Starting as a Ninja in the Naruto World

"The boundary between life and death…"

Tobirama Senju's expression shifted as a troubling thought occurred to him. "What exactly is this place? Could it be that a soul, apart from returning to the Pure Land or being devoured by the Shinigami, can end up somewhere else?"

"The boundary between life and death is the rift between the Pure Land and the living world."

Emiya Shigen gazed at Tobirama, speaking softly but firmly. "It is a desolate place where souls cannot find peace. They linger there, unable to move on, bound by the obsessions that consumed them in life. It's an existence even more barren than the Pure Land."

"…"

Tobirama frowned deeply, sinking into thought.

As the creator of the Reanimation Jutsu, he vaguely understood the distinction between the Pure Land and this "boundary." He grasped the meaning of unresolved obsessions trapping souls in torment.

Indeed…

The Pure Land was meant to be the final destination of all souls.

But the boundary was worse—a limbo for the lost.

A soul trapped there, with its obsessions left unresolved, would be like a body permanently starved of sustenance. To linger there would be a torturous existence.

And, perhaps, even the Reanimation Jutsu could not reach such a place. After all, the jutsu relied on summoning souls from the Pure Land.

"The boundary between life and death…"

Emiya Shigen turned his attention to Hashirama and spoke with gravity. "It is also where the Sage of Six Paths resides."

"To meet the Sage of Six Paths… that would be fascinating," Hashirama said, a faint smile breaking across his face. He seemed unbothered by the risks and had already made up his mind. "I'd like to request an audience with him."

"I must warn you…"

"If this plan fails…"

"Your soul will be trapped in the boundary forever."

Emiya Shigen's serious gaze bore into Hashirama. "A soul bound by its final obsessions, unable to move on, will become isolated and tormented. While the boundary connects both the living world and the Pure Land, it is ultimately a lonely island adrift between existence and death."

"There is no time. No space. No past. No future."

"You won't even realize what you're doing."

"In that state, your soul will have only one thought—to fulfill the obsession that trapped it."

"Only once your obsession is resolved can your soul return to clarity, allowing you to pass on to the Pure Land and find peace."

"Brother!"

Tobirama's voice carried a rare edge of desperation. "If it's truly the boundary, even my Reanimation Jutsu might not be able to summon your soul!"

"…"

Hashirama's brows furrowed slightly as he considered this. But rather than heeding his brother's warning, he appeared more intrigued by what his lingering obsession might be.

"My obsession…"

"It must be Madara, right?"

"…"

Tobirama's expression turned sour in an instant.

Brother…

What kind of nonsense is this?

You're at death's door, and all you can think about is Madara again? Was ten years of chasing him not enough for you?

Grumbling aside, Tobirama couldn't deny that Madara was a major problem.

Although Tobirama's mood was foul, he understood why his brother's thoughts lingered on Madara. The man represented Hashirama's greatest unresolved struggle—a friendship forged in the fires of war, broken by diverging ideals, and ultimately marked by betrayal and relentless pursuit.

"So…"

Hashirama spoke, his tone light yet resolute. "All I need to do now is die with this obsession for Madara on my mind?"

"Precisely."

Emiya Shigen nodded slightly, his voice measured and calm. "Carrying such a strong obsession into death is the easiest way for your soul to reach the boundary and perhaps draw the Sage's attention."

"Before that…"

Shigen raised his hand, explaining further. "Before your life ends and your soul leaves your body, I will place you in a state that hovers on the edge of life and death. Your consciousness will temporarily exist in the boundary."

"In simpler terms…"

"You might die. Or you might live."

"Your life will enter a strange liminal state, like the coma patients in Konoha's hospital. This state will last only until your body can no longer hold on."

"This window is brief."

"Your body is already at its limit."

Shigen's brow furrowed slightly as he emphasized the urgency of the situation. "If the Sage of Six Paths doesn't intervene within a few minutes, your body will truly perish, and we'll know whether or not this plan has succeeded."

"So I'm only risking a few minutes of life…"

Hashirama chuckled lightly, seemingly unfazed. Lying back on the bed, he wore a peaceful expression. "Let's hope my luck holds out."

"Then die with your obsession for Madara in your heart."

Emiya Shigen's eyes narrowed slightly as he placed a hand on Hashirama's chest, sensing the flickering embers of his life force.

"Carry that obsession into death and pray that you meet the Sage in the boundary…"

"Say your last words now."

"This may be your final chance."

Green chakra, sharp as needles, penetrated Hashirama's body. Shigen's calm voice served as a reminder to his patient.

"I understand."

Hashirama nodded, glancing at the sleeping Tsunade. A tender smile crossed his face before he turned to Emiya Shigen.

"Thank you… Lord Shigen."

"You've gone through so much trouble for me over the years…"

His voice grew faint, and his gaze shifted to his brother.

"Tobirama…"

"The future of Konoha…"

"Is in your hands now…"

"I understand, brother," Tobirama replied, his voice heavy.

He had already been named Second Hokage by unanimous vote. The responsibility was one he had prepared himself to bear for years.

If his brother truly died…

Tobirama was ready to shoulder everything.

"That's good… That's good…"

Hashirama's eyelids drooped, his chakra unraveling from his body. His lips murmured a name, the name of the man who had defined so much of his life.

"Madara…"

"…"

Tobirama's expression was somber. Though he had often been angered by his brother's fixation on Madara, at this moment, he could only accept it.

"…"

The room fell silent.

Hashirama's body lay still on the bed, motionless.

The green needles of chakra kept his failing body tethered to the physical world, but his consciousness had already faded.

The once-mighty First Hokage now lay lifeless, his brilliance seemingly extinguished.

"Is it… a success? Or a failure?"

Tobirama glanced at Shigen, then at his brother's still form, his voice anxious. "Lord Shigen, how can we tell if the plan worked? How long until we know?"

"Perhaps…"

"It has already failed."

Shigen shook his head, his voice quiet and reflective. "If the Sage of Six Paths intended to save him, he would have done so the moment Hashirama's soul reached the boundary. We can only wait for his body to fully expire to confirm the outcome…"

"However…"

Shigen suddenly reached down to lift the still-sleeping Tsunade into his arms. Turning toward the exit, he spoke without hesitation.

"Prepare for Hashirama's funeral."

"…"

Tobirama's face twisted with suppressed grief.

Even with all his preparations…

His brother was truly gone.

The faint glimmer of hope had vanished.

"Why didn't the Sage of Six Paths intervene…" Tobirama muttered, staring at his brother's lifeless body. His voice trembled. "Is it really as Lord Shigen said? That the peace we've built means nothing to him?"

"To him…"

Shigen gently adjusted the sleeping Tsunade in his arms, speaking calmly.

"This era might truly hold no one worthy of his attention. Neither Hashirama nor Madara, brilliant as they may be, could compare to the radiance of the Sage himself."

"To a god…"

"They are but fleeting sparks in the vast expanse of history."

Even I, Shigen thought silently, am no exception.

But just as he was about to leave…

A sudden movement caught his eye.

Hashirama…

Opened his eyes.

"Brother!"

Tobirama's face lit up with hope. "Lord Shigen, he's awake!"

"…"

Shigen's heart tensed.

If Hashirama had truly awakened…

It could only mean one thing.

The Sage of Six Paths had intervened.

"Apologies… Tobirama…"

Hashirama's voice was weak, his tone laced with gentle laughter.

"This… is just a fleeting farewell…"

"My life, it seems, truly matters little in the grand scheme of history… hahaha…"

But then…

Hashirama's gaze shifted to Shigen, his eyes filled with profound respect and reverence.

"Yet, there are still beings in this world whose light even gods must honor…"

"The Sage of Six Paths asked me to deliver a message to you… Lord Shigen."

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Powerstones?

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