Perception * Meddling

The two walked towards Ban.

Izuna looked around but couldn't find the white figure.

"Huh? Where's Tobirama?" he asked casually.

Ban stood there with his arms crossed, answering expressionlessly, "I don't know."

Izuna blinked, but didn't ask any further questions.

He opened the Shitty Map and glanced at it.

"Oh, he's in the Laboratory now," he said. "Probably just had a sudden inspiration for some research. That guy's always like that, disappearing for no reason."

Hashirama, walking behind, felt his heart sink once again upon hearing these words.

Hashirama knew his younger brother all too well.

Tobirama has a cold exterior but a warm heart.

On the surface, he always has a cold face, speaks harshly, and is quick to ridicule people, but in reality, he is more sensitive than anyone else.

This allows him to easily perceive other people's emotions and understand how to use them to achieve his own goals.

This is one of Tobirama Senju's strengths, but also one of his weaknesses.

People with sensitive emotions often find themselves empathizing with the feelings of those involved.

However, he usually manages to detach himself from such emotions by maintaining a calm demeanor and considering issues from a higher perspective.

But this time is different.

That was, after all, another version of myself.

Tobirama probably couldn't help but think about his other self, no matter what.

Because only a few days had passed since he obtained the scroll, his attitude towards Izuna had completely changed.

When Izuna suggested going to find the Hyuga Clan, Hashirama honestly thought Tobirama would immediately refuse.

But this time, surprisingly, nothing happened.

He patiently explained it to him, and then they even worked together to find a solution.

This would have been absolutely impossible in the past.

Tobirama has started to care about Izuna.

That's why Tobirama reacted so strongly this time.

Izuna's attitude made Hashirama feel a tightness Tobirama his chest, a feeling he couldn't vent. What must Tobirama be feeling?

Hashirama sighed. Hopefully, he can see things more clearly.

Let's put that aside for now... The main thing right now is...

"Um, speaking of which, Izuna," he began.

"Hmm?" Izuna turned to look at him.

"How exactly do you perceive things?" Hashirama carefully chose his words. "It's like... how should I put it? It's as if your perception is almost imperceptible. If I were to ambush you, you would immediately sense it, but if Tobirama, you would be completely unaware..."

Before he could finish speaking, Izuna replied bluntly, "If someone wants to attack me, of course I'll know. Tobirama leaving is none of my business, why would I constantly monitor his movements?"

Hashirama paused for a moment.

Ban added casually from the side, "But you can find it if you actively seek it out."

Izuna smiled.

Well... that's how it is.

Hashirama seemed to be deep in thought. "You have two kinds of perception abilities? One is the perception of malice, and the other is a wide-range perception that you need to actively use?"

Izuna nodded. "Yes, that's right, that's exactly it."

"And what about during combat? Is it also the Malice Perception that's at play?"

"Yes," Izuna replied matter-of-factly.

Hashirama, then asked, "But my Wood Release... those woods Vines weren't malicious, how were you able to dodge them?"

Izuna tilted his head.

"I don't know how it works. I can sense anything that's going to attack me beforehand, whether it's a person, a piece of wood, or something else."

Izuna gestured, half-jokingly, and said, "Like a beat?"

"Dong dong qiang, dong dong means preparation, qiang means to defend or avoid the attack. Generally, I can hear similar preparation sounds like dong dong, but if they come in a row, then it all comes down to reaction speed."

Hashirama recalled the battle he had just fought.

Before he could launch an attack, Izuna could react in advance. He didn't wait until the fist was about to hit him before dodging; instead, Izuna would move in that direction the moment the fist was about to strike.

Hashirama thought it was Izuna's sharp eyesight that allowed him to detect what move Izuna was about to make from the movements of his shoulder joints and waist.

So you sensed it before that.

Haha, that's insane. Hashirama is ashamed. That's practically Future Sight! Being able to foresee attacks means that no matter what kind of attack it is, it won't be able to touch Izuna.

However, if the speed is so fast that he doesn't have time to react even if he knows in advance, or if the range of the spell is too large, then he probably won't be able to do anything about it.

Anyway.

"Your perception is incredibly accurate," Hashirama exclaimed sincerely.

Izuna blinked, then gave a slightly smug smile.

"That's right, I'm very capable."

Ban watched his younger brother's expression, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"It's always better to be able to detect things faster," he said, his tone gentle. "Every extra bit of reaction time on the battlefield means a greater chance of survival."

Izuna turned to look at his brother, his smile deepening.

"Is Ban-ge praising me?"

Ban raised an eyebrow.

"It's just stating the facts."

Izuna chuckled twice and nuzzled his older brother's shoulder.

"Ban Ge is the best."

Madara hugged Izuna, laughing heartily.

Hashirama watched the interaction between the two brothers, the heaviness in his heart caused by Tobirama seemed to lessen somewhat.

He smiled and shook his head.

"Ah~ I'm starving! Let's go eat quickly!"

What would Izuna like to eat?

Tempura!

"Let's go to that newly opened store then."

What about Tobirama?

I'll bring him some Udon back with me.

Izuna turned her head and stared at him intently. "Hashirama- nii."

Hashirama paused, "Hmm?"

"Tobirama is a workaholic; once he starts researching, he never stops. We have to make sure he finishes eating before we leave."

Hashirama paused, a bitter smile initially playing on his lips, but he quickly broke into a bright grin, "Oh! Of course!"

After finishing his meal, Hashirama carried the takeout Udon to Tobirama's Laboratory.

He pushed open the door and went in, and saw Tobirama sitting at the table, staring blankly at the black scroll.

Several research notes were spread out on the table, and a cup of tea that had gone cold was placed next to them.

Hashirama placed the noodles on the table.

"Have a meal."

Tobirama didn't move.

Hashirama sat down opposite him, looked at his brother's expressionless face, and sighed.

Tobirama.

"I know what you're trying to say," Tobirama finally spoke, "No need."

Hashirama was silent for a moment.

"I just wanted to--"

"I said it wasn't necessary." Tobirama interrupted him, his tone still calm, but with a deliberate distance. "He knows nothing; it's normal for him to react that way."

"Tobirama, Izuna's mind is still that of a child, you..."

Tobirama continued, his voice growing colder.

"I don't need comforting words. Nor do I need you to tell me things like 'That Izuna was spoiled growing up.' What does that have to do with me?"

He paused, his gaze falling on the scroll.

"The other me is another me. What he chooses to do is his business. As for me, I still don't like the Uchiha."

Hashirama looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

Then he laughed.

"Okay, you don't like it," he said, his tone as gentle as if he were coaxing a child. "You still have to eat the noodles, right? Izuna specifically asked me to buy them; they won't taste good if they get cold."

Tobirama frowned slightly.

"He bought it?"

"Yes," Hashirama nodded. "I said I'd bring you some, and that you definitely wouldn't eat it if you were studying it, so I told you to make sure you finished it."

He paused for a moment, then said, "That kid cares about you a lot."

Tobirama remained silent.

He looked at the bowl of Udon on the table, steam still rising gently.

A moment later, he reached out and pulled the noodles in front of him.

"... eventful."

He said in a low voice.

Hashirama watched him pick up his chopsticks, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Eat up, then get some rest. You have a lot to do this afternoon."

Tobirama didn't answer, but silently began to eat his noodles.

Hashirama stood up, walked to the door, and looked back one last time.

Bright light shone on him, and the steam from the bowl rose gently in the light, blurring his expression.

Hashirama gently closed the door and left.

Tobirama swallowed the last bite of noodles and put down his chopsticks.

He stared at the empty bowl and remained silent for a long time.

"... eventful."