Many years later, standing before the familiar little bed in his room, Rikusei would still remember that morning when Madara had called him up with a smile.
Feeling refreshed, Rikusei walked down the main street of the clan grounds. He wolfed down the dango in his hand, wiped the smudges from the corners of his mouth, and caught up with Madara.
Looking at the bustling streets, Rikusei knew what day it was.
The day Konoha's first allied nation was born.
They passed through the Uchiha Clan Grounds and entered the village proper. Red silk hung everywhere, and colorful flowers and ribbons of all shapes and sizes fluttered freely in the summer breeze.
Posters were plastered everywhere, printed with the emblems of Konoha and Uzushio Village.
Rikusei pictured the most recognizable piece of gear worn by Konoha Ninja in his previous life: the green flak jacket with red Uzumaki emblems on the shoulders and back.
What a pity that by then, so few Konoha Ninja could even recognize the symbol. They hadn't even managed to protect the Land of Whirlpools, right on their doorstep.
Brilliant sunset light spilled across the earth. Passersby shyly nodded to Madara in greeting.
Sensing his teacher's slight awkwardness, Rikusei smiled to himself and returned their greetings as well.
The Hokage Building stood decked out in red at the center of the village. Figures bustled about below, carrying all kinds of props.
After Hashirama became Hokage, Madara naturally became an elder.
Though he hadn't taken the Hokage's seat, Madara had the best seat for offering political commentary. He could offer the village all kinds of distinctive suggestions, each with his own personal touch.
Most of them were rejected by the Senju brothers, but he still kept making suggestions with tireless enthusiasm. He, too, wanted to contribute something of his own to the newly founded Konoha Village.
Rikusei could feel the man's heartfelt joy beside him. He cautiously asked, "Has your ocular power increased, Teacher?"
"I can see the words behind the Uchiha Stone Tablet more clearly now," Madara replied, nodding beneath his Konoha Headband. "Do you remember what I told you, Teacher? I've come to a new understanding."
"Is it Yin-Yang Release?" Rikusei asked, understanding what had happened.
"That's only the literal meaning. It might also be referring to people or other things. After all, something left behind by a Sage can't possibly be that simple." Madara rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought, now that he knew more of the story.
"You have a point, Teacher. Could it be referring to a clan?"
Knowing the full text, Rikusei wanted to test just how much Madara had been taken in by the stone tablet Black Zetsu had altered.
"I don't think so." Seeing that there weren't many people near the building anymore, Madara confided the words he'd just read to Rikusei. His expression was full of confusion.
"Those who possess..."
Rikusei quietly repeated the words, completing them silently in his heart: Those who possess it can attain true happiness.
"You'll find out sooner or later, so you don't need to give yourself a headache over it, do you?" Too short to reach him properly, Rikusei tugged gently at his teacher's sleeve to comfort him.
After they parted at the crossroads, Madara stood where he was, watching Rikusei's figure gradually disappear. "That's right. Better to focus on what comes next than let it bother me."
The last rays of sunset passed through the clear glass and fell on the top floor of the building. After a full day's work, Madara wearily stared at the pile of paperwork that never seemed to end.
Suddenly, he realized he hadn't seen a certain annoying person all day. "Why haven't I seen Tobirama today?"
Hashirama put down his pen and stood, walking over to the window. As he watched the lively village lights gradually flicker on, he said, "Tobirama went to check on the Artisan Ninja's progress. He should be going around the village now, talking with the various clans."
"Lord Hokage!" A ninja appeared in a Body Flicker and interrupted them. "The Land of Whirlpools delegation will arrive in ten minutes. Lord Tobirama said we can go welcome them at the village entrance."
Madara watched as the ninja vanished, picked up the Hokage Hat from the desk, and stood. He handed it to Hashirama, and the two headed downstairs together.
Uzumaki Kaimi sat in the carriage, gazing at the twilight sky where dusk met evening. Unlike the fantastical colors of the seaside, fiery clouds filled the pale-yellow canvas above. The sight lifted the spirits of his weary heart after the long journey.
In the distance, the orange lights of Konoha met and mingled, like a necklace strung with yellow gemstones adorning the land of the Land of Fire.
At the head of the procession, Uzumaki Ashina jumped down from his carriage. Moving along the long, winding line of vehicles, he reminded everyone to tidy their appearance. They absolutely mustn't bring shame upon Uzushio Village.
A massive torch blazed above Konoha Village's enormous wooden gates, illuminating everything around it.
Ashina was already walking beside the carriage. His face alight with excitement, he gazed at the many figures illuminated by the torches.
They wore Konoha Headbands, and they gazed back at the delegation with equal warmth.
The scene he'd feared—a cold, sparse welcome—hadn't come to pass. Instead, the welcome was more enthusiastic than he'd ever imagined.
At the very front of the densely packed crowd stood a man wearing a hat. Ashina recognized him at once: Senju Hashirama.
The red-haired woman beside him had eyes that shimmered with an orange glow. Tears of longing streamed uncontrollably from her eyes.
Ashina blinked, trying not to let his feelings get the better of him. But the sight of white hair at the corner of his eye made him turn away, putting on a brave face as he greeted the long procession behind him.
Hashirama gently let Mito lean against his shoulder and wiped away her tears. Looking at her golden crown, he couldn't help but think of the bridal procession that had accompanied her from the Land of Whirlpools.
Mito scrubbed at the corners of her eyes, but the tears wouldn't stop. Years of yearning for her homeland had built up, and the moment her clanspeople stepped forward, they burst from her eyes, blurring her vision.
Dressed in ceremonial robes like hers, with the same fiery red hair, her clanspeople smiled at her in the night. Only the old man at the front of the group looked even older than he did in her memories.
Ashina, his hair now mostly white, took a handkerchief from his pocket and affectionately wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Tobirama nudged Hashirama in the arm, reminding him to say something. Excitedly surveying the reunited shinobi of the two nations, Hashirama called out in a ringing voice, "Welcome to Konoha, shinobi of Uzushio Village!"
As Hashirama's powerful voice rang out, the Konoha Ninja erupted into thunderous cheers.
A grand welcoming ceremony unfolded beneath the starry sky.
Uzumaki Kaimi followed the crowd as they slowly made their way into Konoha Village.
The scale of Konoha Village left him stunned. Lights shone everywhere, bright as day, and orange flames converged into a river that flowed straight toward the tallest building in the village.
The faces around him shimmered like silhouettes in the lights, dazzling him. His heart pounded like a drum, and his boiling blood surged to his head, leaving him exhilarated.
"Is tonight also Lord Hokage's inauguration ceremony?" Kaimi gazed in a daze at the fluttering banners, quietly reading the words carried on the breeze to himself.
Having two happy occasions fall on the same day had to be Rikusei's idea.
After they welcomed the shinobi of the Land of Whirlpools through the crowded village gates, Kaimi heard an unexpected piece of good news from Kagami.
The Dango Shop next door was having a half-price sale!
He couldn't help thinking the owner was quite the savvy merchant, but the discount still drew him in.
Half price!
He exchanged a delighted glance with Naori amid the crowd. Neither could hide the longing in their eyes, and with a graceful Body Flicker Technique, they vanished from Kagami's sight.
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