Kurama Is My Friend

"Wen, go call Tobirama and Izuna over."

"Also, send someone to call Fujima over."

Madara Uchiha said coolly.

"Yes, First."

In an instant, a black figure vanished from the Hokage Office.

"Lord Tobirama, the two First have summoned you."

Just as Tobirama Senju was strolling down the street with Shizuka Sarutobi, a cat-faced Anbu appeared before them and spoke respectfully.

"Hmm? What does my big brother want?"

Tobirama Senju furrowed his brows. He'd finally found time to take Shizuka Sarutobi shopping today, and now there was something else to deal with. He asked coolly.

"Lord Tobirama, it seems to be about the Tailed Beasts. I don't know anything else."

The Anbu hurriedly replied. He didn't know the details; he'd only been sent by Wen Uchiha.

"The Tailed Beasts?"

"Mm, understood. I'll go right away."

After hearing the Anbu's words, Tobirama Senju frowned and muttered under his breath. Then he nodded to the Anbu before him.

"Yes, Lord Tobirama."

"Whoosh...!"

Hearing this, the Anbu hurriedly nodded and vanished from the spot.

"I'm sorry, Shizuka. My big brother has something he needs me to do, so I can't keep you company today."

Tobirama Senju looked apologetically at Shizuka Sarutobi beside him and spoke helplessly.

"It's all right. I'm already happy that you had time to come out for a walk with me today."

"Since your big brother called for you, you should go. I'll be fine."

"Go on!"

Shizuka Sarutobi looked at Tobirama Senju and smiled with her eyes narrowed. She was as gentle and considerate as ever.

"Mm. Then have a look around. If nothing comes up, I'll be right back."

"Muah...!"

Tobirama Senju nodded slightly, then kissed her on the forehead before vanishing from the spot.

"There are so many people around! Honestly, my husband—he's so embarrassing!"

When Shizuka Sarutobi saw that Tobirama Senju had kissed her in public, her face instantly turned bright red, and she quickly ran off.

Izuna Uchiha had also received the message. He and Tobirama Senju were usually both at Root, but they needed to rest, so when one of them was off duty, the other would stay at Root's headquarters to keep watch.

Today it was Izuna Uchiha's turn to guard Root's headquarters. After receiving Wen Uchiha's message, he immediately vanished from the spot and headed for the Hokage Office.

"Lord Fujima."

A member of the Anbu suddenly appeared before Senju Fujima and called out to him respectfully.

"Hmm? What is it? Is something wrong?"

Senju Fujima had been playing with Kurama and Shizuka when the Anbu appeared. He turned to look at him and asked in confusion.

"The two First have summoned you. Please go at once."

The Anbu hurriedly explained the reason for his visit.

"Oh?"

"What do Dad and Uncle Madara want with me?"

After hearing the Anbu's words, Senju Fujima was momentarily stunned and muttered to himself.

"Understood. You can go."

"I'll be there right away."

Then Senju Fujima waved the Anbu away.

"Yes, Lord Fujima."

After speaking, the Anbu vanished from the spot.

"Shizuka, play by yourself for now. Remember to ask for a leave of absence from class later. Dad has something to discuss with me."

After the Anbu left, Senju Fujima looked at Shizuka Uchiha and said.

"Mm, Fujima. Go ahead!"

"I'll tell Irudi-sensei later."

After spending so much time with Senju Fujima, Shizuka Uchiha wasn't as shy anymore. She no longer stammered when she spoke and had finally begun to act normally. In her heart, she had already accepted that she was his woman. She spoke gently.

"Mm-hmm."

"Kurama, let's go."

Senju Fujima smiled at Shizuka Uchiha, then picked up the Nine-Tails and vanished from the spot.

"Damn...!"

"Kid, I don't want to see those two freaks...!"

As soon as the Nine-Tails heard that they were going to see Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, he instinctively resisted. But before he could finish shouting, Senju Fujima had already taken him away.

"Pop...!"

In no time, Senju Fujima appeared in the office. He had long since placed a formula there, making it very convenient to travel back and forth. In an instant, he appeared inside the Hokage Office.

"Freak...!"

The last word of what the Nine-Tails had been saying came through. Fortunately, he hadn't said the entire sentence.

"Oh? That was fast. So you placed a formula in the office. I say, kid, why do you inscribe formulas everywhere you go?"

Madara Uchiha smiled slightly when he saw Senju Fujima arrive. For some reason, seeing Fujima made him feel very close to him, as if Fujima were his own son.

"Hehe! You're right, Uncle Madara. I've placed formulas all over Konoha. I can go wherever I want. It's so convenient, haha!"

After hearing Madara Uchiha's words, Senju Fujima smiled slightly. He kicked his right foot, and a wooden stool appeared behind him. Then he plopped down on it.

"Knock, knock, knock...!"

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Hashirama Senju called toward the door.

"Creak...!"

In an instant, the office door opened, and Izuna Uchiha and Tobirama Senju walked in.

"Have a seat."

Hashirama Senju waved his hand, and two wooden stools appeared in front of the desk.

"Big brother, what's going on?"

"Brother, why did you call me here?"

Tobirama Senju and Izuna Uchiha quickly sat down and looked at them in confusion.

"Yeah! Dad, what are you two up to? Tell us—what did you call us here for?"

"You know I'm still supposed to be in class!"

Senju Fujima was also a little confused. He looked at Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha and asked.

"Hmm?"

"The Nine-Tails?"

"Fujima, why did you let the Nine-Tails out?"

At first, they hadn't noticed, but now all four of them saw that the creature in Senju Fujima's arms was the Nine-Tails. They were all shocked.

"Hehe! No, this is just a tiny bit of Kurama's chakra. He's already my friend, so naturally I can't keep indulging him."

"Kurama's very obedient. Nothing will happen, so don't worry. Hehe!"

Senju Fujima didn't seem bothered. He looked at the four of them and grinned.

"Friend?"

"Kurama?"

Madara Uchiha and the others exchanged glances, finding it hard to believe.

"Hmph."

Hearing Senju Fujima say that, the Nine-Tails turned his head and snorted. But hearing him call the two of them friends warmed his heart.

"Heh, hahaha...!"

"Just what I'd expect from my son. Excellent, excellent."

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