Senju Kyogawa knew Senju Tobirama had a real talent for studying ninjutsu and had explored a wide range of subjects, but he still hadn't expected Tobirama to figure out the problem so quickly.
After all, Tobirama didn't have X-ray vision, and he couldn't see Kyogawa's chakra pathways.
So, in Kyogawa's mind, Tobirama's reputation as a "scientist" rose another notch.
He eagerly asked Tobirama what the problem was, forgetting that he was still standing in the water.
Tobirama wasn't quite that incredible. He had simply noticed that the chakra beneath Kyogawa's feet had cut out erratically. Combined with his earlier judgment that Kyogawa couldn't use chakra, it had been easy to figure out where the problem lay.
A confident gleam shone in Tobirama's red eyes. He clearly had faith in his theory—just as you'd expect from the man who would one day be called "the man made entirely of forbidden techniques."
He said:
"Kyogawa, try using 'flames' to open another pathway for your chakra. In other words—"
"Don't carry chakra through your own meridians and cells. Use 'flames' to create another channel and keep the chakra stable."
Kyogawa had already achieved a remarkable level of control over his "flames." He hadn't worn the gloves that sealed them in a long time, yet he could still control the fire. So, following Tobirama's suggestion, he easily created a pathway of flames.
He sent chakra through the flames to the soles of his feet, then stepped onto the water.
One step, two steps, three...
It worked!
Kyogawa successfully crossed the river and reached the opposite bank.
He was so happy that he leaped into the air, nearly jumping three feet high.
He cheered:
"Big Brother Tobirama—you're my god!"
The birds, startled by Kyogawa's shout, fled the trees where they had been resting, chirping as they scattered in every direction.
Tobirama raised a fist to his lips and coughed softly twice, signaling Kyogawa to stop shouting.
"Little brother, you did a great job this time. But... maybe you could put away the flames and not let them show along with the chakra beneath your feet?" Tobirama suggested.
When Kyogawa had walked on water just now, flames and chakra had both wrapped around the soles of his feet. Yet the flames hadn't gone out even as he crossed the water. Honestly, the sight was a little strange, but the longer you looked, the cooler it seemed.
Kyogawa liked having flames flickering beneath his feet. He thought it looked incredibly stylish, but...
He backed away a few steps and saw that the flames on his feet had scorched two little footprints into the grass by the riverbank...
Well... that was hard to judge.
For a ninja, the goal was to hide their tracks. But Kyogawa had just revealed his position outright—it was hard to say whether an enemy might take it as a provocation.
Thinking it over, it might look cool, but it probably wasn't suited to the battlefield. Kyogawa silently put away the flames beneath his feet.
He walked on water once more and returned to Tobirama's side.
Kyogawa had been steady on both attempts. He didn't know why, but that didn't stop him from admiring Tobirama even more.
On the way back, Kyogawa clung to Tobirama's hand and showered him with praise until Tobirama grew embarrassed, his face turning a little red.
That evening, Kyogawa was in a great mood after solving the major problem that had been troubling him for days, so he started making dinner early.
Tobirama helped Kyogawa out in the kitchen that evening.
As it happened, Tobirama could cook, too, and he had a good sense of timing and heat—he was a ninja, after all. But Kyogawa was the best cook in the family, and he wasn't willing to settle for less when it came to food, so he took charge of all three meals.
At first, Tobirama and the others hadn't cared much about what they ate, but Kyogawa's cooking was so good that, over time, it spoiled their palates. Now, if Tobirama had to cook for himself, he might not be able to stomach it.
With Tobirama's help, Kyogawa finished dinner quickly, and it was as lavish as ever. The two of them were now waiting for Hashirama and Senju Butsuma to come home for dinner.
Senju Butsuma came home at around seven that evening, as he usually did whenever he could find the time.
Strangely, though, Hashirama didn't come home until long after him, and he looked as battered as if he'd gotten into a fight with someone.
His clothes were covered in dust, his exposed skin had a few scrapes, and he looked exhausted.
Senju Butsuma couldn't help frowning when he saw Hashirama's dusty, road-worn appearance.
Since Tobirama and Hashirama had only returned from a mission the night before, Senju Butsuma hadn't made them train that day. He'd essentially given them both the day off to rest.
Though it was midsummer and the sun set late, it was nearly dark by the time Hashirama returned.
And when you considered that Hashirama had left at dawn that morning...
He had been out for nearly fourteen hours!
Kyogawa and Tobirama were also curious about what their big brother Hashirama had been doing all day, especially since he seemed to be in a bad mood.
Senju Butsuma's face was stern as he asked coldly:
"Where have you been off fooling around? Why are you so late?"
Hashirama looked troubled and glanced at Kyogawa.
Kyogawa caught on at once. Smiling, he ran over to Hashirama and took his hand, coming to his rescue. He turned to Senju Butsuma and explained:
"Father, Big Brother Hashirama went to help me plant crops today. Don't give him a hard time~ Big Brother Hashirama is already exhausted~"
"I'll take Big Brother Hashirama to change. You and Big Brother Tobirama can eat first..."
Kyogawa pulled Hashirama into the room and secretly glanced at Senju Butsuma. Seeing that he didn't seem inclined to press the matter, Kyogawa couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
He closed the door, found some clean clothes, and handed them to Hashirama. Then he asked quietly:
"Big Brother Hashirama, what were you doing today? You came back so late... It's a good thing Father didn't push too hard, or..."
Hashirama stopped hiding how tired he was now that he was alone with Kyogawa. As he changed, he explained:
"I went to spar with Madara... He was injured. He told me he only has one younger brother left now..."
"He's in a bad mood... I..."
When Kyogawa heard Hashirama say that, his heart grew heavy, too. Now he understood why Hashirama looked so down. Maybe he'd been thinking about Kawarama and Itama, who had passed away...
He'd only heard that the Uchiha Clan had recently been at war with other ninja clans. Now it seemed that, once again, war had taken the lives of many young people...
"Kyogawa, I... I want to build a village and protect you and Tobirama..." Hashirama looked vulnerable. He truly didn't want to lose another one of his younger brothers.
Kyogawa bit his lip and didn't answer.
Peace wasn't so easy to achieve...
Even so, he arched his brows slightly and smiled.
"Big Brother Hashirama, that's so lame. A village is such a boring idea..."
"If you're going to build something, build a Shinobi Country!"
A little while later, Kyogawa and Hashirama came out.
Hashirama had changed into clean clothes, and he looked much more relaxed.
Hashirama ate heartily as he praised Kyogawa's cooking.
Kyogawa smiled and told Hashirama to slow down.
Senju Butsuma looked relaxed, too, clearly no longer holding what had happened against him.
Tobirama, however, studied his big brother and little brother closely, rolled his eyes, and wore a thoughtful expression.
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