Hashirama: Who Gets It?! Our Home's Been Stolen!!

Hashirama:

I left.

This trip is not to the Flame Ninja Village, but to another world.

Natsu promised that I could see true peace and stability with my own eyes, and I was willing to believe him.

In my other life, on my deathbed, I confessed that my biggest mistake in this life was never truly trusting you.

I will not repeat the same mistake.

I believe in you, and I believe in the path of peace that you are so devoted to pursuing.

I just want to go there myself and see for myself what the era that Natsu described as uniquely Uchiha was really like.

There's no need to send anyone to look for me.

I imagine Tobirama would be very pleased to learn of this.

I will definitely come back to see you.

Then, I'll treat you to glutinous rice balls.

Hashirama gripped the thin letter tightly, remaining rooted to the spot for a long time without moving an inch.

The evening breeze rushed into the room through the open door, making the edges of the pages tremble slightly.

He kept his head down, and no one could see the emotions churning in his eyes.

"Fool."

His voice was hoarse and dry, making it Kunai on the table.

"They said Tobirama would be happy, but he's been buried in paperwork all day and hasn't said a word of idle chatter."

He's reluctant to let you go, but he's just naturally stubborn and won't admit what he really thinks.

He carefully folded the letter in half and tucked it neatly inside his clothes, then raised his sleeve and rubbed his reddened eyes hard.

"You didn't even tell me you were going on a long journey. You could have at least let me see you off to the village entrance. You said you'd treat me to meatballs, but I always paid for everything before. You're such a scoundrel."

The courtyard fell silent once more.

Hashirama picked up Izuna Uchiha's Kunai, gently placed it back on the table, and turned to walk out the door.

He had only taken two steps when he suddenly stopped, turned around to look at the empty hall, and forced a bitter smile that was more painful than crying.

"Remember to come back. You promised to bring Izuna Uchiha back with you. I will wait forever."

After saying that, he pushed open the door and stepped out of the courtyard, striding towards the Hokage Building.

Tobirama was still working late into the night dealing with a mountain of official documents, and he needed to go and tell his younger brother the truth about Madara's departure.

The thought of all the complicated files to come, with no one to share the burden with, leaving only the two brothers to shoulder it alone, made Hashirama sigh Hashirama. This was probably the most troublesome and tedious mess Madara had left him.

Hashirama and pushed open the wooden door of the Hokage Building, still carefully considering his words.

He was still thinking about how to gently tell Tobirama the news.

Madara is gone, and from then on, the mountains of official documents and the burdens of the entire Hidden Konoha will be left unshared with the brothers.

This incident is likely to shatter Tobirama's mind more than any Forbidden Technique going out of control or any border unrest.

Hashirama took a deep breath, composed his dejected expression, and decided to try to express this distressing matter in a tactful manner.

But the next moment, his feet suddenly stopped.

Before Tobirama's desk, the figure he thought had long since left stood silently in place.

In just three seconds, Hashirama's expression underwent an extreme emotional shift.

The sadness that had just settled vanished, replaced by utter astonishment, which then exploded into boundless ecstasy.

He practically staggered into the office, striding forward with his arms outstretched, and lunged straight at Ban.

Ban's expression remained unchanged; he calmly sidestepped, easily causing Ban to miss his target.

"Ban! You didn't leave! That's great! I knew you wouldn't leave without a word!"

His voice was filled with the joy of surviving the ordeal, both exhilarating and genuine.

But as soon as Hashirama steadied himself and glanced at the other people in the room, the intense smile on his face gradually faded and disappeared completely.

Natsu leaned against the window with her arms crossed, her expression as cool and indifferent as ever, neither competing nor vying for anything, yet exuding an air of composure as if she were in control of the whole situation.

The Yaoyu and Yakumi stood on either side of the door, upright and serene, as if awaiting departure.

They were all there to take Ban away.

Hashirama slowly withdrew his hand, which had been hovering in mid-air, and the warmth in his heart gradually cooled.

He looked up at Ban quietly, his voice unconsciously softening, carrying a hint of cautious probing, hiding a hidden, unspoken hope.

"Ban, you're still leaving, aren't you?"

Ban met his gaze without flinching, simply nodding slightly.

"I've made up my mind."

The three simple words conveyed a sense of composure, leaving no room for maneuver.

Hashirama fell into a long silence. The words from Madara's letter kept replaying in his mind, especially the phrase "I will not repeat the same mistake," which was crystal clear.

He looked down at his outstretched palm, his heart filled with mixed emotions. After a long while, he looked up again, managing a weak, relaxed smile, but he couldn't hide the loneliness in his voice.

"You didn't even tell me you were leaving... You could at least have let me see you to the village entrance."

Ban noticed the barely perceptible tremor in his voice, but didn't deliberately point out this vulnerability; he simply told the truth in a calm tone.

"I told you beforehand, you'd just keep bothering me and delaying my departure."

Hashirama muttered a few words in a low voice, feeling wronged, before speaking again in a sullen voice.

"If you leave, who will keep me company while I eat meatballs and drink?"

Ban paused slightly, a rare hint of gentle certainty appearing in his usually cool tone.

"Wait for me to come back. Next time, I'll treat you."

Hashirama stared at him intently for a long time, as if trying to etch that image deep into his heart.

He slowly raised his fist and placed it between the two of them.

Okay. I'll wait for you.

Ban raised his hand, his slender fingertips gently touching Ban's fist, the two touching lightly yet firmly.

Natsu was by the window, took in the whole scene and straightened up at the right moment, breaking the gentle tranquility.

"It's time to get going."

He deliberately slowed his pace, turned and walked out, with Yaoyu and Yakumi following closely behind, silently leaving the room and deliberately giving themselves a final moment of alone time.

"No need to wait."

Ban spoke softly, interrupting this brief moment of tenderness.

He glanced at Hashirama one last time, his eyes holding a deep-seated resentment that no one else could understand, then turned and followed Natsu.

Hashirama stood quietly in place, not giving chase.

He simply clenched his fists slowly, suppressing all his reluctance and anticipation deep in his heart, and whispered softly in a voice only he could hear.

"Remember to come back, Madara. I'll always be waiting for you."

Natsu pushed open the wooden door of the Hokage Building and walked straight towards the Uchiha Clan District without stopping.

His steps were light and determined, with the Yaoyu and Yakumi following closely behind. Madara Uchiha walked at the back of the group, remaining silent throughout.

The group remained silent, and none of them turned back to look at Konoha behind them.

Dusk completely enveloped the village, the daytime hustle and bustle gradually faded away, and the streets of Konoha slowly returned to tranquility.

The glutinous Dango shop on the street corner, which is always bustling, is packing up its stall and preparing to close. The evening breeze carries a faint, sweet fragrance through the streets and alleys.

Several children, having finished their daily training, ran out of the Training Ground together, their cheerful laughter brushing past them.