Two months have passed since the end of the Iwagakure assault. The warfront had shifted, but the pressure never eased. The name "Dragon of the Leaf" echoed across the Five Nations.
Senju Raizen's achievement had made him a living legend but within the walls of the Hidden Leaf, he was still just a 16 year old boy.
Raizen and Might Fist stood in a secluded part of the forest, surrounded by shattered rocks and torn earth. Their bodies glistened with sweat muscles screaming from the brutal regimen of the Eight Inner Gates training.
Might Fist: "Fifth gate is the limit for now. Any more and we won't be standing the next day."
Raizen: "We won't grow stronger if we stop at limits."
Despite the intense difficulty both boys pushed onward, slamming fists into stone pillars. focusing chakra into muscle fibers, learning to control their internal energy flow. The Inner Gates were dangerous but they were also powerful just the kind of edge they'd need for what lay ahead.
Meanwhile, Tsunade had officially joined the Konoha Ninja Academy. Though still only six years old her intellect and chakra control had already put her ahead of most students. But every afternoon after class she rushed to the forest to train under Raizen's guidance.
This time she didn't come alone.
Trailing behind her were two other children one loud and scrappy the other silent and observant.
Tsunade: "Raizen! These are my classmates. Jiraiya and Orochimaru. I brought them to watch."
Jiraiya: "You're the Raizen? Dragon of the Leaf?! You gotta teach me how to punch through a mountain!"
Orochimaru: "...I wish to see your beast transformation."
Raizen: He looked at Jiraiya "It's not something you can learn in one day" than he looked at Orochimaru "Watch closely. You might learn something anyway."
They watched Raizen transform and unleash a rapid barrage of blows onto a boulder, the air humming with the pressure of his strikes. Tsunade mimicked his stance perfectly. Her Shigan was still rough, but improving with each day.
Might Fist: "She's got talent, no doubt. Already stronger than most Genin."
Raizen: "Let's make sure she stays safe in the future."
Senju clan
That night the village was quiet. A pale moon hung low casting silver shadows across the Senju compound. Raizen still sweating from training heard a knock at his door.
A masked ANBU stood silently. "Lord Tobirama requests your presence."
Raizen followed the ANBU. Inside the Hokage's office Tobirama sat alone gazing out at the sleeping village.
Tobirama: "I leave for the Land of Thunder tomorrow. It's just a diplomatic mission to sign an alliance treaty."
Raizen's instincts screamed he knew that Tobirama will die. As he had seen in the Naruto series.
Raizen: "Take me with you. I don't trust this. It could be a trap."
Tobirama turned slowly, eyes sharp.
Tobirama: "I've already chosen who goes. My students and ANBU will be enough."
Raizen: "If it's a trap " Raizen wanted to save Tobirama.
Tobirama: "NO, If its a trap than you better be in Konoha so wood release is safe"
Raizen clenched his fists. Something inside him twisted.
Tobirama: "If anything happens, I want you to remember this. Support the one I've chosen to be Hokage."
Raizen: "You mean Sarutobi?"
Tobirama: "Yes. I know what you're thinking why not you?"
Raizen didn't answer.
Tobirama: "Because if another Senju becomes Hokage, it'll become a family dynasty and Konoha was never meant to serve a single family. We're not the Uchiha."
His words struck deep.
Tobirama: "You have a different role Raizen. You're a symbol. A dragon. A protector. Let the village have a Hokage. You… you'll be the sword behind him."
Raizen didn't speak again. He simply turned and left, the wind catching the edge of his cloak.
Outside under the dark sky, Raizen stared up at the Hokage Monument.
In his past life he always dreamed of becoming Hokage and kicking Akatsuki and killing Madara, everyone who has watched the series has different imagination of their own. Some want to be hero and some want to be six path sage and many more.
When life gave him 2nd chance and he was in Konoha with the Hokage position in front of him. He wanted to be Hokage. He also had war achievements but Tobirama had made his intentions clear.
He knew that Tobirama will also ask Mito to support him and many will listen to her as she is the first Hokage's wife and has the power and authority.
Uchiha clan will never support Senju for next Hokage they will support Kagami. Hyuga will be as always neutral. Ino-Shika-Cho will mostly support Mito. Also he had promised Senju Hashirama he will protect Konoha.
Sarutobi will never give up his powers once he becomes Hokage.
Politics...
Even if he used his power to force them Mito that crazy women might use some sealing to stop him.
He just left his thought at that and went back to his room. What has to come will come.
Raizen: "Sword behind him, Fuck off!"
The next day, Tobirama left for the Land of Thunder.