You Ninjas Really Know How to Play

Lately, Senju Kyogawa felt that his second elder brother, Senju Tobirama, was acting strange. He felt the frequency with which he encountered Senju Tobirama had increased significantly.

For instance, every time he snuck out of the clan grounds to go hunting, he would "coincidentally" run into Senju Tobirama, who happened to be heading out as well.

At first, Senju Kyogawa assumed it was just a chance encounter, but after it happened several times, he sensed something was amiss and couldn't help but start questioning Senju Tobirama's motives.

Strange, it was truly too strange.

Senju Kyogawa ran into Senju Tobirama once again, only this time, it was within the clan grounds.

Senju Kyogawa was at the central farming area observing the crops he had planted. All of them were growing surprisingly well, though he wasn't sure if that was because they were products of the system.

After multiple experiments, Senju Kyogawa had discovered—

Potatoes treated with Healing Jutsu did indeed show accelerated growth, but this growth had a limit; once the potato seedlings reached a certain stage, they could no longer continue to grow.

Perhaps this was related to the number of cell divisions...

Therefore, Senju Kyogawa couldn't determine what these potatoes would eventually look like and would just have to wait until harvest time to see.

Water Style—

Senju Kyogawa used the Water Style he had just learned to precisely split the water into many small spheres, directing them onto each crop. The water then slowly trickled down the seedlings and soaked into the soil, reaching the roots.

Clap, clap, clap—

A round of applause rang out.

Senju Kyogawa turned back in astonishment to find it was none other than Senju Tobirama.

"Little brother, your chakra control has become increasingly refined. To think you'd actually use Water Style for something like this..." Senju Tobirama stood with his arms crossed, rubbing his chin with his right hand, appearing lost in thought. "I can only say, as expected of you, little brother..."

Senju Kyogawa felt a bit embarrassed by the praise.

That's right, for the exceptionally serious Senju Tobirama, saying something like that already counted as high praise.

Senju Kyogawa had been idolizing Senju Tobirama lately, and hearing his idol affirm him made him feel wonderful.

However, Senju Kyogawa quickly regained his composure. He looked Senju Tobirama up and down suspiciously, but couldn't discern anything.

Then, Senju Kyogawa asked Senju Tobirama to stand still, circled around him, and examined him carefully before facing him again.

Senju Kyogawa still didn't speak; he rubbed his chin, his expression solemn.

Senju Tobirama had been calm at first, but as Senju Kyogawa stared longer and longer, his expression stiffened—if this were a manga, he would likely have black aura lines and a cross-shaped vein on his forehead to signify his anger...

But Senju Tobirama held it in, perhaps because he was indeed feeling a bit guilty—about secretly tailing Senju Kyogawa?

"What is it? You've been staring at me for so long without saying a word." Senju Tobirama couldn't help but ask.

Senju Kyogawa shook his head, then nodded, but still remained silent.

Just as Senju Tobirama was starting to lose his patience, Senju Kyogawa suddenly said:

"As expected, Brother Tobirama is still very handsome..."

Just as Senju Tobirama felt a slight sense of relief, Senju Kyogawa changed the subject:

"However..."

"I keep feeling like you've been secretly following me lately, Brother Tobirama..."

Senju Tobirama flatly denied following Senju Kyogawa, insisting that it was all a coincidence.

Senju Kyogawa didn't care much about it, though; after all, he hadn't done anything wrong, so he decided to drop the matter.

But soon, Senju Kyogawa discovered that things were not that simple.

Perhaps, is Brother Tobirama actually trying to follow Brother Hashirama? Senju Kyogawa pondered deeply.

Over the past few days, Senju Kyogawa had felt more and more that Senju Tobirama was acting very strangely.

He carefully reviewed Senju Tobirama's movements over the last few days and, combining them with his own and Senju Hashirama's schedules, he realized—

His and Senju Hashirama's schedules actually overlapped to a high degree.

The only difference was that Senju Kyogawa went to the forest near the Naka River to hunt or to the spot where he often met Izuna to catch fish, while Senju Hashirama went to the Naka River to "date"—ah, no, to spar—with Madara.

Added to that was the low pressure at home lately—Senju Butsuma had been in a bad mood for days, as if he had something on his mind. A few days ago, he had even called Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama into his room for a talk. Although Senju Kyogawa had been curious at the time, he was left outside the door and couldn't hear a word of what they were discussing. He only saw that when they came out, the expressions of all three were grim, as dark as an overturned ink pot.

And so, Senju Kyogawa made a horrifying discovery—

Oh no, this...

Could it be that Senju Hashirama and Madara's secret meetings had been discovered?!

And discovered by Senju Butsuma, no less!

Actually, thinking about it, there were traces to follow. Senju Tobirama's sensory abilities were very strong; perhaps he had noticed something fishy before, but Senju Hashirama's recent behavior was too obvious, reaching a point that even Senju Kyogawa couldn't ignore. It was only natural that Senju Tobirama would want to investigate.

Oh, this is bad, this is bad! If Madara really was a member of the Uchiha Clan, then Senju Butsuma would never approve of their association and would definitely tear the lovers apart!

As for why Senju Kyogawa was so certain that Senju Butsuma already knew about this, it was surely because of the long-standing hatred Senju Tobirama had displayed toward the Uchiha Clan, especially after Senju Itama died in battle; Senju Tobirama's hatred for the Uchiha had only deepened.

Oh, what should he do?

Given Senju Butsuma's personality, he would definitely find a way to kill Madara!

They would likely stage a "mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind" scenario when Hashirama and Madara met.

Senju Kyogawa grew more worried the more he thought about it. He was somewhat afraid that, given Senju Hashirama's personality, he might actually help Uchiha Madara fight his own father and younger brother.

He truly hoped that wouldn't happen.

However, it might already be too late, because after Senju Hashirama hurried out this morning, Senju Tobirama had quickly found an excuse to follow him, and he had likely brought Senju Butsuma along as well.

Senju Kyogawa rushed over with almost the fastest speed he had ever achieved in his life.

He was very fortunate that, at a time like this, his Breathing Technique granted him a tremendous advantage. His speed was immense—especially after learning the Ninja Step—and he felt no fatigue.

He arrived at the Naka River and hid in the bushes to observe secretly.

Made it, I made it...

Sure enough, his keen eyesight allowed Senju Kyogawa to quickly spot Senju Butsuma and Senju Tobirama, who were lurking in the rear, watching like tigers eyeing their prey.

On the two banks of the Naka River stood Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, both familiar to him.

It seemed his guess was correct.

Senju Kyogawa slowed his breathing, hoping to conceal his presence.

However...

He failed.

Senju Tobirama was an excellent sensory ninja; he had detected Senju Kyogawa the moment he approached. His gaze shot toward Kyogawa's hiding spot like a blade.

I've been discovered by Brother Tobirama... Senju Kyogawa sheepishly walked out and then tiptoed over to crouch beside Senju Tobirama.

Then, Senju Kyogawa saw—

Across the way, Uchiha Madara's expression was very serious. He could not see Senju Hashirama's face, but he imagined it couldn't be good—after all, being forced by his own father and brother to "capture" the best friend he had chosen for himself...

After a long silence between Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, it was Uchiha Madara who spoke first. With a cold expression, he said to Senju Hashirama on the opposite bank:

"Let's begin. We'll start by skipping stones as a greeting."

With that, the two of them almost simultaneously threw the stones they held tightly in their hands toward the opposite bank.

After successfully exchanging the stones in their hands, both seemed to sense something, and with a tacit understanding, they lowered their heads to glance at the stones.

Then, at the same time, their expressions shifted abruptly.

Uchiha Madara looked somewhat nervous as he said hurriedly:

"Hashirama, sorry, I can't play today. I suddenly remembered I have something to take care of..."

He then turned around, making a move to leave.

A bead of cold sweat streaked across Senju Hashirama's forehead as he replied with great difficulty:

"I-is that so... Then I'll head back for today as well..."

It seems the two of them have already agreed on a signal... Senju Kyogawa breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. But would Senju Butsuma let Uchiha Madara off so easily? After all, looking at Senju Butsuma's expression, he had clearly already confirmed that Uchiha Madara was an Uchiha...

Sure enough, the next second, Senju Kyogawa saw Senju Butsuma's expression turn grim and terrifying.

He gritted his teeth and said:

"Leaving so soon? Are you trying to run away?"

"That brat Hashirama actually leaked the information..."

It looked like Senju Hashirama was going to be in for a world of trouble when he got home.

"Let's go, Tobirama!" Senju Butsuma turned his head to signal for Tobirama to follow, clearly having no intention of bringing Senju Kyogawa along.

Following that, the two of them leaped out from their hiding place, stepping onto the water one after the other.

On the opposite side, two figures—one tall and one short—also rushed out, clearly having been prepared for this as well.

Izuna?! Senju Kyogawa looked in disbelief at the fair-skinned Uchiha youth with black hair and black eyes on the opposite side.

He hadn't expected that Izuna was actually Uchiha Madara's younger brother.

By now, the two sides were in complete opposition, the atmosphere tense and ready to snap.

So this is how you ninjas play... I'm clearly out of the loop... That was truly a tacit understanding...

The corner of Senju Kyogawa's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but complain to himself.