"Madara, I've got good news for you."
After finishing an entire basin of mushroom rice, Hashirama finally felt full. He grabbed the sake flask and took a hefty swig, his cheeks burning red and his body trembling slightly with excitement.
"It's finally settled! The Five Kage Summit will be held one month after the Chunin Ninja Exams end!"
Madara's hand trembled around his cup. He looked up and met Hashirama's eyes, only to find tears glistening in them. Just as he was about to mock the crybaby, all the pain and suffering of the past flashed before his eyes.
Fighting for his life on the battlefield, enduring endless hunger and scorn, parting with loved ones and friends again and again until he grew numb-thinking back, all that had been only nine years ago.
"Our dream is finally coming true!"
Watching that idiot Hashirama bawl, tears and snot streaming everywhere, Madara scoffed-only to discover that his own vision had blurred. He raised his flask, and Hashirama immediately understood. Their flasks met in midair with a crisp clink.
Both took a deep swig. The fiery liquor slid down their throats into their stomachs, spreading a warm burn through them. Tipsy from the alcohol, the two men who had been close friends since boyhood went from tears to smiles in an instant, grinning like fools. Their wild laughter was enough to give anyone a headache.
"We're not leaving until we're drunk!"
Thoroughly stunned by Madara and Hashirama making spectacles of themselves, Uchiha Hōkaku sat stiffly in place, hardly daring to breathe. He feared Madara would kill him to keep him quiet once he sobered up.
Where had his domineering, proud, arrogant cousin gone? Who was this idiot whose laughter made his head hurt?
Hashirama Senju really did have the power to turn people