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1 | Fragmentary

In the stillness of the morning, quick light steps envelop the quiet hall of the Hokage Tower. The construction of the building had just ended yesterday and his office will be transferred here starting today. Since he became the Hokage eight months ago, his house back in the Senju Compound served as his temporary office while the tower was being built.

It's not his first day as the Hokage but it sure feels like one.

Funny enough, he woke up late this morning. He didn't even have the time to eat breakfast, in fear that Tobirama would scold him again for being late. Tobirama had personally supervised the transfer of the office. He'd made all the necessary preparations beforehand and all Hashirama had to do was to get there in time.

Hashirama finally reaches the door of his office, extending each hand to the doorknobs. He lets out one deep breath as if to brace himself before opening it.

"You're late, anija," scolds his younger brother, glowering beside the desk with his arms crossed against his chest.

Hashirama knows that looking at the wall clock on the left side of the room is the wrong thing to do at this moment. Of course he does it anyway.

"But Tobirama, it's not even—!" He's not even five minutes late!

Tobirama's eyes narrow further, a fair warning that Hashirama really needs to stop being in denial. He's late, all things, considered, and Hashirama knows very well not to argue.

"Sorry, Tobirama," is what he says instead, scratching the back of his neck and laughing it off like the usual. His laugh comes out as an awkward one though. "I overslept."

Tobirama remains unmoving, standing beside the huge desk on the other side of the room. Hashirama silently crosses the room and sits on the chair by the desk.

Tobirama wasted no time further and started to brief Hashirama about his duties for the day. "Get to work," he says, palm landing on top of one of the piles of papers sitting on the left-hand side of the desk. There's a bunch of neatly arranged scrolls beside the mountains of documents. Hashirama winces at the sight. "You may start with these. Toka will bring in the rest later," the younger adds. 

With one last glance at Hashirama—again, a warning—he leaves the room.

Wasting no time, Hashirama starts with the paperwork. He's never really liked this part of his role as the Hokage—it's tedious and boring, to put it simply—but now, he feels a certain sense of eagerness, excitement even. This village was his long-time dream and he's willing to do anything for the welfare of the people living in it. A mere bunch of paperwork is never going to change that fact.

He hears a knock on the door about twenty minutes later.

"It's Toka, Hashirama-sama," comes a woman's voice on the other side of the room.

"Come in," Hashirama replies.

A female Senju of not more than twenty years old appears makes her way inside the room. 

Toka is also a Senju and a close friend of the two brother. She's also Hashirama's official secretary (the unofficial one being Tobirama).

She puts a tray of food on Hashirama's desk. "Tobirama-sama asked me to bring this to you. He says he knows that you didn't eat your breakfast."

A small smile forms on Hashirama's lips. His younger brother can be stern and irritable, but he is thoughtful. 

"Thank you, Toka."

The woman nods. "I'll be back with the rest of the scrolls."

Hashirama eats his breakfast first and by the time he's finished, Toka returns with the scrolls and places them on his desk.

"I'll just be in the next room if you need anything," she says, bringing the now empty tray of food with her as she leaves the office once again.

The day went by swiftly without Hashirama noticing. Perhaps he's been too engrossed on the task at hand, only having a short break at noon, during which he ate lunch with Tobirama and Toka. The sun's still yet to set and Hashirama was already able to accomplish everything he was scheduled to do for that day.