"Madara-sama, why are you so obsessed with living in the mountains?"
Renya had spent two days in that cave feeding mosquitoes, and he really couldn't take it anymore.
It was midsummer now, and the nights were filled with buzzing insects.
Especially deep in the forested mountains—there were mosquitoes even during the day.
Although Renya could easily swat them dead, their numbers were endless.
And that was only during the day—at night, it became unbearable.
He couldn't understand how the two of them had managed to live in such an environment for decades.
Senju Hashirama subconsciously turned to look at his best friend. It seemed he had never even thought about that question.
He had simply followed wherever Madara went.
"Living in the mountains is peaceful, free from outside disturbance," Uchiha Madara replied softly under their curious gazes.
At first, he had gone into hiding in the mountains after faking his death, to prevent anyone from discovering his survival.
Over the years, he'd simply gotten used to living there. Even after Hashirama discovered that he was still alive, Madara never chose to move to a town.
As time passed, the two of them simply adapted to mountain life.
Well—to be more precise, cave life.
"Madara-sama, let's move to a town!" Renya suggested. "I'll buy a big mansion, and we can live there while waiting for the right time."
He really couldn't stand this primitive lifestyle anymore.
The shinobi world's technology was already underdeveloped, and now he was living like a caveman on top of that.
They had practically devolved from ancient men into primitives.
It would be so much better to live in a town and enjoy life.
Anything was better than sitting here feeding mosquitoes!
Hearing Renya's words, Hashirama's eyes lit up.
If they moved to a town, didn't that mean he could go to a casino?!
There wasn't even a soul in the mountains—let alone a casino.
But if they moved into town, he could go gambling every day!
After years of restraint, Hashirama was itching for it, practically ready to storm a casino that very instant.
"Madara, I think Renya's right…" Hashirama looked at him pleadingly.
He looked so pitiful, like a dog wagging its tail and begging for a treat.
No shame in asking, right?
"Madara-sama, I have money. I promise to buy the most magnificent mansion we can find," Renya continued, attempting to corrupt Madara's will with wealth.
He began painting a vivid picture of luxurious town life…
Madara had been living in the mountains for so long that he was far removed from normal human habits.
Renya was sure that with him and Hashirama-san working together, they'd definitely convince him.
Sure enough, under the combined persuasion of Renya and Hashirama, Uchiha Madara began to waver.
Renya wasn't wrong—rather than staying in the mountains, why not go to town and experience life again?
It wasn't as if he'd planned to stay here forever; he just hadn't had a better option.
Now that Renya had offered, there was no reason to refuse.
"Do as you please," Madara said, closing his eyes.
He wasn't rejecting the idea—which meant he agreed.
Renya and Hashirama exchanged glances, both seeing joy in each other's eyes.
Hashirama clenched his fist excitedly.
Hahaha! He could finally hit the casinos again!
Once they moved into town, he'd be free to gamble whenever he pleased.
Just thinking about it made him burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
Renya grinned as well.
It hadn't been easy!
At long last, they were escaping the caveman lifestyle.
He had seriously thought they planned to live like mountain hermits for the rest of their lives.
...
Living in the mountains for a day or two was fine, even refreshing.
But stay too long, and it became suffocating.
After just two days, Renya had nearly packed up and bolted in the middle of the night.
Wait—that's right. He didn't even have anything to pack…
That Hashirama and Madara had stayed here for over ten years was proof enough that they truly were legendary figures of the shinobi world.
Any normal person would've run away ages ago.
"So what are we waiting for?" Renya said eagerly. "Let's get moving!"
He didn't want to spend another day in this dump.
Before, he might not have minded, but after living in the village in comfort, there was no going back to this miserable environment.
It's easy to go from simple to luxurious, but hard to go from luxury back to simplicity!
Rich people know how to live well—and Renya was the epitome of indulgence.
"Renya, give me a moment to pack up," Hashirama said, starting to tidy up the pots and dishes by the stove.
"Hashirama-san, don't waste time. We'll just buy new ones later," Renya said with a dismissive wave. After all, he was rich.
The time spent packing was better spent leaving.
He didn't want to stay here another second.
Hashirama looked regretfully at the cookware on the stove.
He had just bought those not long ago—it really was a shame to leave them behind…
"Then let's go," Uchiha Madara said, walking straight out of the cave.
Since Renya had promised to buy a mansion in town, he might as well go enjoy it.
No point in suffering in the mountains any longer.
He wasn't stupid.
"Leaving already after just moving in?" Hashirama stood at the entrance, gazing fondly at the furnishings inside the cave.
The three wooden beds, the table and chairs, and the stove with the pots and dishes—all made by his Wood Release.
Everything bore traces of their life together.
Every time they moved, Hashirama couldn't help feeling sentimental. Over the past decade, they'd lived in countless caves.
Each move brought back countless memories.
Those caves were all the homes he and Madara had once shared...
"Hashirama-san, stop daydreaming and let's go!" Renya called loudly when he saw Hashirama standing dazed at the entrance.
The town was still quite a distance away—they'd have to walk for half a day at least.
It'd be best to arrive before nightfall.
Madara glanced back at Hashirama, a flicker of helplessness in his eyes.
Hashirama was always like this whenever they moved. What was there to think about?
It was just a cave.
What was there to feel nostalgic over?
He'd asked once before, but Hashirama had only scratched his head and laughed without answering.
Eventually, Madara stopped asking.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Hashirama said quickly, hurrying after them.
Renya, puzzled, asked curiously, "Hashirama-san, what were you looking at back there?"
"Haha, nothing," Hashirama replied with an awkward laugh, brushing it off without explaining.
Renya looked doubtful but didn't press him further.
Madara snorted softly—he knew Hashirama wouldn't explain, just like before.
Who knew what nonsense was going on in that man's head?
Hashirama glanced at his best friend walking ahead, then turned back one last time toward the cave they'd lived in, smiling faintly.
The cave itself didn't matter.
What mattered… was who he lived there with.
Renya had no idea about the deeper meaning behind that smile, and just gave Hashirama a weird look.
What's he smiling about all of a sudden?
At the front of the group, Uchiha Madara suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine.
He instinctively shivered and shifted his shoulders.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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