Tobirama stood with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes fixed on Hashirama, who lay resting on a futon, his body still weakened from his battle with Madara. The dim glow of lanterns cast flickering shadows across the room, emphasizing the tension between the two brothers.
"You're too trusting, brother," Tobirama finally said, his tone measured but firm. "That man—Renzo. Do you truly believe he is someone we should allow to roam freely within our village?"
Hashirama exhaled a weary breath but smiled nonetheless. "You're worried, Tobirama."
Tobirama's expression did not change. "Worry is the responsibility of leadership. You saw him yourself. His presence alone unsettles even the ANBU. He walks with a stillness that does not belong to a simple traveler."
Hashirama chuckled softly. "He is no simple traveler. That much is clear. But tell me, do you sense malice in him? Do you see him as a threat?"
Tobirama was silent for a moment. "No. And that is what concerns me. A man with such power, with no discernible goal, no ties to any land… those are the ones you must be most wary of. Even Madara had clear ambitions. This Renzo—he simply exists. That is dangerous."
Hashirama's gaze softened. "I understand your concerns, but I don't believe he harbors ill intentions. When I spoke with him, he showed no interest in politics, in power struggles, or in the affairs of the village beyond mere observation."
Tobirama frowned. "And that doesn't strike you as unusual? Everyone who comes to a village like ours seeks something—protection, power, status. What does he seek?"
Hashirama looked up toward the ceiling, eyes thoughtful. "I asked him that. His answer was… 'understanding.'"
Tobirama scoffed. "Understanding? Of what?"
"Everything." Hashirama's voice was quiet but firm. "He sees the world differently than we do, Tobirama. He has been to every village, studied them, watched them grow. He spoke of their differences with a perspective that few possess. It was as if he was not a part of our world, but merely walking through it."
Tobirama's jaw tightened. "That makes him all the more unpredictable. We should watch him closely. If he so much as disrupts the balance of the village—"
Hashirama raised a hand weakly. "I trust your judgment, Tobirama. If it eases your mind, observe him, but do not act rashly. I will not allow Konoha to become a place that treats every unknown as an enemy. That is not the village I sought to build."
Tobirama sighed, his posture rigid but accepting. "Very well. But don't mistake my caution for paranoia, brother. Peace is fragile, and men like him… they are forces beyond our control."
Hashirama smiled, closing his eyes. "Perhaps. Or perhaps he is simply a man who has let go of the struggles we all still cling to."
Tobirama said nothing more, but the flickering lantern light could not hide the shadow of unease in his expression.