Uchiha Clan Grounds.
Senju Hashirama arrived at the Uchiha compound, bringing with him Senju Tobirama, who was hanging his head low.
Upon hearing the news, the Uchiha Grand Elder hurriedly led several clan members out to greet them.
Ever since Uchiha Madara defected, the clan had been left leaderless, and all matters had been temporarily handed over to the Grand Elder.
"Hashirama-sama, what brings you here today?"
The Grand Elder spoke nervously, afraid that they had come to question them about Madara's betrayal.
After all, Madara-sama had defected from Konoha!
If Hashirama intended to take advantage of Madara's absence and strike at the Uchiha, what then?
Fortunately, the Grand Elder was overthinking it. Senju Hashirama had no such intentions.
"Haha, no need to be so tense, Grand Elder. I've just come to discuss something with you. Would you be willing to listen?" Hashirama said cheerfully.
"And what might Hashirama-sama wish to discuss?" the Grand Elder asked cautiously.
"Well, my younger brother wants to adopt an orphan from the Uchiha clan. Would you be willing to allow it?"
As soon as he said this, the entire group of Uchiha present was stunned!
They all turned to look at Senju Tobirama in disbelief, their expressions practically shouting, 〖Are you kidding me?!〗
If anyone in Konoha was known to despise the Uchiha, it was undoubtedly Senju Tobirama.
Of course, the Uchiha didn't have a favorable opinion of him either.
It was hard to imagine that this man would actually want to adopt someone from the Uchiha clan.
Once the initial shock passed, the Uchiha members began to eye Tobirama warily, suspecting that he might have some ulterior motive.
Faced with a group of red-eyed stares, a vein throbbed on Tobirama's forehead. Embarrassed and annoyed, he kept his head down in silence.
If not for his brother's threat, he wouldn't have come here in the first place!
Hashirama ignored Tobirama and kept smiling at the Grand Elder, continuing,
"So, Grand Elder, are you willing?"
The Grand Elder broke into a cold sweat.
To be honest, he didn't want to agree. If word got out that an Uchiha was adopted by the Senju, how could their clan still hold its head high in Konoha?
But the man in front of him was none other than the God of Shinobi—Senju Hashirama!
He couldn't exactly say no.
With Madara-sama gone, there was no one in the Uchiha clan who could match Hashirama. The Grand Elder regretted not leaving with Madara back then.
Of course, that was easier said than done.
After years of war, the Uchiha had finally seen peace. How could they so easily throw it away?
The Grand Elder sighed and relented, "Hashirama-sama, I'll take you to the orphanage right away."
The expressions of the Uchiha around them were complicated as they silently watched the three depart.
They all knew—the Grand Elder had compromised with Konoha.
If Madara-sama hadn't left, maybe this never would've happened…
...
Uchiha Orphanage.
The orphanage director, a burly man with a full beard, quickly lined the children up after learning the purpose of Hashirama's visit.
There were over fifty children, all looking curiously at the visitors, not knowing what was going on.
Having lived in the orphanage all their lives, most of them didn't recognize Senju Hashirama.
The director introduced him, "Children, this is Hashirama-sama, the Hokage!"
At once, gasps of awe erupted from the group.
A man's name casts a long shadow—Senju Hashirama's fame had long since spread across the entire shinobi world.
In Konoha, there was hardly anyone who didn't admire or respect him!
Even the proud Uchiha were no exception. Admiration for strength is human nature.
Especially when that strong individual had their best interests at heart.
Hashirama greeted the children warmly and explained the purpose of their visit.
The children froze at his words.
They admired Hashirama, sure—but that didn't mean they wanted to be adopted by a Senju.
An Uchiha being adopted by a Senju was a disgrace of the highest order!
If word of this got out, they'd be nailed to the pillar of shame, mocked for life, never able to raise their heads again!
Especially since it was thanks to the Senju that they'd become orphans in the first place.
At his brother's urging, Senju Tobirama walked forward with a gloomy face, looking like someone had just died.
He casually scanned the lineup and shook his head.
"Big Brother, I don't like any of these kids."
The children collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
Not being chosen… was a good thing.
Hashirama frowned and scolded, "Tobirama, stop playing games!"
Tobirama folded his arms and muttered,
"What can I do? I just didn't like any of them..."
"You—" Hashirama started to speak again, but the orphanage director stepped forward.
"Hokage-sama, there's actually one more child from the orphanage. He moved out recently and lives nearby."
Hashirama's eyes lit up. "Then please take us to him right away!"
He then turned to Tobirama, his expression growing stern, revealing the rare authority of an older brother.
"If you don't like any of these children, then for the last one—whether you like him or not, you're going to like him!!"
Tobirama gritted his teeth in frustration.
He glared at the director. If looks could kill, the man would've been torn to pieces on the spot.
He'd only said all that in hopes that his brother would drop the matter. But now the director had ruined everything.
He had no choice but to adopt that last kid.
The thought alone infuriated him. The Uchiha really were a cursed, evil clan!
Leading the way, the director shivered unconsciously at the killing intent he felt behind him.
"Tobirama!"
One sharp word from Hashirama, and the murderous aura vanished.
...
Renya's Residence.
"Renya, open the door! It's the director!"
Renya was inside, refining chakra, but upon hearing the commotion, he quickly got up and opened the door.
The moment he did, he noticed three figures behind the director.
One was an elder he recognized—Uchiha's Grand Elder.
As for the other two, Renya's eyes flickered.
One wore a green kimono and had black hair; the other, blue armor and white hair.
He immediately guessed who they were—Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
Panic rose in Renya's heart. Why were these two here?
Could his identity as a transmigrator have been exposed?!
That couldn't be. He'd never told anyone anything!
Forcing himself to stay calm, he pretended to know nothing.
"Grand Elder, Director, what brings you here?"
The director explained, "Renya, someone's looking to adopt a child. So I brought them to meet you."
Renya's pupils shrank sharply, his face turning ghostly pale.
What the hell?! Senju Hashirama wanted to adopt him?
His mind went completely blank as he stood there in a daze.
"What do you think, Hashirama-sama?" the Grand Elder asked.
Hashirama examined Renya and nodded in approval.
"Not bad. This child knows how to live independently at such a young age. He'll do."
He didn't even ask Tobirama's opinion—he decided on his own.
"Big Brother!" Tobirama exploded in fury. "You seriously want me to adopt an Uchiha?!"
Only now did he realize his brother hadn't been joking.
Hashirama patted Tobirama's shoulder, speaking with gentle conviction.
"I hope that through living with this child, you can let go of your hatred toward the Uchiha."
Then he turned to the still-stunned Renya.
"Little Renya, from now on, he'll be taking care of you! If he bullies you, come tell me. I'll discipline him for you!"
Renya finally snapped out of it.
He looked at Tobirama in complete confusion.
So it was Senju Tobirama who was going to adopt him?!
This was completely absurd!
Tobirama also looked at Renya. Their eyes locked.
Both were totally bewildered.
In the end, Tobirama's face was ashen as he grabbed the dazed Renya and strode off.
Never in his wildest dreams did Renya imagine that Senju Tobirama—the man notorious for hating the Uchiha—would adopt him.
The Grand Elder watched the scene unfold and sighed helplessly.
"Let's hope Senju Tobirama doesn't abuse the boy."