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Kamihabi Bridge.
"Mmm, got it. Here's your three hundred ryo."
"Meow~ Feel free to contact me anytime meow~"
In the stone chamber of the base, an approximately seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth waved his hand. The orange cat before him immediately dissolved into white smoke.
He stood tall with slender limbs, his skin as fine as porcelain, long black hair shimmering faintly like obsidian. His sharply defined features were accentuated by clear phoenix-like eyes, exuding unparalleled handsomeness.
"Kamihane, any news from outside?"
A young woman emerged from the training room. Her tall figure boasted graceful curves, cascading black hair tied into a high ponytail. Her cool demeanor carried an elegant air, with eyes as clear as autumn water and pupils dark as lacquer.
Faint steam rose from her body as she approached with a towel, clearly having just finished intense training.
"Ah, nothing particularly important. Just some news." The youth turned around, his gaze calm. "Time flies. Hashirama Senju already has a granddaughter."
"Granddaughter? Not only is Hashirama alive, but he even has a granddaughter now?"
"Shh!" Kamihane immediately raised a finger to his lips, looking serious. "This matter isn't that important. Let's keep it between us."
Uchiha Hikari tilted her head. "So Lord Madara is also old enough to be a grandfather..."
Kamihane instantly appeared before Hikari, covering her mouth with his hand.
"I told you not to let him know, otherwise he'll..."
"Is there a possibility that I already know?" A deep voice floated from the kitchen.
A middle-aged man with red-and-white heterochromatic eyes emerged. He wore a dark blue shirt with an apron around his waist, his stature still imposing. Time had left faint marks on his face, but his sharp gaze had grown even more profound.
"Uh..." Kamihane awkwardly released his hand. Hikari also realized her mistake, pretending nonchalance as she looked away.
"Hmph. Come eat."
The three filed into the stone chamber, gathering around the meal as usual.
It should be said that over these years, Madara's culinary skills had improved remarkably - even Kamihane would give him thumbs up.
During these six years, the trio hadn't been completely isolated. The ninja cat Tora Maru regularly brought intelligence - updates on the world situation, geographical changes, and most importantly, Konoha's developments.
Everything from Hashirama and Tobirama's movements to landmark events in Konoha Village... nothing was omitted.
Of course, the information didn't come cheap. Kamihane footed all the bills.
After the Five Kage Summit, the ninja world indeed entered an unprecedented era of development.
The Five Great Nations experienced rapid economic growth. Ninjas became household names as hidden villages proliferated. Regardless of country size, the number and overall strength of ninjas became the benchmark for national power.
Thanks to the ninja cats' intelligence gathering, the trio knew the tailed beasts' distribution by heart:
One-Tails remained unchanged in Sunagakure.
The aquatic Three-Tails and Six-Tails went to Kirigakure.
Kumogakure obtained Two-Tails and Eight-Tails.
Iwagakure received Four-Tails and Five-Tails.
Unlike the original timeline, Takigakure - not among the Five Great Nations - received no tailed beasts.
Konoha kept Seven-Tails.
In subsequent years, Konoha repeatedly searched for Nine-Tails' traces. The Senju brothers even personally investigated, but all efforts proved futile. The Nine-Tails hunt gradually faded away.
Konoha would never know that the Nine-Tails they sought day and night had already been sealed inside someone's body, completely coexisting with its jinchūriki.
And this person... was someone they could never imagine in their wildest dreams.
The wheel of history rolled forward without pause...
Konoha Year 8: Hashirama's wife Mito Uzumaki became the first Seven-Tails jinchūriki.
1 Year Later: The Senju of the Forest formally allied with the Uzumaki of the Whirlpool. Uzushiogakure became Konoha's ally. Since then, Konoha ninja uniforms bore the Uzumaki crest - symbol of their everlasting friendship.
Konoha Year 10: Hokage Hashirama Senju survived an assassination attempt by unknown ninja. Unfortunately for the assailant, the mission failed, though the attacker escaped with severe injuries.
That same year, Takigakure's leadership was brutally massacred overnight - their hearts ripped out, deaths exceptionally gruesome.
Konoha Year 11: To ensure educational stability and talent cultivation efficiency, Tobirama Senju founded the Konoha Academy. Regardless of clan or status, all would receive ninja education. The first graduating class of 36 included Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzō Shimura, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Kagami Uchiha.
As for Torifu Akimichi... he died long ago.
Konoha Year 12: Tobirama established the Konoha ANBU - full name "Konoha Village Assassination Tactics Special Force" - directly answering to the Hokage.
This became the first special operations organization among the Five Great Nations. His political strategies were widely emulated by other villages.
ANBU members were selected from the village's elite ninjas across all clans. Their duties included protecting the Hokage, preventing foreign invasions, reconnaissance missions, and assassinations.
By Konoha Year 13: Tsunade was born...
"You two. Six years have passed. Still haven't completed your training?" Madara suddenly spoke, his tone icy.
Hikari silently glanced at Kamihane across the table but said nothing, though she kicked his knee under the table.
"Ahem... This disciple's aptitude is lacking. The forbidden technique is too difficult..." Kamihane stammered, glaring at Hikari.
His eyes seemed to say: See? You made him angry!
"Ah... Same here. The sickle's manageable, but this Blazing Fan... how do you even use it? So difficult..." Hikari put on an aggrieved expression.
Madara snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over them. The two shared a knowing look before burying their faces in their rice bowls.
"I know why you won't leave."
Madara's tone softened as he unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a muscular torso.
Both looked over. The chest injury had completely healed. The stubborn unhealed flesh had fully integrated into the wound, forming a pale scar devoid of blood.
"My strength has gradually recovered these years. Though far from my prime, I've regained Kage-level power."
Madara's voice remained calm, exuding his usual authority. "Rest assured. Even without you two, I face no danger."
"Heh, Lord Madara's divine might leaves no room for concern. I wouldn't dare presume to worry about you." Kamihane picked up a meat slice, side-eyeing the last piece of braised pork.
"Yeah... We can barely take care of ourselves." Hikari muttered under her breath.
"Truthfully, I'm not upset about Hashirama." Madara shook his head with a rare warm smile. "I too have successors. And my Uchiha heirs... are second to none!"
Kamihane and Hikari froze. The former took a deep breath to compose himself while the latter's wrists trembled, eyes glistening with moisture.
Seeing their reactions, Madara smiled faintly. "I'll say this one last time. Either leave immediately for your trials... or never leave at all!"
Kamihane lightning-fast snatched the last braised pork into his mouth, mumbling: "How strange... I suddenly comprehend. Was Izanagi always this simple?"
Hikari didn't speak, but swiftly stood and strapped the fan and sickle to her back.
With perfect synchronization, they walked toward the exit. As the base's stone doors swung open, Hikari seemed to consider looking back, but Kamihane tugged her forward. Together, they stepped into the sunlight.
Madara quietly watched their silhouettes. The sunlight blurred their outlines while illuminating the profound, unreserved pride that had accumulated on his face over six years.
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