Chapter 2
**Flashback**
"Disappeared?"
Facing Hashirama's questioning gaze, Madara nodded. He massaged his temples, trying to remain composed, but his effort failed to hide the storm of emotions brewing inside him—a mixture of worry, confusion, and helplessness.
"Madara, this isn't a trivial matter. I'll help you organize a search for Izuna."
Madara sighed deeply, unable to suppress his frustration.
"I've already sent my men to look for Izuna's grave and any trace of him. But if there’s still no news of him, I’ll go myself."
"Madara, I understand your concern for Izuna. But as the clan leader, you have responsibilities—internal affairs and issues you need to address. You can't just abandon your clan to—"
"And what would you have me do?!"
"Madara, you’re my friend. Friends help each other in difficult times. So this time—and every time after—let me help you!"
Hashirama gripped Madara's shoulders firmly, refusing to let him reject his offer.
"Besides, I also have Tobir—"
Before Hashirama could finish, Madara interrupted with a sharp yell.
"Hashirama!"
There was a brief silence. Then Madara spoke again.
"I accept your goodwill. But as for your brother, I only ask that he stays out of Uchiha affairs, especially when it comes to Izuna."
With that, Madara turned and walked away, leaving Hashirama behind in a tense atmosphere.
**End Flashback**
"So that's how it went. In short, I think we should lend Madara a hand. After all, Izuna is your rival, Tobirama. What do you think?"
"Tobirama?"
Noticing the sudden chill emanating from his younger brother, Hashirama gulped silently.
"Big brother, regarding Uchiha Izuna, don’t come to me. The Uchiha can handle their own business. Besides, do you really think that spiky-haired guy would let me meddle in his brother's matters?"
Without waiting for a response, Tobirama activated the barrier around his lab and unceremoniously pushed Hashirama out.
"Wait, Tobirama!!"
"Little one!!! At least let me finish what I was saying!!!"
Inside the lab, the moment Hashirama was outside the barrier, Tobirama collapsed to the cold stone floor, his body trembling slightly.
"Izuna..."
He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself, but it was no use. Who would’ve thought the ever-stoic Senju Tobirama could falter like this?
"Izuna... Uchiha Izuna..."
He murmured the name over and over again. Emotions long buried in the shadowy recesses of his heart—emotions Tobirama had tried his best to suppress—were awakened with just a name. They surged forth violently, choking him with a torrent of feelings he couldn't deny.
Meanwhile, perched on a nearby tree branch, a shadowy figure with crossed legs gazed into the lab through the window. Sharingan spinning wildly, they licked their lips and smirked.
"That's right, Tobirama. Say my name. Etch it into your soul."
---
A while later, Tobirama regained his composure. He steadied his breathing, stood up, and resumed his work as though nothing had happened. The figure outside the window, witnessing Tobirama's unshakable demeanor, chuckled coldly.
"Hmm? Holding back, are we? Adorable..."
Suddenly, Tobirama felt a shiver run down his spine. Instinctively, he turned around, only to see an empty tree branch. The wind rustled the leaves through the open window. Tobirama furrowed his brows, sensing no unusual chakra, but the cold sensation lingered.
"Just now…"
Tobirama gazed out at the serene blue sky, the gentle rustle of leaves and birdsong creating a peaceful scene. The tranquility helped soothe the unease in his heart, though he let out a soft, melancholic sigh.
---
"White Hair, White Hair! Wait for me!!"
"...."
Tobirama ignored the voice behind him, maintaining his brisk pace.
"Oi! I said wait!!! You jerk!!!!"
(Faster footsteps)
"Senju Tobirama!! Are you messing with me?!!!"
"To... Tob... Tobirama!!!"
Tobirama stopped abruptly, turning his head slowly to meet Izuna’s eyes. His gaze carried a silent warning: Call me that again, and I’ll slap you.
"?"
"What’re you looking at?! Do you know how many times I’ve called you?!"
"What do you want?"
"Well…"
Tobirama raised a brow.
"...Just calling."
"I'm leaving."
"Damn it! Wait! Let’s talk for a second, can’t we?!"
"No. Busy."
"One minute!"
Tobirama prepared to leave.
"Okay, fine! Half a minute!!"
"Speak."
"Stingy bastard. Anyway, I won't lose to you in the next battle. But you’d better watch out, or I’ll stab you through the gut."
"Finished?"
"Yeah, I gue—"
Before Izuna could finish, Tobirama disappeared using the Flying Raijin.
"Tobirama!!!"
"Damn it... That guy… That guy...!!!"
Izuna, disregarding all appearances, began ruffling his hair in frustration. Thousands of curses for Tobirama brewed in his mind. *Heartless jerk. Annoying pretty boy with white hair. Seductive red-eyed Senju!* But the words that came out of his mouth were entirely different.
"That... That damn… That damn adorable, cute jerk!!! Damn it!!! I can’t hate you!!!! Damn it!!! Ahhhhhh!!!!"
Izuna could only watch as Tobirama coldly turned and disappeared. What he didn’t see, however, was the faint smile that crossed Tobirama’s face as he turned away.
___________________________
"Izuna!!"
Madara shouted, abandoning Hashirama as he darted to Izuna's side, catching the younger Uchiha’s wounded body, still bleeding from the Flying Raijin strike delivered by his eternal rival.
"Damn it! Senju Tobirama!!"
"Madara, calm down! Don’t act recklessly!"
Hashirama leaped over, exerting all his strength to hold Madara back, only to be shoved aside effortlessly.
"Calm down?! When your brother just stabbed mine?!!!"
"That… Tobirama…"
Ignoring Hashirama entirely, Madara slung Izuna onto his back and darted toward the Uchiha territory.
"Izuna, Izuna! Stay with me!"
Lying on Madara’s back, Izuna’s eyes fluttered open slowly, blood still seeping from the wound in his abdomen.
"A...An..ii..sama… Tobira…ma… is… is he al…right...?"
Madara froze for a moment, the anger boiling inside him now mixed with disbelief.
"You’re still worried about him?!! He stabbed you!!!"
Izuna gave a weak chuckle, his vision blurring as darkness began to creep in.
"To...birama... would... do that... I... I wouldn’t ex...pect any...thing less... When I... recover... I’ll make... sure to pay... him back…"
"That’s right! You will recover, and when you do, you’ll make him regret ever crossing blades with you. He’ll be lying at your feet, trembling in agony under the gaze of your Sharingan!"
Izuna’s faint smile widened, though his voice grew weaker.
"No... Anii-sama... I wouldn’t... do that... I can’t..."
"Why not?!"
"Be...cause I don’t...want to hurt… Tobirama... I just...want him…under me… staring into my… Sharingan... that’s all..."
Madara stumbled mid-step, utterly stunned.
"?!"
_______________________
A Few Days Later
"Ouch... ouch… that really hurts… Tobirama sure didn’t hold back."
With Madara’s help, Izuna struggled to sit up.
"You and that guy are rivals; of course, he’d use everything he had to take you down. You’re lucky it wasn’t a fatal strike."
"Haha… Brother Madara, Tobirama may have hit hard, but he still held back. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even be sitting here right now."
"Held back? That white-haired bastard?"
"Yeah, he totally held back with me. He’s adorable, isn’t he? Tobirama is mine, after all."
"...????"
"Wait a second—Tobirama? Yours?"
Izuna nodded, a sly grin spreading across his face. That smile made Madara think of only one thing—a possibility he never thought he’d have to confront.
"Izuna… don’t tell me you… y-you like Hashirama’s brother?!"
"Oh? That obvious?"
"You’re not even denying it?!"
Izuna shrugged, completely unbothered.
"Nope, I really do like him."
"But Tobirama, you know, keeps rejecting me. He’s so cold—ugh, such a tsundere. I’m sure he likes me back, but he just keeps denying his feelings."
"..."
"He likes you too?"
"I think so… even if Tobirama’s never outright said it…"
"But I’ve decided—I’m not waiting for that fool to figure it out. If I wait any longer, my hair will turn white first. This time, I’m going all in. I’m bringing White Hair back to the Uchiha clan, no matter what."
"So what’s your plan? Kidnap him and stuff him in a sack?"
"No way! That would get me buried six feet under instantly!"
Madara felt conflicted. He didn’t want his little brother getting involved with Tobirama, one of their greatest enemies, yet Izuna seemed completely smitten. No amount of persuasion—or even force—would change his mind now.
If Izuna actually managed to bring Tobirama back to their clan, Izuna would be happy. That much was certain. Madara himself might even find some satisfaction in seeing his brother joyful. But that Senju brother—Madara doubted Hashirama’s overprotective tendencies would allow things to end peacefully.
Faced with the choice between Izuna’s happiness and Izuna’s survival…
Of course, he’d choose the former! He would help Izuna. After all, Izuna was his precious brother, and he, Madara, was… a close friend of Hashirama’s! Who would go out of their way to ruin their best friend’s little brother just because their own little brother got snatched away by him!
Well… he hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
In his heart, however, Madara had already lit incense for Izuna.
"Brother Madara? What’s wrong?"
"Ah, no, nothing at all. So… have you come up with any ideas for… ahem… catching him yet?"
Izuna grinned mischievously, his mind brimming with 7,749 strategies to capture Tobirama and what to do with him once he succeeded.
"Of course, I’ve got a plan. Here’s what I’m thinking…"