The moon shone bright, the stars sparse.
Silver moonlight lit the land as brightly as day.
No matter how dangerous the nights in the Shinobi World were, nothing could change the clarity and tranquility of the moonlight.
Heavy darkness seeped into the mountains.
Madara Uchiha stood alone on a rarely traveled grassy slope.
He gazed quietly at the night sky, seemingly free of any negative emotions.
An unknown amount of time passed.
Several figures darted out of the forest behind Madara Uchiha. Uchiha Izuna had returned after leaving his brother's side, with Uchiha Tajima and his trusted aides following behind.
Seeing Madara alone, Uchiha Izuna called out anxiously, "Older Brother... where's Yanbai?"
Madara Uchiha did not turn around. "He went back to the Senju Clan," he said softly.
Uchiha Izuna stared blankly at his Older Brother's back and murmured, "How could... this happen..."
To Uchiha Izuna, his Older Brother's voice sounded full of helplessness, and even his silhouette seemed desolate.
Uchiha Tajima felt differently. He was just about to say something to comfort his son.
But Madara Uchiha suddenly turned around. The unusual patterns in his Sharingan silenced every member of the Uchiha Clan present.
Madara Uchiha smiled faintly and said softly, "I received a special gift..."
Some time later, every Uchiha present was smiling.
Yanbai had left, but all the Uchiha Clan's wounded had recovered, and every Uchiha he had put through the wringer had awakened their Sharingan.
Some things could not be forced. They might as well go with the flow. Life still had to go on.
Besides, Madara Uchiha seemed to be in good spirits. Perhaps... the farewell had not been quite so terrible.
Meanwhile.
Yanbai and Tobirama Senju, whom he had healed, were racing along a mountain path at full speed.
They had been away from