Not far away, Uchiha Kagami had lingered until the very end, not leaving.
He slowly walked in front of Senju Tobirama, then suddenly knelt down with a 'thump', pressing his hands tightly to the ground, his head also pressed against the ground, his face flushed red, and he said with a look of shame, "Teacher, I'm truly sorry!
The elders of our clan are simply too narrow-minded.
If it weren't for their coercion this time, you wouldn't have lost so much face in front of all the clans of Konoha, being forced to acknowledge the Uchiha Clan's Hokage candidate status.
I've done my utmost within the clan, but I still couldn't get our clan members to change their minds!"
Senju Tobirama looked at Uchiha Kagami kneeling on the ground.
Though he still secretly harbored resentment, wishing he could beat Uchiha Kagami again, he thought of his own plans and the fact that the Uchiha Clan had actually united this time, so he forced a smile and then spoke with feigned nonchalance, "Alas, this matter isn't your fault.
The Uchiha Clan, no matter what, is still a part of Konoha Village.
Just like now, they asked me for the authority of the Konoha Legion's commander, and I gave it to them without even thinking!"
After speaking, Senju Tobirama gently patted Uchiha Kagami's shoulder and comforted him, "As for the Hokage candidate status that the Uchiha Clan requested this time!
Foolish child, don't think that I compromised with the Uchiha Clan because I was forced.
After all, as the Hokage, my identity in this Konoha Ninja Village represents the entirety of Konoha."
"Who could force the Hokage if the Hokage is unwilling?" Senju Tobirama said, striking a pose, with his hands clasped behind his back, looking profound and unfathomable.
"Teacher, you... your meaning..." Hearing this, Uchiha Kagami's body trembled violently, as if struck by lightning.
He seemed to have thought of something, and incredulously raised his head, his gaze falling directly on Senju Tobirama's compassionate and profound eyes, which were filled with pride and recognition.
"That's right, it's exactly as you thought!" Suddenly, Senju Tobirama smiled and nodded at Uchiha Kagami.
As Senju Tobirama's words struck Uchiha Kagami's heart like a heavy hammer, Uchiha Kagami's already somewhat confused thoughts became even more intricate.
He stared blankly at Senju Tobirama, so moved that he was momentarily speechless.
"You're right, the so-called Hokage candidate, in my heart, has always only been you!" Senju Tobirama's voice was low and firm, as if containing endless power, "Have you forgotten that you are also an Uchiha?
As the Uchiha Clan, who together with the Senju Clan established Konoha.
I have never harbored hostility towards the Uchiha Clan!
It was only due to other clans' prejudice against the Uchiha and the Uchiha Clan's excessive narrow-mindedness that I had no choice but to accept the Hokage position!"
"Ever since I became Hokage, I've been getting up earlier than chickens and going to bed later than dogs; I haven't had a single happy day!" Senju Tobirama covered his heart with a pained expression, then he earnestly stared at Uchiha Kagami and said, "But for Konoha, I have no choice but to continue being the Hokage.
Because the Hokage, it is not just a right, but also a great responsibility!"
"Ordinary members of the Uchiha Clan are full of arrogance, greed, violence, and hatred.
If they were to become Hokage, they would surely bring great disaster to Konoha."
"But, Kagami!
You are special, and only a fire will inheritor like you, who has cast aside narrow clan concepts, is worthy of being Hokage!" Senju Tobirama patted Uchiha Kagami's shoulder, saying with an encouraging expression.
Immediately.
Senju Tobirama's words were like a bolt of lightning piercing the night sky, illuminating a corner deep within Uchiha Kagami's heart.
He suddenly realized that the beliefs and pursuits he had always upheld had received the highest recognition, and that his actions were so perfectly aligned with the Hokage image Senju Tobirama envisioned.
So, Teacher values me so much!
I am the Hokage candidate recognized by Teacher!
Teacher, you truly are...
At once, Uchiha's tears welled up, his Sharingan spun rapidly, and his Three-Tomoe Sharingan activated.
However, this time, Senju Tobirama, who had been forced by the Uchiha Clan, did not interrupt Uchiha Kagami's eye transformation.
To deal with the Uchiha Clan later, only if Uchiha Kagami's strength was greater, possessing stronger eyes, would he be able to better deal with the Uchiha.
"Other members of the Uchiha Clan, can you imagine if they became Hokage, would they not elevate their own clan above all others, treating the other clans like slaves?
That would be a truly terrifying thing." Speaking of this, Senju Tobirama's brows suddenly furrowed slightly, revealing a hint of worry about such a future.
A strong sense of responsibility surged in Uchiha Kagami's heart; he knew well that Senju Tobirama's words were true.
If those Uchiha members, bound by clan ideology, were to ascend to the Hokage position, Konoha Village would likely fall into endless strife and chaos, and those narrow-minded clan members would certainly become overbearing.
"Kagami, you must take this seriously!" Senju Tobirama's voice rang out again, this time with a hint of sternness, "As a Hokage candidate, you must not only shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting Konoha Village, but also lead the entire Village towards prosperity and peace."
Uchiha Kagami took a deep breath and nodded forcefully, his gaze becoming even more resolute, "Yes, Teacher, I will never allow my clan members to treat Konoha's comrades this way.
I will definitely become a qualified Hokage and protect our common home!
Those narrow-minded clan members, if they even think of aiming for the Hokage position, I absolutely will not allow it!"
Uchiha Kagami clenched his fists, and by the end, his words had become fierce, his eyes filled with killing intent.
"Hmm!" Senju Tobirama looked at Uchiha Kagami, who was once again excited by his manipulation, and nodded in satisfaction, continuing to advise, "Remember, what I've told you today, you must engrave it firmly in your heart, but do not reveal it, especially not to Hiruzen!
Hiruzen's father's bloodline fusion left him with an inherited illness, which limits Hiruzen's lifespan and talent.
Danzo is too radical, Koharu and Homura cannot be leaders of a Village; only you are my successor!"
"Do you understand!
From now on, you must cast aside your narrow clan mentality!" Senju Tobirama advised again.
"Yes, Teacher, I understand!
For Konoha, no matter who it is, as long as they are harmful to the Village, I will not let them off!" Uchiha Kagami spoke with conviction, feeling elevated within himself for embracing such a great ideal.
Is this Teacher's will!
Truly worthy of being the Second Hokage.
Only by abandoning such biased thoughts about one's clan.
By forsaking narrow clan mentality.
Can one bear the identity of Hokage.
Those narrow-minded people of the clan are not fit to be Hokage.
Uchiha Kagami felt a wave of disdain for the elders in his heart.
Looking at Uchiha Kagami, who had been completely molded by him and no longer had his own independent thoughts, Senju Tobirama finally nodded with satisfaction, thinking, "However, relying solely on the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, there's still a significant gap in dealing with these Sengoku era remnants of the Uchiha Clan!
It seems I'll still have to intervene!"
"Kagami!" Senju Tobirama smiled broadly, rubbing Uchiha Kagami's forehead, and said, "How do you feel about Senju Hairu, whom I introduced to you a few days ago!
Do you like her!"
"Teacher, you... why are you bringing that up!" Uchiha Kagami's face turned red, and he said with embarrassment.
"Hahaha, you're not young anymore.
After your father Ming passed away, I've been like your father, worrying about your important life matters.
In short, just listen to me!"
"Yes, I'll listen to everything Teacher says!" As soon as Uchiha Kagami heard his father's name, he immediately nodded in agreement, moved.
Truly worthy of being Teacher!
Not only did he not look down on me because of my Uchiha Clan identity, but he also taught me his Flying Thunder God Technique.
Although I'm dull-witted and couldn't learn it.
But Teacher even introduced me to a beautiful woman from the Senju Clan; he's truly raising me like his own son.
And what about the Uchiha Clan I was born into!
Not only did they strip me of my elder position and seize my family property after my father's death, but they also disregarded the Hokage's teachings.
It's simply...
"They are seeking their own demise!"
Thinking of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Kagami's face became distorted, the Three-Tomoe in his eyes almost merging into a single line.