Goodbye, Izuna

After Hashirama woke up, he was brought home to recuperate alongside Itama. Although Hiugo had helped him escape the fate of dying, he had still suffered some serious injuries.

After visiting Hashirama once, Hiugo went back to training and observing the changes around him. After breaking through to elite jōnin, he began to exhibit certain characteristics of the Shikotsumyaku. In particular, he felt an inexplicable "joy" whenever he fought. He privately tested whether he could shoot out his bones by accident, and found that he could, but there was no need to use that ability.

Wood Style belonged to the Senju, and the Sharingan was protected by its ocular power, so there was no problem using either one. But openly using bones was impossible to explain, especially since Hiugo had awakened Wood Style.

Whether the Senju had cheated or Kaguya had been boiled into soup, the blame for this outcome could only be pinned on Hiugo's long-dead mother.

Life in the clan compound grew more peaceful after that. Butsuma was in command on the battlefield and had even gone out to fight in person a few times, without any trouble.

The people in the clan who were close to Hiugo each had their own things going on:

Hashirama went out every day to meet his "good friend."

Tobirama tinkered with who knew what, but at least he never left home.

The two little ones were recovering from their injuries. Senju Rei visited them during the day, then came by Hiugo's place to mooch meals at noon and in the evening.

According to her, she should have been able to get some rest during this period, but as soon as she returned, she was busy tending to this patient and that one. She had no time to rest at all, so the "culprit" who had brought her back to the clan compound had to take responsibility for her food, clothing, and lodging.

Unlike back on the Eastern Battlefield, where he'd been "broke," Hiugo still had most of the allowance Genma had given him as a child. He immediately took some money from his private stash and told Senju Rei to buy whatever she wanted. Whenever he had things to do, though, he'd finish his meal and hurry off.

Money wasn't everything, but nothing could be done without it. After taking the money, Senju Rei spent all her time looking at things and buying things, except when she stopped by for two meals...

The days passed. Ninjas returning from the battlefield usually stayed in the clan compound for no more than three months, provided they weren't seriously injured. Hiugo figured it was about time he went back to take charge.

And now, Butsuma had come to see him.

"Hiugo, a ninja needs to know all their opponents. This time, go to the Western Battlefield and switch places with Tobirama."

Butsuma gave the order outright, sending Hiugo to another region. He had already transferred ninjas from the three subordinate clans on the Eastern Battlefield, and they were ready to leave at any time.

He said "ninjas" because a large number of ordinary people still lived there.

"Fine, but Senju Rei needs to go back,"

Hiugo said. That would effectively put a halt to the forces he'd been developing on the Eastern Battlefield.

"I have a great deal of respect for medical ninjas,"

Butsuma said flatly, dismissing Hiugo to make his preparations.

Hiugo glanced toward the door. Big Pillar looked reluctant, and Tobirama was clad in armor. He asked,

"Clan Leader, are you taking Hashirama and Tobirama on some kind of mission?"

Butsuma replied coolly,

"That's none of your business."

"Fine. If you won't tell me, I'll look it up at the mission office. If it violates the clan rules..."

A murderous aura pressed down on Hiugo, but a flash of red crossed the young master's eyes. He kept smiling.

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

Butsuma closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

"Looks like I can't take the easy way out anymore. I can tell you about this, but you can't tell anyone else."

Hiugo looked Butsuma in the eye. "It's about Hashirama, isn't it?"

Butsuma said nothing, only gazed at him coldly.

"I saved Hashirama."

Butsuma turned away and started walking.

"Come along. Tobirama will explain on the way."

Hiugo nodded and followed the three of them.

As they walked, Tobirama sent his voice through Chakra.

"Our father's Dark Ninja discovered that my brother had been going to the same place these past few days and befriending a boy his own age."

"To protect my brother, the Dark Ninja looked into the boy's identity. He didn't expect..."

Hiugo said softly, "Uchiha, right?"

"So you've already guessed."

"If it were an ordinary clan, even one of the great clans, the clan leader wouldn't take this kind of action. Only the Uchiha would... So your goal is to kill 'him'?"

"...Yes."

"What do you think, Tobirama?"

Tobirama looked toward Hashirama up ahead and continued speaking through Chakra.

"Our father says my brother has been led astray, but the two of them have been fine all this time. I think their friendship is real..."

By the time they finished talking, they had reached their destination. Butsuma told Hashirama to go ahead and keep the other boy there.

With a heavy heart, Hashirama walked forward. He picked up a stone from the ground and slowly made his way to the river, where he saw Madara wearing the same expression.

Madara spoke first. "How about we do it like always and say hello with skipping stones?"

"Yeah."

They each tossed a stone, which landed in the other's hand. When they lowered their heads and read the words on them, their expressions shifted subtly.

Madara smiled and gave a little wave.

"Sorry, Hashirama, but I can't hang out today. I just remembered I have something to do. See you."

Hashirama struggled to speak. "I-is that so? Then I'll head back too."

Madara had written "Run!" on Hashirama's stone. Hashirama had written "It's a trap. Run!" on Madara's.

Their actions were more than a simple exchange of information. Both knew the other's identity, yet they were willing to help each other escape instead of feeling betrayed or angry. It was a genuine friendship that had risen above the hatred of their clans, sworn enemies for years.

Their sudden movements, along with Hashirama's stammering, immediately tipped off the people hiding in the shadows. Three figures emerged from each of the surrounding forests.

Uchiha Tajima, Uchiha Izuna, and a mysterious ninja from the Onmyo Clan.

Senju Butsuma, Tobirama Senju, and Hiugo.

"Looks like we came to the same conclusion, Butsuma."

Uchiha Tajima gave a mocking laugh. The Senju of Love really were hypocrites, sending someone of the clan leader's caliber after Madara.

"Looks like it, Uchiha Tajima."

Senju Butsuma tightened his grip on the Kunai in his hand.

"And Tobirama Senju, too."

Izuna activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and stared fixedly at Hiugo. He'd been his opponent years ago, and had nearly killed him by underhanded means when he was still a boy.

He had remembered what Hiugo looked like, but according to rumors, Tobirama had always had white hair. So he'd thought the guy was a hypocrite, but now that he saw him in person, he realized he had white hair too. Apparently, he'd been "disguised" before.

Hearing Izuna's words, Hiugo chuckled. He was having fun using his assumed identity right in front of the person in question.

"Izuna, remember that cold shock to the heart I gave you back then? Did you enjoy it?"

Izuna's breathing grew unsteady, and the Two-Tomoe in his eyes began to spin. He looked as if he might break through at any moment.

"Don't get me wrong. I just meant that if you didn't get enough, you'll have another chance."

Hiugo continued, but Izuna had already regained his composure. His voice was icy.

"Heh. A childish trick."

Tobirama had no time to quibble over names. He looked toward the last ninja from the Onmyo Clan.

"What should I call you?"

"Onmyo Seihou, the adopted son of Onmyo Seimei. And you?"

Onmyo Seihou replied calmly.

"Tobirama Senju," Tobirama said flatly.

"Not a bad name. I'll collect your body for you."

Onmyo Seihou smiled.

"Same here."