Chapter 3
"If you have any further questions, speak them now."
Tobirama had just finished his proposal to the Konoha Council regarding the potential use of Edo Tensei. He had eventually completed a course of action that he thought made the best use of the jutsu, while mitigating their concerns at the same time. Similarly to Tobirama's first forays into Edo Tensei's development, only child killers, bloodline thieves or rapists would be used to develop the complete Edo Tensei. Well, their corpses would. Regardless, he had put forth this plan and was now only waiting for the verdict.
The Konoha Council so far only consisted of the Shinobi Clan Heads. This added a layer of uncertainty for Tobirama, who knew others might not be so quick to let go of past clashes, past grudges, and pass his proposal. So far, the Clan Heads' reactions were... shocked. Everyone had their faces schooled into a neutral expression, their chakra controlled. However, Tobirama was one of the best sensors to have ever lived - although minute, the Clan Heads' chakra had flared at various stages throughout his petition.
"Senju-san, why did you create this jutsu in the first place?" The Nara Clan Head, Nara Shikaru, asked. The Clan Head had his chin resting on interlaced fingers, a slight flicker of (Concern? Worry? Something adjacent to that) in his chakra.
While Tobirama thought this was an irrelevant question, he did answer - his otouto, Senju Kawarama and Senju Itama. At those names, both Clan Head Senju Hashirama and Clan Head Uchiha Madara winced. Clan Head Senju Hashirama very briefly became Anija, drooping, before returning to his persona. While Tobirama knew why one of them reacted that way, Clan Head Uchiha Madara needed clarification. (Anija must have told him, but why would he care? Madara was not Senju, he had no ties).
Several more questions were thrown his way, some relevant, some not. Finally, it was only the Senju Clan Head who had not spoken.
"The research mentioned to complete this jutsu... You have not started?"
Tobirama shook his head in negative.
"Clan Heir Senju Tobirama is not to use Edo Tensei. Senju Tobirama of Konoha is asking permission to proceed."
That drew speculatory looks from several Clan Heads, specifically the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Aburame and Shimura. Clan Head Senju Hashirama subsided in place of Anija, who dropped his face into his hands and mumbled.
"Only you, otouto."
Tobirama speculated that providing an insight into the Senju Clan and into Senju Tobirama's mindset was a bit risky, but did Anija really have to admonish him like this? (Senju Tobirama was not good with people - he could follow logical trains of thoughts easily, but he could only guess some emotional ones. Senju Hashirama, much as he was loved by Tobirama, was very emotional. Tobirama could only ever speculate what caused his reactions, which usually resulted in misunderstandings, unbeknownst to the Senju brothers).
Clan Head Uchiha Madara interrupted then, a slight tick of annoyance throbbing on his forehead (perhaps he was now Madara, not Clan Head UchihaMadara?).
"What's the difference? They are both you."
Tobirama was slightly taken aback by this, another irrelevant question that he nonetheless needed to answer.
"Clan Heir Senju Tobirama creates and commits to the Senju Clan and its interests. Senju Tobirama is a Shinobi of Konoha and thus looks at what is most beneficial for Konoha."
He thought that was obvious, but perhaps this was another aspect of people he would never understand. (Surely they separate themselves into different personas based on the occasion? Madara and Uchiha Madara and Clan Head Uchiha Madara? Anija and Clan Head Senju Hashirama? Butsuma's weapon, Anija's Tobirama, Clan Heir Senju Tobirama, Senju Tobirama of Konoha. Those were his personas, with Butsuma's weapon thankfully retired).
His answer drew more looks, with interest stirring within the Yamanaka Clan Head's chakra. Tobirama refrained from guessing at that interest, because to guess at what someone specialising in the mind found interesting in his answers... Senju Tobirama had self-preservation instincts, even if Anija didn't think so.
Clan Head Senju Hashirama addressed the Council, a slight weariness visible in his features.
"Perhaps a short recession? To ponder on this information and any further questions that may arise."
With various agreeing nods or grunts, Tobirama was excused until summoned once more. It took several hours and, unbeknownst to Tobirama, several 'WTF is your brother' before he was called in to hear their decision.
Konoha's ANBU force was thus created and the Clan Heads of Konoha had more camaraderie than before Senju Tobirama's proposal. (Later, Madara turned towards Hashirama and spoke: "Seriously, what is wrong with your brother? Even the Hyuuga looked unsettled! Those slaving bastards! I swear, he didn't even think anything was wrong. In the end, I didn't think it was a bad plan and it's necromancy! His mind..." Hashirama finally felt vindication! Kami-sama did he love his brother, but sometimes he just didn't understand him! And then he was made to feel stupid for not understanding (unintentionally, he was sure) because Tobirama was always so logical and it made so much sense! Yet it shouldn't! It hadn't in the beginning!)