Beast, Submit to Me!

"Little Renye, long time no see..."

A few months later, just as Renye returned home from a mission, he saw Hashirama Senju sitting in the yard, smiling and greeting him.

"Uncle Hashirama, what brings you here?" Renye asked, somewhat surprised.

As everyone knew, the Hokage of Konoha Village—aside from the Fourth—were all very busy.

For Hashirama Senju to come in person meant something must have happened while he was away on his mission.

Hashirama Senju sighed and explained, "I don't know why, but lately I've been feeling strange. Even eating has lost its appeal."

During this time, he would occasionally feel a pang in his heart.

It was as if an invisible hand was quietly tightening the threads of fate.

This feeling made him very uncomfortable.

Mito Uzumaki noticed Hashirama's change. She thought her husband was suffering from loss of appetite due to overwork, so she suggested he eat a meal cooked by Renye.

After hearing the whole story, Renye smiled and said, "So that's it. Uncle Hashirama, I'll come by later to cook for you."

"Haha, sorry for the trouble, Little Renye." Hashirama Senju forced a smile.

Renye didn't think much of it, assuming it was just Hashirama's poor appetite.

He planned to make a few dishes Uncle Hashirama liked, hoping to spark his interest in food.

If that didn't work, he wouldn't know what else to do.

Renye looked puzzled. "Speaking of which, can a powerhouse like Uncle Hashirama really get anorexia?"

This might not be anorexia.

It could be a heart problem...

After leaving, Hashirama Senju didn't go home. Instead, he came alone to the Hokage Rock.

Below, Konoha's chimneys curled with smoke. Vendors' cries and children's laughter pierced the thin mist, weaving a vivid tapestry of human life.

His wooden clogs ground against the fine gravel on the rock's summit. The sensation under his feet suddenly felt familiar—the sunken grooves, the protruding stone edges—exactly matching a scene from memory.

Images from years ago surged like a tide: back then, he had stood right here, planning the village's future with Madara.

In those days, Madara had stepped on the same spot, pointed at the barren land below, and said, "Let this place bloom with white flowers as our symbol."

Now, Konoha's cherry trees were in full bloom, but the pink and white petals left him stunned.

The wind carried the sounds of vendors and children past his ears. He suddenly reached out to touch the empty air, as if trying to grasp his old friend.

"Madara..." Hashirama Senju's expression was complicated.

He didn't understand why his friend had chosen to leave. Wasn't this the village they had built together?

He stood silently on the Hokage Rock, lost in thought.

Not until nightfall did Hashirama Senju snap out of it. His gaze drifted into the distance. "Madara, what are you doing right now?"

Hashirama Senju's residence.

"Sister-in-law, why hasn't Elder Brother come back yet?" Tobirama Senju looked at the dishes on the table and swallowed.

These foods weren't just what his brother liked—he liked them too.

If it weren't for his brother's house, he would have started feasting long ago.

Mito Uzumaki frowned. "Hashirama really is something, making so many people wait for him..."

Ever since Hashirama left in the morning, he hadn't returned home. She had no idea where he had gone.

Renye was a bit puzzled. What exactly had Hashirama Senju been doing?

He had come here in the afternoon to cook.

But after finishing, he realized Uncle Hashirama wasn't home.

Renye thought Hashirama Senju would be back soon, but after waiting an entire afternoon, he still hadn't seen him.

He had lost count of how many times he had reheated the dishes on the table.

After a long wait, Hashirama Senju finally arrived, late.

"Hahaha, sorry to keep you all waiting."

"What were you doing all this time?" Mito Uzumaki stepped forward and grabbed Hashirama's ear, demanding.

"Ow, ow, ow, Mito, let go!" Hashirama Senju quickly begged for mercy.

Mito Uzumaki snorted coldly and finally released her grip.

Hashirama Senju rubbed his reddened ear and explained, "I went to the Hokage Rock to enjoy the view and accidentally lost track of time."

Mito Uzumaki rolled her eyes in exasperation. She didn't know what to say to her husband anymore.

Renye and Tobirama Senju's mouths twitched.

They had thought Uncle/Elder Brother had gone to handle official business, but it turned out he had just lost track of time looking at the scenery.

That was indeed something Hashirama Senju would do.

"Little Renye, please heat up the dishes again." Mito Uzumaki said softly.

"Okay, Aunt Mito."

Renye picked up the dishes and headed to the kitchen.

Before long, he had them heated through.

Hashirama Senju sat at the head of the table, gazing at the fragrant dishes before him, yet he had no appetite.

He held his chopsticks suspended above the miso soup for a long time, the rising steam blurring his vision.

His favorite tempura sat in front of him, its golden crispy shell failing to stir the slightest hunger.

"Is this really just loss of appetite?" Hashirama murmured softly.

"Elder Brother, why aren't you eating?" Tobirama noticed his brother's change and asked in confusion.

"I have no appetite." Hashirama sighed.

Renye watched silently from the side, saying nothing.

His instincts told him something major was about to happen...

Renye sank into thought: what event would occur around this time?

Just then, a faint rumble like rolling thunder came from afar, startling the wind chimes under the eaves into a chaotic clatter.

Hashirama suddenly felt his throat tighten uncomfortably, his breathing growing heavy.

He stood up, walked to the doorway, looked at the dark clouds in the sky, and said softly, "Is it you, Madara..."

His instincts told him this matter was connected to Madara.

Hearing this, Renye's body stiffened, and realization dawned on him.

If there was any event that would happen around this time...

It could only be the Battle of the End Valley.

Somewhere in the Shinobi World.

"Beast, I've finally found you!"

The moment lightning split the clouds, Madara Uchiha's long hair whipped wildly in the wind, his scarlet Sharingan gleaming in the darkness like twin Blood Moons.

The Nine-Tails' roar shattered the sky, its nine tails sweeping across like mountain ranges, shattering rocks in their path, the debris carried by violent Chakra tracing red trails through the air.

Madara Uchiha's form flickered, easily dodging the tails' attacks.

He looked at the massive Nine-Tails and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad, you'll make a fine pet!"

Hearing this, the Nine-Tails was instantly enraged—it would tear this human to shreds!

Facing the furious Nine-Tails, Madara's lips curled into a cold smirk. His Three Tomoe spun wildly, finally forming the shape of a Mangekyo.

He unleashed the Mangekyo's genjutsu on the Nine-Tails.

"Beast, submit to me!"

Madara's Chakra surged like a tide into the Nine-Tails' body.

The Nine-Tails struggled, letting out a roar, but could only watch helplessly as its body gradually slipped from its control.

Three Tomoe appeared in its eyes.

The Nine-Tails was completely under Madara Uchiha's control.

Madara stood atop the Nine-Tails' head, gazing into the distance.

"First step complete."

"Now for the second step."