Chapter 82 Hashirama: Watch me assist! (Four chapters...)
The woman who lifted the boy's collar was none other than Uchiha Shi.
By blood, her mother was the cousin of the three Izuna brothers, and was especially close to Izuna. She later sacrificed herself to protect Izuna. Since her cousin died because of her, and her husband died even earlier, Izuna naturally could not ignore the child left behind by his cousin, so he adopted Shi.
However, during that period, there were frequent battles and many affairs to attend to, and Izuna was unable to take care of Shi personally. He thought of his younger brother, Yan Sheng, who was frail and sickly and spent most of his time recuperating at home.
Shi was also physically weak, and both of them were absolutely unfit to go to the battlefield. In addition, Shi was gentle and quiet, and never made a fuss. So Izuna tried to take her to see Yan Sheng to see if the two children could get along—if they could keep each other company, that would be the best thing.
Fortunately, the two children got along very well. Izuna then entrusted the poetry to Kokushibo with peace of mind.
The term "entrustment" was merely a way of having Shi live with Yan Sheng during the day, not a genuine assignment of care to the young Yan Sheng. Shi was only three years old at the time, and Yan Sheng was just ten. Although ten years old was no longer considered a child in those days, Yan Sheng's situation was unique; he wasn't forced to mature early and was essentially still a child who needed care.
The little girl who used to stick to Yan Sheng's back all day and was jokingly called "Yan Sheng's little tail" by the tribe has now grown up. Time has sculpted her into a graceful and composed mature woman, but only the occasional sharpness and determination in the depths of her dark eyes can still faintly reveal the shadow of that little tail from back then.
Over the years, Uchiha Shi has grown increasingly dazzling. Like Uchiha Masaki, she has become the most capable adjutant by Kokushiro's side and one of the few people who Kokushiro truly regards as a "confidante".
—During the crucial period when Yan Sheng seized control of the five great nations with overwhelming force, laying the foundation for his behind-the-scenes rule, Uchiha Shi, only twelve years old, began to formally participate in core affairs.
Initially, she followed Uchiha Masaki to learn, absorbing all the knowledge and skills about power struggles, strategies, and management like a sponge.
She was intelligent, quick to learn, and, more importantly, meticulous, with exceptional execution skills, and absolute loyalty to Yan Sheng. Soon, Yan Sheng entrusted her with tasks independently.
Today, Uchiha Uta commands the most core and secretive intelligence network under Kokusatsu, making her the true head of the intelligence department.
Her reach extends throughout the ninja world, from the court secrets of various daimyo to the unusual activities in border towns, and the subtle changes within various ninja clans; almost nothing can completely escape her notice.
She was responsible for screening, analyzing, and summarizing massive amounts of information, accurately presenting the most valuable intelligence to Yan Sheng, and providing crucial information for his decision-making.
Years of experience, being at the center of the power vortex, and handling countless complex events involving both light and darkness... have made Shi calm, capable, and at times even reveal a kind of awe-inspiring calmness and decisiveness similar to Yan Sheng.
She has learned to navigate the negotiation table and to orchestrate events in the shadows, capable of appeasing all parties with gentle persuasion while also removing obstacles with an iron fist when necessary.
More importantly, her mindset underwent a profound change.
Initially, she followed Yan Sheng simply because she was willing to do anything for him, without asking why or considering the consequences. Whatever Yan Sheng asked her to do, she did; her world revolved around Yan Sheng's will.
However, as she personally participated in the various reforms promoted by Yan Sheng, she witnessed firsthand how these policies gradually changed this war-torn world—ninjas no longer indiscriminately slaughtered civilians, the establishment of the Metropolitan Police Department instilled fear in villains, the construction of water conservancy projects and granaries made famine a thing of the past, and the development of commerce gradually brought smiles back to people's faces...
She has traveled to too many places and seen too many eyes that went from despair to hope.
She saw the tangible benefits brought about by the order created by Yan Sheng, and saw countless ordinary people able to live and work in peace and contentment as a result.
That loyalty, which initially stemmed from personality cult, gradually incorporated something deeper: a heartfelt sense of recognition and protection for this achievement of peace.
She is no longer just working for Yan Sheng personally, but also striving for the gradually improving world that she has witnessed and participated in creating.
She became one of Yan Sheng's most steadfast implementers and supporters of his ideals.
...
...
Uchiha Shi sized up the boy in her hand who was saying he wanted to see "Uchiha Kokusatsu," and her wariness immediately rose—what would a Senju want with Kokusatsu?
Yes, she recognized the boy. After all, as the head of the intelligence department, how could she not recognize this highly regarded genius of the Senju family?
The poem didn't reveal any hostility; it merely thoughtfully weighed the little guy in its hand, as if assessing his intentions. After a moment, a very faint yet meaningful smile curved her lips.
“Uchiha… Yan Sheng?” She slowly repeated the name, her gaze fixed on the boy’s earnest eyes. Her voice was calm and even, yet carried an undeniable pressure. “What do you want with him?”
The boy—Senju Yoriichi—remained completely calm. Meeting Uchiha Shi's scrutinizing gaze, he thought very seriously for a moment, then gave an answer that even the well-informed Shi was slightly taken aback:
“Uchiha Kokusatsu is my older brother.”
poetry:"......?"
She wondered if there was something wrong with her ears.
***
The Daimyo Mansion of the Land of Fire.
Inside the main hall, shrouded in layers of protective barriers and symbolizing the actual center of supreme power.
Yan Sheng put down the documents in his hand, raised his eyes, and looked at the small figure who had been brought in by Shi and was standing in the center of the hall.
When his gaze fell upon the boy with a ponytail and big, clear eyes staring at him, even he felt a sudden, unexpected pause.
What made him twitch even more was the way the child looked at him... complete trust and affection, as if a lost little animal had finally found its nest, giving one the feeling of a puppy wagging its tail wildly.
Yan Sheng forced himself to look away and glanced at Uchiha Shi, whose expression was also somewhat subtle. His voice was devoid of emotion: "You... just believed what he said?"
He was referring to the boy's groundbreaking statement about "elder brother" in the poem.
Shi paused for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts, before calmly replying, his tone carrying a hint of self-analysis and a rational judgment: "I just find it strange. Logically speaking, such absurd statements should be dismissed immediately. But... I don't know why, when he said that, deep down I found myself involuntarily inclined to believe him."
She frowned slightly. "I suspect he may possess some kind of special, invisible ability to influence others' perceptions and judgments, similar to seduction or affinity."
She paused, then continued her objective analysis: "As for why you brought him to see you even though you knew he had a problem—I figured he couldn't cause any major trouble. I think that rather than letting him go out and potentially cause other uncontrollable situations, it's safest to bring him directly to you so you can examine him yourself and figure out what's really going on."
At this point, Uchiha Shi's voice lowered slightly, her gaze sweeping over the quietly standing Yoriichi, the meaning of which was self-evident: "If... after the examination, it is found that he does indeed possess some uncontrollable danger or ulterior motives..."
She didn't say what she was going to say explicitly, but the air in the hall instantly turned colder. The unspoken message was clear—if there were any problems, get rid of the person.
As for whether the Senju clan will cause trouble because of this...
First of all, if you don't say anything and I don't say anything, who will know that they were the ones who did it?
Secondly, even if the Thousand Hands found something, it was your child who ran over on his own, not someone they kidnapped, so their argument doesn't hold water.
Finally, with Yan Sheng's current power and status, is he afraid of being questioned by the Senju clan? Strength is the ultimate source of confidence.
After hearing the explanation of the poem, Yan Sheng's gaze returned to the boy.
It was unclear whether the boy understood the hidden murderous intent in their conversation, but he still looked at him with those pure eyes, filled with complete trust. When Yan Sheng looked over, he even took a small step forward, as if he wanted to get closer to him.
Yan Sheng's answer was to let the poem send the person back.
Shi was taken aback by his words and subconsciously asked, "Uh... just send it back?"
The boy was also stunned, seemingly not expecting to hear such a reply.
However, Shi's astonishment is understandable—she had thoroughly analyzed the pros and cons and hinted that extreme measures could be taken if necessary. Yet Yan Sheng so casually told her to send the person back, which is inconsistent with Yan Sheng's usual decisive and ruthless style of doing things.
It was strange that the boy was taken aback.
Shi looked at him with a complicated expression, her eyes clearly saying: What are you staring at? You should be grateful to have escaped with your life. Did you really expect Brother Yan Sheng to adopt you as a younger brother? Do you know that you were only one step away from death?
Unaware of what Yan Sheng was thinking, he did not answer.
Shi asked again, "Brother Yan Sheng, are you sure you want to send him back directly?" She tried to find some other intention on Yan Sheng's face, but there was no extra emotion on that cold face.
"Hmm." Yan Sheng came back to his senses and affirmed in a low voice.
Poetry found it unbelievable and pressed further, "Aren't you really going to do...any other treatment or warning?"
Before Yan Sheng could answer, the person involved spoke up:
“I’m not going back.” Yoriichi raised his head and looked at Yan Sheng with a firm gaze.
poetry:"......"
The way she looked at Yoriichi had evolved from looking at a fool to looking at a warrior who dared to dance on the Grim Reaper's scythe.
Are you really not afraid of death, kid?
Surprisingly, Yan Sheng remained unusually calm and replied in a factual tone, "I will not take you in."
In an instant, Shigen saw invisible ears and a tail droop behind Yoriichi, and his whole body was shrouded in a visible aura of disappointment, just like a puppy that had been ruthlessly rejected by its owner.
But Yoriichi's persistence was beyond imagination. He did not give up, but instead asked for a second choice, saying in a pleading tone, "Then I can do it myself. You don't need to take me in, just let me follow you."
He was content as long as he could stay by his brother's side, in whatever form.
"No." Yan Sheng's refusal remained cold and ruthless, leaving no room for negotiation.
Yoriichi fell silent and lowered his head. After a long while, a soft "...Oh" came from behind him.
But that "oh" didn't imply giving up; instead, it carried the subtext of "I'll just follow quietly and not get caught."
Yan Sheng saw right through his expressionless face and extinguished his last hope: "Don't even think about secretly following me. I won't allow it."
Then, without giving Yoriichi any chance to speak, he turned to Shi, who was still in a daze: "Shi."
"Ah... here!" Shi suddenly came to her senses.
Yan Sheng's voice turned cold, carrying an unquestionable authority and a final warning: "Send this kid back to the Thousand Hands Clan's territory and tell them to keep a close eye on their people. If they can't keep an eye on them and something 'accident' happens, don't blame me."
These words are quite strong. They are spoken not only to the poem, but also to Yuan Yi.
The meaning of the so-called "accident" is self-evident—if the Senju clan cannot restrain Yoriichi and he comes to bother them again, then next time, Kokusatsu will not be so "polite".
Yoriichi finally understood that he had been completely and utterly rejected. Although his face remained expressionless, his aura noticeably dimmed.
He did not resist or make a fuss. He simply obediently allowed Shi to lift him by the collar and, just as he had come, was led away from the main hall and onto the road back to the Thousand Hands Clan's territory.
...
...
Leaving aside the chaotic scene where the Senju clan nearly had a heart attack upon learning that Yoriichi had dared to approach Uchiha Mikoto and claim to be his younger brother, Yoriichi himself remained remarkably calm after being brought back, as if he had merely gone for a walk.
After that, no matter how sternly the elders in the clan reprimanded and questioned him, he remained silent and did not answer.
When his parents, filled with worry and confusion, asked him what he was thinking and why he was doing something so dangerous and absurd, Yoriichi remained silent for a long time before speaking in a tone that was both slightly perplexed and unwaveringly certain:
“I always felt… I should have an older brother. But I know I am your only child.” He raised his clear eyes and looked into the distance, as if he could see through the walls to that cold, aloof figure. “Until I saw him—my heart was calling out to him, calling him ‘older brother.’ This feeling was so real.”
Parents: "Huh?"
The couple looked at each other in bewilderment.
Could my son be dreaming about having an older brother? Maybe he's just lonely...? But it's not that other kids don't want to play with him, it's that he doesn't want to play with other kids!
***
Because Yoriichi refused to admit his mistake and clearly stated that he would "dare to do it again next time" (although he did not say it explicitly, his attitude was clear), he was ordered by the clan to be confined.
However, what was called confinement was really just keeping him in his room and prohibiting him from going out. Neither his parents nor the higher-ups of the Senju clan dared to punish him too severely.
On one hand, they were reluctant to let him go; on the other hand, they were hesitant to act rashly—the child had already shown clear rebellious tendencies, and he possessed enough strength to support his rebellion. There were very few people in the clan who could suppress him. If they pushed him too hard, causing him to develop an even stronger rebellious mentality or even take extreme actions, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Yoriichi, surprisingly, stayed obediently in his room and did not attempt to force his way through.
He accepted confinement for two main reasons: first, he didn't want to see his parents overly saddened and worried; second, his brother's final warning.
He knew that if he went there again in a short time, he might offend his brother, which would go against his original intention of getting closer to him.
He needed to figure out a way to get his brother to accept him. The time he was in solitary confinement would be a good opportunity to think things through.
Just as Yoriichi was sitting in his room, his brow furrowed, having come to the conclusion that the 13th method was useless, and beginning to devise the 14th method, there was a gentle knock on the window.
"Knock, knock."
Yoriichi looked up, walked over, and opened the window.
Outside the window, Hashirama Senju was perched on the windowsill, flashing two rows of striking white teeth at him, his smile so bright it was almost blinding.
"Yo, Yoriichi!" Hashirama greeted him in a low voice with a grin.
After greeting him, without waiting for Yoriichi's invitation or consent, he nimbly pushed off the windowsill with one hand and gracefully climbed in, his movements as natural as if he were returning to his own room.
Then, he walked straight to the table, picked up the teapot, and tilted his head back to pour the slightly cool tea into his mouth. After taking several large gulps, he sighed contentedly and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
"Really." Hashirama sighed. "I went out with Madara to run some errands today, and before I even had a chance to drink some water, the elders surrounded me and gave me a long lecture." He put down the teapot and turned his gaze to Yoriichi, who was still standing quietly by the window. His expression became more serious. "Alright—Yoriichi, there's no one else here now. Can you tell me? Why are you so...obsessed with Uchiha Kokusatsu?"
Yoriichi remained silent, only looking back at him in silence. There was no emotional fluctuation in his clear eyes, nor did he seem to want to speak.
As the head of his clan, Hashirama Senju rarely returned to his clan's territory, let alone had in-depth exchanges with the younger generation of his clan.
Therefore, for Yoriichi, this clan leader was more like a distant symbol than someone he could confide in. In summary—he didn't trust Hashirama.
Seeing Yoriichi's reaction, Hashirama blinked, not surprised at all.
He pondered for a moment, seemingly considering how to break the deadlock. Then, he changed the subject, asking, "Yoriichi, how much do you know about how Konoha was founded?"
He didn't expect Yoriichi's answer; rather, he started a conversation and continued talking to himself, his voice gradually becoming calmer.
"Back then, the Senju and Uchiha were mortal enemies for generations." Hashirama's voice echoed in the quiet room, recounting that bloody and cruel history.
He recounted how the two tribes had fought each other for centuries, forging an irreconcilable blood feud; how the corpses of loved ones piled up on the battlefield, and how tears and blood soaked the land.
“In that environment,” Hashirama’s gaze became distant, “my friendship with Uchiha Madara—another founder of Konoha—was intolerable.”
He described their encounter on the banks of the Namka River, how two innocent boys crossed the divide between their families and set a common dream; and how they were forced to stand against each other and turn against each other in the face of the cruelty of reality.
“But I always firmly believe that Madara is my best friend, the only one who can understand my dreams, and my revelation.” Hashirama’s tone was filled with unwavering determination and complex emotions. “In order to form an alliance with him and to jointly build this village where children can stay away from the flames of war, I went through countless hardships and endured enormous pressure from within the clan.” He paused, not going into further detail about the heavier past.
"Even so, to this day, there are still many people who cannot understand my relationship with Madara. They think that I am too close to him, which is irresponsible to the Senju clan and that I have forgotten the hatred we once shared."
Hashirama Senju spoke at length, going on and on.
These words were not merely to gain Yoriichi's trust, but also his true thoughts, which he had kept buried deep in his heart for a long time and rarely shared with others. In this quiet room where only his voice echoed, facing a junior member of the clan who also held a special obsession with the Uchiha, he opened his heart for the first time.
He saw the inexplicable connection between Yoriichi and Miku, just like the connection between him and Madara back then—a pure conviction that transcended family feuds.
This commonality made Hashirama feel quite fond of the taciturn child in front of him, and he also thought deep down that Yoriichi might be able to understand his choice and his persistence that was not tolerated by the world.
...
...
Just like in her previous life, in this life, Yuan Yi is born with the ability to see through the essence of all things, that is, to "see through the world".
However, unlike his previous life when he kept silent because he didn't find it special, in this life, a nameless unease made Yoriichi bury this secret deep in his heart: he vaguely felt that once this matter was spoken, it might trigger some unpredictable and bad things, although he couldn't describe in detail what the consequences would be.
—He clearly possessed such talent, and his clansmen would only cherish him even more once they knew. But a caution stemming from the depths of his soul ultimately led Yoriichi to choose silence.
Sometimes, when Yoriichi is alone, sitting quietly in front of a mirror, or seeing his reflection in the calm water, he will unconsciously raise his hand and gently touch his smooth forehead.
There... it was as if something should have been there.
A vague sense of imprinting, like the ghost of memory, lingers and lingers.
In his mind, there should be a flame-shaped "birthmark" here. But what his fingertips touched was always a smooth surface. There was nothing there, only fair and delicate skin.
In fact, Yoriichi was different from ordinary infants from birth. He was not in a state of chaos and ignorance, but was born with a clear consciousness.
While other babies rely solely on instinct to eat, drink, and excrete, and express everything through crying, Yoriichi never cried. His clear eyes always quietly observed and absorbed all the information around him.
While other children were engrossed in playing and having fun, Yoriichi had already begun to think.
The world he saw was a completely different sight from that of ordinary people. Before his eyes, all things were stripped of their outer shells, revealing their inner structure and the flow of energy—the bones, muscles, the surge of blood, and even the meridians of chakra—nothing could hide from him.
The world was "clear" to him from the very beginning. Perhaps it was this perspective that allowed him to see the essence of life at an early age, thus creating his extraordinary precocity and composure.
Moreover, ever since Yoriichi could remember, a voice, an indescribable sense of loss, had been echoing deep within him.
This feeling is just like what he said to his parents: "I always felt that I should have an older brother."
At the same time, a more specific sense of loss surrounded him—he felt that he had lost something extremely important.
At first, he couldn't accurately describe what it was in words; he only had a strong, inexplicable awareness. Then one day when he was five years old, the "name" of that thing suddenly and clearly appeared in his mind, as if it had broken free from its restraints.
“The flute,” he said to his mother with certainty.
The mother paused for a moment, then smiled gently and denied it: "Flute? No, we've never had a flute in our family, and no one here knows how to play it. Yoriichi, were you dreaming about it?"
At that time, Yoriichi, who was still young, showed an extraordinary determination on his face. He was absolutely certain that such a thing must exist, and that he had accidentally lost it.
Seeing this, the father patiently guided him: "Then tell Daddy, how did you lose it?" He guessed that his son might have seen a similar object and confused his memory.
Yoriichi's face remained expressionless as he said earnestly, "It must have fallen by accident. I didn't notice when it fell."
The father couldn't help but chuckle as he looked at his son's serious, grown-up expression. The child's earnestness was especially endearing; in today's terms, it was the kind of endearing contrast that young people would call "cuteness."
"Okay," he conceded. "How about Dad buys you a new one?"
“It’s different.” Yoriichi shook his head.
"What's different?" the father asked curiously.
“Someone gave it to me.” Yoriichi’s voice was very soft.
"Oh?" His father became interested, bent down, and teased him with a smile, "Who gave this to our Yoriichi? Has our Yoriichi made some friends outside?"
“Not a friend, but a… very important person,” Yoriichi replied softly, his gaze slightly lowered.
When his father pressed him further about who it was, Yoriichi refused to speak again.
It wasn't that he didn't want to talk about it, but rather that he genuinely didn't know the answer. He only knew that there was someone who was extremely important to him, and his memories of that person were shrouded in a thick fog, blurry and unclear. Only the warmth and loss brought by that gift were imprinted vividly on his heart.
***
Hashirama Senju's reminiscing and poignant narration slowly faded into the air, and a brief silence fell over the room.
Yoriichi's gaze had been somewhat unfocused, but as Hashirama Senju uttered his last word, he snapped back to reality and met Hashirama's expectant and encouraging eyes.
Those eyes held pure enthusiasm and a resonance of "I understand you".
Yoriichi paused for a moment, his thick, straight eyelashes drooping slightly before lifting again. He said earnestly, "Not a friend, not a close friend, and not Apocalypse."
Hashirama blinked, leaned forward curiously, and asked, "What's that?"
He muttered to himself: Surely he can't really be treating Uchiha Kokusatsu as his older brother? Speaking of which, what would Madara's reaction be if he knew he had a Senju "younger brother"?
Hashirama's thoughts couldn't help but wander, imagining the interesting expressions that might appear on Madara's face, which always carried a hint of impatience.
Just as Hashirama was letting his imagination run wild, Yoriichi gave the answer: "It's my older brother."
"Pfft—cough cough!" Hashirama almost choked on his own saliva. He twitched his lips, his face filled with disbelief.
It's true!
He was deeply shocked. This child had surpassed his master, even more daring than him! Yes, Hashirama himself had privately dreamed of being Madara Uchiha's brother, and had great expectations and longing for this hypothesis. But he had only thought about it. This child, however, had put it into action!
Hashirama tried to suppress his overly expressive emotions, cleared his throat, and attempted to appear more reliable: "Can you tell me why you consider Yan Sheng... uh, as an older brother? You seem to have only met him once, and including today, that's only twice. But you called him 'older brother' the first time you met him. There must be a reason for that, right?"
Yorimitsu looked at him, his clear eyes reflecting Hashirama's curious face. He seemed to be considering how to phrase things; after a moment, he used an extremely concise word, yet it seemed to contain a thousand words:
"Where the heart leads."
"Pfft—!" Hashirama burst out laughing this time, slapping his thigh hard. "Oh my god! Tobirama should have heard this! He always thinks I talk to Madara too mushy, swearing that normal people would never talk like that. I told him I could say the same things to him, and we clearly said that when we were kids, but he just doesn't like it and absolutely forbids me from talking to him like that anymore." Hashirama laughed so hard he almost fell over, completely amused.
After laughing, his gaze toward Yoriichi became even more affectionate, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
He said with a touch of pride, as if speaking from experience, "Let me tell you, Madara, he's actually a very sensitive person. If you don't explain things to him clearly and thoroughly, he's prone to overthinking and getting stuck on things. Sigh, speaking of which, most Uchiha are a bit like that—delicate yet proud, they keep their true thoughts very deep inside—Tobirama, without any Uchiha friends, wouldn't understand anything."
By the end, Hashirama's smugness was practically overflowing; if he had a tail, it would probably be wagging its tail in the air by now.
Yoriichi remained silent.
Hashirama looked at Yoriichi with piercing eyes: "Speaking of which, Yoriichi, have you ever told these things to Michikatsu?"
Yoriichi was taken aback by the question. He lowered his eyes and gently shook his head: "No."
"How can this be!" Hashirama slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, his voice filled with exasperation and frustration. "If you keep all these words to yourself, how can Yan Sheng possibly understand your feelings?" He paced back and forth in the room, his wide sleeves creating a gust of wind.
Suddenly, he knelt down in front of Yoriichi, placing his hands heavily on the boy's shoulders, his eyes burning like torches: "Listen to me, Yoriichi. Tell him exactly what you just said about your heart's desires, all your genuine feelings! If it doesn't work the first time, try again; if it doesn't work the second time, try a third! You are a member of the Uchiha clan..."
His voice softened: "They may seem cold on the surface, but they care more about genuine feelings than anyone else. As long as you persevere and try to move them with your most sincere heart, one day they will definitely open their hearts to you."
Hearing this, Yoriichi, who had been silent all along, looked up. His clear eyes seemed to sparkle with starlight as he softly asked, "Really?"
Hashirama smiled broadly, a smile as radiant as sunlight piercing through the clouds. He patted his chest solemnly, his voice filled with undeniable power:
"I, Hashirama Senju, always keep my word!"
The following day, inside the main hall of the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Fire.
The scene was familiar, the people were familiar, except that one of the three had changed from Uchiha Shi to Senju Hashirama.
Yan Sheng sat upright behind his desk, with piles of unread documents beside him. His gaze first swept lightly over Yoriichi, then fixed on Hashirama, his voice low and clearly displeased: "Clan leader Senju, what are you doing bringing him here?"
Hashirama stepped forward, his signature bright smile still on his face, and said in a very serious tone, "Yan Sheng, it's like this. I talked to this kid yesterday, and his sincerity touched me, so I decided to come and say a few words on his behalf." He cleared his throat, "You see, beside your older brother Madara, there is me, the Senju." He deliberately emphasized the word "Senju".
"There's also someone from our Senju clan by your second brother Izuna's side." Hashirama's eyes flickered for a moment, clearly lacking confidence, but he quickly straightened his back and his tone became firm, "and there's also one from our Senju clan!"
He silently added in his mind: Although it's considered peaceful if Tobirama and Izuna don't argue when they meet, at least they're "by his side," right? He wasn't lying!
The more he talked, the more confident he felt he had found the key. He spread his hands and made a "I'm right" expression: "Look, your eldest and second eldest brothers are both surrounded by members of the Senju clan, but you, Uchiha Kokusatsu, don't have a single Senju member by your side. Compared to your two older brothers, how out of place you are!"
"Click".
A slight cracking sound was the groan of the wooden pen barrel unable to withstand the sudden tightening force.
Yan Sheng's knuckles turned white from gripping the document tightly, and the veins between his thumb and forefinger were faintly visible.
He slowly raised his eyes, his dark pupils like bottomless, icy pools, his gaze piercingly cold as he looked at Hashirama: "Chief Senju, are you sure you want to make this analogy?" A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"Should I call my older brother over right now so we can confront each other and see if what you say is true?"
Hashirama's smile froze on his face instantly, and cold sweat poured down his back. The image of Madara Uchiha's murderous face immediately flashed through his mind, along with the terrifying scenario that might occur if Madara learned he had "instigated" his brother—he would definitely be chased and hacked down by a furious Madara.
"Ahem! Um, that..." Hashirama quickly waved his hand, his imposing manner instantly diminishing by half. He said awkwardly, "Yan Sheng, we're not children anymore. We need to be more mature in solving problems. Don't go to your parents every time something happens... you know, older brother!" As he spoke, he quickly nudged Yoriichi, who had been silent since entering, with his elbow, his eyes frantically gesturing: Hurry up! It's your turn! Say something nice!
Urged on by Hashirama, Yoriichi took a small step forward. He didn't look at Mikichi immediately, but lowered his head slightly, as if organizing his thoughts or gathering his courage.
A brief silence fell over the hall, with only the faint sound of the wind outside the window.
Finally, Yoriichi raised his head.
He didn't directly reveal his true feelings as he had done to Hashirama Senju yesterday, nor did he insist on calling him "brother" again. His gaze was clear and focused as he met Yan Sheng's scrutinizing and impatient eyes. His voice was not loud, but clear and firm as he said:
“I know my appearance is abrupt, and my persistence may seem unreasonable or even a nuisance to you.”
“Your rejection is perfectly justified. The rift between the Senju and Uchiha clans, the clans’ stance, personal desires… each of these factors is enough to define my approach as wrong.”
His words were logically clear, unlike those of an eight-year-old child, revealing a clarity and composure that did not match his age.
“But.” His eyelashes trembled slightly, and there was no hesitation in his pure eyes, only a frank and sincere heart. “Whether something is wrong or not is a standard defined by others. But my heart has its own direction. It tells me that you are the missing part of me, the brother I want to follow…”
“I’m not begging you to acknowledge me or accept me immediately. I just hope you can allow me to stay where I can see you.” There was a barely perceptible plea in his voice, but it wasn’t humble. “I don’t need you to do anything for me, nor do I need your response. You can ignore me like you ignore a gust of wind or a fallen leaf. I will just follow quietly and won’t cause you any trouble.”
"I only ask for one thing... a chance to see you. That's enough."
He finished speaking and stood there quietly, like a sapling that stubbornly grows, awaiting the verdict of fate.
After a long pause, Yan Sheng's fingers, gripping the pen, loosened almost imperceptibly. A very subtle tremor appeared in his icy gaze.
He said: "..."
***
Perhaps it was Yoriichi's pure eyes that reminded Michiru of a distant moment, perhaps it was Hashirama's forceful and unreasonable words that moved him, or perhaps the fatigue from days of official duties had impaired his judgment—in any case, after Yoriichi finished speaking, Michiru inexplicably said:
"......what ever."
Although Yan Sheng regretted it the moment those two words left his mouth.
However, before he could take back his words, Hashirama Senju exclaimed happily, "Yay!" Then, he pulled out a handkerchief from somewhere and pretended to wipe away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes.
"That's wonderful, Yan Sheng!" Hashirama said with tears in his eyes. "I admit, I always thought you were a heartless person, and I worried that you might go astray. But now, after this incident, I admit that you are a good person!"
Yan Sheng: "..."
First of all, he is certainly not a good person; secondly, what does it matter to him whether Hashirama Senju acknowledges him as a good person or not?
"I have to tell Madara this good news—" Before Hashirama could finish speaking, a puff of white smoke appeared, and he had already disappeared from the hall using the Body Flicker Technique, afraid that if he was a step too slow, Yan Sheng would change his mind.
Yan Sheng was left with a headache, looking at the boy in front of him whose eyes had suddenly lit up.
Those clear eyes seemed to be filled with starlight, staring at him without blinking, causing Yan Sheng to swallow back the words of regret that were on the tip of his tongue.
......never mind.
Anyway, he won't care. Let Yuanyi follow him if he wants. Once the child experiences the boredom and indifference of having him around, he will naturally back down.
***
Yoriichi achieved his wish, but the Senju clan was thrown into chaos because of it.
"The clan leader has gone mad! He actually allowed Yoriichi to stay by the Uchiha's side!"
"What if they were to make a move against Yuan..."
The clan elders were furious, and Yoriichi's parents were deeply worried. Hashirama Senju spent a great deal of effort to calm the agitated clansmen down temporarily.
"I swear on the honor of the Senju clan leader." Hashirama stood in the center of the council hall, his expression solemn and serious. "Yoriichi will be absolutely safe."
After saying that, he turned to Yoriichi's parents, his tone softening: "I know your concerns, but please believe me. Besides, that child... has a reason to stay with Michikatsu. I assure you, I will protect him."
The promise from the clan chief and the god of ninjas finally calmed Yoriichi's parents down a bit. But his mother's eyes were still red: "Then... can we get closer to Yoriichi? At least let us see him occasionally."
So, Hashirama Senju made a decision that caused him immense pain—he took out his hard-earned savings and, with tears in his eyes, bought a house in the capital of the Land of Fire so that Yoriichi's parents could live there and be closer to Yoriichi.
Little Yuanyi, I've really sacrificed so much for you!
Hashirama held his empty wallet, on the verge of tears.
Housing prices in the capital of the Land of Fire are indeed high, after all, it is the capital of a country. But given Hashirama Senju's status and income, he shouldn't be living in such poverty.
This brings us to Hashirama Senju's well-known hobby: he was addicted to gambling and had terrible luck, earning him the affectionate nickname "Big Fat Sheep" from casino owners.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that someone set him up; it's just that Hashirama Senju's luck at gambling was inexplicably bad. Even Madara Uchiha once expressed his astonishment: "To be able to lose so thoroughly at the gambling table is, in a way, a kind of talent."
Several days passed, and a peculiar scene appeared in Daming Prefecture.
Qian Shouyuan appeared by Yan Sheng's side on time every day, quietly following him a meter away, without making a fuss or a sound.
When Yan Sheng was reviewing documents, he would sit quietly in a corner; when Yan Sheng went out, he would follow behind at a distance; when Yan Sheng was discussing matters with others, he would stand outside the door and wait.
Those around Yan Sheng were naturally quite surprised by the sudden appearance of the child. Unable to directly question Yan Sheng, they resorted to indirect inquiries to his close associates.
The question Uchiha Masaki was asked most often was: "A distant relative."
Next was Uchiha Shi, whose expression was complicated, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, and then gave the same answer: "...a distant relative."
Everyone suddenly realized: They were relatives! They thought it was an illegitimate child!
However, since the child was kept by Yan Sheng's side, it meant that he must be very important to him. As a result, some people who wanted to curry favor with Yan Sheng began to set their sights on Yoriichi.
"Young master, these are the freshest meatballs, would you like to try some?"
"Young Master, this is the latest toy from the Land of Fire..."
Yoriichi's approach to these sycophants was to refuse them without uttering a word. No matter how eloquently they spoke, he would simply shake his head and continue to gaze intently in the direction of Yan Sheng.
At the same time, some people who wanted to harm Yan Sheng also targeted this "weak point".
Then they learned a painful lesson.
Even though Yoriichi is only eight years old, his strength has already surpassed that of an elite Jonin. Several reckless assassins tried to take him hostage, but they were killed before they could even touch the hem of his clothes.
As for whether Yen Sheng had ever cared about these issues, we can only say that he had thought about them, but took no action.
When he learned that Yoriichi had solved all the troubles on his own, he felt a complex mix of emotions—both relief and a bittersweet jealousy.
Unlike him, Yoriichi was a reincarnation with no memories of his past life. At only eight years old, Yoriichi, still a child, was able to handle everything so perfectly without needing anyone's help.
This talent, this innate strength, remains unchanged.
Having finished talking about Yoriichi's daytime.
As the afterglow of the setting sun painted the eaves of Daming Prefecture golden and red, the day's affairs came to a temporary end. Yan Sheng closed the last document and looked up. The silent figure still stood in the light and shadow outside the palace gate, maintaining a just-right distance, like a loyal stone statue.
Yoriichi did indeed keep his promise strictly.
During the day, he was like a silent shadow beside Yan Sheng, neither disturbing, questioning, nor getting close, simply existing.
When Yan Sheng was focused on his documents, he would sit quietly in a corner or gaze at the dry landscape garden in the courtyard, his eyes vacant, lost in thought. When Yan Sheng got up and moved around, he would quietly follow, his steps light and agile, always keeping three steps behind.
However, once night falls, where to go becomes a real problem.
Yuan Yi's original plan was to find shelter in any corner of the capital city where he could escape the wind and rain—he had no complaints about this, as long as he could see his brother during the day, what did it matter if he had to endure wind and rain?
Moreover, there are forests outside the capital, and the forests have all kinds of resources.
But the plan hadn't even been implemented for two days.
That evening, as he prepared to silently follow Yan Sheng away from Daming Prefecture, as he had done in the previous days, and then find a place to spend the night on his own, a familiar pair of figures appeared at the street corner. It was his parents.
"Yoichi!" His mother hurried forward, her eyes filled with undisguised concern as she carefully examined him. "How have you been these past few days?"
His father hugged him and said, "Lord Hashirama is such a kind man. He funded a house in the capital for us to stay in temporarily. That way, we can be closer to you. By the way, would you... like to come and stay with us?"
A slight ripple appeared in Yoriichi's usually calm eyes.
"Okay," he replied softly, then paused, "I'm sorry."
The couple exchanged a glance and sighed helplessly.
What can parents do when their children feel guilty and apologize, but don't change their ways? They can only accept it.
In the end, apart from the conflicted and frustrated Yan Sheng, the situation seemed to be a happy ending for everyone.
Although Hashirama's wallet was drained, he felt he had accomplished something great, maintaining stability within the clan and fulfilling his promise to Yoriichi's parents. He couldn't help but hum a tuneless little tune as he walked down the street.
Yoriichi's parents were relieved. Being able to settle down in the capital and see their son often, knowing that he was safe and sound, was the best possible outcome.
Yoriichi himself had his wish fulfilled. He could stay by his brother's side during the day and have a safe place to stay at night, so that his parents would not have to worry too much.
Yan Sheng...
Yasuki: "Do we still need that room that was cleaned out?"
Yen Sheng: "Did I say I was going to use it?"
Yashu: "Okay, I know. You just had a whim and didn't mean anything by it."
Yan Sheng: "Shut up, and then get out."
Yashu: "Alright!"
-----------------------
Author's Note: Tobirama: Brother! Yoriichi and Mikuroku are more than twenty years apart in age, unlike you and Madara. Can you please stop giving me such terrible advice?!
Hashirama: It's a friendship that transcends age! Tobirama, you don't have any Uchiha friends, you wouldn't understand.
Tobirama: I'm so angry!
[Sprinkling flowers]
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