At Izuna's invitation, Shingetsu set down her bowl and chopsticks and thought for a long time. Her inner conflict was written all over her face, but in the end, she gently shook her head.
"Better not. Dad couldn't take it."
Hōkaku was already insanely jealous of Madara. He had always felt that his fierce cousin had stolen his darling daughter, leaving his position as her father hanging by a thread.
Knowing Hōkaku, if Shingetsu actually moved in with Madara and Izuna, he would dare to hang himself in the Clan Leader's Mansion right in front of them!
Sure, losing both parents and having your entire family die was perfectly normal in the Shinobi World, but she didn't want to become an orphan quite so soon.
"Izuna."
Madara gave his younger brother a mildly disapproving glance, though he wasn't angry.
Izuna playfully stuck out his tongue, smiled, and tilted his head, giving him a mischievous wink.
He could see it clearly. His brother relied heavily on Shingetsu and wanted to keep living with her like a family. He simply didn't know how to ask.
Izuna wasn't upset by Shingetsu's refusal, either. He merely smiled and said:
"All right. You can come whenever you want. My brother and I will always welcome you."
With a crash, Hōkaku burst into the living room in a frantic rush, only to lose his footing and fall right in front of the three of them.
"Nooooo!"
Despite landing flat on his back, Hōkaku struggled to lift his head and let out a shrill, ridiculous screech like a rubber chicken.
The healthy color that had only just returned to Madara's face instantly gave way to a ferocious expression as he glared at the tactless Hōkaku.
But Hōkaku summoned his courage and actually glared back, refusing to back