Madara Uchiha stared at the unusually quiet Yanbai, his face tense.
In the dark room, pairs of glowing green eyes suddenly lit up the blackness like awakening stars.
Within that dim, eerie green space...
Staring at Yanbai's exquisite face, Madara Uchiha suddenly remembered how, back when Yanbai was still with the Uchiha Clan, he had silently beaten him senseless and healed him every day.
Madara had gained a great deal from those battles, yet Yanbai had never asked him for anything in return.
Yanbai always seemed to give in silence, never asking them for anything.
Because whenever Yanbai wanted something, he found a way to get it himself. He never needed anyone's help.
What Yanbai wanted...
Death...
As those memories resurfaced, Madara Uchiha naturally recalled the words he had nearly forgotten: "Madara, I want to die..."
Madara Uchiha's grip on his blade abruptly loosened.
His worn blade fell onto the tatami at his feet with a thud.
Whatever the reason, whatever Yanbai's purpose in summoning him at that crucial moment, none of it mattered anymore.
Why was I arguing with Yanbai over an outsider?
If I can't kill Uzumaki Aizen today, I'll kill him tomorrow. If not tomorrow, I'll get him someday...
But without Yanbai, what meaning would anything I'm doing now have?
Negative emotions welled up inside him. Without a word, Madara Uchiha sank onto one knee on the tatami and pressed a hand to his forehead, seemingly caught in a struggle of anguish and indecision.
"I'm sorry..." Madara Uchiha murmured.
Yanbai stood before Madara Uchiha, but with Madara's head bowed, he could not make out his expression at all.
Still, this was the second time today he had heard Madara Uchiha say "I'm sorry." It felt a little surreal.
"Did something happen, Madara...?"
Looking down at Madara Uchiha,