Leaving aside Danzo, whose home had been raided, classes at the Ninja Academy were over in what felt like a blur.
After saying goodbye to his friends, Naruto set off on his little legs, ready to head home.
Then, just after taking his first step, he stopped.
Hehehe.
"Sasuke, why are you still waiting here?"
Normally, whether Sasuke was visiting Naruto's house or being taken to and from school, Itachi handled everything himself.
They had left in a hurry that morning, so Naruto hadn't had time to think about it.
Could it be that Itachi had finally realized that always spoiling Sasuke wasn't good and was now making him be independent?
In that case, could he...
"None of your business."
Sasuke turned his head away, thinking, Oh no. Has my brother still not finished his mission? Am I going to have to go home by myself?
Naruto's face took on a comical expression.
"I see~ How about we go home together?"
Inside the Sealing Space, Hashirama found that tone and that feeling very familiar.
It seemed, perhaps, probably, that he had once invited Madara like that too.
Back then, he had learned a very advanced dice-shaking technique at a gambling house, spending a full 1,000 ryō to learn it.
Mito had even caught him during the lessons, and then she had confiscated all his secret savings.
To make a little money, Hashirama had found Madara, who had nothing to do, and invited him into his room.
Yes, it had been very late, and Mito was already asleep.
He and Madara had started shaking dice in the guest bedroom.
Hashirama's technique was exquisite. Rattle, rattle, rattle, then he slammed the cup down.
"Now then, Madara! Tell me your choice!"
"High."
Hashirama froze for a moment, then lifted the cup, revealing