dreams.
He had people to protect.
He wanted to end wars.
He wanted… to build a ninja village.
For children to be open!
The Uchiha weren't wrong—just lacked guidance.
"Suddenly telling me this, and I'm only seven." Kazuku couldn't help but quip, yet his view of Hashirama shifted.
In the original story, Hashirama seemed comical.
The strongest under the Sage, yet suppressed by Tobirama.
Distributing tailed beasts seemed absurd.
Some even criticized that, with his power, he could've unified the ninja world!
Even Kazuku thought Hashirama was a Hokage with raw power but no political savvy.
Now, though…
It wasn't so.
With few words, Hashirama revealed Konohagakure's secrets.
Crucially…
He clearly wanted Kazuku to lead the Uchiha, making them his strength.
The Senju and Uchiha were Konohagakure's two great clans.
As Hashirama's grandson, Kazuku was pure Senju.
Despite Hashirama's policies diluting the Senju name through intermarriage…
How could they abandon their identity?
With a call, the Senju would follow him.
If he controlled the Uchiha, too…
Even the daimyo couldn't challenge him!
"Grandpa Hashirama." Kazuku pondered. "I heard at the Five Kage Summit, you distributed captured tailed beasts to other villages. Why?"
This wasn't a secret.
The first Five Kage Summit was historic!
Kazuku knowing wasn't odd.
Hashirama hadn't expected him to ask.
"As expected of my grandson."
"Other kids your age want toys."
"But Kazuku ponders tailed beasts and peace."
Hashirama's gaze sharpened, emotions stirred.
To him, Kazuku, at seven, had rare insight.
He contemplated peace, tailed beasts, villages.
Remarkable!
But the truth…
Kazuku felt he now understood Hashirama's reasoning.
Tailed beasts were double-edged.
Jinchuriki were powerful, but if they lost control, the destruction was catastrophic.
One Nine-Tails incident cost Konohagakure a Hokage.
Not every Kage had Hashirama's strength.
To casually say, "The Nine-Tails can kill?"
Even without Hashirama collecting tailed beasts, other villages would covet them.
Kumogakure had eyed the Nine-Tails since the Warring States, failing only in execution.
Rather than let villages amass power for tailed beasts…
Distributing them created balance.
And earned money!
As for unification versus distribution, both relied on Hashirama's might.
Once he died, any rule would spark conflict, escalating to war!
The only difference was "village war" versus "ninja world civil war."
Like the Conqueror King's empire, splintering at his death.
Kazuku asked to confirm his thoughts.
But Hashirama fell silent.
He drained his sake cup, slamming it down.
"Because everyone dies."
Kazuku: "???"
"Even without illness, my life's finite."
"Tailed beast balance, peace treaties—they just delay war."
Hashirama gave a wry smile.
He knew.
The ninja world's peace had an expiration.
Tied to his lifespan.
And…
Warring States conflicts were clan-based.
Now, countless clans formed villages.
Future wars would be village-scale.
Far more terrifying than any before!
So, he devised "tailed beast balance," hoping villages would fear their power.
After his death, they'd hesitate to escalate.
Though Tobirama was shrewd, he lacked the crucial strength!
He couldn't oversee peace.
"So, I hope, before I die, you become Hokage!"
Hashirama slammed the table. "Join the chunin exam in a week, Kazuku!"
Kazuku never dreamed Hashirama would say this.
He truly held high hopes!
But… why did it sound like he was calling Tobirama weak?
As Kazuku prepared to respond…
[Check-in system cooldown complete!]
[Host, confirm check-in?]
"Hm? Time for the fourth check-in?"
"I'd trade ten years of Uchiha Madara's life for…"
(End of Chapter)