SWNOVELXO Chapter 642: Switching Sides?
Tobirama wildly swung his water whip in the Hokage's office, making Hiruzen jump in pain and amusement.
Outrageous!
Did this monkey still see him as a teacher?
How dare he compare him to Uchiha Madara and call him useless…
Though true, it shouldn't come from Hiruzen's mouth!
'So angry!'
Besides, Tobirama truly had few ways to counter Uchiha Madara.
The more he thought, the angrier he got, unable to resist intensifying Hiruzen's punishment!
Hidden Anbu ninjas outside the Hokage's office couldn't help covering their ears, trembling in fear.
The 'game' between the Second and Third Hokage wasn't something they could meddle in; even if the Second whipped the Third to death in the office, they could only pretend not to see.
Just when they thought this whipping lesson would last at least half an hour more, the chaotic noise inside the noisy office suddenly stopped. Afterward, no sound or aura could be sensed.
The Anbu ninjas hurriedly wanted to check.
But Tobirama's voice sounded in their ears, saying he'd created a barrier, so no need to worry.
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Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office, Tobirama's lesson to Hiruzen abruptly halted due to Lux's arrival.
Despite having spare time, Tobirama wouldn't keep causing chaos before a god.
"Senju Tobirama, having fun, huh?"
"Sir!"
Tobirama was startled, quickly stowing his water whip and greeting Lux respectfully.
No choice—the other had saved him multiple times.
Without Lux's support and his past self, he might've been minced by Madara.
Though cunning, sly, and shameless, Tobirama had basic gratitude.
Seeing Tenshou Sennin, young Hiruzen hurriedly greeted too, silently thankful for escaping physical punishment.
"Sir, is something up?"
Tobirama was sharp, instantly guessing Lux didn't visit without reason—likely something important.
Lux didn't mince words, starting with a scolding.
"Madara just returned from the moon."
"Huh?"
"He defeated all the moon Ōtsutsuki and gained info on Infinite Tsukuyomi and the Rinnegan."
Lux didn't tell Tobirama about Parallel World 5's situation, as Konoha's destruction there was pointless for other Konoha ninjas to know, only causing tension.
Of course, even if they knew, it wouldn't matter.
It could even spur the bound power in this Parallel World, showing he didn't have to choose Konoha.
Hearing this, Tobirama was shocked, his mind racing.
"Could he have already obtained the Rinnegan?"
A Rinnegan-less Uchiha already choked him and Konoha. If this Madara got the Rinnegan, what then?
Wouldn't they be doomed?
"Not yet, but it won't be long."
"Didn't he confirm Infinite Tsukuyomi's falsehood? Why need the Rinnegan?"
"He wants it to revive Uchiha Izuna."
Lux spoke frankly.
"Izuna!!!"
Tobirama's eyes widened, past memories flooding back—the 'reddest watermelon' he ever split.
It was a major conflict between him and Madara, even the Senju and Uchiha clans.
Despite Hashirama's mediation, it never resolved over the years.
"But this should be good, right? If that bastard Madara no longer plans Infinite Tsukuyomi, there's no reason to keep clashing with Konoha."
"And if he revives Izuna, he can fulfill his regrets, no need to target me…"
"Is anything wrong with this?"
Tobirama quickly grasped the logic, feeling it wasn't bad!
He could avoid further enmity with that psycho Madara, protecting Konoha and his family.
Could Lux have come to bring him good news?
Lux guessed Tobirama's thoughts, saying:
"You're too quick to rejoice! Theoretically, it's good; but only without my interference!"
Tobirama froze, sensing trouble.
"What do you mean, Sir?"
"Tobirama, you've guessed my goal, haven't you?"
"…"
Tobirama grew uneasy, unsure if he should answer honestly.
"No need to worry. My goal isn't hard to guess."
"I hope someone can unify the world, end years of war and conflict, and achieve eternal peace."
"That's why I've always helped you and Konoha, understand?"
Lux spoke openly, just as with Madara earlier, now confident and strong enough to lay his cards bare.
"I understand!"
"It aligns with the village's interests, so I've been striving to unify the world!"
With cards on the table, Tobirama calmed, stating his stance.
He genuinely didn't mind unifying the world—craved it, even.
Among all Hokage, Tobirama was the most ambitious.
He knew unification would likely be better than the five villages' ongoing division, reducing world ninja wars!
Lux cut off Tobirama's narrative, saying bluntly:
"But this person, this power, doesn't have to be one person or one village. Understand?"
Tobirama was stunned.
"!!!"
Though he'd suspected it, Lux's words struck him with immense shock and fear!
It was like a child hearing their parent say: 'This account's done; we'll start a new one'!
Too painful, too terrifying!
Most worrying was the disappointment and abandonment behind this 'openness.'
That was what Tobirama feared most!
He and Konoha had come so far, nearly controlling half the world.
Though their efforts mattered, Lux's support was crucial.
Like a student entering university—beyond personal effort, without parental financial support, they couldn't study!
Now, it was the same. If truly abandoned, forget pursuing 'master's' or 'doctorate'—he might not finish his current 'degree'!
This was Tobirama's greatest fear and worry…
"Sir… wait!"
"We've faced many issues, slowing us down. But that Madara's unreliable!"
"He's only got power, maybe cunning and schemes, but no political management skills!"
"Even if he forcibly unifies the world, maintaining peace will be hard!"
Tobirama's mind was sharp, quickly finding flaws to convince Lux.
To make the 'parent' rethink, believing this account still had development value!
"You're right. But after Madara revives Izuna, with Izuna's management skills, wouldn't they outperform you and Konoha?"
"Is that possible?"
"Or is it inevitable?"
Lux's counter-question made Tobirama feel like plunging into ice, his body trembling.
"Sss—!"
Tobirama gasped coldly, unconsciously analyzing and finding Lux wasn't wrong!
Once 'Madara's power + Izuna's brain' combined, they'd have no flaws.
Then, with Kirigakure as a base, or even just the two, they had the capital and strength to sweep the world and build a new empire.
If Izuna raised his hand, surviving Uchiha ninjas from the Warring States Period might join him instantly.
To that Uchiha generation, Izuna was far more suited as clan leader than Madara!
Like him and his brother!
With Lux's aid and support, it wouldn't just be possible—it would surely surpass him and Konoha!
Would there be any reason for them to exist?
Unless he could convince Izuna and Madara to spare Konoha?
Even less likely!
First, Tobirama would never kneel to Uchiha.
Even if he did, Lux, aiming for unification, would let Madara wipe out Konoha.
No way out!
The more Tobirama thought, the colder he felt, the greater the pressure.
He realized if Madara revived Izuna, it'd be like a perfect new account's birth.
Then Lux would surely abandon this useless old account, investing in the new one!
No!
No!
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Tobirama panicked, cold sweat dripping, Hiruzen beside him seeing his teacher so tense for the first time.
Even when chased by Kinkaku and Ginkaku's forces and nearly dying, Tobirama never lost composure like this!
Tobirama gritted his teeth, having studied Lux's character.
He knew Lux was far crueler inside than he appeared; all kindness and aid assumed you were on his side.
If an enemy, if obstructing him, Lux showed no mercy…
Meaning, once he and Konoha were abandoned, forced to oppose Lux, the end wouldn't be good!
Tobirama was certain of this!
This was why he was so frantic, so unnerved, so tense…
Like most, blessings and privileges only feel precious when nearly lost or gone!
Otherwise, they're taken for granted.
Of course, Tobirama wouldn't give up, gritting his teeth and trying:
"Sir, give me another chance?"
"What? If I don't, you'll push me into the abyss?"
"Huh?"
Tobirama didn't get the cold joke but was startled, feeling like he was blinking repeatedly on the Pure Land's edge.
Though unsure how strong Lux was, he was surely stronger than Madara!
Tobirama wasn't foolish enough to challenge Lux with zero chance of winning.
Especially since Lux could easily summon his brothers or Madara, enough to thrash him.