"This is a groundbreaking creation," Senju Tobirama said, his tone brimming with pride. "Even ordinary people can use it freely. No chakra required."
He picked up the spherical device and demonstrated.
"Remove this pin—three seconds later, it explodes."
"And that's not all. I've also developed variants—like pressure-triggered bombs that can be buried underground. Apply even a little force, and they detonate instantly."
He spoke without pause, diving into the principles behind the design, his expression animated and alive.
Uchiha Ren didn't understand most of it.
But he listened anyway.
Out of respect.
"For weapons meant for killing, I only mentioned a few ideas in passing," Ren said after Tobirama finished. "Yet you completed them this quickly. That's beyond my expectations."
He raised a thumb.
"I take back what I said. You're not getting old—you're just not suited for those other things."
"As expected of you."
Tobirama's expression stiffened.
He had been about to bask in the praise—
Then realized.
This bastard was insulting him again.
"You think I don't hear that?" Tobirama snapped. "You're implying I specialize in killing!"
"The Senju value peace! Only the Uchiha revel in violence!"
"I'm doing this to protect Konoha," Ren replied calmly. "Without strength, how do you defend everything we've built?"
"Tobirama… you're too narrow-minded."
It was an old excuse.
But it worked.
"—Hmph. So now it's my fault?"
Tobirama snorted, already used to Ren's shamelessness.
Sometimes, he genuinely wondered—
Was this guy really an Uchiha?
If he were Senju…
No.
The Senju would never produce someone this infuriating.
—
Ren stepped forward and picked up the grenade.
Turning it over in his hand, he examined it closely.
Finally.
Something familiar.
Explosive tags had always been expensive—complex to produce, requiring sealing techniques to embed Fire Release chakra.
Every village had its own method.
Every step required skilled shinobi.
Low output.
High cost.
Even Konoha strictly controlled their distribution.
Mid- and low-level shinobi could only purchase limited quantities.
And yet—
Someone like Konan in the future could throw out six hundred billion explosive tags like fireworks.
Where did those even come from?
Even if Konoha emptied its entire reserves now, it wouldn't come close.
But—
With grenades as a substitute—
Konoha could dominate the entire arms market.
"Besides these," Ren said, setting the grenade down, "what about firearms?"
Tobirama paused.
"…I've made a few prototypes. Every part was crafted by hand."
"If you want large-scale production like you described… we need machine tools."
"And that technology is only held by the Hidden Sky Village."
"They don't sell it."
"If you expect me to develop it from scratch… that'll take time."
Ren looked at him with clear disdain.
"Tobirama… if you can't do it, just say so. No need to make excuses."
"…You idiot."
Tobirama's patience snapped.
"Do you even understand the technical difficulty? This isn't ninjutsu—it's a completely different field!"
"Alright, alright," Ren waved him off. "I get it."
"The Hidden Sky Village, right?"
"For your sake, Tobirama—I'll crush them and bring their technology back to Konoha."
Tobirama scoffed.
"For my sake?"
Ren smiled.
"Yes. For you."
But in his mind—
He was already reviewing everything he knew.
The Hidden Sky Village…
A completely different path.
While the Five Great Villages focused on ninjutsu, they had developed technology instead.
Air fleets.
Flying fortresses.
And most importantly—
The artificial tailed beast.
Zero-Tails.
A creation fueled by human negative emotions.
Cheap.
Efficient.
Capable of powering entire aerial weapons systems.
In a world where most shinobi fought on land—
Air superiority was absolute.
Bombing from above.
No counter.
Once they completed their system—
They would inevitably challenge Konoha.
And lose.
But before that—
Ren would act first.
He sat down and explained everything in detail.
Tobirama listened, expression shifting.
"…I didn't expect a minor village like that to grow this far."
"They want to challenge Konoha?"
Ren snorted.
"Of course. While the Five Great Villages were busy fighting, the smaller ones were quietly growing."
"The Land of Rain has Hanzō consolidating power. He's even planning to eliminate the Daimyo and nobles entirely."
"The Hidden Flame Village in the Land of Mountains made a fortune selling explosive tags during the war. Now they're getting arrogant—daring to provoke Konoha."
"And Takigakure?"
"They're no better."
"Remember the Hero Water I got for you? Their specialty."
"It boosts chakra several times over."
"Konoha gave them the Seven-Tails back then."
"And now when we try to buy a little—"
"They raise prices."
Ren leaned back, annoyed.
"I'm still cleaning up your mess, Tobirama."
Debt.
War.
Unchecked smaller villages.
A legacy of problems.
Tobirama's expression darkened.
"You're blaming me now?"
"I didn't ask you to clean anything!"
"If it were Sarutobi Hiruzen, he'd do better!"
"Typical Uchiha brat!"
"If you can't handle being Hokage, step aside. I'll take over myself!"
Ren's eyes sharpened.
"Your time as Hokage wasn't exactly impressive."
"And your choice of successor?"
He sneered.
"One day you'll realize—choosing Hiruzen was your greatest mistake."
"And as for me—"
"When I became Hokage…"
"The entire Senju lineage should be bowing in gratitude."
"The survival of your clan rests on me."
"Bullshit!!"
Tobirama erupted.
He immediately thought of certain… disgraceful descendants.
His expression darkened further.
But he refused to back down.
"Believe it or not," Ren shot back.
The two glared at each other, voices rising.
—
At that moment—
Orochimaru quietly entered.
Still wearing his construction helmet, he carefully brewed tea and placed two cups down.
"Tobirama, don't let him drink it," Ren said casually. "He's already dead. Waste of tea."
"Nonsense!" Tobirama snapped. "I'm his teacher! He listens to me!"
Orochimaru froze.
Then—
Silently removed both cups.
And fled.
—
"Enough," Ren said, exhaling slowly. "Arguing is pointless."
"When the Hidden Sky Village completes the Zero-Tails…"
"They'll attack Konoha."
"I won't give them that chance."
"Once we defeat them, we take everything—"
"Their technology."
"And the Zero-Tails."
He paused.
"But it won't be complete."
"You'll finish it."
Tobirama frowned.
"…Zero-Tails?"
"A man-made tailed beast?"
"What's so special about it?"
"Konoha already has the Nine-Tails."
"Could it really be stronger than that?"
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