The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, froze for a moment, his expression tightening before his eyes instinctively flicked toward the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
Hashirama, who had been silently observing Madara, let out a long, heavy sigh. His gaze softened, but his heart carried the weight of understanding. Of course—he knew exactly why Madara had brought this up.
Izuna Uchiha… Madara's younger brother.
The wound that had never healed, the scar that defined Madara's life.
Hashirama understood too well, because in truth, he was no different.
Madara is a brocon… but so am I.
When they were young boys, standing by the Naka River, the two of them had spoken earnestly about their younger brothers. Both had said the same thing: "If anyone ever hurts my brother, I'll fight them to the end—even if it costs me my life."
That was their shared bond, their most sacred vow.
To Hashirama, if Tobirama had died, he too would have gone mad. He would have unleashed destruction upon the world without hesitation. And to Madara, losing Izuna was the catalyst that pushed him into the abyss.
Hashirama clenched his fists, guilt stabbing into his chest. Because deep down, he knew the truth.
Izuna's death… Tobirama was the one responsible.
Back then, Tobirama had struck Izuna down with his Flying Thunder God Slash. Izuna was mortally wounded, and the balance between the Uchiha and Senju was broken. That death was the spark that ignited Madara's descent into hatred.
Tobirama, who stood with arms folded and a hard expression, spoke coldly when Madara brought it up.
"Madara, didn't you once say that the technique I created—Flying Thunder God—was nothing but an evil forbidden jutsu? And now, after all these years…"
"Tobirama!!!"
The sudden roar shook the ground. Hashirama's chakra surged violently, a tidal wave of power that pressed down on everyone present. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the Fourth Hokage both stiffened in alarm.
"T-That pressure…!"
Hashirama's eyes narrowed dangerously as he glared at his younger brother. "Enough! Say no more."
Tobirama's body tensed. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple. He had rarely seen his older brother truly angry, but when Hashirama reached this point, it meant he had crossed a line. After a moment, Tobirama exhaled sharply through his nose and relented.
"…Fine. I understand, brother."
Hashirama's oppressive chakra receded instantly. With a booming laugh, he clapped a broad hand onto Madara's shoulder.
"Hahaha! Madara, if this is what you want, then I support it wholeheartedly. During the wars, you always carried yourself like you had no weaknesses, no attachments. But now, wanting to bring Izuna back… That shows me the Madara I knew still exists!"
Tobirama remained silent, though his frown deepened.
Hashirama turned toward Hiruzen and Minato. Both nodded in quiet agreement. Minato even smiled faintly.
"Naruto won't oppose this. He understands the value of bonds more than anyone. And besides… so many members of the Uchiha clan have already been resurrected. One more would hardly make a difference."
Madara gave a curt nod. "Good. Fourth Hokage, then I'll ask you to speak with Naruto. I'll need one White Zetsu as the sacrifice."
Minato hesitated briefly, then glanced at Hashirama. The First Hokage inclined his head in approval.
Madara wasn't asking because he lacked the ability—far from it. He knew the Impure World Reincarnation technique. He could summon Izuna back himself, and if he wished, he could even release the technique afterward.
No, this wasn't about ability. This was about restraint.
Madara had changed. The arrogance of a man who once declared himself the savior of the world had been fractured. The war, the lies of Black Zetsu, the betrayal of fate itself—it had all stripped him bare.
He no longer saw himself as the man who knew everything. He was just a broken warrior who had lost too much.
And so, instead of taking what he wanted by force, he chose to ask.
Hashirama, his lifelong rival and friend, saw through it immediately. Madara… You've truly begun to change.
Madara straightened, his impatience clear. "Enough talking. Fourth Hokage, fetch the White Zetsu. As for me—I'll dig up Izuna's grave right now."
Hashirama blinked. "Madara, wait, don't be so hasty!"
Madara's voice was rough, yet fragile. "Hashirama… do you know why I fought so recklessly before? Because I had no reason left to live. After Izuna's death, after my clan was destroyed, after decades of war, my only purpose was the dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi. But in the end, it was all a lie—Black Zetsu's deception."
He laughed bitterly at himself.
"I mocked Obito as a pawn, yet in truth, I was the greatest pawn of all. A puppet dancing on someone else's strings."
His voice lowered, almost breaking.
"Hashirama… the only reason I'm still here is because you dragged me back. But when I saw Sasuke, when I saw those young Uchiha fighting together… I remembered Izuna. That boy, Sasuke—he looks so much like him."
Even Tobirama, despite himself, nodded silently. The resemblance was undeniable.
Hashirama's heart clenched. Madara's words carried the weight of despair. If Madara truly lost his will to live, he could very well end his own life. After all, unlike Hashirama's current Edo Tensei body, Madara was alive again, flesh and blood.
Hashirama forced a wide smile. "All right then! I'll go with you. We'll bring Izuna back together. Consider it atonement—for both of us."
He turned to Tobirama, Sarutobi, and Minato. "The three of you, go to Naruto. Tell him we need a White Zetsu. Meet us outside the Uchiha compound when it's done."
Tobirama frowned. "Brother, I should go as well—"
"No, Tobirama." Hashirama cut him off firmly. "This is between me and Madara. You'll only make things worse. Just do as I say."
With that, Hashirama wrapped an arm around Madara's shoulders and started forward. "Come, old friend. Let's bring Izuna home."
Behind them, Tobirama muttered through clenched teeth. "Uchiha… always cursed with darkness."
Neither Sarutobi nor Minato dared respond.
Meanwhile, Naruto listened to Minato, Sarutobi, and Tobirama explain the situation. At the mention of resurrecting Izuna, he smiled faintly.
"How interesting."
Inwardly, though, his heart was warm. For Madara to want Izuna back—it meant there was still love in him. Someone who cherished bonds so deeply could not possibly destroy the world again.
Without hesitation, Naruto performed Flying Thunder God to the place where White Zetsu were kept. He subdued one, sealed it, and returned. Handing the White Zetsu over to his father, Naruto gave an additional order.
"Tell Kabuto he's free to start digging up the rest of the Uchiha graves. Use what remains—Sharingan, clan bloodlines, even those who married into the clan. If anyone can bring them back, it's him. If Kabuto needs help, Orochimaru can watch over things."
Kabuto, who heard this later, only grinned. "Heh. Digging up graves? Leave it to me—I'm the best at it."
Satisfied, Naruto returned to Hinata. After everything, he needed her presence more than anything else.
At the Uchiha ancestral grounds, Madara and Hashirama finally arrived. Their destination was a high, lonely mountain just beyond Konoha's borders.
"We're here."
Before them stood a simple grave—a mound of earth beneath a great tree, choked with weeds and vines. Clearly, it had been left untended for many long years.
Madara's face darkened. Slowly, he stepped forward, brushing the weeds aside. He knelt, voice trembling ever so slightly.
"Izuna… Brother is here."
Hashirama remained behind him, watching silently, his chest aching. "Madara… soon, you'll see him again. Don't let sorrow weigh you down."
Madara drew in a sharp breath, then let it out, steadying himself. With a wave of his hand, Susanoo flared into existence. Its massive skeletal arm plunged into the earth, scooping the grave in one motion.
Carefully, almost reverently, Madara cleared away the soil until the coffin appeared. With another motion, Susanoo's hand lifted the lid.
Inside lay nothing but Izuna's skeleton, still clothed in the garments of the Uchiha, surrounded by the funerary offerings Madara had buried with him. Even so, there was no mistaking it.
It was Izuna.
Madara's hands trembled. His breath came ragged. Finally, he exhaled and shut the coffin again.
He turned to Hashirama. "Let's go."
But Hashirama shook his head. "No, Madara. Let me carry him. I share responsibility for Izuna's death—allow me this atonement."
With a deep breath, Hashirama's body shifted as Wood Style surged forth. Thick vines sprouted, wrapping gently around the coffin, lifting it with care. With effortless strength, Hashirama hoisted it onto his shoulder.
"Come, Madara. Let's bring Izuna back."
Without waiting for a reply, Hashirama leapt into the air, bounding down the mountain with the coffin secured.
Madara's lips parted as if to protest, but the words died in his throat. His Susanoo faded. With a long sigh, he followed his friend down the mountainside.
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon 🥺