Forgive Me, Izuna

He searched around and finally found Hashirama on the Hokage Rock.

The wind howled at the top of that huge, bare rock, which had not yet been carved.

Hashirama stood there alone, looking down at the sleeping Konoha in the night below. His shadow stretched long in the moonlight, making him appear somewhat lonely.

Hearing the familiar footsteps behind him, Hashirama didn't turn around, but simply said softly, "Madara, you've come."

Ban walked to his side, also looking down at the village below, but did not speak immediately.

The two stood side by side in silence for a moment.

Then, Hashirama suddenly sighed.

"Ban," he turned his head, looking at Ban's sharply defined profile in the moonlight, "There's something... I feel I must tell you."

Ban glanced sideways, signaling him to continue.

"Izuna Tobirama Izuna's world... came here." Hashirama said slowly, each word clearly enunciated, "He came to Konoha while we were still in Kyoto."

"But they left only a scroll and then departed. Judging from Tobirama's reaction... the person probably didn't even show their face, just put down the scroll and left."

Ban's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, his expression remained unchanged, but his aura seemed to grow even colder.

Hashirama continued, "Tobirama saw that scroll... studied its contents, and had a huge reaction. He didn't sleep for three days and three nights; he was almost collapsing."

He paused, his voice lowering, "That scroll contains all the technical data on Izuna's left eye, the 'Samsara Eye,' and... Tobirama's instructions."

"What did he say?" Ban's voice was calm, but his fists were clenched tightly.

"Take good care of Izuna. Don't mention me to him. As long as he's happy," Hashirama repeated those three short sentences. "Tobirama said it felt like a will. He probably won't come back."

Ban remained silent, the night wind ruffling his long, dark blue hair, obscuring his eyes.

Hashirama gazed at the outline of the forest in the distance, his voice tinged with bewilderment and regret. "Tobirama was stunned, and so was I... Madara, what Izuna told us before, his 'not remembering' his rampage, the details he omitted when describing the past... I'm afraid it wasn't a coincidence."

"Tobirama of that world paid an unimaginable price. And Izuna..."

"He must have... lost a lot of related memories. And, subconsciously, he's probably preventing himself from remembering them. Because if he remembered them all, he might... not be able to handle it."

Another silence fell.

Ban spoke, his voice calm and utterly undisturbed.

"Then don't think about it."

He turned his head to look at Hashirama; in the moonlight, not a single ray of light shone in his deep black eyes.

"Since forgetting makes him feel better, then forget it forever. The tragedy of that world shouldn't be a burden to him."

Hashirama looked at Madara and nodded. "That's Tobirama... also gave the same instructions."

Upon hearing the name "Tobirama" uttered again by Hashirama, Madara frowned almost imperceptibly, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.

No matter how good Tobirama was to Izuna Tobirama that other world, or how much he sacrificed, in this world, that white-haired hedgehog was the one who personally used the Flying Thunder God Slash to severely injure Izuna, and was the murderer who brought him to his death.

This hostility is ingrained in their bones and will not be easily eliminated by the "deep affection" in another world.

He didn't want to talk about that name anymore, nor did he want to delve deeper into that heavy, suffocating topic.

So Madara changed the subject.

When do you plan to hold the Hokage Appointment Ceremony?

Hashirama moment, seemingly not quite recovered from the heavy topic, but he quickly snapped out of it, scratched his head, and gave a somewhat helpless yet expectant smile.

"Well... I haven't thought about it carefully yet. What do you think? The sooner the better, right? After all, things with the Land of Fire need to be moved forward as soon as possible."

"Hmm." The freckled man said, "The ceremony itself doesn't need to be too complicated, but the necessary procedures and announcements are essential. We need to draft the rules as soon as possible, announce them publicly, stabilize public sentiment, and make things easier for you afterwards."

"The charter..." Hashirama's face showed the headache he always had when faced with troublesome paperwork. "This... Madara, could you help me with it? Or..."

"Find Tobirama." Madara answered crisply, though mentioning the name made his tone even colder. "He's good at this kind of thing. Have him come up with a plan as soon as possible."

Hashirama couldn't help but chuckle at Madara's expression that said, "Don't even think about pushing this onto me" and "It's only natural to use that white-haired guy." His heavy mood eased slightly.

"Alright, I'll go find him. He needs something else to distract him anyway." Hashirama nodded, then remembered something, "Oh right, there's also the matter of Konoha opening up 'tickets' to the public. It seems like the Hyuga is making some moves too... We need to sort these things out as soon as possible."

"We'll let Izuna handle the setup and reception arrangements once he's rested," Madara said. "Until he recovers, we'll set up the basic framework to keep out the guests who have already arrived."

"As for the Hyuga..." Hashirama hesitated for a moment, "I'll go sound them out tomorrow. After all, it's their family matter, and it's not appropriate for us to interfere directly. But as the future Hokage, it's still necessary to show concern and a willingness to help mediate."

"Hmm." Madara had no objection to this.

The two stood atop the rock, enjoying the night breeze for a while, and finalized a few important matters.

The moonlight was cool and clear, and the Konoha beneath my feet breathed in their slumber.

Although they received the shocking news about the trans-world event, and although their hearts were heavy with unspoken thoughts, the realities of life surged up like a tide, leaving them no time to dwell on it.

They are the creators and guardians of Konoha.

No matter what sorrows the past may hold, no matter what shadows may lurk in the future, right now, they must first protect this home that has just begun to fill with hope.

"Let's go back." Madara took one last look at the sleeping village, then turned away.

"Mm," Hashirama replied, following behind him.

The two figures disappeared one after the other atop the Hokage Rock.

On the way home, the night breeze was slightly cool, but it couldn't dispel the chaotic emotions in Ban's heart.

Just now, on the Hokage Rock, the moment he heard Hashirama say, "Izuna from Izuna's world came Tobirama," a chill instantly ran through his entire body.

Was he here to steal Izuna away?

A moment of panic nearly made him lose his composure.

But reason kicked in the next moment, telling him that if Tobirama from that world really wanted to take Izuna away, it seemed perfectly natural.

Tobirama was, after all, Izuna's close childhood friend, a family member. He was more deserving of Izuna's reliance and trust than anyone else in this world.

Even knowing this, the thought of that possibility still sent a suffocating, throbbing pain through Ban.

That was his younger brother, whom he had lost and then found again.

It was the warmth he regained amidst a cold fate.

She is the younger brother who will help him rebuild his life after he has nothing; she is the brave person who will overcome his fear and step back into society for him; she is the artist on stage who tells him to forgive himself; she is the guardian who instinctively protects the innocent when he goes berserk; and she is the family member who is sleeping peacefully at home right now.

Izuna was no longer just his younger brother, but also the pillar of his beliefs, the light for which he was willing to fight against the whole world, including the dark side of his own heart.

Let go? Give it to Tobirama in another world?

No. Just thinking about it made him breathless.

Fortunately, Hashirama's next words were like a pardon.

Tobirama left the scroll and departed. He didn't meet Izuna again, nor did he take her with him.

At that moment, Ban could almost hear the dull thud of his heart returning to its place. Immediately following was a searing shame.

How could he be so selfish? How could he secretly rejoice that someone who might have loved Izuna just as much, or even given more, chose to leave, simply because he didn't want to lose her? Such thoughts are utterly despicable.

But this shame lasted only a very brief moment before he forgot about it.

Since he has already given up and chosen to leave, then...

Ban stopped in his tracks, already standing in front of the gate of his own house.

The courtyard was silent, with only the moonlight shining on the stone path, giving it a cool, clear luster.

He pushed open the door, walked through the quiet Genkan and corridor, and finally stopped outside Izuna's bedroom door.

Ban gently pulled open a crack and peered inside.

Izuna was fast asleep on the tatami mat.

Her freshly washed black hair lay softly spread across the pillow, her long eyelashes casting quiet shadows beneath her eyelids.

The blanket was pulled up to his chest, one hand rested unconsciously outside, fingers slightly curled, his breathing long and steady.

Ban stood quietly at the doorway, his black eyes, in the dim light, as deep and unfathomable as a bottomless, icy pool.

Izuna, I'm sorry.

But I really don't want to lose you again.

Please forgive me.

Forgive your selfishness, Big Brother.