In the Land of Fire, atop a secluded high mountain.
This place was once the secret base of the Senju clan during the Warring States Period. Due to its comprehensive medical facilities, secluded and advantageous geographical location, and being easily defensible, it has been preserved even after the war.
After the establishment of Konoha, Tobirama would periodically arrange for his trusted aides to maintain the base's normal operations in case of emergencies.
The higher the position, the colder the solitude. As the chilly morning wind blew through the window, causing the curtains to sway, Tobirama on the sickbed slowly opened his eyes.
He merely shifted slightly, but the wound on his chest throbbed with such intensity that his face twitched involuntarily.
He gritted his teeth against the pain as he pushed himself upright, finding himself shirtless with pristine white bandages wrapped layer upon layer across his chest and abdomen, concealing the sutured wound beneath.
After taking a moment to recover, when he felt some strength returning to his limbs, he grimaced through the pain as he slowly slid off the bed.
Kamihane's blade, imbued with lethal intent, had missed by mere centimeters - that strike nearly claimed his life on the shores of Takigakure.
To avoid being pursued by Kamihane, he had arranged for his guards to relocate himself and members of the Senju clan, including Hashirama, here before losing consciousness.
"Lord Tobirama, you're awake!" A medical staff member pushed the door open and, upon seeing Tobirama sitting on the bed, immediately lit up with joy.
Tobirama waved his hand to signal her not to panic. He tilted his head slightly and glimpsed a familiar figure in white through the partially ajar door.
He put on his shoes and got out of bed, hastily draping an outer robe over his shoulders. Seeing this, the medical staff immediately rushed over to support him.
"I'm not so weak that I need help with this."
Tobirama declined her assistance, shakily making his way out the door on unsteady legs alone.
On a cliff some distance away, Hashirama Senju sat cross-legged upon a smooth bluish stone slab with his back turned to the base.
Clad in pristine white robes, he sat serenely on the precipice with steady breath, gazing toward the distant Konoha as though merging with nature itself.
"Brother, you woke up quite early."
"Oh, it's you, Tobirama." Hashirama turned at the sound of his voice, flashing a set of gleaming white teeth as he smiled. "Yes, I feel inexplicably refreshed."
He looks to be in excellent spirits, with no trace of the exhaustion from before—as if last night's earth-shattering battle had never occurred at all.
Yet Tobirama suddenly halts in his tracks, pupils constricting sharply.
In his subconscious perception, there was not a trace of vitality left within Hashirama's body. The once dense, blazing sun-like life force had completely vanished.
His expression was gloomy, his heart heavy with turmoil, his gaze toward his elder brother dull and lifeless.
Yet Hashirama remained completely oblivious, cheerfully smiling as he motioned for his younger brother to sit beside him.
"Tobirama, look quickly. From here, our Konoha truly lies at the very heart of the Land of Fire."
Hashirama smiled contentedly, pointing toward a direction below the mountain. 'Surrounded by mountains on all sides and encircled by emerald waters—we truly chose the perfect spot to build the village back then, hahahaha!'
"'Brother... you're about to die,' Tobirama hesitantly reminded him."
Hashirama's smile remained undimmed. 'Exactly. That's why you shouldn't wear such an expression. The final moments of one's life should be met with the joyful farewells of loved ones.'
"'Don't look so gloomy. Give me a smile.'"
"'Brother, I can't bring myself to smile.' Tobirama's heart felt heavy as he gazed at Hashirama with bewilderment. 'Aren't you worried about the village?'"
"After you die, I... truly don't know what to do with myself..."
Tobirama stared at his own hands, his expression dazed. For the first time in forty years, he wore such a look.
"There's nothing you need to do. Just let things take their natural course," Hashirama replied.
"Let nature take its course? Am I supposed to just stand by and watch Uchiha Kamihane destroy Konoha?"
Hashirama inhaled a breath of the crisp, cool mountain air, then exhaled slowly as though expelling a lifetime's worth of weariness.
He suddenly said, "A village... As long as its people remain and peace endures, can any place not become a village?"
"Big brother, you..."
"For some reason, after waking up I felt like I'd broken free from some kind of shackles. Suddenly, so many things became clear to me. It's truly... an unprecedented sense of relief."
Hashirama stretched lazily, wearing an expression of serene contentment. 'Besides...'
"Uchiha Kamihane will not destroy Konoha."
"Why?" Tobirama frowned.
"Like Madara, his goal was never Konoha. He merely seeks vengeance—to claim the lives of us executioners who survived the Warring States era. The reason is..."
Hashirama extended a finger. 'Tsunade is still alive.'
"'That's merely his tactic...' Tobirama shook his head immediately."
"'He's Madara's disciple, but also a man of principle.' Hashirama chuckled. 'Trust me.'"
His gaze drifted down the mountain, watching mists swirl with the wind, clouds billow beneath radiant sunsets, endless azure skies stretch overhead, and vibrant greenery blanket the earth... A content and serene gaze, carrying not a trace of longing.
"Perhaps entrusting the future to these children is the right decision after all..."
Hashirama sat cross-legged atop the pillar, hands resting naturally on his knees. As the breeze tousled his black hair, a soft chant escaped his lips:
In life, no good deeds done, no shortage of murder and flames.
Suddenly freed from golden bonds, here I break the jade chains.
Autumn wind sweeps Konoha's leaves—today I finally know myself.
He closed his eyes with a smile, listening to the rustling of wind-blown leaves, serene and tranquil.
Konohagakure Year 13, November.
Hashirama Senju passed away suddenly.
...
Three days later, the Valley of the End.
In the early morning, three or two autumn breezes stirred fallen leaves into swirling patterns. Perhaps due to the waterfall looming nearby, the valley's faint wind carried moist vapor that lifted Kamihane's long hair in gentle undulations.
This place was originally a river valley with rugged terrain. The life-and-death battle between Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju six years ago had forcibly altered the landscape, transforming it into a magnificent and majestic waterfall through their clash.
To commemorate this great battle, Konoha specially selected skilled craftsmen who spent a full year constructing the colossal statues of both warriors that now tower over both banks of the Valley of the End.
At this moment, Kamihane stood atop the statue of Uchiha Madara, posture straight with hands clasped behind his back. His gaze remained calm, as if waiting for something to arrive.
After an unknown amount of time, the corner of his mouth curved into a faint smile.
A kunai descended from the sky and embedded itself on the opposite shore, followed by a figure who materialized out of thin air and perched atop the head of Hashirama's stone statue.
Uchiha Kagami.
He wore form-fitting blue armor, a forehead protector secured around his head, scrolls hanging from his waist, and armored plates fastened to his limbs. Two long swords crossed his back while his pouch bulged with compact scrolls.
His face was stern, every inch of him battle-ready.
In stark contrast, Kamihane appeared utterly at ease. His loose black clan robes flowed freely, ebony hair spilling unrestrained down his shoulders. The only weapon he carried was a pale cyan sacred blade at his hip.
"Very well, little brother. I'm glad you could come as promised," Kamihane said with a smile.
"Brother," Kagami fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "The Hokage-sama... has passed away."
"Oh?" Kamihane was taken aback for a moment before asking, "What about Tobirama?"