Sea mist swirled across the rooftop. Annoyance rose in Madara's heart, but in the end, like mist scattered by the wind, it dissipated. As though the clouds had parted to reveal the sun, he let go of his obsession.
The Shinobi World, which had seemed to have slaughtered one another for a thousand years.
Whether it was the blood feuds accumulated between clans over generations or the vendetta killings sparked by employers' commissions, a great hand had been hidden behind it all from beginning to end.
Kaguya Otsutsuki.
No.
The entire Otsutsuki family.
It was only after he had fused with and drawn out Six Paths chakra that he had entered the All Things described on the Uchiha Stone Tablet.
Yet "true happiness" could not be obtained so easily. He still had to strive for it himself.
The sea breeze stirred his loose hair, which brushed past the corner of his eyes. Madara felt that ever since awakening the Rinnegan, his heart was no longer as consumed by obsession as it had been before.
Was it the satisfaction of possessing the Six Paths' power of creation?
Or was it because he had exposed the lie recorded on the Uchiha Stone Tablet, one that had always weighed upon his heart?
The human heart.
Even Madara sometimes did not quite understand himself.
"Hashirama, stop showing that dejected side of yourself. The Hokage bears the countless lives of the Shinobi World on his shoulders."
"As the Hokage, shouldn't you also try to become a little more kind and approachable?"
The sea fog hanging over Kirigakure was scattered by the damp sea breeze. Looking down at the distinctive stone-forest buildings, Hashirama responded with an easy smile.
After giving it some serious thought, Madara sighed with slight reluctance. "It's difficult."
"Good thing Hokage Rock carved