"Just feel it."
With a casual gesture, Emiya Shihara traced a pitch-black seal onto Tobirama Senju's arm—shaped deliberately like the iconic Leaf Village spiral.
"Chakra…"
"Just as I thought—it's sealed."
Tobirama raised his fingers, attempting to channel chakra. But the moment he did, the seal surged like warm water through his body, suppressing his chakra flow completely. His limbs even began to stiffen under its influence.
However...
Tobirama Senju was nothing short of a genius when it came to understanding the mechanics of ninjutsu.
As Konoha's Second Hokage, he instantly recognized the key: resist the seal's power and it would dominate you; cooperate, and you could guide it. He relaxed and let the energy merge with his chakra instead of opposing it.
"This power…"
A flicker of astonishment crossed Tobirama's face.
Once fused, the seal's natural energy drastically enhanced his chakra capacity and physical state—offering a powerful boon to any shinobi.
Tobirama had to admit—Emiya Shihara's concern about this seal sparking a new wave of war in the shinobi world was well-founded. In the hands of an average ninja, such a seal could elevate them to jōnin-level strength with minimal training. Add military discipline to the mix, and you'd have a formidable soldier.
The only caveat…
This kind of power wasn't easy to control.
Tobirama knew it was only thanks to his deep theoretical knowledge of chakra systems and jutsu principles that he was able to adapt so quickly. And even then, mastering it fully was another matter.
Unfortunately…
He had already promised Emiya he wouldn't weaponize the seal for conflict.
All Tobirama could do now was pray for lasting peace in Konoha—and that he'd never be pushed into using this power in desperation.
"I'll remove the seal for you."
Emiya Shihara reached toward Tobirama's arm again, forming hand seals. It seemed he'd intended only to let Tobirama experience the power—he had no desire to bind him with it.
As he worked, Emiya spoke calmly, "This kind of crude manipulation of natural energy is far too easy to replicate. I just hope it won't lead to more bloodshed in this world…"
"Emiya-dono."
Tobirama reached out, clasping Emiya's wrist firmly. His voice was low and resolute. "Don't undo it just yet. I need to observe the energy fluctuations firsthand—to estimate how long it might suppress my brother's chakra."
This so-called "ancient medical shinobi" was a bit too trusting.
Maybe it was because he came from that bygone era of legendary warriors that he believed today's ninja were equally gifted?
But natural energy…
It was no easy thing to master.
Tobirama had long been curious about natural energy, especially after seeing his elder brother, Hashirama Senju, attain the mighty Sage Mode. Despite years of effort, Tobirama had never been able to sense the energy himself.
He understood just how rare and valuable this seal was—this blend of natural energy and chakra. And for the briefest moment, a flicker of guilt surfaced in his heart.
Because power... was still power.
And for someone like Tobirama, who had survived the bloody Warring States period, power was synonymous with survival.
Power meant control—over life, over death, over the destiny of his village.
Whether it was the internal unrest following his brother's injury, or the looming threats from rival villages circling like wolves, Tobirama could not afford to give up such a resource.
So silently, he made a vow to Emiya Shihara, whom he had misled: This power... I will only use it when my life is truly on the line.
Of course…
That wasn't something he could say out loud.
He wasn't lying either. He really did need to monitor how long the seal could suppress Hashirama's chakra.
"You and your brother are unusually close…"
Emiya shook his head gently. Having seen his share of bloody feuds between siblings in the ancient era, he seemed to find Tobirama's loyalty somewhat puzzling.
He gave a word of caution. "If I don't remove the seal, it might start interfering with your motor function…"
"No need to worry."
Tobirama raised his arm again. The seal flowed slowly beneath his skin like a calm stream—but it no longer impeded his movements.
If all went well…
He'd master the seal completely by the end of the day.
"I've already grasped its principles."
He turned to glance at his brother lying unconscious in bed, and changed the subject. "Let's apply it to my brother next. He's mastered Sage Mode—it might help him absorb the seal even more efficiently…"
"That's exactly what I'm worried about."
Emiya let out a soft sigh and pressed his fingers to Hashirama's arm. A swirl of dark energy bloomed beneath his touch—the seal.
And as expected…
The seal vanished almost instantly.
The natural energy it contained was absorbed in a flash.
Hashirama Senju's body reacted instinctively, converting it into Sage Chakra and nudging him toward Sage Mode—even in his comatose state.
On the hospital bed…
A trace of Sage markings shimmered across his face.
The First Hokage's expression twisted slightly, as if stirred from within by some invisible force. Then, from within his haze of unconsciousness, he mumbled his very first words.
"…Madara…"
"..."
Tobirama's face darkened.
Seriously?
Even now?
Even after everything that's happened, you're still muttering that bastard's name?
Even while unconscious, all you can think about is Uchiha Madara?
That lunatic tried to destroy Konoha with the Nine Tails! He nearly got you killed and cut your life short—and you're still fixated on him?
"As expected…"
"He's waking up."
Emiya exhaled in relief. "The seal didn't perform as planned, but his body absorbed the natural energy and activated Sage Mode on its own. That chakra is already accelerating his healing… though it might further reduce his lifespan."
"But that can be managed."
"So long as he refrains from using chakra for now and keeps his regeneration under control, the damage can be minimized."
Then, almost as an afterthought, Emiya added, "As for the damage already done to his lifespan… I'll look into a solution. In my time, I had access to the Yang Release and used it for most of my treatments. I've grown a bit rusty in conventional medicine, but I'll find a way."
"…Thank you."
The tension in Tobirama's eyes began to ease.
It had worked.
Emiya Shihara had saved his brother's life.
Tobirama recalled the day he led the ANBU into battle—returning with Uchiha Madara's corpse and his brother barely clinging to life. From that moment on, Hashirama had remained unconscious.
Even Konoha's top medical ninjas had failed to predict when—or if—he'd ever wake up again.
But now…
This debt could never be repaid in full.
Tobirama was truly grateful.
And Emiya, for all his otherworldly origins, didn't even seem to mind being summoned from death. He even offered to find a way to extend Hashirama's life.
"Truly… I can't thank you enough."
Tobirama's voice was heavy with sincerity. He bowed his head again, not just in gratitude, but also in reverence. "You mustn't downplay your own achievements, Emiya-dono. Without you, the world would never have seen the birth of medical ninjutsu."
Before Emiya could deflect the praise, Tobirama pressed on, revealing his true intent:
"My brother's life is tied to Konoha's peace… and the hopes of everyone in this village. We're entrusting that future to you."
A selfish wish.
The truth was… Tobirama didn't want to break the Reanimation Technique just yet.
After all, from Emiya he had already uncovered countless ancient secrets—and gained access to this new sealing technique that harnessed natural energy.
Emiya Shihara…
Was a treasure trove.
Had Emiya been unable to help, Tobirama might have simply tried to delay things and extract more knowledge before finally releasing his soul back to the afterlife.
But now…
This man was exactly what the old legends had said—an ancient healer of unparalleled virtue, driven by compassion, not ambition.
Truly…
The two of them were made to work together.
Tobirama began thinking carefully about how to integrate Emiya into the village—how to preserve his legacy, protect his identity, and avoid drawing unnecessary attention or rumors.
"..."
Emiya was thinking the same thing.
Still, maintaining his role as a humble medical shinobi, he cast a concerned glance at the First Hokage.
"The patient's waking up."
And just as Emiya said…
Hashirama's brow furrowed. The Sage markings on his face faded rapidly.
Then—without warning—the First Hokage jolted upright from the bed like a man waking from a nightmare, his eyes wide with panic.
He cried out the name of his closest friend:
"Madara!"