"No, I won't agree."
"I'm the Hokage. What I say goes."
Madara Uchiha refused to budge. He turned away, pouting as he spoke.
"Haha, Madara, it's fine. Fujima has Space-Time Ninjutsu, so he'll be all right out there."
"I can just send a Wood Clone to protect him, can't I?"
Hashirama Senju had never seen Madara make that sort of face before. He hurriedly laughed it off.
"Hmph, that's more like it."
"If you're going out, you'll need money. Here's five million ryo. Take it and spend it. If you run short, ask Uncle Madara for more. Heh!"
Hearing Hashirama Senju's suggestion, Madara had no reason to keep Fujima from going. He took the opportunity to back down and agreed.
Then he immediately pulled out a scroll and handed it to Senju Fujima. It contained a fortune of five million ryo. He was even better than a real father!
"Hehe! Uncle Madara's the best."
"Unlike Dad, who's so stingy."
Seeing Madara Uchiha give him five million ryo, Senju Fujima grinned and hurriedly accepted it, thanking him. He didn't forget to shoot Hashirama Senju a resentful look, either.
"Ah, haha! It's raining outside. I'd better go bring in the laundry. Yes, that's right...!"
After hearing Senju Fujima's words, Hashirama Senju laughed awkwardly and made a quick exit. He needed to save his money for gambling; he couldn't let his son waste it.
"Honestly, your dad's just like that. He loses every bet. Everyone in the village knows it, and he still owes me tens of millions of ryo!"
"But your Uncle Madara has plenty of money. I'm not stingy like your dad, so go ahead and spend it!"
"If you need more, just ask me. Heh!"
Seeing Hashirama Senju flee in such a sorry state, Madara Uchiha smiled faintly. Then he reached out, ruffled Senju Fujima's hair, and chuckled.
"Okay, Uncle Madara. I'm heading out, then. Hehe!"
With five million ryo in his hands, Senju Fujima had enough to spend for years. He could travel, eat his way around, and have fun everywhere. Wouldn't that be wonderful? He waved to Madara Uchiha and spoke eagerly.
"Mm, go ahead!"
Madara Uchiha smiled at him and waved back. It was rare to see him so kind and approachable.
"Wen, send someone to follow Fujima. Make sure he stays safe, but don't show yourselves unless necessary."
After Senju Fujima left, Madara Uchiha immediately gave the order, sending one of his trusted men along. That would put his mind more at ease.
"Yes, Lord First."
Wen Uchiha called back at once, then vanished from the spot and followed Senju Fujima.
"Black Zetsu? Hmph. Just let me catch you."
Once everyone had left, Madara Uchiha clenched his fists, furious.
That mysterious figure, Black Zetsu, could bring disaster to Konoha at any moment, so Madara had no choice but to come up with a plan.
But Black Zetsu was invisible and untouchable. He was incredibly hard to track down, which gave Madara a headache.
"Fine. If you want the Rinnegan, you'll have to show yourself eventually."
"Hashirama's experiment is almost a success. It's time I started my own. Once I awaken the Rinnegan, you won't have anywhere left to hide."
"Hmph."
Madara Uchiha hated anyone who tried to take his younger brother's life. Since Black Zetsu wanted his brother dead, Madara had to kill him. He needed to get to the root of the problem.
Meanwhile, Hashirama Senju's bloodline was fusing faster and faster. He would likely awaken the Rinnegan soon. Once they both had it, they wouldn't need to fear Black Zetsu.
But that would still take a long time. They needed to get the experiment underway as soon as possible.
"Rang-a-lang, rang-a-lang...!"
After receiving the enormous sum of five million ryo, Senju Fujima was thrilled. Whistling and singing, he strolled toward the school.
He planned to tell his little sweetheart he was going away, so she wouldn't worry. It was important to let her know and reassure her.
Since the Hokage had summoned Senju Fujima, Irudi hadn't dared say anything. So Fujima had taken his time and returned to school just as classes let out.
"Fujima, you're back?"
When Shizuka Uchiha saw Senju Fujima return, she hurried over to greet him.
"Shizuka's so lucky to have such a good husband."
"I'm so jealous. Why didn't our clan arrange a marriage with the Senju Clan?"
"Everyone thinks the same thing. Fujima is handsome and strong, and he's the young clan leader of the Senju Clan. He'll definitely be in line to become Hokage one day."
"Exactly! I want to marry Fujima, too. I'm so jealous of Shizuka Uchiha, that white lotus. She acts all pure and innocent, but the moment she sees Fujima, she comes running over like a puppy. Hmph."
Seeing how loving Senju Fujima and Shizuka Uchiha were, all the girls in the class felt jealous and envious. Their expressions varied.
"Shizuka, I have to go away for a while. Dad assigned me a mission, and I'll be gone for some time."
"So I came to tell you. I probably won't be able to go to school with you for a while."
Senju Fujima took Shizuka Uchiha's small hand and led her to the courtyard. He turned to her with a smile.
"Y-you do?"
"Where are you going? Will it be dangerous?"
Hearing Senju Fujima's words, Shizuka Uchiha froze for a moment, then hurriedly asked with concern.
"Don't worry. It won't be dangerous. Who do you think your husband is? Even if I can't win, I can still run, right? Hehe!"
Senju Fujima smiled at Shizuka Uchiha and reached out to pinch her rosy cheek.
"Y-you're so mean!"
When Senju Fujima pinched her, Shizuka Uchiha felt as if she couldn't breathe. Her heart fluttered, and she lowered her head, twirling the hem of her clothes.
"Shizuka, you're beautiful."
Looking at the bashful, lovely Shizuka Uchiha, Senju Fujima turned to her and spoke earnestly.
"I, I...!"
"Mm...!"
After Senju Fujima praised her, Shizuka Uchiha was at a loss for words. Just as she was about to speak, his lips covered hers. Her eyes widened, and her face flushed bright red as she froze, unsure what to do.
"Hehe!"
It was a while before Senju Fujima finally let Shizuka Uchiha go. Looking at her apple-red cheeks, he couldn't help laughing.
"Fujima kissed me again... I-I'm so embarrassed...!"
Shizuka Uchiha still hadn't come back to her senses. She didn't even know what she was thinking.
"Come on. I'll walk you home."
Senju Fujima smiled faintly at the blushing Shizuka Uchiha in his arms.
"Mm-hmm."
Shizuka Uchiha's face was flushed. She was terribly embarrassed and murmured softly with her head lowered.
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