A hearty, familiar voice rang out behind Shingetsu and Madara just as they were about to return to the Uchiha Clan Compound. Draped in his Hokage robes, Hashirama Senju shouted excitedly and lunged toward the pair he had not seen for a whole month.
"Madara, Shingetsu! You're finally back! I've missed you so much!"
Just as Hashirama came barreling toward them like a wild bear, Madara Uchiha scooped Shingetsu up and deftly dodged his bear-hug attack. Realizing he would miss, Hashirama hurriedly skidded to a stop.
Not the least bit embarrassed, he turned and crowded happily beside Madara and Shingetsu like a large, dark-brown dog.
After Tobirama informed him that Madara and Shingetsu had returned and that the Nine-Tails' whereabouts were unknown, Hashirama immediately dumped all the incomprehensible paperwork and official business onto his dear little brother, whose face had darkened ominously. Without even taking off his robes, he rushed out to find them.
Although Tobirama had intended for him to pry information about the Nine-Tails out of Madara, Hashirama had long since forgotten all about that. He wanted only to see Madara and Shingetsu as soon as possible. Yet when he actually met Madara Uchiha and noticed the subtle change in him, Hashirama paused in surprise.
"Madara, something good must have happened while you were away!"
Hashirama burst into hearty laughter and slung an arm around Madara's shoulders like the best of buddies. Their sincere bond, as both closest friends and brothers, made him genuinely happy for Madara.
He could see it clearly: some of the gloom that had always lingered between Madara's brows had finally dispersed. A trip away really did wonders for the body and mind!
"Yes, we met some pretty decent people."
Looking at his dear friend after their long separation, Madara returned a hearty smile