"Shadow"

Hashirama Senju crouched beside Uchiha Madara, looking up at Uzumaki Naruto. His face, which always radiated optimism and enthusiasm, now held only undisguised heartache and reluctance. His eyes held a plea, as well as a struggle to confirm the answer even though he already knew it.

"Is this... the only solution?"

He understood what Naruto meant and asked Madara to be his guardian of the Pure Land for an indefinite period.

The weight of the word "forever" pressed down on Hashirama's chest. He would never be able to reincarnate, forever trapped in this afterlife as "Uchiha Madara," fulfilling his duty as a "thug," until even time itself lost its meaning.

"Hmm." Naruto nodded, unmoved by Hashirama's pleading gaze.

"First Hokage, you understand what Madara plotted before his death, don't you? If you hadn't stopped him, Konoha might not exist anymore."

"..."

Hashirama Senju lowered his head, a bitter smile appearing on his lips. That smile carried helplessness, weariness, and also the complex emotions he felt for his dear friend who had remained unchanged through the long passage of time.

Yes, that's exactly the kind of person Ban is.

It had been a constant source of trouble for him since his youth. They could have walked side by side, but instead, he insisted on walking that endless road alone. Breakups, defections, plots, wars—each time, he was the one chasing after him, blocking his way from the front, trying to pull his dearest friend, who was drifting further and further away, back, until he finally killed Madara.

However, he slowly raised his head, his gaze falling on Ban's pale yet stubborn profile.

However, there is absolutely no way I could give up on Ban.

Hashirama couldn't imagine that the boy who used to throw stones with him on the riverbank, the partner who helped him build Konoha, the man who fought with him for the right to define "dream" and refused to bow his head until the very last moment—had completely disappeared from this world.

To be transformed into a fish, served on a dining table, and have the last trace of "Uchiha Madara" fade away on unfamiliar taste buds?

To become a fox, to live out one's days alone in the mountains, chasing hares and evading predators, or to be torn apart by the talons of an eagle, one's fur becoming a carpet beneath someone's feet?

Hashirama could not accept it, absolutely could not accept it.

"... Um."

Hashirama Senju took a deep breath, then stood up. "That's it." His voice regained its calm. "Let Madara atone here forever."

He turned around and looked down at his dear friend who hadn't raised his head. From this angle, he could only see Ban's drooping hair and his slightly trembling shoulders.

"I will stay with him."

Behind him, Uchiha Madara's body trembled violently, and then his shoulders slumped down limply.

I... had absolutely no choice.

The thought crossed Madara's mind; his opponent was far stronger than him. Resist? His defeat just moments before had already proven everything—he hadn't even seen the Uchiha girl's movements before he was completely crushed.

To continue struggling would only bring more humiliation in front of Hashirama and Izuna.

And being reincarnated as an animal?

The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.

That means the complete demise of "Uchiha Madara". It means that everything about him—pride, ideals, obsessions, even hatred—will be erased and replaced by a strange life that does not belong to him.

Therefore, Hashirama agrees on his behalf, accepts on his behalf this sentence of "never to be reincarnated"... Madara slowly closes his eyes.

That's... preserving some dignity for himself.

"Brother." A voice rang in his ear.

Uchiha Izuna crouched down, her dark eyes, similar to Madara's, staring directly at him. "I'll stay with you."

Izuna said, emphasizing each word.

"I am Uchiha Izuna." His voice held no hesitation, no wavering, only an unwavering resolve etched in his blood. "I will never accept any other identity."

"..."

Uchiha Madara slowly raised his head and met his younger brother's eyes, which were filled with determination and perseverance.

Those eyes were as black and deep as his own, burning with the same inextinguishable flame unique to the Uchiha.

"Izuna ..." After a long while, Uchiha Madara very slowly.

However, Tobirama Senju's attention was completely different from others; his gaze was fixed on another direction.

Beside Uzumaki Naruto was the black-haired Uchiha girl.

Tobirama Senju dedicated his entire life to studying the Uchiha Clan.

From enemy to ally to fellow villagers—he understood this arrogant clan better than almost any of the Uchiha himself.

Their bloodline, the evolutionary patterns of their Sharingan, their emotional patterns, their almost predictable behavioral logic... Tobirama disassembled, analyzed, archived, and stored all of these in his perpetually calm and efficient brain.

Those arrogant, stubborn individuals who have "self" etched into their very souls can never tolerate others. They are picky even towards their own kind, let alone outsiders.

The Uchiha Clan's gaze is always upward—towards stronger beings, or to anyone who doesn't exist.

At that moment, Tobirama's pupils contracted slightly.

Did I... see things wrong?

He saw the blond youth raise his hand and naturally pat the Uchiha girl's head.

in public.

That intimate gesture, that doting attitude, in front of all the "Kage" present, in front of the recently defeated Uchiha Madara, in front of everyone, and she—did not dodge.

Tobirama's brow furrowed slightly.

She didn't frown, nor did she show the slightest displeasure at being "offended." On the contrary, she even lowered her eyes slightly, obediently letting him touch her.

Tobirama's gaze was fixed on Satsuki's profile. From the moment she appeared until now, he had never stopped observing this Uchiha girl. Her attitude towards everyone perfectly matched his understanding of the traditional Uchiha.

Cold, aloof, and arrogant.

She merely glanced at those figures from later generations before looking away. She responded to Hashirama Senju's warm greeting with only a few words of basic courtesy. Even when Uchiha Madara was defeated, her eyes remained unmoved, as if it were a trivial matter.

A typical Uchiha. A typical person who "doesn't take anyone seriously".

But Tobirama's gaze darted back and forth between Satsuki and Naruto.

This means... a traditional, proud Uchiha who values his pride more than life itself—would actually not resist such intimate actions in public at all? And even... enjoy them?

It's like... a lemon that, when you bite into it, is completely sweet—it's as bizarre as that!

Tobirama, of course, noticed another detail: the Uchiha girl's gaze.

From the moment she appeared until now, her gaze has lingered on almost no one for more than two seconds. She glanced at Hashirama, Madara, Izuna, and the Kage—all with just a fleeting glance.

There was one person, the blond youth, whose gaze followed her the entire time.

When he spoke, she looked at him. When he was silent, she still looked at him. When he raised his hand to touch her head, she turned her face slightly to face him. Even now, when Naruto turned to the Kage to give instructions, her gaze remained fixed on him—only it shifted from his face to his profile, following him the entire time.

Tobirama Senju stared incredulously at the still-smiling blond youth. What... had this person done?

He was utterly baffled. How could an Uchiha —a typical, arrogant, and disdainful Uchiha —have become like this?!

"And all of you 'Shadows'."

Uzumaki Naruto's voice rang out, interrupting Tobirama Senju's perplexed thoughts. He turned towards the direction where Hozuki Gengetsu, Mu, and the Third Raikage were.

"The thing I asked you to do is the same."

"Of course, unlike Uchiha Madara —you are only temporarily employed by me. Once the time is up, you can reincarnate and be reborn."

Hozuki Gengetsu's mustache twitched slightly, but he remained silent. His eyes were lowered, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

Naruto continued, "But..."

He slightly raised the corners of his mouth. "I suppose you don't want to give up your 'identity' either."

"..."

Silence. After a moment, no one spoke. His voice was low and hoarse, like sand grinding against gravel. "It seems I have no other choice."

Yes; they are all "shadows".

They were beings above all others, revered as legends by later generations. Even if they weren't as arrogant and obsessive as Uchiha Madara, they all possessed the unyielding pride of the strong.

Reincarnation?

To start a new life with a different identity? To forget who you are, what you once protected, and the honor and responsibility etched into your very bones?

Unacceptable.

This thought simultaneously crossed the minds of several of the figures.

"Okay, that's good." Naruto nodded with a smile. "Perfect timing—I happen to have someone here who needs your help."

He raised his hand and pointed in a certain direction outside the hall. "The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa."

"This soul, I beg you to destroy it."

Naruto's voice remained calm, even carrying a hint of relief. "Let him fall into the Animal Path."

Naruto didn't explain further; he simply smiled and added, "As for what he did... you'll find out when you get there."