Hashirama glanced at the night: "It's getting late as well, Tobirama, let's go back to sleep!"
Tobirama chuckled, mocking: "We're both dead already, go back to sleep? Go lie down in our coffins!"
Hashirama scratched his head: "That's right, we two will go lie down in our coffins! Tomorrow we'll look again at the scenery of the ninja world!"
"Hmph!"
Tobirama snorted lightly.
Tsunade said beside them: "There's no need for that, I've already prepared guest rooms for you, in the former Senju house."
Tsunade led the Senju brothers to the Senju house, with the Warring States style, assembled only today.
In the living room there was a photo frame, and in the frame was a photo dug out from the old Senju house earlier.
Hashirama, Tobirama, Madara, Mito.
Seeing things stirred memories, Hashirama became a little sad: "Time truly is the most merciless thing, the youth of the past never returns!"
Tobirama did not mock Hashirama, and nodded.
Kairen laughed softly at the side: "Uchiha Madara… is still alive in the world!"
"What?"
With these words, Hashirama and Tobirama were both shocked.
Especially Tobirama, he had retrieved Uchiha Madara's corpse, had seen his eyes closed, how did he spring back to life?
Hashirama pressed on: "What's going on? Madara he…"
Kairen sat cross-legged on the mat, pouring tea for the two grandpas.
"Don't panic, please listen to me slowly!"
Tsunade also sat upright, her expression serious as she listened to what Kairen would say next.
At some point Kairen produced a little fan, and recited in a proper tone:
"Last time the story said that Madara discovered the secret of the Six Paths stone tablet at Nanga Shrine with his Mangekyō; recorded within was the creation power of the Sage of Six Paths, and also—Infinite Tsukuyomi…"
Kairen slowly told the three of them, and Hashirama and the others grew more and more shocked as they listened.
Especially Hashirama, upon hearing that Madara used his cells to combine and evolve the Rinnegan, he furiously cursed that this good buddy was not playing fair.
At the end, Tobirama concluded: "So, Madara wants to pull everyone in the entire ninja world into a single genjutsu, huh?"
Kairen nodded.
Hashirama sighed: "Madara is also bitterly searching for his own path to peace. Maybe he became disappointed in my path, so he thought of this extreme road."
Tobirama said firmly: "We must stop him. We cannot live in a dream."
Kairen glanced at him.
Earlier he'd said the affairs of the living had nothing to do with the dead; but once it involved Uchiha Madara, Tobirama became anxious and jumping.
As if wanting to show that he would stop further development between Hashirama and Madara.
Kairen smiled, slowly savoring the bitter tea, a hint of sweetness lingering on the taste buds.
He spoke rather casually: "Uchiha Madara is nothing but a jumping clown. As long as I feel like it, I can shatter his Eye of the Moon plan."
As Kairen's big words came out, Hashirama was about to refute but lost steam.
Someone who can face even the Sage of Six Paths head-on—would he fear an old man over a hundred?
The expressions on the three faces slowly calmed down.
You say Kairen is arrogant? He has the strength!
You say he is lecherous? He can handle it.
Tobirama asked Hashirama: "Big brother, what do you want to do next?"
Hashirama fell silent, his expression rather wistful.
Tobirama could tell at a glance that something was about to happen.
Hashirama said resolutely: "I'm going to find Madara. I must stop his plan. I can't watch him continue to go wrong!"
Tobirama sighed inwardly.
Sure enough, these two are a pair of fated rivals; even separated by life and death, they have to chase each other bitterly.
Kairen put down the teacup, thinking in his heart.
Did Uchiha Madara do wrong?
He wanted to give people an illusory world of peace.
In that world, one could gain happiness and joy, without worries.
If it were his previous life, Kairen would certainly have yearned for that world.
Whether it's illusory or not, as long as it lets me lie flat, it's fine.
But this outcome is ultimately wrong.
Because Infinite Tsukuyomi is a scam, so Uchiha Madara is destined for tragedy.
The old man is no longer young, yet still full of ambition, thinking about the peace of the ninja world.
Unlike some young people, lying in bed at this moment, with their phones still charging.
That's right, it's you!
Kairen produced a photo and handed it to Hashirama.
"He is near the Kannabi Bridge in the Land of Grass."
Hashirama took the photo; on it was a blurry silhouette of an old man.
Looking closely, it was indeed the elderly Madara.
Hashirama sighed: "Madara has grown this old already? Truly time spares no one! Back then…"
Tobirama shook his head helplessly. Here we go again—whenever it's about Madara, Hashirama takes it to heart.
He wasn't even this attentive about Mito.
Hashirama nodded, firmly gripping the photo in his hand.
"Don't worry, Madara, I will definitely bring you back!"
Kairen was speechless.
Over a hundred years old—bring him back for what, to provide for his retirement?
He stood up, waved farewell to the two grandpas: "Good night!"
Hashirama and Tobirama responded politely, then watched Kairen and Tsunade go out the door.
...
The moon was bright and the stars sparse, with the chirping of cicadas from time to time.
Kairen and Tsunade walked down the street, slowly easing the day's busyness.
Unknowingly, Tsunade grabbed Kairen's hand.
"What a miraculous day. I became the Fourth Hokage, and my two grandfathers were resurrected."
Kairen smiled and said to Tsunade: "There's something even more miraculous. Come on, let's go to the Hokage building."
As soon as Kairen spoke, Tsunade's face immediately flushed red.
She had promised Kairen before, and now she wanted to go back on it but couldn't say it.
Kairen held Tsunade's hand tightly, just about to go to the Hokage building for a big meal.
A gloomy voice suddenly sounded out of thin air.
"Kairen-kun, I'd like to borrow a little of your blood to use!"
Kairen held his forehead, headache rising.
Could Orochimaru not pick a time when he wasn't in a hurry?
And why is this snake so fixated on his cells?
Thoughts flashed like lightning.
Kairen's eyes turned, revealing the Six-Tomoe Rinnegan, looking coldly at the eerie figure that suddenly appeared ahead.
"Orochimaru, are you not afraid of death?"
Orochimaru smiled: "Kairen-kun, this is just a shadow clone; the real body isn't here. Look, I've brought you something good!"
Kairen froze—could it be beauties?
Orochimaru slapped the ground, and three coffins suddenly rose from it.
"Kairen-kun, open your eyes wide and see who they are?"
The coffin lids slammed heavily to the ground, kicking up dust.
When the dust settled, three figures appeared from within.
Their skin, like earth, showed cracks; they slowly opened those ink-black eyes.
Seeing the three, Kairen was shocked.
A couple, and an old man.
The woman wore a kimono, delicate skin, eyebrows somewhat resembling Kairen.
The man was stern, with black hair and black eyes, carrying an Uchiha-like aura.
The remaining old man was ordinary, but gave a kindly feeling.
"Dad, Mom, Grandpa!"
These three were the former body's parents plus a grandfather.
Great, Orochimaru had even dug up his family graves; the whole family was gathered.
Tarōmaru opened his eyes to look at the world, then spoke in confusion:
"Wasn't I blown up by explosive tags? How am I alive again?"
He looked around, discovering that his wife who had died several years ago and his father were both alive again.
"Heiko, Father, you—"
Kairen's grandfather was named Tian, a very ordinary farming old man, and he too was full of doubt at this moment.
"Tarō, Heiko, what is going on?"
Orochimaru sneered at the side: "No need to guess. I used ninjutsu to resurrect you!"
Tarōmaru turned his head and recognized Orochimaru at a glance: "Orochimaru-sama, you resurrected us?"
Orochimaru smiled ambiguously: "Look at the people in front of you."
The three, hearing this, turned their eyes to the man and woman standing ahead.
They hadn't seen Tsunade and didn't know her; and the young man beside her puzzled them even more.
But the doubt was instantly replaced by a bone-deep sense of familiarity.
Blood is thicker than water; they clearly felt the familiarity of this young man.
Heiko's eyes widened: "You… you, you are ...!"
Kairen was dumbfounded.
What was he supposed to do?
He had long been used to going alone; suddenly facing the former body's relatives was a bit uncomfortable.
Even though he had inherited those memories and that familiarity.
Kairen could only nod helplessly in the end.
Tian was overjoyed: "Good grandson, you've grown this big; do you have a wife yet?"
Just out of the coffin, and the old man's biggest concern was still his descendant's marriage.
Heiko was also full of concern: "Tell Mom, are you still a virgin or not?"
Tarōmaru followed right after: "Brat, in the blink of an eye you're this big—married yet? Who are the in-laws?"
Opening with the three-hit combo of marriage questions directly left Kairen dumbfounded.
Orochimaru hurried to return to the main topic: "Don't argue, don't argue, let me handle my business first."
Tian didn't know Orochimaru; hearing this young man talk too much, he scolded:
"Why are you butting in? I'm concerned about my grandson's big life matter."
"The greatest regret of my life is not seeing my grandson with a daughter-in-law! You say fewer words!"
Heiko was also unconvinced: "Who are you? Why are you interfering in our family's affairs?"
Orochimaru was a bit stunned: "I—"
Tarōmaru, however, was full of dread; he knew the big shots in this village.
"Dad, Heiko, stop talking. He is Orochimaru-sama."
"Who is Orochimaru? Your name is Tarōmaru—these are all easy-to-raise rustic names. Why are you afraid of him?"
Orochimaru finally couldn't stand it: "Stop arguing, or I'll send you back into the coffins!"
The three at last fell silent, still afraid of Orochimaru's mention of coffins.
They also realized the fact of their resurrection; having finally come to the world of the living, they had to properly urge Kairen about the major matter of continuing the family line.
Orochimaru looked at Kairen and threatened: "Kairen-kun, give me a little of your blood, otherwise… otherwise!"
Orochimaru was thinking of ways to threaten Kairen.
He had resurrected his relatives, yet hadn't figured out how to threaten him.
Orochimaru rolled his eyes, then said viciously in the end: "I'll just let them nag you to death in your ears every day!"
Orochimaru's ruthless words were spoken, and Kairen trembled.
He wasn't afraid of other threats, only of Dad and Mom urging him to get married.
He was a playboy of the seas! If he got married, wouldn't he just be chained up?
"Enough! Enough! Don't you just want my blood? Take it then!"
Kairen said carelessly.
Orochimaru's face was full of surprise; he had finally managed to threaten this kid!
"Hurry and give it to me!"
"Bah!"
A mouthful of bloody phlegm suddenly sprayed onto Orochimaru's face.
The air instantly fell silent, everyone together looked at the dumbfounded Orochimaru.
Kairen wiped his mouth: "There are my cells in it, take it and use it!"
"You—"
Orochimaru was furious; just as he was about to flare up, he withdrew the rage from his face.
Forget it, he wouldn't argue with this kid!
As long as he could get his cells, he would be the Six Paths Orochimaru.
"Hmph!"
Orochimaru snorted: "I have a loud reputation on the road. Since I've obtained your cells, I will spare your relatives."
"If you have anything else you want to say, say it now? I guarantee I won't disturb their peace again in the future!"
Orochimaru slowly walked backward, leaned against a wooden fence, and then carefully preserved the bloody phlegm on his face.
This was a treasure!
Kairen's three relatives quickly stepped forward and surrounded Kairen.
Pinching here, squeezing there, all with curious expressions.
Tian slapped Kairen's shoulder: "Not bad, very solid."
Heiko pinched Kairen's face: "Thicker than before, it feels rough when I pinch it!"
Tarōmaru didn't have much to say; seeing his son grow up healthy, he was relieved.
Moreover, from the conversation just now, Orochimaru seemed very afraid of Kairen.
"You've made something of yourself!"
Kairen quietly let them poke and prod, his body offering no resistance; this was the instinct of family affection.
Heiko glanced at Tsunade beside them and whispered into Kairen's ear: "Is this your girlfriend? She's pretty!"
Kairen nodded.
Tsunade stepped back a few steps, leaving space for Kairen and his family.
Her two grandfathers had been reincarnated by the Edo Tensei, letting her resolve many regrets.
She hoped Kairen could also resolve his regrets.
Tarōmaru hooked Kairen's neck and praised in a low voice: "Good kid, you've really made something of yourself!"
Tian slapped Kairen's shoulder: "Not bad, not bad, this girl has wide hips, definitely good for bearing children. You've found a treasure. Who are the in-laws?"
Kairen replied lightly: "The Senju Clan!"
"Oh! The Senju Clan… damn, the Senju!"
Tarōmaru shouted.
The Senju had a very good reputation among commoners.
Even Tian, who knew very little about ninja matters, knew the great name of the Senju.
Tarōmaru turned back, carefully looked at Tsunade, and then combined it with some traits of big figures in the village.
He quietly asked in Kairen's ear: "Is she… Tsunade?"
Kairen nodded.
"This—"
A few minutes later, the three relatives finally managed to digest how formidable Kairen's girlfriend was.
Heiko laughed: "She's a bit big, but she's a rich woman. Our son may suffer a little loss, but he won't have to worry for the rest of his life. This is a big win!"
Tian's face was full of joy: "Now I'm in-laws with the First, so I can brag about it when I'm down below!"
Tsunade pricked up her ears at the side; their words couldn't escape her keen hearing at all.
Hearing Kairen's relatives' approval, Tsunade's brows relaxed, and the corners of her mouth gently lifted.
Kairen and Tsunade looked at each other.
Tsunade blinked at him; their hearts were clearly connected.
Seeing that they had chatted for nearly half an hour, Orochimaru also grew impatient.
"All right! All right! Time is almost up. What needed to be explained has been explained. You should be going back!"
Yin and yang are separated; life and death are divided.
Even with a thousand reluctances, they still had to say goodbye.
Tian rubbed Kairen's hair: "Good grandson, be sure to have a whole bunch of kids, have them like crazy."
Kairen nodded.
Tarōmaru patted Kairen's shoulder: "I can feel you're a big figure now, but in the future, stand tall. Do what you should do, don't regret it!"
Kairen nodded.
Heiko gave Kairen a hug, and those ghost-like eyes shed crystal tears.
"Kairen, don't blame your mother for dying too early. From now on… live happily!"
Kairen nodded.
"Goodbye, good grandson!"
"Goodbye!"
"Goodbye, Kairen!"
As the voices fell, the three coffins were buried.
Orochimaru did as he said, releasing the jutsu on the three and letting them be buried in peace.
"Goodbye, Kairen-kun!"
He formed a hand Seal, turned into a puff of smoke, and disappeared.
Kairen gazed at the night sky, and the melancholy in his heart slowly dissipated.
In the end, he still hadn't been able to speak of his plan to resurrect his relatives.
At the root of it, that familiarity was only his body acting up.
He was just a stranger from another land.