Though Tobirama lacked Hashirama's overwhelming strength, his personality was forceful.
Since the Warring States, he'd been a battlefield titan.
His signature techniques, Flying Thunder God and Water Release…
Were renowned.
The Uchiha knew best.
Their genius, Izuna, fell to Tobirama.
Tobirama's succession as Hokage wasn't due to blood ties.
But…
His immense strength.
And iron will.
Every clan leader knew this, genuinely admiring him.
His appointment as Second Hokage was unanimous.
Promoting Kazuku to special jonin didn't require anyone's approval.
It was a formality.
To present Kazuku.
To tell the clans, I'm appointing him special jonin.
If you agree…
From today, Kazuku is a special jonin.
If you disagree…
Sorry.
I, Tobirama, don't care for your views!
Beyond his seven-year-old age…
Kazuku was flawless.
Intellect.
Strength.
Which was inferior to a jonin?
And he awakened Hashirama's Wood Release!
Wood Release, you know?
It can suppress the Nine-Tails!
When Tobirama asked who was for or against…
The room fell silent.
"W-Wood… Release."
The Uchiha clan leader activated Sharingan, sizing Kazuku up.
Their clan had many Sharingan users, but none with Mangekyo.
Yet the Senju gained a new Wood Release user.
The contrast left him envious and jealous.
Heaven cursed the Uchiha!
His Sharingan seemed to foresee…
Kazuku in a Hokage robe, addressing Konoha from the Hokage Building.
Another Senju Hokage!
Both were Warring States giants.
Yet the Uchiha waned.
It stung!
If only, decades later, the Uchiha's fate…
"I'm for."
The Sarutobi clan leader raised his hand, breaking the silence.
"Though Kazuku's the First Hokage's grandson, I won't favor him for it."
"I despise promotions via connections. Our Hiruzen never used backdoors."
"Our clan never spoke for him."
"I believe the upright Lord Tobirama shares my view."
"He'd never lie to promote Kazuku."
The Sarutobi leader smiled at Kazuku, "Anyone who saw the chunin exam wouldn't doubt Kazuku's strength."
"Now, with Wood Release, his power's grown."
"He's fully capable of being special jonin!"
Tobirama nodded, pleased.
"I'm for too."
The Hyuga leader raised his hand second, "Age doesn't matter, ability does."
"Since Kazuku defeated Gold and Silver Horn, his ability's proven."
"With his sharp mind and strength, he guarded the border and village!"
"If not for too few missions and contributions, I'd say promote him to jonin."
The Hyuga leader finished.
The Shimura leader chimed in.
"The Hyuga leader's right. Positions should go to the capable, not judged by Kazuku's lineage."
"If he lacked special jonin qualifications, even as the First Hokage's grandson, I'd oppose."
"But if he's capable, even without Senju blood, I'd support him."
The Shimura leader paused, "So, I'm for!"
Tobirama nodded slightly, appreciating their insight.
They saw the bigger picture, planning for the village's future.
Not personal gain.
The harmonious discussion delighted Tobirama.
Next, the Nara clan leader.
"Our clan has a saying."
"Hunting a rabbit but catching a fox deserves praise."
"Hunting a rabbit but catching a bear deserves cheers."
"In the Warring States, I heard of Gold and Silver Horn. They weren't foxes, but bears."
"I see no reason to oppose Lord Tobirama's proposal."
"As the Shimura leader said, should we shun Kazuku's background, letting him face unfair treatment?"
"His lineage isn't his choice. If we oppose his promotion for it…"
"How disheartened would he be? I agree with the others."
After the Nara leader spoke…
Kazuku's face was a black question mark.
It's like…
He wasn't Hashirama's grandson.
But Madara's.
Then…
The Akimichi, Yamanaka, Kurama, and other clan leaders…
Raised hands, agreeing Kazuku's promotion was fine.
Conversely, denying him fair treatment due to his lineage…
Was wrong.
Unknowingly, only the Uchiha clan leader hadn't responded.
But with the current mood…
He couldn't bring himself to say "against."
Gulp.
The Uchiha leader swallowed.
Envious, jealous, resentful.
Why wasn't Kazuku an Uchiha?
Uchiha Kazuku.
What a fine name!
Damn it.
"I've no objections."
Finally, he sighed, agreeing.
"Mm."
Seeing no issues, Tobirama took a deep breath.
"Since there's no opposition…"
"I'll announce the result."
"Kazuku."
Tobirama paused, emphasizing, "I hope you understand, we're promoting you to special jonin…"
"Because of your ability, not whose grandson you are."
"Perform your missions well, contribute to the village, understood?"
Kazuku: "???"
(End of Chapter)