But...
What Naruto Uzumaki hadn't expected was the ingratiating smile on Hashirama Senju's face. "Little Naruto, I don't want to return to the Pure Land yet. Could you let me stay here a while longer?"
"Hm? Why?"
Naruto Uzumaki was surprised.
As far as he knew, Hashirama Senju wasn't the sort to cling to life in the world of the living.
"Madara and I haven't seen each other in a long time."
"The Shinobi World has come this far. You could say the wish Madara and I shared back then has come true."
"So..."
"I want to travel the Shinobi World with Madara for a while."
Hashirama Senju spoke from the heart.
In the past...
Their ideals had diverged, and he and Madara Uchiha had fallen out.
It was his greatest regret.
But now...
Their old wish had come true, and neither of them had any burdens left to carry.
Hashirama Senju wanted to spend some carefree time with his old friend.
"Hmph!"
"Hashirama, you're still as naive as ever."
"Now that our goal's been achieved, dead men like us should stay in the Pure Land."
Madara Uchiha folded his arms and lifted his chin haughtily.
"Madara, stay with me for a while. I miss the time we spent together as children."
Hashirama Senju spoke with heartfelt sincerity.
At his words, a faint blush rose to Madara Uchiha's cheeks.
The image of the two of them skipping stones by the river came unbidden to his mind.
"Well, since you put it that way, I suppose I can keep you company."
"That's great!"
When Madara Uchiha agreed, Hashirama Senju excitedly took two steps toward him.
Naruto Uzumaki had a feeling Hashirama Senju would have hugged him outright if Naruto hadn't been there.
"Little Naruto, do us a favor."
"We two old-timers