II: Seedlings Die in the Shade of Great Trees
Tenzou has always had an irrational hatred of the Shodai Hokage.
1. Senju Hashirama was the most powerful shinobi of his time.
In an attempt to recreate that power, 59 children died.
2. Tenzou never had a childhood.
From the moment it became clear he'd somehow been "gifted" with the Mokuton, he was put into ANBU. Of course, at that point he wasn't old enough to be an active member, but he was trained with the understanding that he would be one day. He counts himself lucky that he was on a squad under Kakashi, because nobody else would have put up with the fact he didn't want to be there.
3. He is living in a shadow.
Similar to the way in which Kakashi is often compared to his father, Tenzou is unceasingly compared to the Shodai. The only difference is that Kakashi has surpassed his father. Tenzou will never be better than Hashirama, and he is reminded of this often.
4. No one will hear a word against the Shodai.
It's like they expect him to be happy in his shadow.
5. He will always be a disappointment.
He'd hoped that even if he wasn't the Shodai, people would be happy with him anyway one day. The older he gets, the more he starts to think this will never happen.
6. Senju Hashirama was a hero.
Tenzou is ANBU, and ANBU are the shadows.
7. The Shodai didn't kill Uchiha Madara.
He left that job to Naruto.
8. Mokuton is supposed to be a gift.
For him, it's really just another tool. Perhaps that's because Mokuton is all he's ever used for.
9. Senju Hashirama is a name that everyone knows.
Tenzou knows this isn't really the Shodai's fault - but he can count the number of people who acknowledge his name on one hand, and three of those people don't know his real name. So yes, he is a little bitter.
10. Danzo wanted the Mokuton.
The Hokage put his foot down. Danzo didn't get it. Years later, when Tenzou meets Sai, he really starts being grateful for that decision. As bad as his life has been so far, with Danzo's interference it would have been much, much worse. And all because of this stupid power.
11. Hashirama is dead.
That really isn't his fault, but Tenzou resents it nonetheless. Maybe if he wasn't, people wouldn't expect so much out of him...
12. He knows he's being stupid.
And he doesn't care. He keeps his hate to himself. It doesn't hurt anyone, and so long as Tenzou hates that Senju he doesn't hate himself for being the only one to survive.
13. The Shodai and his brother taught a group of genin.
Two of those students are the current village elders. They sigh and tut every time they see him. The final student was one of the best men Tenzou knew, but he made one huge mistake and others suffered for it.
14. The Sandaime couldn't stop Orochimaru.
No matter what else the old man did for him, Tenzou can't quite forgive him for not recognising Orochimaru's ambitions. (And a voice at the back of his head wonders if the old man could have stopped the experiment ever happening if he had only been taught better.)
15. The Shodai had a family.
Tenzou's closest living relative is technically Tsunade. She rarely speaks to him, and he doesn't blame her.
16. He shares more genes with Hashirama than he does with his own parents.
His DNA is so screwed up, in fact, that the medics can't even tell who his parents are. Most of the 60 children in the experiment were orphans, but Tenzou made it a point to meet the parents of the ones who weren't. He tells himself that he was one of the orphans. That's better than thinking his parents had no idea who he was.
17. Mokuton isn't his.
Tenzou honestly loves the way the wood responds to his chakra, but then he remembers that Hashirama did it better, and the feeling always sours.
18. Kakashi-sempai always calls the Sharingan eye "Obito's".
Tenzou wonders what this makes him, since 80% of his DNA is the Shodai.
19. He's not good enough.
He realised this when Naruto went four-tails on the bridge and wounded Sakura before he could contain the Kyuubi. The village wants the Shodai, but Tenzou isn't the Shodai.
20. The Shodai saved the whole village.
As Tenzou tries to stop the blood pouring from Kakashi's chest, he reflects bitterly that he can't even save his friend.
A/N: I don't think this is really justified by canon, but... there you are. It wouldn't leave my head. I'm sorry. T_T;
EDIT 14th July '11 - changed 'Shodaime' to 'Shodai', after being aware of the error for approximately forever.