Chapter 9: Shirou Emiya? Madara Uchiha?

“Where am I?”
Kurotsuki was somewhat confused about the location.

“What time is this?”
He was also unclear about the era.

“Am I in the ninja world a thousand years from now?”
Kurotsuki began to doubt the course of his own life.

Encountering an old acquaintance in a foreign land should have been a joyful event. Yet, meeting someone who absolutely should not be there, and at the wrong time, often breeds not happiness but deep existential doubt.

Such was the case with Kurotsuki.

He found himself pondering the anomalies of his existence. What was going on? He had truly lived through over a thousand years, diligently shouldering the burdens of war and devotedly spreading the ideals of medical ninjutsu. There was no doubt about the timeline.

So... had he become confused in his long life?

How else could he explain seeing Emiya Shirou here? That man was supposed to have lived more than a millennium ago! How could he possibly appear in the ninja world a thousand years later?

Had the long years driven Kurotsuki to the brink of schizophrenia?

Hidden in the shadows, Kurotsuki watched Emiya Shirou with a hint of bewilderment, questioning his own sanity. By all logic and reason, Emiya Shirou could never have appeared before him.

Yet... here he was, suddenly and inexplicably present.

Moreover, he seemed to be thriving happily in this era.

“Let’s try to distract the patient for a while,” Emiya Shirou said, seemingly unaware of the presence of Uchiha Madara lurking in the darkness, and evidently not suspecting that Kurotsuki was near Madara.

As a medical ninja, Emiya Shirou remained dutiful and attentive to his patients’ psychological states, even in this era.

“Killing one’s own friend causes great pain.”
“For the sake of the family, it’s best to help the patient find a new source of support quickly...”

While speaking, Emiya Shirou observed Senju Tobirama, trying to gauge whether he could sense the hidden presence of Uchiha Madara and Kurotsuki nearby.

But...

Tobirama showed no signs of awareness.

Although Tobirama’s sensory abilities were exceptional, the defenses of Konoha were so stringent that there was no need to employ powerful sensory jutsu at this moment.

Furthermore, Tobirama had not yet fully mastered the cursed seal Emiya Shirou had given him, so he could not freely use his chakra during this period.

“Let me think...”

Unable to detect anyone lurking nearby, Tobirama lowered his head, contemplating how to divert his elder brother’s attention: “Compared to that evil Madara, my brother surely cares more about the village’s people...”

Tobirama knew his elder brother well and quickly came up with a fitting plan: “Then let him spend more time with the village children; those children are the future he truly wishes to protect...”

“That sounds good.”

Emiya Shirou wholeheartedly agreed with Tobirama’s idea and openly expressed his own stance: “During this time, I will do my best to find a way to extend his life...”

“Thank you.”

Tobirama breathed a sigh of relief.

Though he could not conceive of Emiya Shirou’s method, he hoped that the medical ninja could indeed find a way to address his brother’s condition.

However...

They had to prepare for the worst.

“At the hospital earlier, it was inconvenient for me to ask.”

Tobirama’s expression grew cautious as he asked the question he cared most about:

“Lord Emiya, now I want to know... if...”

“If you cannot find a solution...”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Tobirama asked slowly but resolutely: “Brother... how much time does he have left?”

The night breeze was quiet.

The air of this street seemed to fall silent.

Whether it was Tobirama standing before Emiya Shirou or Uchiha Madara hiding in the shadows, they all seemed to hold their breath at this moment.

For Uchiha Madara, Senju Hashirama should still be alive, because after gaining the power of all creation, he wanted to prove to his old friend Hashirama that he was right. He longed to show Hashirama the path he had found.

For Tobirama, his elder brother Hashirama must live on, because Konoha and the Land of Fire had established the system of the ninja village and the nation, holding vast fertile lands and uniting many ninja clans through Hashirama’s military strength.

If Hashirama were to die...

The entire ninja world’s balance would shift dramatically.

Tobirama was used to controlling future changes within manageable bounds. Emotionally, he could not bear the thought of his brother’s death; rationally, he had to prepare in advance to maintain stability in Konoha after Hashirama’s passing.

“Ten years.”

Emiya Shirou gave a precise answer.

“If I cannot find any solution, even if he refrains from using his power in these years, his lifespan is unlikely to exceed ten years.”

“Ten years?”

Tobirama’s heart grew heavy.

Ten years seemed long, but for someone like Hashirama, still in his prime, it was mercilessly short. For a fledgling ninja village like Konoha, it was too brief.

Tobirama always prepared for the worst.

As the true ruler of Konoha, he did not want to see the village they had built crumble after his brother’s death.

They had to find a path for Konoha’s true survival before Hashirama passed.

Though many ninja clans within Konoha bowed to the Senju name, most did so because of Hashirama’s prestige and strength.

Once he was gone, there was no guarantee these clans would remain loyal to Konoha. They still operated independently and took pride in their own family names, never fully embracing their identity as Konoha ninja.

It seemed...

He had to quickly find a viable plan.

A resolute glint flashed in Tobirama’s eyes. Rarely did he reveal his thoughts to anyone but his elder brother. He simply nodded toward Emiya Shirou, as if indifferent to the fact that his brother had only ten years left to live.

“I understand.”

Tobirama’s steps quickened as he headed toward the Hokage’s office, outlining his plan for Emiya Shirou’s stay.

“If Lord Emiya stays as a guest in Konoha during this time, there may be some inconveniences. Tomorrow, I will arrange for Sasuke and members of the village’s ANBU to accompany you. Please feel free to ask for anything you need...”

“No problem.”

Emiya Shirou’s response was friendly and casual: “If it’s convenient, I would also like to observe this era more...”

“I hope...”

There was a pious and sacred look on Emiya Shirou’s face: “To meet someone in this era who can be entrusted with the future of medical ninjutsu...”

“That will definitely happen.”

Tobirama quietly nodded.

This ancient medical ninja sought a disciple to entrust his legacy.

For Konoha, this was excellent news.

Even though Konoha’s medical ninjas were competent, they were no match for Emiya Shirou’s level.

From Tobirama’s brief interaction, it was clear Emiya Shirou possessed numerous secret medical techniques, all selflessly passed down—sadly lost after the Warring States period.

Their footsteps gradually faded.

Only after they had left did Uchiha Madara emerge quietly from the dark corner, watching their departing figures from afar.

“Ten years, huh?”

Madara narrowed his eyes and slipped back into the shadows, heading toward Konoha Hospital.

However...

Kurotsuki did not follow Madara.

The pitch-black being emerged, glanced once at the retreating Madara, then turned back to watch Tobirama and Emiya Shirou’s departing forms.