Every Day Ahead, Living in Fear
Natsu kept a detailed record of all these accounts.
He wouldn't let those two die a quick and painless death—that would be too easy on them.
The Genjutsu did not dissipate as he turned around.
It has been etched into the minds of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō, buried deep within their consciousness.
From this day forward, the Genjutsu will reactivate whenever they close their eyes.
They would see their people being slaughtered again and again in their dreams, and see themselves destroying what they cherished most with their own hands.
They would be afraid to sleep, afraid to be alone, and afraid to trust anyone.
They could no longer make any progress in their training. Every time they tried to mobilize their Chakra, fear would creep up their spines like vines, tightly binding their will.
Natsu wanted them to live, to live in that Genjutsu cage, to slowly drive them mad.
He even considered the possibility that one day, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō use the same methods Uchiha Itachi had used against the Uchiha Clan against their own families.
When that time comes, as they kneel in pools of blood, they will probably remember this day.
I think of that noon, of those crimson eyes in the Hokage Building, of every word he uttered.
The Yaoyu and the Yakumi followed Natsu silently through the corridors of the Hokage Building.
The two brothers hadn't completely suppressed their murderous intent, but neither of them turned back.
They wouldn't object to Natsu's decisions, but that didn't stop them from expressing their dissatisfaction in their own ways.
Yaoyu tapped the hilt of the knife with her fingers, while Yakumi stared ahead expressionlessly, her steps heavier than usual.
The three of them walked out of the Hokage Building.
The midday sun cast long shadows on them, and those two people still kneeling in the main hall would probably never escape the midday shadow for the rest of their lives.
The three had just reached the main entrance of the Hokage Building when they heard hurried footsteps behind them.
Hashirama Senju chased after him, with Tobirama following behind, while Madara Earth Flow at the very back at a leisurely pace, still with his arms crossed.
"Brother Natsu! Wait a minute!" Hashirama three quick steps, his tone devoid of hostility, yet carrying an undeniable seriousness.
"What exactly is this 'other world' you're talking about? The Uchiha Clan was wiped out, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo were involved—can you explain these things clearly before you leave?"
Natsu stopped walking, but did not turn around.
The Yaoyu and Yakumi medicine also stopped at the same time. The two brothers turned to the left and right, creating an invisible distance between Hashirama and Natsu.
Tobirama stood half a step behind Hashirama, and the Flying Thunder God Kunai him noticing.
He stared at Uchiha Natsu's retreating figure and said in a deep voice, "If what you say is true—if in another world, my student really did that kind of thing to the Uchiha Clan, I have the right to know the details."
"You have the right?" Yaoyu suddenly turned around, the Three Tomoe in his Sharingan spinning so fast they almost merged into one. "What right do you have? Your Senju Clan has been wiped out in another world long ago!"
Hashirama Senju died young, and you, Tobirama Senju, died on the battlefield. The remaining members of the Senju Clan were used as pawns by the Konoha higher-ups, and there wasn't even anyone to collect your corpses! What right do you have to talk about 'right' here?
The pupils in the Hashirama contracted suddenly.
He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
Yao Wei Yakumi forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with his brother, his tone colder and heavier than usual. "In our world, the Uchiha was ostracized in Konoha for over fifty years, and was eventually forced to be exterminated."
The person who did it was Uchiha Itachi —the biological son of the Uchiha Fugaku. He was brainwashed by your Hokage and Elder and personally slaughtered his entire clan. That's the 'detail' you want to know. Is that enough?"
Dead silence. Hashirama, his expression as if he had just been punched hard.
He wanted to say something, but all the words stuck in his throat.
He wanted to ask, "Who is Fugaku?", "Why did Uchiha Itachi kill his own clansmen?", "How could the Hokage issue such an order?"—but he couldn't bring himself to ask.
He vaguely realized that the Hokage who issued the order was likely the successor he had chosen himself.
Tobirama remained silent for a long time.
He slowly loosened his grip on the Flying Thunder God Kunai, then slowly tightened it again.
"So, what you just did to those two—it wasn't just Genjutsu."
Natsu finally turned around.
The crimson Mangekyo Sharingan was still blindingly cold in the midday sun. He looked at Tobirama, his tone as calm as if stating a verdict that had already been handed down. "I spared their lives. But those lives, from today onward, will not be easy."
Every night, they would see their greatest fears in their dreams.
They will witness the slaughter of their own people and see themselves destroy everything they cherish most.
They would be afraid to sleep, afraid to be alone, and afraid to trust anyone.
Their strength will not improve from today onwards.
Because every time Chakra is mobilized, fear seeps out from the very bones.
He paused, his gaze passing over the Tobirama and landing on the two figures still slumped on the ground at the entrance of the main hall.
"This is what they owe the Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha of the other world didn't have the chance to collect this debt. I'll collect it for them."
Hashirama clenched his fists, his nails digging into the flesh of his palms.
He wanted to argue, to say, "People in this world shouldn't pay the price for the sins of another world"—but he saw Natsu's eyes.
There was no anger or madness in those eyes, only a calmness that sent chills down your spine more than anger or madness.
"What is the gift you mentioned?" Madara's voice came from the back.
He still had his arms crossed, but the Mangekyo Sharingan had been put away, replaced by an extremely solemn scrutiny.
Natsu looked at him, and after a moment, the corners of her mouth slightly turned up, the curve so faint it was almost imperceptible. "You'll find out in a few days. It's not a bad thing—at least not to the Uchiha of this world."
Hashirama wanted to ask more questions, but Madara stopped him by raising his hand.
"Let them go." Ban's tone was calm and confident, as if stating a matter of course. "If he wanted to make a move, he would have already done so. The three of us combined can't stop him."
Hashirama and Tobirama both turned to look at Madara, their faces filled with disbelief.
Madara didn't explain further, but simply turned and walked towards the Hokage Building. He paused at the entrance, glancing sideways at Natsu Yin: "Next time you come, let me know in advance. I'll treat you to a drink."
"I don't drink," Natsu answered crisply.
"Then you drink tea, and I'll drink wine."
"Okay." Natsu turned around and stepped down the last few steps.