The Uchiha Clan and the Hagoromo Clan had turned against each other. Butsuma Senju suspended their hired missions for the time being and ordered his clansmen to guard the Clan Grounds strictly, forbidding them from going out at will. He intended to sit back and watch the two clans wear each other down.
Confined to home, Hashirama Senju and his three brothers were gathered in a designated place to study. They had to improve not only their combat strength but also their knowledge of internal administration and people's livelihoods.
A heavy load of coursework weighed on the four brothers.
Yanbai was responsible for making three tasty meals a day, then delivering them to his father and brothers.
The rest of the time, Yanbai quietly trained without pause in his own way.
That afternoon.
A little pregnant cat had joined Yanbai's courtyard and was helping bury the droppings of two hens that had just dropped by for a visit...
Yanbai reclined on the cold planks of the narrow veranda, lying on his side as he watched the newly arrived cat take the initiative to get along with the "family."
A bird flew in from outside and fluttered down onto Yanbai's shoulder.
Yanbai turned his face toward it and listened to its rhythmic chirping.
Before long, Yanbai took a small box from the food container beside him, picked out a still-wriggling worm, and offered it to the bird.
The bird accepted the "bribe," nuzzled Yanbai, then spread its wings and flew away.
Tobirama Senju, who had been sitting silently cross-legged nearby, lowered his eyes and said expressionlessly, "That person ran into danger, so he came to you for help? He really is too weak."
Tobirama Senju could skim ten lines at a glance and remember everything he read.
He had finished his coursework early, so he had been able to come visit Yanbai.
"I just helped keep watch for enemy forces and showed him the way while I was at it. It was hardly any trouble." This time, Yanbai did not hide anything from Tobirama Senju.
"You saved his life." Tobirama Senju raised his eyes to Yanbai. "Let's hope his worth justifies all the care and effort you're putting into him."
Yanbai chuckled softly and said nothing.
Tobirama Senju folded his arms and continued, "The Hagoromo Clan is doing everything it can to hunt down the Uchiha Clan's two young heirs. When I heard the news just now, I noticed a change in our eldest brother's mood. Because of our agreement, I spoke to him alone and talked him out of it. Luckily, Father didn't notice anything unusual."
At a time like this, if Hashirama Senju could not restrain himself and went out to save Madara Uchiha...
Even if he managed to save Madara Uchiha, their relationship would come to an end.
This forbidden friendship still could not be made public.
Yanbai stared at Tobirama Senju, utterly speechless.
With the original plot shaping his expectations, Yanbai had always worked hard to keep things from Tobirama Senju and steer clear of him.
He had feared that Tobirama Senju would report them to Butsuma and force Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha to sever ties, just as they had in their original fate.
Now, Yanbai had tried every possible way to avoid that fate.
Yet he had discovered that Tobirama Senju was not actually all that annoying.
"Thank you, Tobirama," Yanbai said sincerely.
At those words, Tobirama Senju pressed a hand to his temple and briefly closed his eyes. "Don't celebrate too soon. The adults in both families will find out sooner or later. If he can't gain a say in his clan before then, we'll still end up as enemies."
"I know. Let's leave it at that." Yanbai nodded.
Tobirama Senju had been watching Yanbai's reactions from the start.
He had confirmed that Yanbai had no special affection for that Uchiha. Instead, he seemed to be trying to preserve the relationship between Hashirama Senju and that person.
But why was Yanbai working so hard to preserve our eldest brother's forbidden friendship?
What exactly did Yanbai stand to gain from it?
For now, Tobirama Senju could not figure it out.
Whatever the case, this was good news.
Before you continue