Goodbye Izuna

After Itama woke up, he was brought home to recuperate alongside Itama. Although he had escaped his destined death thanks to Hiugo, he was still left with significant injuries.

After visiting Itama once, Hiugo returned to his training, sensing the changes within himself. Upon breaking through to the Jonin level, certain traits of the Shikotsumyaku began to manifest, especially during combat, where he felt an inexplicable sense of "joy." He had privately tested the ability to fire his bones, which worked, though he saw no necessity to use it.

Wood Style belonged to the Senju, and the Sharingan was protected by ocular power; both were easy to use. However, using bone manipulation openly was impossible to explain, especially given that Hiugo had already awakened Wood Style.

Whether this result was caused by the Senju "straying" or the Kaguya being "boiled into soup," the ultimate responsibility could only be pinned on Hiugo's long-deceased mother.

Life in the clan compound became more peaceful after that. With Butsuma commanding on the battlefield and even taking the field himself a few times, there were no major issues.

Those in the clan who were close to Hiugo were also busy with their own affairs:

Hashirama went out daily to meet his "good brother."

Tobirama spent his days tinkering with things unknown, never once leaving the house.

The two younger ones were recovering from their injuries; Senju Rei would visit them during the day and then come over to Hiugo's place for meals at noon and night.

According to her, she could have taken a break during this time, but upon returning, she was constantly swamped with medical duties, leaving her no time to rest. Therefore, as the "culprit" who brought her back to the clan compound, Hiugo had to be responsible for her food, clothing, and shelter.

At this time, Hiugo was far from the "poverty" of the Eastern Battlefield. The pocket money Genma had given him when he was young remained largely untouched, so he immediately withdrew a portion from his private stash, telling Senju Rei to buy whatever she wanted, provided she left quickly after finishing her meals.

Money isn't everything, but one can do nothing without it. After receiving the funds, Senju Rei spent all her time looking at and buying things, aside from eating her two meals.

Days passed like this. Ninjas returning from the battlefield, if not severely injured, stayed in the clan compound for at most three months. Hiugo calculated that it was time for him to return and take charge of the situation.

Sure enough, Butsuma came looking for him.

"Hiugo, a ninja needs to understand all their opponents. This time, you will go to the Western Battlefield and swap places with Tobirama."

Butsuma issued the order directly, sending Hiugo to a different region and having already mobilized the ninjas from the three vassal clans of the Eastern Battlefield, ready to depart at any moment.

They were called ninjas because a large number of civilians still resided there.

"Understood, but Senju Rei must return."

Hiugo spoke up, which was equivalent to putting the development of his forces on the Eastern Battlefield on hold.

"I still have respect for medical ninjas," Butsuma said flatly, signaling that Hiugo could leave to prepare.

Hiugo looked outside the door to see a reluctant Hashirama and a battle-armored Tobirama, then asked:

"Clan Leader, are you going to execute a mission with Hashirama and Tobirama?"

Butsuma replied coldly:

"None of your business."

"It's fine. If you won't tell me, I'll just check the mission hall. If it violates clan rules..."

Butsuma unleashed a wave of killing intent that pressed down on Hiugo's heart, but a flash of crimson flickered in the young master's eyes as he maintained his smile:

"Uncle, my father is still alive. Are you sure you want to bully a child?"

Butsuma closed his eyes and let out a long sigh:

"It seems I shouldn't have taken the easy way out. I can tell you this, but you must not tell anyone else."

Hiugo looked into Butsuma's eyes and said, "It's about Hashirama, isn't it?"

Butsuma didn't speak, merely staring coldly.

"I saved Itama."

Butsuma stopped looking at Hiugo and began walking ahead:

"Follow me. Tobirama will explain the situation on the way."

Hiugo nodded and followed behind the three of them.

As they moved, Tobirama used Chakra to transmit his voice:

"Father's Dark Ninja discovered that Big Brother has been going to the same place every day to befriend a boy of the same age."

"To ensure Big Brother's safety, this Dark Ninja investigated the boy's identity, and to our surprise..."

Hiugo whispered, "Uchiha, is it?"

"It seems you had already guessed."

"If it were an ordinary clan, or even a major one, the Clan Leader wouldn't take such actions—except for the Uchiha. So, is your goal to kill 'him'?"

"..."

"What do you think, Tobirama?"

Tobirama looked at Hashirama ahead and continued to transmit:

"Father says Big Brother has been bewitched, but they haven't had any issues for so long. I think their friendship might be real..."

By the time their conversation ended, they had reached their destination. Butsuma ordered Hashirama to go ahead and stabilize the other party.

Hashirama walked forward with a heavy heart, picked up a stone from the ground, and slowly approached the riverbank, where he saw Madara, who wore the same expression.

Madara spoke: "Same as usual, then. Let's start by skipping stones to say hello."

"Yeah."

The two of them tossed stones to each other, caught them, and lowered their heads to read the characters inscribed upon them, their expressions shifting in subtle ways.

Madara smiled, waved his hand, and said:

"Sorry, Hashirama, I can't play today. I just remembered I have something to do. Goodbye."

Hashirama replied with difficulty: "I... is that so? Then I'll head back as well."

The stone Madara gave Hashirama read "Run," while the stone Hashirama gave Madara read "It's a trap, run."

This action was not merely a simple exchange of information; one must realize that both parties now knew each other's true identities, yet they were both willing to let the other escape rather than feeling deceived or angry. It was a genuine friendship that transcended years of hatred between mortal enemies.

The sudden movements of the two, coupled with Hashirama's stuttering, immediately alerted those hiding in the shadows, and three figures emerged from the woods on each side.

Uchiha Tajima, Uchiha Izuna, and an unfamiliar ninja from the Onmyo Clan.

Senju Butsuma, Tobirama Senju, and Senju Shugo.

"It seems we thought of the same thing, Butsuma."

Uchiha Tajima smiled mockingly; the Senju of Love were indeed hypocritical, sending a clan-head-level fighter to deal with Madara.

"Indeed, Uchiha Tajima."

Senju Butsuma gripped the Kunai in his hand tightly.

"And Tobirama Senju."

Izuna activated his two-tomoe Sharingan, staring fixedly at Shugo—his opponent from years ago, the boy who had nearly killed him with a despicable trick.

He had memorized his appearance long ago, but since rumors always described Tobirama as having white hair, he had assumed the man was a fraud. Seeing him today, however, he realized he also had white hair; it seemed he had been "disguised" previously.

Hearing Izuna's words, Shugo chuckled, finding amusement in using his identity right in front of the person concerned:

"Izuna, was that cold stab to the heart back then comfortable?"

Izuna's breathing grew slightly ragged, and the two-tomoe in his eyes began to spin, showing signs of an imminent breakthrough.

"Don't misunderstand, I just meant that if you haven't had enough, there will be more opportunities in the future."

Shugo continued, but Izuna had already regained his composure, his tone icy:

"Heh, childish tricks."

Tobirama, having no time to dwell on the issue of names, looked at the last ninja from the Onmyo Clan:

"What should I call you?"

"Onmyo Seihou, foster son of Onmyo Seimei. And you?"

Onmyo Seihou said calmly.

Tobirama's tone was flat: "Senju Shugo."

"A nice name. I will collect your corpse for you."

Onmyo Seihou smiled slightly.

"Likewise."