Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Yahiko paused, then straightened his chest, his smile as bright as the sun.

"Besides, this is the Third Hokage's decision! The Hokage who led us to victory in several major battles, ensured everyone had enough to eat, and allowed the Uchiha and Senju to sit together and enjoy hot pot! How could his decision be wrong!"

"The Third Hokage..."

This title was like a ray of light, instantly piercing through all the gloom and confusion in Nagato's heart.

He remembered the man who always smiled gently, his reliable back as he stood on the high platform announcing the end of the war, and the hand he reached out to them on the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools.

That deep-seated, almost blind trust triumphed over all fear of the unknown forces at that moment.

If this is what that man hoped for...

If this is to protect Yahiko and Konan, to protect this village...

Nagato raised her head.

An unprecedented light ignited in those quiet black eyes. He met Hashirama Senju's gaze, and without the slightest hesitation, nodded solemnly.

"I do, First Generation Lord."

"For Yahiko, for Konan, for the village... for the peace that the Hokage spoke of, where everyone can have a smile."

"I am willing to bear this burden!"

Seeing the pure and unwavering light in the boy's eyes, Hashirama Senju smiled with immense satisfaction. He seemed to see hope for the future in this red-haired boy.

He stepped forward and gently patted Nagato's shoulder with his broad, kind hand.

"Good boy."

"The future of Konoha belongs to you."

……

Konoha Hospital, top floor, sterile operating room.

The atmosphere here was completely different from the bright sunshine outside. The cold metal instruments gleamed with a chilling light, and the air was filled with the smell of disinfectant. It was so quiet that only the slight hum of the instruments could be heard.

Tsunade had changed into a green surgical gown, her long golden hair neatly gathered inside her surgical cap. She was meticulously checking all the instruments needed for the surgery. Her hands, which had once only been able to break boulders with superhuman strength, were now as steady as a rock when she picked up a scalpel.

On the other side of the operating room, Tobirama Senju was standing in front of a huge tactical board.

However, the tactical board didn't have a map or enemy/friendly troop deployments. Instead, it was a drawing filled with dense formulas, human meridian diagrams, and simulated chakra flow paths. It was the most perfect transplant plan he had devised over several days and nights, based on the First Hokage's cell activity data provided by Orochimaru and combined with all his research on eye technique transplantation.

"The pupillary nerve graft is connected using a chakra scalpel, and the error must be controlled within 0.01 millimeters. After implantation, it is immediately nourished, and a small dose of interstitial cell diluent is injected to promote cell fusion, which can reduce the probability of rejection."

With his arms crossed, Tobirama Senju calmly scanned each data point with his red eyes, his tone as flat as if he were reading an abstract of a thesis.

"Second Grandfather, can't you hope for something better?"

Tsunade couldn't help but complain; she had been listening to her great-uncle ramble on about the various probabilities of failure all morning.

"I only believe in data."

Tobirama Senju pushed up glasses that weren't actually on his nose. "Preparing for the worst is the only way to get the best results. That's science."

Just then, the operating room door was pushed open.

Hashirama Senju entered with Nagato. Yahiko and Konan were left outside.

"Big brother." Tobirama nodded, acknowledging the greeting. His sharp gaze fell on Nagato, scrutinizing him from head to toe, as if assessing a valuable experimental subject.

"The pure bloodline of the Uzumaki clan, immense vitality and chakra... hmm, his physical attributes are practically perfect. As a vessel, he is indeed the best candidate."

Nagato felt uncomfortable under Hashirama's gaze and instinctively shrank back behind him.

"Tobirama! Don't scare the children!"

Hashirama glared at his younger brother with displeasure, then put on a gentle smile and said to Nagato, "Don't be afraid, Nagato. Tsunade is the strongest medical ninja in the ninja world right now, and Tobirama, although he may not be the most eloquent, has the best brain in the ninja world. With them here, there won't be any problems."