"Tatsuki, don't be ridiculous!"
Tobirama Senju's eyes widened in horror, his shock beyond measure. His normally cold, stern face twisted with anger and disbelief, but seeing Tatsuki covered in blood and tears, guilt and regret kept hammering at his heart.
He desperately wanted to make amends, even though he knew that anything he did now would be far too late.
"No matter how much you've suffered, my brother and I will stand up for you. But leaving the clan is absolutely out of the question!"
How could Tobirama possibly not care about this nephew? He was one of the few family members Tobirama had left. As memories of their time together surfaced, his anguish only deepened, yet he refused to grant Tatsuki's request.
How had things ever come to this?
Senju Ryūju lay prostrate on the ground, bowing humbly at the Senju brothers' feet. Yet in that moment, he felt an extraordinary sense of satisfaction.
"...Uncle, if you really want what's best for me..."
A faint trace of a smile seemed to linger in Tatsuki's eyes. Of course he hated the Senju brothers for always ignoring him. Hearing Tobirama plead and seeing his father's shock filled him with a fierce, exhilarating satisfaction.
"Then let me leave!"
"Tatsuki!"
Tobirama's heart pounded wildly. With a furious growl, he rushed forward to haul Tatsuki up from his knees, but a strong, unyielding hand suddenly seized his arm and stopped him in his tracks.
Tobirama's eyes widened in shock. He did not need to turn around to know that Hashirama had stopped him.
"Brother, you..."
A terrible premonition rose in Tobirama's mind. He looked at Hashirama in disbelief, only to realize that his brother's hand was trembling uncontrollably.
Hashirama Senju, stronger and more resolute than anyone else, was shaking all over. That realization rooted