Beyond Sin (Naruto)

Spring evening. As it started to get dark.

Fuyou was walking quickly along the narrow gravel path, with grass growing here and there.

Her face and head are covered with a scarf she had previously worn in a play, she is wearing a cloak and has her bag slung diagonally across her body.

I passed a few people on the road, but no one noticed the hibiscus. Only travelers pass by on this road.

Although the sun was still out, it was already dark deep in the forest, and seeing this, Fuyou increased her walking speed.

Several crows flew out of the woods and flew away, cawing loudly.

Fuyou was startled by the sound of the cry and stopped in her tracks.

For Fuyou right now, her beloved Itsuki, Hashirama, and Tobirama were all people she least wanted to see.　

However, on the other hand, whenever I let my guard down, the faces of the three girls pop into my head and I start to miss them, and I feel the urge to turn back.

Determined not to be swept away by such emotions, Fuyou desperately presses forward.

At all costs, they must reach the shrine before sunset without being seen by anyone.

Hahahahaha...

Fuyou became out of breath on a path through the forest, stopped and bent over.

I quickly took out a water bottle from my bag and drank some water.

Looking up, the dark trees hid the gloomy sky.

...A little bit more. Once we get through this road we'll get there...

The sun had set, and it was just light enough in the forest to see ahead.

Fuyou starts running again, following the silhouette of the road.

Snap!

He stumbled over a twig that had fallen on the road.

I try my best to keep my balance, but I can't keep my bag on my shoulder.

Thud! "Ahhh!"

Fuyou fell onto the road, but managed to catch herself and not injure her leg.

My right elbow hurt a lot from touching the ground, but I managed to stand up.

Fuyou's eyes are fixed solely on the road ahead.

He started walking slowly, then started walking quickly again.

The pain in my right elbow seemed to numb the pain in my heart.

"...There it is! We've arrived!"

A small shrine surrounded by four white torii gates appeared before Fuyou's eyes. It was dim and she couldn't see the details of the shrine, but she could tell that it was old.

Fuyou hurries and opens the door to the shrine.

At the same time, small lights come on in the four corners of the ceiling of the shrine. Is this Madara's ninjutsu?

Fuyou looked around outside the shrine, made sure no one was there, then quickly closed the door and locked it from the inside.

I turned around and finally looked around the room again.

There was nothing there except for the Shinto altar. The wooden floor was lit by the lamps and shone brightly. Looking at this, Fuyou wondered if Madara had always come here.

Then he sat down in the center of the room.

I suddenly turned around and looked up, and saw a clock above the entrance door.

She realizes that the journey that should have taken two hours has taken less than an hour and a half. But to Fuyou, it feels like an incredibly long journey.

Fuyou remained frozen in a daze for a while, but then she realized it was okay to relax, so she finally took off her stole and cloak, and put down her bag.

"Phew..."

Fuyou is overcome by a strong feeling of weakness and lies down on the floor.

Then I remembered the first time I came to the Buddhist altar house.

I feel like I was lying on the floor like this that day too...

However, I can no longer remember my mother's face or voice, or what we talked about a long time ago.

Ever since the day Butsuma told me this story while she was in bed, I have been imagining what kind of person my mother was.

However, I'm sure that my life now is completely different from my mother's.

Did my mother and my father love each other? Or did she just love the Buddhist altar? What kind of person was my father?

Marriage... What kind of life will begin with Madara from now on?

◆

About an hour had passed since Fuyou had arrived at the shrine.

"Did you find out anything about Fuyou? Did you go to Itsuki's house?!"

Fuyou had said she was going to Itsuki's house in the afternoon and had left, but had not returned even though an hour had passed since her scheduled return time, so Hashirama and Tobirama had begun searching for her.

"No. He didn't go to Itsuki's house. Right now, Itsuki is searching the whole village. I'm also using my senses to search for him, but since I'm not a ninja I can barely sense his presence. However, from the remaining presences, there's no doubt that he was walking through the village... he may not be in the village anymore."

"...kidnapping!"

"That's a possibility. Maybe someone found out that I'm marrying my brother tomorrow, and is trying to use Fuyou for their own purposes. But... it's not impossible that Fuyou left on her own accord."

"There's no way Fuyou would leave on her own! Fuyou has worked so hard to be useful to the village, and she even wanted to get married. She was happy to be able to be with Itsuki. There's no reason for her to leave!"

"Anyway, we have no choice but to search for him now. Whether he was kidnapped or left on his own, he can't have gone very far. I can sense him and follow him. Brother, please gather the information from the Jonin and Itsuki here. If he was kidnapped, we may have some demands from the culprit."

"...Ah, yeah. I get it."

Tobirama, who had already changed into his combat uniform, disappeared from the house in an instant.

"Fuyou! Where on earth did you go?! I'll definitely find you, so just wait!"

Itsuki frantically concentrated his chakra and searched the village using his wind control Wind Release technique, but it was extremely difficult for Itsuki to sense Fuyou, who had no chakra to begin with.

It seems that Tobirama, an expert at sensing, is the only person I can rely on... No, even if my sensing skills are bad, I'll still search on foot!

Itsuki went again to the place where Fuyou was likely to go and ran around looking for her.

...If Fuyou were gone, I wouldn't be able to live...

Feeling almost crushed by anxiety and fear, Itsuki desperately searched for Fuyou.

Tobirama concentrated his chakra to the highest level and made a seal, trying to sense Fuyou's presence.

...I don't feel like I'm anywhere in the village. I guess I'm outside the village after all...

If Fuyou has been kidnapped, then the culprit must be a ninja from another race.

Or maybe...

No way... Madara...!!!

Tobirama tried to sense Madara's chakra.

However, I still couldn't sense it anywhere in the village. I tried to sense if there was any other evil chakra, but there was nothing abnormal.

...If it was a kidnapping by another race, they would soon be making demands.

So what we need to do now is to explore Madara's possibilities.

Tobirama flew into Uchiha territory.

Unlike the Senju territory, almost all of the residents of the Uchiha territory have relocated to the village, and the town has become quite desolate in just a year.

Not paying any attention to that, Tobirama continued to try and sense Madara's chakra.

...I feel it slightly. But is this just a remnant of what was there before?

I headed towards where I could sense the chakra.

It was Madara's former mansion. It was quite large.

He jumps onto the large gate and surveys the entire mansion, sensing everything.

I faintly sensed the presence of hibiscus.

Tobirama tried to hide his presence and hurried towards the house.

But what if Madara is there...can he do it alone?

Look inside the house.

It was pitch black and there was no one there. Not a sound was heard.

It seems that the presence of the hibiscus is the persistence of someone who used to live here.

Madara was also born and raised in this house, so it's likely that chakra has seeped into him during that time.

Tobirama makes sure that no one is inside the house, then goes inside and lights the detonation tag to create light.

Almost all of the luggage has been removed from the room, and only large pieces of furniture remain.

Carefully, I shine the light and search for any clues.

Then I noticed what appeared to be writing marks on a desk in the corner of the room.

And it's not just a book.

It was a letter that only a ninja could write, with a self-destructing seal for use in codes and messages. In addition to the ink on the desk, Madara's chakra, who had written it, was clearly visible.

"Madara, has he left the village and is here? Who on earth was he writing this message to?"

...No way. So Madara and Fuyou were connected after all?

But it would be a hasty conclusion to make. I don't know who it was addressed to. But judging from the chakra, Madara might be nearby.

Tobirama was shaken for a moment but quickly regained his composure.

It is unclear whether Fuyou and Madara are still in a relationship, but it cannot be said that they are unrelated.

It's also entirely possible that Madara kidnapped Fuyou.

Anyway, I decided to continue trying to sense Madara's location.

The Uchiha territory, the forest that stretched between the Senju and Uchiha territories, and all of Senju territory as well.

It would take time, but there was no choice but to sense everything thoroughly before dawn broke and Madara made his move.

Tobirama concentrated his chakra and sensed as he disappeared into the night.

Information was coming to Hashirama from the Jonin.

Most of the information was meaningless, but one big piece of information came in.

"A citizen said he saw a person wearing a cloak and covering his head and face with a cloth running away from Madara's house. Judging from the person's build and footwear, he said that it was probably a woman."

"What time was that?"

"It will be between 4pm and 4:30pm."

If that information is correct, it is highly likely that Fuyou disappeared on her own accord.

Or maybe someone guided him...

"Let's search Madara's house again. I'll go. Let me know when Tobirama and Itsuki arrive."

"Yes, I understand. Shall I send one of my men with me?"

"No, I'll go alone."

With that said, Hashirama went to the room where his ninja tools were kept and changed into his battle clothes.

I don't want to think about it, but Madara might be involved.

If that happens, there is a high possibility of a fight.

Hashirama remembered what Madara had said to him before he left the village: "Until then, I will enjoy fighting you."

As Tobirama had suspected, are Fuyou and Madara still connected to each other? Or did Madara guide Fuyou?

Either way, Fuyou's departure from Madara's house may have something to do with Madara.

Hashirama used his chakra to run across the rooftops and arrived at Madara's house in about a minute.

There were no lights on in the house, and it was shrouded in silent darkness.

Using his chakra to walk through the darkness, Hashirama reached the living room, which was located almost in the center of the house.

Hashirama decided to use the "Senpou" technique he had been secretly training.

Senpo is the power that utilizes natural energy to dramatically strengthen all Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu.

Using this technique, he can hear the "voices of memory" remaining in this wooden house, the trees in the garden, the flowers, the grass, the stones... any natural object other than humans or animals. Furthermore, by using Mokuton in combination, the accuracy should increase even further.

"Senpou Mokuton: Zanshin Omen!"

If you place your hands together in front of your face and close your eyes, vermilion dark circles will appear on your face.

The room was shrouded in silence, but from all around, faint sounds of people talking, daily life, and birds singing could be heard...Hashirama examined the sounds closely.

The loudest sound was the happy laughter of Fuyou and Itsuki...probably because it was a vivid memory from so recently.

The next loud sound I heard was the cry of a tit coming from the garden.

Hashirama goes to the veranda and opens the shutters. He then holds out his hands toward the garden and listens to the memories of the trees, the soil, the stones, and the flowers.

When I closed my eyes, I heard the chirp of a great tit and the sound of Fuyou being startled. Then I heard the sound of crumpling paper being spread out. I wonder if Fuyou was reading something.

"Madara-sama! We finally get to meet!"

He heard Fuyou's loud voice rising with joy. Hashirama couldn't believe his ears, and at the same time, his suspicions turned to certainty, and he was stunned.

...Is the great tit a messenger bird from the Madara?...

The titmouse was a bird often used by the Uchiha clan to send messages.

However, without time to be depressed, Tobirama returned to the living room, put his hands on the floor, and searched for the voice that remained in his memory.

Rustling, rustling, thumping...the sound of something being stuffed into a bag.

"Hashirama-sama, Itsuki-chan, Tobirama-sama... I'm sorry. Goodbye."

After Fuyou's soft murmur, her footsteps disappear into the entranceway.

...So Fuyou left the village of her own accord...

Hashirama clenched his palms tightly on the floor and lay face down.

"Fuyou... Was it a lie that Madara abandoned you...?"

The conclusion he reached from the many voices he heard through the technique was that Fuyou had not broken up with Madara, and that the two were undoubtedly still connected to this day.

So Fuyou left the village to meet Madara.

Hashirama thought.

I'll bring Fuyou back no matter what...

Marrying her and living in the village would be Fuyou's greatest happiness...

If being by the side of her beloved Madara makes Fuyou happiest, then she shouldn't chase after him...

Hashirama can't decide.

I remember that day when I couldn't stop Madara.

...How powerless I am.

To think he couldn't even hold back his friend, the woman he loved...

As I was still unconsciously continuing my Senjutsu training, while lying face down, I could hear Madara and Fuyou's happy laughter from the floor.

...Was Fuyou able to laugh so loudly in front of a man?

...Madara was laughing like an idiot in front of Fuyou, which didn't suit his face.

"I love you, Madara-sama."

"Enough already!!"

Hashirama yelled, trying to drown out Fuyou's voice coming from the floor.

Was Fuyou pretending to love him in order to maintain her love for Madara?

Was he deceiving me?

Hashirama had never even imagined that Fuyou was a woman capable of such clever tactics. It still hasn't dawned on him.

What is it about Madara's charm that makes Fuyou feel that way?

What exactly is it that Madara has that I don't?

Clang! ...

Tobirama came in from the entrance carrying a light. His figure emerged in the darkness, his shadow lengthening.

"Brother! I sensed Madara's chakra! He may be close by. However, I sensed the Uchiha territory, the Senju territory, the surrounding mountains and forests, and the village, but I could not find any sign of Fuyou...Even if she has no chakra, she has a smell and body heat, so there is no way I wouldn't find her if I were to sense her with the highest accuracy. There's no way..."

Hashirama said without looking back at Tobirama.

"...It's okay now. There's no need to look for her. Fuyou left on her own accord."

"Did you understand anything?"

"I used the Mokuton Zanshin Chowa technique....Madara and Fuyou had been in contact via carrier bird. Fuyou then packed her belongings and left."

"...is that true?"

"Yes. There's no doubt about it... Now let's set Fuyou free..."

Hearing this, Tobirama sighed softly and turned the light towards Hashirama.

"That's not like you, brother. I don't know what you heard in the Senjutsu, but the memories here don't necessarily represent everything. Madara left behind incomprehensible words, words that seemed to deny the village. What if he has deceived Fuyou and is using her as a tool to destroy the village?"

"...How could that possibly be possible? They truly loved each other."

To Tobirama, it looked like Hashirama had simply given up on his friends and the woman he loved, and was trying to get an easier life for himself as quickly as possible.

"You idiot! Don't worry about it later. Even if Fuyou left the village of her own volition, are you sure that's okay? Anyway, let's find Fuyou! We can talk after that."

Hashirama slowly turned towards Tobirama, looking at his face with slightly weak eyes.

A strong determination not to give up on finding Fuyou was reflected in Tobirama's eyes, as if to say that what he had heard in the Senjutsu was irrelevant.

Seeing those intense eyes, Hashirama regained his composure.

...I can't let Fuyou go like this. ...

"That's right... You're right. I lost my cool... I'm sorry for being such a pathetic brother."

"It's the usual. Let's go!"

The two of them left the house and returned home.

After confirming that the kidnapper had not yet made any demands, he made pursuing Madara his top priority.

Then Itsuki also returned to Hashirama's house.

"Hokage-sama! Did you find anything? We couldn't find anything..."

"Itsuki, you've done well. I don't have time to go into detail, but it appears that Fuyou has left the village of her own accord. Madara may be involved. I'm going to go look for him now."

"What?! There's no way Fuyou would leave on her own! I'll go with you!"

"No. If we get into a fight with Madara you'll just be a drag."

Tobirama answered Itsuki's request without any hesitation.

"but···!"

"Itsuki, I understand how you feel. But we need time. Could you please wait here for Fuyou? Please."

Itsuki was told to ask Hashirama, the Hokage, for help, so he had no choice but to back down.

I have no choice but to trust in Hashirama and Tobirama.

"Please take good care of Fuyou!!"

"ah"

Hashirama and Tobirama left the house and headed in the direction they had sensed Madara's chakra.

◆

The blue of the mountain entrance joins in. The surrounding scenery is also dyed in indigo blue.

Dawn is near.

Hashirama and Tobirama found the location of Madara's chakra, but Madara was no longer there.

However, judging from the strength of the chakra, it seemed that they had not been there very long ago. If they followed the chakra traces, they would be able to reach Madara's location. They had to find Madara and Fuyou as soon as possible, before dawn broke and Madara would make his move.

"Brother, this direction is heading towards the village."

"Yes, but it's a little different. It's a little closer to the direction of Uchiha territory."

"So Madara is planning to return to his house in the Uchiha territory again?"

"That's a strong possibility. The Uchiha territory is in ruins. No one would notice if Madara lived there. Maybe we should go to Madara's mansion first."

The two changed direction and headed towards Madara's mansion.

◆

Before I knew it, I had fallen into a long sleep.

Fuyou looked up at the clock and saw it was five in the morning.

From inside the shrine, you can't see what's going on outside. All you can see is the lights in the four corners of the ceiling, flickering gently.

"Two more hours... I'll soon be able to meet you, Madara-sama..."

Fuyou looked inside her bag and saw a small bento box wrapped in a furoshiki cloth. Inside was a box of inari sushi, Madara's favorite food. She was worried that it might fall apart if she fell.

I took it out of my bag, untied the wrapping, and opened the lid.

"Thank goodness. Thanks to the tight packing, everything is fine."

Fuyou smiles to herself at the sight, then puts the lid back on and wraps it in the furoshiki.

The image of Madara munching on delicious inari sushi comes to mind.

Thinking of that face, she no longer felt anxious that Madara might not come.

She just couldn't wait for the appointed time to come. Feeling nervous and with a sense of guilt that wouldn't go away even after a night's sleep, Fuyou closed her eyes.

◆

Dawn was fast approaching and it was bright enough that he could see inside the room without using chakra or light.

Hashirama and Tobirama confirmed that Madara was not there and then entered Madara's mansion.

Hashirama, who uses sage magic, places his hand on the desk that Tobirama had found earlier, which shows signs of a letter being written.Then the letters of the letter appear on the desk, and only Hashirama, who uses sage magic, can read them.

"Tobirama... There's no doubt that Madara's message was addressed to Fuyou. It says May 1st, 7:00 a.m. to wait at Hiedaga Shrine."

"Today! And it's almost here! I've heard that that shrine was built from the Sacred Tree, and that it's a shrine where the Uchiha clan's secret techniques have been performed. It's not surprising that Madara has cast a knot there and can't sense Fuyou. I'll bring Fuyou back before Madara shows up!"

"...No, I have to meet Madara first."

"What a stupid thing to do! What's the point of fighting for nothing!"

"It's Madara. If we break the barrier and bring Fuyou back, he will try to take her back too. We must avoid a fight in the village at all costs. Even though it was a barrier he set up, he won't be able to use his Sharingan to see inside the shrine made from the sacred tree without breaking the barrier. We will tell Madara that Fuyou didn't come, and make him give up on her."

"I understand that. But what if instead of giving up, you try to go to the village and steal the Hibiscus?"

"When that time comes, I will use all my strength to stop him. I will never hand Fuyou over to Madara as he is now."

Tobirama was finally relieved that Hashirama was serious about bringing Fuyou back and not handing her over to Madara.

Even if Fuyou left the village of her own accord, there was no way she would be happy staying with Madara.

Fuyou is a unique person who should be with her brother, herself, Itsuki, and everyone in the village.

The two sit cross-legged on the floor.

Hashirama completely erased his chakra, while Tobirama continued to sense by constantly cultivating a small amount of chakra, and the two of them waited patiently for Madara.

◆

Jalali...

As Madara stood on a rock on the cliff, the chains of the weapon on his back clanged.

The sky was light blue in the morning sun, and a thin haze hung over the plain deep in the forest.

Further across the plain, in the forest, lies Hiedagaya Shrine.

"Hibiscus..."

A cool breeze brushes against Madara's cheeks and hair. The comfort is similar to the feeling he gets when he hugs Fuyou, and Madara involuntarily narrows his eyes.

Over the past few months, Madara has been building a base for his "next dream" and for realizing that dream together with Fuyou.

The end of this world and the beginning of a new one would be meaningless without Fuyou by his side.

Madara jumps vertically off the cliff and runs into the forest, a smile on his face.

He ran through the forest, jumping from tree to tree, and came out onto the plain.

On the green plains, white flowers bloom in abundance.

Thinking that the hibiscus would be happy to see it, he squatted down to touch the flower, but stopped midway, stood up again, and looked ahead, preparing himself.

At the same time that I saw a swallow fly away, two familiar faces appeared before me.

"Madara...I'm afraid Fuyou won't be coming."

Without even a greeting, it was Hashirama who spoke bluntly.

...I guess I couldn't hide it from Hashirama after all. But I expected something like this to happen...

"You left the village to pursue your dream by yourself. Don't drag Fuyou into this."

Tobirama said to the silent Madara.

Thud!

Madara ignored them even more, jumping over them and heading towards the forest on the other side of the plain.

The two of them follow suit.

"Tobirama, we must stop Madara before he reaches the shrine at all costs."

"I know. Leave it to me."

Tobirama flew to the spot where the kunai had been marked beforehand.

Tobirama appeared in front of Madara.

"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"

Tobirama immediately activates the technique.

A thick wall of water stood before Madara, stretching high into the sky and surrounding the forest from the earth.

Madara stopped in his tracks, Hashirama standing behind him.

"...Hashirama. Don't stand behind me."

"Madara, Fuyou is marrying me today. Fuyou no longer loves you."

"Marrying you? Haha. That's a pretty funny joke."

"I'm not kidding. Ever since you left the village, Fuyou's feelings have returned to me."

"There's no way Fuyou's feelings will ever change. Fuyou will be mine forever."

Madara said, not being upset by Hashirama's words, he laughed it off.

"There's no other way... Mokuton: Flowering Tree Realm Descends!"

Countless tree roots spring up from the earth, and trunks and branches grow from them in an instant.

The flower buds on the branches open one after another, scattering pollen. The pollen causes the white flowers blooming on the plain to wither and fade in an instant.

Madara is trapped between Tobirama's barrier and Hashirama's Jukai, and defends himself by cutting down the branches of the Jukai.

"Poisonous pollen? It won't work on me. Don't pollute the earth with something like this! Fire Release: Great Flame Extinction!"

Boooooooooo...! Crack, crack, crack...

Madara glanced at the wilting white flowers, then sprayed flames from his mouth and burned the entire sea of ​​trees to ashes.

Hashirama steps back to avoid the flames.

Madara takes advantage of the opportunity and leaps at Tobirama.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

A mass of water in the shape of a dragon shoots out from the water wall, and Tobirama attacks Madara.

Bang! Gobooooo!

As soon as the dragon hit Madara, he disappeared.

"Dammit! A shadow clone!"

The real Madara was floating above Tobirama's head.

"I won't let you go!"

Hashirama appears in front of Madara and swings the sword he has drawn from his back down at Madara.

GASHIIIIII!!

Madara blocked it with the Uchiha Sacred Treasure.

The sword and the Uchiha met, trembling.

"Hmph. That's easy to understand. The fact that you're trying so hard to stop me from going any further means that you're saying Fuyou is here, Hashirama..."

"Fuyou is in the village. The village is ahead. I won't let you touch Fuyou or the village!"

"Don't worry. We're not going to the village yet. I'm just taking Fuyou with me today."

"How can we give the Hibiscus to you, the enemy of the village?"

"I told you. Fuyou is mine. Her will is my will. Do you still not understand?"

"You... you!!"

Screeeech!!

Madara swept away Hashirama's sword with the sickle that was chained to the Uchiha.

The moment he left Hashirama, Tobirama attacked Madara from the ground.

"Water Release: Water Severance Wave!"

A column of water is shot out of Tobirama's mouth and heads towards Madara at incredible speed.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

The flames that Madara spurted out of his mouth collided with the water column, and the flames and water cancelled each other out, turning into steam that smoked the surroundings.

For a moment, Hashirama and Tobirama were unable to see each other.

"Katon/Ryūbō Gyōka!"

Taking advantage of that brief opportunity, Madara unleashed several dragon flames towards the water wall, which pierced it and created holes in it.

Madara jumps into the hole and runs off.

The holed water wall gradually fades away.

"Tobirama! It looks like Madara has cast some kind of spell on Fuyou!"

With that, Hashirama ran after Madara, followed by Tobirama.

As Madara runs through the forest, lit by the morning sun, towards the shrine, Hashirama and Tobirama chase after him.

Finally, the shrine where Fuyou was located appeared before the three of them.

"Wood Release: Wood Curse Surround!"

The moment Madara made a seal to remove the barrier around the shrine, Hashirama's Mokuton transformed the trees and they attacked Madara.

Madara instinctively released the seal he had made, swept away the trees with his hands, and placed his feet on the ground.

"Hashirama... The fact that the shrine's barrier was not lifted means that you haven't met Fuyou either. Perfect. Let's ask Fuyou in person, in front of us, what she wants to do."

"If I were to ask Fuyou now, she would probably just say she'll follow you..."

Now that he'd come this far, he could no longer deny that Fuyou hadn't come.

"You understand that, don't you? Then you should step aside. Fuyou wants to be with me."

"That is not Fuyou's intention. Just before the peace treaty was signed, you did the same thing to several of your skilled subordinates who tried to defect. You probably did the same thing to Fuyou. Am I wrong?"

"...Could it be that imprisonment spell?"

Madara grinned as he looked at the calm Hashirama and the surprised Tobirama.

"It's just connecting me and Fuyou so that she doesn't get lost."

"Why not? Don't you love Fuyou?"

Hashirama asked Madara angrily.

"Yes, I do love you. That's why I'm the one who understands you best. I know what kind of personality you have, and what your flaws are. My love is to guide you on the right path, without letting those flaws get you down."

"What kind of love is that?! You just want to turn me into a puppet that won't betray you!!"

The sun rises and sunlight filters through the trees and pours down like rain onto the forest.

The birds disappeared and the forest was enveloped in silence, with only Tobirama's screams echoing around.

"Hmmph... I knew that Fuyou's heart would be shaken these past few months, surrounded by you siblings, Itsuki, the girls' school, and the people of the village. The imprisonment curse was to protect her from hurting herself. It's only natural to want to relieve the suffering of those you love, isn't it? Right, Hashirama?"

"I don't understand. How could I possibly comprehend such a despicable act, like implanting such a dangerous thing into the body of the woman I love!"

"It's just a difference in perspective. Fuyou and I love each other, so there's no problem."

"You're the one who's chaining Fuyou up!"

"Madara, love isn't something that you can unilaterally tie down someone with. If you tie Fuyou's feelings down with something like that, will you be happy being loved?"

"I need Hibiscus for my dreams. Dreams you can't reach... Soon. Soon you'll reach them."

Madara said as he raised both his palms towards the sky.

"Hey, can you tell me about that dream? Let's make it come true together with everyone in the village. Lead us to the peace you envision! Especially if you love Fuyou! There's still time!"

"Brother! There's no point in saying anything to this guy! Let's defeat him quickly and save Fuyou."

Hearing Tobirama's words, Madara laughed out loud.

"Tobirama! You tried to kill Fuyou, so why are you saving her? Do you hate being mine that much?"

"I don't owe you an answer!"

"Madara, Fuyou has worked hard for the village over the past few months. She wished with all her heart for the development and peace of the village. In reality, what she wants most is for you to live in the village with her! Fuyou is not the only one on your side. Everyone in the village is your sibling and family. Please, come back!"

The Sharingan mark in Madara's eyes changed.

"Susanoo!"

He ignores Hashirama's words and activates the technique.

Crack, crack, crack!!!

A giant appeared and with the sword he was holding, cut through the barrier surrounding the shrine behind them along with the sea of ​​trees, blowing the roof of the shrine away.

"Damn it!!!"

Before Hashirama and Tobirama could act, a giant's hand reached out and grabbed Fuyou, who was inside the shrine, and lifted her up.

"Ahhhh!!"

Fuyou's screams echoed throughout the forest.

"Sorry for this rough reunion. Fuyou... please stay still for a bit."

"Ma-Madara-sama!... And Hashirama-sama and Tobirama-sama...!"

Fuyou has no idea what is going on. She simply stays still and obeys Madara's orders.

"Stop it Madara!!!"

The giant took out a huge spear wrapped in black flames and threw it in a direction to the west.

"Now, where in the village will they land? If we don't chase after them quickly, people will die."

"Dammit!"

Tobirama disappeared using the Flying Thunder God technique.

"Hashirama-sama! Please hurry to the village! I'll be fine!"

"...I'll definitely help you, Fuyou!"

Hashirama hurried after the spear.

"...I'm sorry that our reunion turned out like this."

Madara released Susanoo and took Fuyou into his arms, holding her in his arms as he said.

"...."

"Don't get mad...hey."

Fuyou looks angry and bitter, and continues to look away.

"Hey!"

Madara pressed his index finger against Fuyou's cheek.

Fuyou couldn't help but laugh at his action.

"S-Seriously! Madara-sama, you've gone too far! What would you do if someone really died?"

"It's okay. Hashirama isn't that incompetent. He's the only one who can fight on equal terms with me."

Fuyou put her arms around Madara's neck and hugged him.

"I'm glad Madara-sama wasn't hurt either... I wanted to see you soon..."

Madara also hugged Fuyou tightly.

"Me too. It felt weird without you next to me."

"I wish I could just be honest and say I was lonely."

"...."

Madara feels a little embarrassed and looks into the distance, then releases Fuyou's arms and faces her.

Kiss...

Their lips meet.

The kiss continues for a long time, as if to make up for the time they were apart.

Fuyou was savoring the joy of meeting Madara, as if she had never had any doubts up until now.

I really love Madara-sama with all my heart.

I don't want to leave. This is where I belong...

The birds returned to the forest once again, and a variety of chirps filled the air, praising the couple.

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