Beyond Sin (Naruto)

The days of fighting have returned to Hashirama and Tobirama once again.

Even though the Senju clan had the upper hand, the battle between Madara and the Uchiha Jonin was not going to be easy.

Meanwhile, looking for a new option, Hashirama decides to head to the garrison near the border where the Sorachi clan is located.

Tobirama was superior in negotiation skills, and ideally it would have been best for the two of them to go together, but there was a risk in having the two of them leave their territory together outside of battle.

Ever since the incident the other day, Tobirama has been avoiding Fuyou.

Although Hashirama was worried about leaving the two of them together, he made preparations to go and return as quickly as possible, and set off with several of his subordinates.

"Fuyou. There's something I need to talk to you about. Please come to my father's room."

I was surprised when someone spoke to me from Tobira after such a long time. What was he talking about? All sorts of thoughts ran through my head, and I went nervously to the room that was used as the Buddhist altar.

Tobirama sat down on the tatami mat. Fuyou sat upright facing him.

"I'm talking about my brother."

Her heart skips a beat...Fuyou becomes worried that something has happened to Hashirama.

"My brother is currently visiting the Sorachi clan, who are stationed along the border, to ask for their cooperation in the war. He has requested something as part of the negotiations. I want you to deliver it to my brother now."

He said as he took out a scroll and placed it in front of Fuyou.

"Can I do it...?"

"I would like to have a squad of only my subordinates take it, but if the squad with the most capable members moves now and the Uchiha ninja notice it, it will become troublesome. At worst, if they steal this scroll as well, the secret will be leaked and that will be the end of the story. My brother's life will also be in danger... I can only ask you, who has no ties to ninja. Of course, I will have my subordinates act as guards, and we will make it look like we are escorting an important person."

"I-I understand."

Although she was nervous, Fuyou accepted the task, thinking that the time had finally come when she could serve Shinobu as his fiancee and repay his kindness.

The next day, Fuyou packed her bags and set off before dawn accompanied by two of Tobirama's subordinates, one of whom was a kunoichi.

"I'll be off."

"I'm counting on you... be careful."

"Yes. Thank you. I will be sure to give this to Hashirama-sama."

Tobirama watched Fuyou leave until her back was out of sight.

It was Fuyou's first time camping, and being the curious girl she is, she was inappropriately excited.

"Um, how long have you two been ninja for?"

We were not allowed to talk during the trip, so we were finally able to have a proper conversation.

"Ahahaha. A ninja is a ninja from the moment he is born. That is true for both Hashirama-sama and Tobirama-sama."

"I-I see... I'm sorry for asking such an ignorant question."

"No. But in the case of women, being born into a ninja family doesn't necessarily mean they will become a ninja, so it's not a strange question."

"Um... thank you so much for coming with me this time. I appreciate it."

Fuyou bowed deeply. The two ninjas exchanged looks.

"No, no. Please lift your head! We are on a mission. Don't thank me."

"Still, I'm really grateful that you escorted me. Thank you."

Fuyou thanks them again and smiles kindly at the two of them.

"Shinobi generally work in teams of three when on a mission. We are also a team that has come together for the same mission, to deliver the scroll to Lord Hashirama."

The kunoichi said, smiling back at Fuyou.

"A team, huh? I'm glad to hear that. Let's definitely deliver this scroll to Hashirama together!"

Fuyou, who knew nothing about this, was smiling with genuine happiness.

When night fell, the first kunoichi on guard saw Fuyou sleeping and remembered their earlier conversation, and her heart ached a little.

...He's such a good kid, why is Tobirama-sama...

Personal feelings are forbidden on a mission. I immediately stopped thinking about it and resumed my vigilance.

Crash crash. Clang! Screeeech.

It was all of a sudden.

Fuyou and her friends were ambushed by ninja from the Uchiha clan, but a male ninja prevented them.

"Fuyō-sama, please don't get off my back!"

Even though Fuyou was so scared her body nearly froze, she clung to the kunoichi with her back to her.

A shuriken comes flying, and at the same time a sword is swung down on Fuyou's head.

The kunoichi uses her sword to deflect all the shuriken.

"You are all members of the Senju clan! I can't forgive you for coming all the way to a place like this... I'm going to have you disappear."

"Hmph! How foolish of you to set foot on Uchiha soil with a squad of only three people, two of them women."

The two who were guarding Fuyou and two Uchiha ninja began fighting two on two.

The four of them disappear into the depths of the forest.

Fuyou tried hard not to get upset. No matter what, she couldn't hand over this scroll. She hugged the bag containing the scroll tightly and kept a watchful eye on her surroundings.

Whoosh!!! Gush!!! Drop...

In an instant, the kunai pierced Fuyou's left shoulder and stuck into the ground.

Fuyou falls to the ground and is unable to move due to the intense pain she has never experienced before.

I wonder how many minutes had passed. As my eyes started to become hazy, the two Uchiha ninjas from before were standing in front of me.

"Hey, both of your friends just ran off."

"Prepare yourself."

He said as he approached me.

"Hey...if you take a closer look, isn't this woman a really beautiful woman?"

"Oh, what a rare sight."

"If I'm going to kill you anyway... let me have some fun first..."

Saying that, he began to remove the clothes of Fuyou, who was unable to move.

...Help me...Hashirama-sama...Tobirama-sama...

It was at this point that Fuyou was about to lose consciousness completely.

"You guys. What are you doing?"

A man appeared, larger than the two men, with long, flowing black hair.

"M-M-Lord Madara!"

"N-no... well, this guy is a ninja from the Senju clan! I was fighting two of his allies earlier, but they ran away..."

"What are you doing with an injured woman, naked, I hear you ask?"

He said as he let out a rush of chakra.

"S-sorry. Please overlook that!"

"Even if your opponent is a kunoichi of the Senju, it is unforgivable to trample upon her. But you are still proud Uchiha ninja!"

"Y-Please forgive me!"

"It was our fault... I'm sorry!"

The men noticed Madara preparing a jutsu and quickly ran away.

Madara approaches Fuyou. He can't sense any chakra. Is she dead?

...No, that's not it. This guy is not a ninja! ...

Madara quickly begins treating the wound with healing techniques.

Fuyou had already lost consciousness.

After healing and treating her as best as they could, they dressed Fuyou in the clothes she had taken off and picked her up.

They move at high speed by jumping from tree to tree.

Fuyō regained consciousness.

···warm···

When I opened my eyes in a daze, I saw the face of a handsome but somewhat intimidating man and realized that he was carrying me.

"Thanks for…helping me."

"Don't talk. Even though we've treated him, he's still in a dangerous condition. Keep your eyes closed."

Fuyou closed her eyes again and leaned her body against Madara.

◆

The slightly sour scent of fresh green leaves drifted in through the window on the wind. Hibiscus flowers bring back memories.

Fuyou was lying on a hospital bed.

From the window you can see the branches of a cherry tree in full bloom.

By now, I should have been attending my graduation ceremony at girls' school together with Itsuki.

...Itsuki...I want to see you...

"How is the pain? Has it gotten any better?"

When she turned towards the voice, the man who had saved her was standing there. When his eyes met hers, he sat down heavily in the chair next to the bed.

"I'm sorry... my subordinates did terrible things. Please forgive them."

"Thank you very much for your help."

Fuyou remembered the fear she felt at that time and instinctively averted her eyes from the man.

"You're not a ninja. Who are you? Why are you on Uchiha territory?"

"...."

"Answer me. Your answer will affect how I handle this."

"...I was on my way to deliver something."

"To whom?"

"I can't tell you."

"I found this scroll in your luggage, the only thing that I can sense chakra from. What is this?"

"Oh, that's it!!!"

What should I do? The Uchiha will find out about the scroll!

"I broke the seal and had a look, but it was blank."

"What?! It's blank... Ah, no, well, that's..."

Fuyou is confused by this unexpected truth. But maybe Hashirama can read it even if it is blank...

"Tell me honestly. Who were you trying to deliver it to?!"

"I can't tell you..."

"You. Someone has set you up."

Saying this, the man chuckled.

"...Set up?"

"That's right. It was either the ninja who asked you to deliver this, or someone who had requested that ninja to do so. The fact that the two ninja who were guarding you quickly fled, leaving you behind, is proof of that."

"No way! That's because Tobirama-sama would do something like that for Hashirama-sama... Ah!!"

Fuyou was so shaken by the news that she had been set up that she accidentally blurted out the names of Hashirama and Tobirama.

"It's okay. I immediately knew from the chakra that it was from Tobirama. It's probably going to be delivered to Hashirama, right? I was just asking you some leading questions to confirm."

"...."

It seemed like the man already knew everything.

"Um... is that scroll really blank? Does it contain any information or value?"

"Yes. It's a complete piece of paper. Its only value is that it's a blank sheet of paper onto which new information can be written."

"I-I see... So you lied about it being an important delivery."

"I guess so, unfortunately."

"That's good..."

Fuyou smiled, as if she was truly relieved.

"teeth?"

Madara was surprised by Fuyou's unexpected reaction. What on earth could make her happy?

"The truth is, this is something Hashirama-sama needs for discussion with the Sorachi clan, and I heard that if anyone from the Uchiha clan saw it, it would be the end of volume one. So... I'm really glad that was a lie!"

"Are you an idiot? You were almost killed when you got trapped between the doors."

"Yes. That may be true, but... I'm glad that even if I died or this scroll was seen by the Uchiha, it wouldn't cause any trouble for Hashirama-sama or the Senju. I'm relieved."

"...."

Madara was stunned and speechless. Could it be that he had been brainwashed by the Senju clan?

"Um... sorry..."

"What?"

"May I ask your name? My name is Tachibana Fuyou."

"I am Uchiha Madara."

"Madara-sama...I see. Once again, thank you for your help."

...Is something wrong?

I'm starting to not understand why people are thanking me.

Or rather, do you not know me?

"Huh? You... aren't you worried about what will happen to you in the future?"

"Ah, that's right! I'm sorry... Madara-sama is a very good person, so I thought things would work out somehow. Hahaha. Ah, what will happen to me...?"

Fuyou laughed, then suddenly looked anxious, as if she had remembered something.

"A prisoner. Although, there's probably no point in taking someone prisoner who was meant to be killed... Well, it appears you are from Senju's territory, so I'm going to have you tell me everything you know."

"...I understand. But there are things I can't say, I can't say!"

"Do you understand what a prisoner of war means?"

When Fuyou found out that she had been deceived and nearly killed by Tobirama, she was actually very upset.

I didn't want to believe it, but if I showed any signs of being upset in front of Madara, he would have to question me further.

What Fuyou cannot say is that she is engaged to both Hashirama and Tobirama.

The one thing he must avoid is becoming a "valuable prisoner" to the Uchiha side.

Tears ran down Fuyou's cheeks and fell onto the pure white sheets.

Cherry blossom petals flutter down onto Hiyou's pillow.

◆

When Hashirama was returning to his territory after finishing his discussions with the Sorachi clan, he received a report from one of his subordinates that Fuyou was missing, so he hurried back home alone.

"Tobirama! Have you found out anything about Fuyou?"

"No, it's just that there were signs that she had packed her things before she left."

"What do you mean, even your senses can't detect it!"

"The only possibilities are that he's far away, out of our reach, or inside a barrier, or maybe he's already dead."

"... Anyway, I'll search with all my might!"

"ah."

Ten days passed, and Fuyou was still nowhere to be found. There were no reports of her being seen.

Hashirama was in his room, face down, crying silently.

"Fuyou... I'm sorry. If only I had been here this wouldn't have happened! Please stay safe. I will definitely, definitely find you!"

Even though he sensed Hashirama's behavior, Tobirama felt nothing.

◆

Who was it that said that cherry blossoms are most beautiful when they have just lost their leaves?

Thinking about such things, Fuyou was leisurely strolling through the fields.

Fuyou was released from the hospital a few days ago and is now living in a detached house in a corner of Madara's mansion.

This is because Madara will be able to keep a close eye on him and he will also be his gofer.

Suddenly, I saw some children arguing ahead of me. I cautiously approached them.

"It's weird that Mommy gets two and I get one." "Give me one too!" "I want a taste of that one. Give me one."

They seemed to be arguing about how to divide the candy among everyone.

"Hello. What? Do you want to share the candy equally among everyone?"

"Who's that, nee-chan? Yeah, but it doesn't matter. I'm not gonna do it to you."

"Let's see, five tangerines, six apples, and four grapes. How many? One, two, three... five. That's difficult."

"Sis, can we share?"

"Yes. I'll teach you, so watch me... First, 5 + 6 + 4 = 15 pieces. There are five people, so 15 pieces / 5 people = 3 pieces. Each person gets 3 pieces. The flavor combinations are like this, and then whoever wins rock-paper-scissors can choose a combination they like."

"Nee-chan, that's amazing!"

"Amazing!"

"That's not true. Everyone will pick it up quickly."

"...Hey! Fuyou, what are you doing there?"

When she noticed, Madara was standing behind Fuyou.

"M-Madara-sama...h-hello..."

The children suddenly became nervous and lined up to greet Madara.

"Um, that's polite. Fuyou, let's go home."

"Oh, okay... see you later. Everyone, be nice to each other."

Just as Fuyou was about to leave, the smallest girl ran up to her and whispered something to her.

"Big sis, did you do the math on that one? Tell me about it next time."

"Uh, yeah... sure. Maybe next time we meet."

"Definitely."

Fuyou nodded, looking a little embarrassed, and ran over to Madara.

Her long hair, tied roughly in a ponytail with hemp string, sways high on her head. Until now, a hairstyle that exposes the nape of the neck with hair tied in a ponytail was only permitted for swordsmanship.

He was wearing calf-length pants and a jacket in the attire of the Uchiha clan. All were men's clothing. The sleeves were too long, so the backs of his hands were covered.

"Hey. What were you doing?"

Madara looked at Fuyou with a very suspicious, skeptical look on his face.

"The kids were trying to divide the candy among the children, so I helped them out."

"I see... Don't talk too much. Especially not about the Senju."

"Yes....Um, are those kids ninja too?"

"Yes, but they are all children who lost their parents or siblings in the war."

"...!"

Itama's face appeared in Fuyou's mind.

"Your brothers too?"

"That's right. They were all done by ninja of the Senju Clan."

"...."

Itama was killed by the Uchiha clan.

I once again realize that I am now in the territory of an enemy at war.

Suddenly, I glanced over at Madara, who was walking diagonally in front of me. He looked stern.

However, Fuyou could only stare at Madara's back.

"What? You want to be a teacher?!"

Madara nearly spit out his tea.

"Yes! I want to work here and repay the kindness that I received. The only things I can do are housework and studying, so I'm doing the housework now, but I'd like to use what I've learned to work."

"Hi, where is your position?"

"Prisoner."

The two voices overlap nicely.

"If you understand, then stay quiet. Even if you are a normal citizen, you could still be attacked again."

"Are you worried about me?"

"N-No! Besides, you grew up on the Senju side, so there's no way I could allow you to teach on Uchiha soil."

"Are math and Japanese not enough? Whether they are ninja or not, if they do not have a basic education, they will find themselves in trouble when they become adults. I'm sorry, but it seems like there are a lot of children here who lack basic skills..."

Madara was a little annoyed, but it was clear that they were focusing too much on the battle and not paying enough attention to their children's education.

"It's one thing if the child has parents, but children without parents or siblings need someone to teach them. Would it be possible to at least teach the children at the orphanage?"

Madara had been surprised to find himself impressed by Fuyou's long-term, solid thinking.

However, for some reason, Fuyou knows absolutely nothing about ninjas. Is that what it's like to be the only daughter of a merchant?

"You were a teacher over there?"

"No. I was just about to graduate from a girls' school."

"You have no experience teaching, so you have no nerve saying that."

"But recently, I've been practicing math and Japanese with the kids in my neighborhood every day! Ah..."

"I told you to stop, but you still did… I mean, you're actually quite stupid!"

"Ahahaha... I'm sorry. The kids kept pestering me..."

"I'll bring it up as an agenda item at the clan meeting. It probably won't work though. First of all, I, as the clan leader, am against it."

"Eh?! Madara-sama, you're the head of the Uchiha clan?!"

"First, let me drill you into this from the very beginning...huh?"

"That would be appreciated. Please."

Fuyou answered seriously, completely ignoring Madara's anger.

Madara is stunned.

...Seriously, you don't know Uchiha Madara? Who the hell is this guy?

At a clan meeting, Madara discussed whether Fuyou could tutor orphans.

Contrary to expectations, there were more voices in favor.

The number of defectors to the Uchiha clan had recently increased, leaving almost no one capable of teaching. If they neglected the education of their children, the future of the clan would be in jeopardy. Everyone agreed, for rational reasons.

And so, Fuyou was easily approved to become a teacher.

"You can tell me."

"What?"

"No, I mean, study! You said so yourself."

"Really? I'm so happy! I'll do my best!"

Madara's heart warmed when he saw Fuyou's innocent joy in wearing her brother Izuna's clothes.

The conversations she had while in hospital were so innocent. Then suddenly she started saying she wanted to be a teacher.

Although she was by no means stupid, Fuyou's eccentricities had somehow made Madara's guard against her less and he had opened up to her.

◆

It's Fuyou's first day teaching at the orphanage.

Madara came to see if Fuyou could really teach him properly.

Fuyou doesn't seem too nervous. She seems to be used to being in front of people.

"...So, today we will start with math lesson. Please open your textbook to page one."

There were about twenty orphans lined up in the classroom, ranging in age from six to twelve. All of them unfolded the textbooks that Fuyou had hand-made.

When do you think it would be convenient to be able to do calculations?

He seemed so comfortable teaching that it was hard to believe it was his first time, and he taught the class while making small talk and chatting.

He goes around to each student's seat and skillfully teaches them in an age-appropriate way.

Madara was impressed by the situation.

I have never seen a woman as intelligent as Fuyou before. I can't believe she is just a merchant's daughter.

...Just who on earth is he...?

"Madara-sama, who is this woman really? Isn't she too skilled to be your first teacher?"

Surprised to hear his inner thoughts being spoken, he looked in the direction of his subordinate who had spoken.

"You're not a spy, are you?"

Another subordinate said.

"That's true... it's true that the possibility of a spy is not zero. But I doubt that a spy would openly ask to be a teacher."

"However, it would be best to be cautious. After all, she is a woman from Senju's side."

"That's right."

Ever since Madara met Fuyou, he had let his guard down around her.

Not a trace of chakra could be sensed from Fuyou, so it was highly unlikely that she was a ninja, but if she did have that kind of ability...

My wariness of Hibiscus quickly returned.

...Above all, this guy is a human from the Senju side...

Madara muttered to himself and glared at Fuyou with a fierce gaze.

Fuyou noticed his gaze and looked at Madara.

Smile.

This time he puts more chakra into it and glares at him more sternly.

... Grin... Tatatatatata!

Fuyou sprinted through the crowd of students and came running up to Madara.

"Um, was there anything I did wrong?"

Madara and his two subordinates instinctively stiffened up.

"N-nothing. Continue!"

Fuyou started to return to the podium, but suddenly turned around and looked at Madara with a smile.

"Oh, next time something bothers you, please don't glare at me, raise your hand and speak up."

The whole classroom erupted in laughter, leaving Madara and his subordinates scratching their heads.

Madara was leaning one elbow on the desk with his eyes closed as he listened to his subordinate.

"That woman has no chakra whatsoever so I don't know if she's natural or just acting..."

"On the contrary, it's possible that he's taking advantage of that and using that ordinary woman as a spy."

Madara opened his eyes and looked straight ahead.

"I have no choice. I'll try and take a look with my Sharingan."

"If you use your Sharingan to cast a genjutsu on a woman who isn't a ninja, it could put her life at risk..."

"I am aware of that. I will eliminate all those who could be a danger to the Uchiha even if they are merely a suspicion."

"I agree with Madara-sama. No one on the Senju side can be trusted."

Madara remembered Fuyou's smile for a moment and closed his eyes again.

◆

Fuyou was in her room reflecting on today's lesson.

I felt a little elated, as if a dream that I had only dreamed of but never came true had finally come true.

The smiles on the children's faces, the serious looks on their faces when solving problems, the way they raise their hands and say "yes"...

And then there's Madara's terrifying, bone-chilling face...

...I wonder what I did wrong. The calculations were correct. Did I say something wrong?

While thinking about such things, I suddenly found myself standing up and looking up at the moon through the window. And then...

"Ah, Madara-sama! Welcome back. Umm, what did I do wrong in today's lesson...?"

A young girl who looked familiar was crying in front of me.

A woman who looked exactly like her approached, squatted down and said something to the girl.

"It's okay. It's okay. Fuyou will definitely do it."

…Is that me? Then, is that person your mother?

The moment she tried to approach the two, a large fence fell in front of her, blocking her path.

Upon closer inspection, it was a cage. Am I trapped?

No! I'm the one looking inside the cage!!

Then, the cage and the young Fuyou and her mother who were supposed to be inside it vanished like smoke, leaving only a pure white world behind.

"Hibiscus."

He heard a voice from behind him and turned around to see Madara.

"Madara-sama! Where am I...?"

"Inside your mind. I used an illusion to invade my consciousness into yours."

"S-sorry. I don't understand anything about ninjutsu..."

Madara locked eyes with Fuyou and activated his Sharingan.

...Shin...

"Um... Madara-sama? Excuse me, but does genjutsu mean something in this white world?"

Nothing changed in the white world, or in Fuyou herself.

"...."

Without answering, Madara looked all around, up and down, left and right, front and back.

It's just completely white and there's nothing to see.

Seeing this, Fuyou also looked around, but she also couldn't find anything.

"There's nothing here."

"yes…"

"Show me your palm."

Saying this, he took both of Fuyou's hands and opened her palms, pointing her long, slender white fingers towards Madara.

On the ring fingers of both hands, she wears a gold ring on the left and a silver ring on the right.

"What is this ring?"

"this is…"

I tried to explain but I couldn't speak.

I stare at the ring for a while and realize I have no idea what it is.

"I don't know what this is."

In this world, that is, the world inside Fuyou's heart, Fuyou can never lie.

"Are you a spy for the Senju?"

"No."

Fuyou looked at Madara and answered immediately with a straight face.

"What is your relationship with Tobirama?"

"I'm a maid in Tobirama's household."

Madara understood.

I see, it's something like a complicated love story between the maid Fuyou and Tobirama?

At that moment, Fuyou staggered and nearly fell over.

Madara immediately supports him. Is this too much?

The night breeze gently brushed against Hibiscus' cheeks. The spring wind was still cold.

However, Fuyou's body was enveloped in a gentle warmth.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw Madara's face right in front of me.

Fuyou was lying on the tatami mat in her room, held in Madara's arms.

"Madara...sama...I mean, wow! Sorry, I, uh??"

He tried to get up quickly, but his head hurt and he felt dizzy, so he returned to Madara's arms and gave himself over to him again.

"It's okay. Just behave yourself."

Madara picked up Fuyou and slowly laid her down on the futon, then sat next to her.

"You don't remember anything?"

"Y-Yes... I must have dozed off... I'm sorry for bothering you. Um... was there something I could help you with?"

Fuyou seemed to have no memory of being under the illusion, or even of what happened while she was under it.

"Are you the Tobirama woman?"

"Yes?... N-No! As I told you before, I'm just a maid."

"Was it just a one-sided affection? Did you like her too?"

"...."

..."Be my woman"...

Fuyou remembered that time.

"Tobirama-sama... maybe you did like me. I never noticed, though."

Saying this, Fuyou lowered her eyes.

Fuyou is just that beautiful, and also incredibly intelligent.

Tobirama had a one-sided crush on Fuyou, but when she didn't reciprocate, it's not at all strange that that cold-hearted man would want to get rid of her. In fact, it even seems like something he'd do.

When you think about it that way, it's pretty pitiful that Fuyou was almost killed over a mere love affair.

Madara thought as he looked at Fuyou lying there with a sad look on her face.

It must have been before bedtime, as Fuyou's nightgown was slightly open, revealing her plump, white cleavage. I remembered the time we first met, when I looked after her.

I was looking at this guy almost completely naked...

Madara suddenly felt embarrassed and quickly got up and walked to the exit.

"...Today's lesson was pretty good! Get some rest!"

"Yes! Thank you!!"

Watching Madara quickly leave, Fuyou felt so happy she couldn't contain herself.

◆

When Fuyou began teaching at the orphanage, her presence quickly became known.

For the time being, Fuyou is set up as "the daughter of a merchant from a border country who was injured after being caught up in a dispute between the Uchiha and Senju and was saved by Madara."

Only Madara knows how he ended up trapped in Tobirama and nearly killed.

"Fuyou-chan, you're so cute no matter how many times I see you..."

"Oh, she's a truly beautiful woman!"

"But I wonder why she's always wearing Uchiha men's clothes? I find that cute too."

When Fuyou played with the children in the garden during recess or after school, men would gather to catch a glimpse of her. The number of women, already few to begin with, had recently decreased even more, and the beautiful Fuyou became a feast for the eyes and a source of nourishment for the hearts of the men.

When Madara saw the noisy group of men who had come to see Fuyou, the memory of when he first met Fuyou came to mind, and he became a little worried.

Even though we live on the same property, maybe I should try to follow him around as much as possible...

"Hey, Fuyou-san. It's a bit awkward to keep wearing men's clothes in front of the children, so why don't you try this? I hope it's my dead daughter's."

An elderly woman who worked at the orphanage handed Fuyou a package.

"...Well, such lovely clothes, and so many of them. Thank you!...But won't your daughter be angry if I wear them?"

"Yes, I'd be happy. My daughter was about your age too. She was a kunoichi..."

"I see... Then I'll be grateful and use it."

As Fuyou looked inside the package with a somewhat complicated look on her face, the woman continued.

"That's right, the clothes you're wearing now probably belong to Madara-sama's younger brother."

"Huh? Is that so? Madara-sama, you have a younger brother. I didn't know because you never told me anything about it..."

"But you know, Madara-sama... people call you a 'brother killer' behind your back."

"...!"

"My last brother passed away last year. The cause of his death was..."

Just as the woman was about to continue, the Jonin guarding Fuyou stepped in between them.

"Fuyou-san. It's time to go home. Please get ready."

Saying this, he glared at the woman, who then hurriedly said "bye" and disappeared.

When Fuyou entered the living room of Madara's mansion, Madara was holding his eyes and looked in pain.

"A-Are you okay? Madara-sama!"

Fuyou hastily placed her hand on Madara's back and looked into his face.

"N-nothing. It just hurt a little..."

Saying that, I removed my hand, and Fuyou's face was right in front of me, and our eyes met.

He gazes at Madara's face with a worried expression, his large amber eyes drawing you in.

Madara became embarrassed and looked away.

"If your eyes are hurting, can I make you a cold towel...?"

She was still looking my way. I glanced back at Fuyou and noticed she was wearing unfamiliar clothing.

"What's with that outfit?"

"It was given to me by an orphanage staff member. It belonged to a daughter who had passed away."

She was wearing a long, flared sleeved, navy blue jacket with a fake collar and floral embroidery on the chest, short women's black trousers, and a silk string tied tightly around her waist. Madara was entranced by Fuyou's very feminine outfit.

"Is that okay? Oh, I'll wash the clothes I borrowed from you before returning them to you."

"Uh, yeah."

It was painful to remember my brother, but it was also painful not to remember him.

Seeing Fuyou wearing her brother's clothes reminded her of him as a boy.

Perhaps he was admonishing himself by remembering the feelings he had when he swore to protect his only remaining younger brother at all costs.

Fuyou didn't miss Madara's lonely expression.

"But can I borrow it again from time to time?"

Fuyou gave a small smile.

"...Do as you please."

Madara sat with his back to Fuyou and began sorting through his documents. Documents related to the mission, documents related to the lives of the citizens of the Uchiha territory, documents related to the war...It seemed he had taken a variety of documents home and was handling them by himself.

Fuyou gazes at his back with gentle eyes.

Before she knew it, Fuyou had truly begun to want to help Madara.

"How did it taste?"

"It wasn't bad."

Feeling relieved to hear that, Fuyou began clearing away Madara's dishes.

After Madara put her under a genjutsu, she was also entrusted with preparing meals for Madara. It seemed that he had finally come to trust her as a harmless person.

"By the way, what is your favorite food, Madara-sama?"

"...Inari sushi..."

"It's kind of cute! I thought it would be more like, raw meat! Ahahahaha."

"You're so cute...I'm gonna punch you!"

"Well, my favorite thing is... sake. Oh, but that's not food. Haha."

"I didn't ask!!"

Fuyou, not minding Madara getting indignant on his own, just smiled, placed the dishes on a tray, and prepared to take them to the annex where she lived.

"You should eat here with me."

"Eh, but isn't that rude?"

"I told you to do it, so there's no problem."

"Then I will do that starting tomorrow. I would also appreciate it if you could help me with the cooking and cleaning up."

"Do as you like. But in return... you have to be Inari tomorrow."

"Ahaha. Yes, yes, I understand!"

"Yes just once!"

...I think he really is underestimating me...

Knock, knock, knock… knock, knock…

Madara couldn't help but smile at the sound of Fuyou's skillful knife work and the delicious aroma that stimulated his hunger. When he looked into the kitchen, he saw Fuyou stuffing vinegared rice into inari skins.

"Oh, that's right... Madara-sama, among the inari sushi, did you prefer mixed sushi?"

"Well, mixed sushi is a bad idea. It's not bad though."

"Oh, thank goodness! I made it with regular vinegared rice. I was so worried."

We continued this trivial conversation until dinner was ready.

Besides inari sushi, there is a colorful array of dishes on offer, including spinach salad, tofu and wild vegetable soup, Iwana simmered dish, beef simmered in soy sauce, and pumpkin simmered dish.

"I hope it suits your taste..."

Madara immediately puts the inari sushi into his mouth.

...Oh my. So good! What is this!!!

"...I-it's not bad."

...I'd be happy with Inari every day...

"That's great. Let's see...yes, it's delicious. I think I could serve this in my restaurant."

"You say it yourself?"

"Hehe. I used to make lunch for my best friend at school. She would always compliment me and say, 'You could sell that at a restaurant,' so I just..."

Fuyou remembered Itsuki's smile and smiled a little sadly.

"A best friend? What was he like?"

Fuyou remembers that Itsuki is a kunoichi of the Senju clan and becomes a little nervous.

"She's tall, with long limbs, long blonde hair, and blue eyes. She's very beautiful. She's a bit boyish, but she has a very reliable personality and is always on my side, but she also scolds me when I'm not right. She's a really kind girl."

"You really love it..."

"yes!"

Madara felt a little envious of the girl.

Will Fuyou be able to see the girl again?

◆

On that day, when Fuyou rejected him and told him that she did not want to marry either Hashirama or him, Tobirama's love for her turned to hatred.

It would have been better if she had just said with certainty that she loved Hashirama and wanted to marry him.

From now on, how many more months will he have to continue to suffer as he looks at Fuyou? No, what if someone, another man takes Fuyou away?

As he thought about this over and over again, before he knew it, Tobirama had begun to consider erasing Fuyou's existence.

"If you can't get it, then just die."

I'd be happy to kill him easily and have his body discovered by Hashirama. I'd also like to see the grief and sorrow on his brother's face.

However, now, as the number two of the Senju, Tobirama is supporting the leader, Hashirama, and in order to defeat the Uchiha, and for the sake of those who live with the Senju, he must fulfill his responsibilities. He cannot lose his position at this important time with such a shortsighted murder.

So he came up with the idea of ​​giving Fuyou an "uncertain, but substantial death."

The agreement with the Sorachi clan was arranged by Tobirama.

In fact, the discussion was necessary for the Senju and should have taken place, but he set it up at the level of the leaders and arranged for Hashirama to go alone, rather than himself.

With Hashirama away, it was time to act.

He was sure that he could easily deceive Fuyou because she would definitely obey if he said it was for Hashirama's sake.

Without protesting, Fuyou responded obediently and left the territory on her own two feet.

He could have had one of his subordinates kill him outside the territory, but that would have meant he would be discovered immediately, and Hashirama would have been quick to find out who the culprit was.

It's unclear, but what is required for actual death?

That is left behind.

And they were left behind in enemy territory.

If he was left behind on Uchiha territory, he would be killed by ninja who held a grudge against the Senju.

If they aren't killed right away, they'll be captured and tortured to death, or they'll be enslaved for the rest of their lives...

And Fuyou was just that beautiful. With the battle situation unfavorable, there was no way that an Uchiha ninja starved for women would not lay a finger on her.

...You should regret not holding me back then...

Either way, Fuyou will likely never return to the Senju territory again.

Hashirama still has no doubt that Tobirama loves Fuyou. With a kind and straightforward personality, there's no way Hashirama would suspect that Tobirama would plot to eliminate Fuyou.

This was, without a doubt, a murder plan.

The hibiscus flowers in my garden are blooming beautifully again this year as if nothing had happened. Summer has come again.

However, Fuyou was nowhere to be seen.

Hashirama was hanging his head in front of an open book of ninjutsu.

"Brother! This is no time to be depressed. Next time, we will settle things with the Uchiha."

"...Yeah, I understand...but aren't you worried about Fuyou?"

"Just because I was worried doesn't mean he'll come back. I'm using my senses and my subordinates to search for him. Besides, we're at war right now. Don't bring personal feelings into war. Even if you're my brother, you'll die."

Hashirama gazed at the hibiscus in the garden.

I don't want to lose anyone I love anymore...

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