Year Six of Konoha's Founding
Kenichi Sato's Age: 10
End of July – Morning of the Battle
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Tobirama Senju stood before the door to the Hokage's office and knocked twice with a steady rhythm.
"Come in," came his brother's deep, familiar voice.
He opened the door gently and found Hashirama standing by the window, holding a sealed letter. His hands were steady, but his gaze was fixed on the horizon… as if he were seeing beyond the mountains, beyond the village—beyond everything.
He didn't turn at first. He simply raised the letter and said:
"I have to go."
Tobirama didn't ask where. But his eyes were filled with understanding… his brother rarely spoke when his mind was truly made up. He stepped closer, looked at the seal on the letter, and read slowly:
"Uchiha... Madara."
There was no sharpness in Hashirama's tone—only something quieter… something closer to sorrow.
The First Hokage said:
"This battle isn't about revenge... it's about what we built together. We didn't create Konoha just to protect ourselves... but to raise those who never knew war."
He set the letter down on the desk, then turned to his brother:
"If I don't return… depend on yourself. Make Konoha strong enough to protect those who come after us."
He left the room without waiting for a reply.
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Tobirama stood silently, staring at the closed door. Then he slowly walked to the desk.
He opened the letter again, reread it.
He whispered, barely audible:
"Madara Uchiha... so the time has come."
Then he clenched his fist and followed his brother out with measured steps.
There was a weight in the air, as if the village itself was holding its breath—awaiting the tremor in the earth.
As they walked through the corridor, Tobirama asked his brother:
"Who delivered the message?"
Hashirama answered without turning:
"One of the border scouts… only the messenger survived."
Tobirama paused for a moment, whispering to himself:
"How many battles have we fought? But this one… this is different."
Then he continued walking.
The sky was too still.
As if even the land was bracing for what was to come.