Chapter 1
Today, Konoha enjoyed yet another peaceful day. The sky was blue, and the clouds floated lazily in the fresh air.
In such warm and tranquil weather, it was hard to resist the pull of drowsiness. Tobirama was no exception.
After days of handling the mountain of paperwork left behind by his dear older brother—who had abandoned his duties to gamble—Tobirama rubbed his temples. His eyelids were heavy, and his head throbbed unusually. Even with his Sage Body, working under such conditions was still overwhelming.
He glanced at the neatly stacked documents on his desk before slumping onto it. He allowed himself a brief nap before tackling the next pile.
“Damn you, Hashirama. If I see you in my dreams, I’ll send you straight to hell when I wake up.”
...ma
...birama...
Tobirama, I want you. Not him.
Tobirama's eyes snapped open. Before him spun a pair of Sharingan, whirling madly as though determined to drown him in their crimson depths.
He couldn’t move or speak. Something slick, wet, and cold bound his neck, arms, and legs.
The Sharingan continued to spin, and in those blood-red eyes, Tobirama could see it—pleasure and even...
Desire?
The unknown entity leaned closer. It opened its mouth, and before Tobirama could process his own thoughts, it lunged, sinking its teeth deeply into his neck.
It was as if the creature wanted to drain every drop of blood and chakra from him. Its grip tightened around him. Tobirama tilted his head back, his brows knitting in pain. With what little strength he had left, he channeled chakra into his hands, aiming to strike the creature with all his might. But as if sensing his intent, it closed its eyes and reopened them, revealing the full force of its Mangekyou Sharingan.
---
"Tobirama, Izuna is dead."
Tobirama turned, his face emotionless as his older brother delivered the news. Not a flicker of disturbance crossed those scarlet eyes.
"Brother, how does that concern me?"
"You bastard! Senju, you killed Izuna! How can you say it’s none of your damn concern?!"
"Uchiha, your brother brought this upon himself. I thought the Uchiha always taught each other the principles of warfare. You’re the clan head now, yet you refuse to believe he died because he was reckless and underestimated his opponent?"
"TOBIRAMA!!!"
"Enough, Hashirama. I came here only to deliver something to him. As much as I hate to do this, it’s Izuna’s dying wish. This way, he can rest in peace."
Madara placed a letter into Tobirama's hand before storming off. Hashirama followed, his eyes heavy with sorrow as he glanced back at his brother.
Holding the letter, Tobirama stared at the sender’s name for a long moment. His fingers traced over it gently, but then he ripped it into shreds.
His eyes turned red—whether from anger or something else, it was hard to tell. He closed them, suppressing his emotions. The crimson glow faded, and his expression returned to its usual calm. Tobirama headed toward his laboratory. It seemed he wouldn’t be returning home today.
---
This feeling cannot be allowed to exist.
---
Tobirama suddenly felt drained. His body went limp, and he stopped resisting. His eyes lost focus. Before losing consciousness, he stared at the creature before him. His heart stirred uncontrollably as he saw the familiar Mangekyou Sharingan.
Izuna.
"Tobiramaaa! Why are you sleeping here like this?! You’ll catch a cold! Let me take you home!"
Hashirama’s voice was a mix of discontent and concern as he tried to wake his brother. What kind of dream was Tobirama having for his chakra to become so chaotic?
Tobirama’s eyelids fluttered. He blinked blearily around the room before abruptly sitting up, startling Hashirama.
"Tobirama? Are you okay? Did something happen?"
"Brother, I just remembered something I need to do. Leave the rest to you."
With that, he disappeared using the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving a bewildered Hashirama behind.
"What was Tobirama dreaming about? He kept muttering Izuna’s name. Does he...miss Izuna? And what’s with that bite mark on his neck? Tobirama’s incredibly sensitive—how could something bite him so easily?"
Hashirama resolved to talk to Tobirama about Izuna that evening when they returned home.
---
"Hashirama, Izuna’s body is missing."
Madara’s expression was grave as he broke the news.