As the golden light faded, Senju Hashirama stretched dramatically, letting out a big yawn.
"Ahh! Man, that was a great nap! Wait—what's going on here?! Didn't I die? How am I alive again?!"
"Hashirama…"
Uchiha Madara's expression was a mix of emotions, his gaze softening as he looked at the tall, long-haired… man in front of him.
Hashirama's eyes widened in shock when he spotted Madara. "Whoa! Madara?! No way! I can't believe we're meeting again even after we died! Madara, I missed you so much!"
Whoosh! Thud!
In a flash, Hashirama launched himself at Madara like a koala, wrapping his arms tightly around him.
[Note: The author includes a brief message here asking readers to remember their domain, 101kan.com.]
Madara's fist came down hard on Hashirama's head. "You big idiot! Settle down already!"
Despite his grumbling, Hirofumi Fumi noticed the faintest smirk tugging at Madara's lips.
Hashirama pouted, rubbing his head. "Madara… why'd you hit me? I know you're not big on hugs, but it's been so long! I just missed you, man. Come on, let me hug you a little!"
Hirofumi got goosebumps listening to Hashirama's almost whiny tone. Meanwhile, Senju Tobirama, standing off to the side, looked like his heart had just shattered.
His big brother didn't even notice him—his own flesh and blood—but locked eyes with Uchiha Madara right away! Is my place in big bro's heart really lower than Madara's?! That damn wicked Uchiha stole my brother's affection! Argh, those evil Uchihas!
Madara's face flushed slightly at Hashirama's words. Thwack! Another hit landed on Hashirama's head.
"Ow! Madara, what was that for?!" Hashirama whined. "Why do you keep hitting me?"
"You moron!" Madara snapped. "Get a grip! We're not dead anymore—we've been revived! And this isn't some afterlife. Look over there. See who's with us!"
Hashirama followed Madara's pointing finger and finally noticed Tobirama. "Oh? Tobirama! You're here too?"
Then, without missing a beat, he turned back to Madara. "Anyway, Madara, what's the deal? Fill me in!"
Hirofumi could've sworn he heard the sound of glass breaking coming from Tobirama's direction, especially as Tobirama clutched his chest dramatically. Is this guy's heart actually breaking?
Who could blame him? His own brother comes back to life, sees Madara, and goes all out with shouts and hugs, but when he sees his little brother, it's just a casual "You're here too"? That's gotta sting!
A weird thought popped into Hirofumi's head. Heartbreak no Jutsu! Could this be the real reason Tobirama's always had it out for the Uchiha?
Suddenly, a soap opera-worthy plot unfolded in Hirofumi's mind: a powerful, handsome, and wealthy man steals the affection of a brother, leaving the younger sibling to rise up, seize power, and target the family of the guy who stole his big bro's love.
So… is this the truth behind the "wicked Uchiha"?!
Hirofumi gave the trio a strange look: cool and aloof Madara, Hashirama buzzing around him like an excited puppy, and a heartbroken Tobirama off to the side.
Well, well, well, Naruto! So this is the game you're playing? No wonder the Hidden Leaf has so many "best buds" across generations—it all started with these guys!
As Hirofumi was lost in his melodramatic daydreams, the system's voice snapped him out of it.
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully summoning the spirit of Senju Hashirama! Now extracting a random ability from the target… Congratulations, Host, you have obtained Asura's Reincarnation Chakra! Asura's Chakra has been integrated into your body!]
Hirofumi's jaw dropped. First, he got Indra's chakra from Madara, and now Asura's chakra from Hashirama?! What was the system up to? With both Indra and Asura's chakra in his body, was it trying to turn him into the next Sage of the Six Paths?!
Plus, ever since he got Indra's chakra, he'd noticed Naruto acting differently around him. Now with Asura's chakra too? What was next? Was he about to have Madara, Hashirama, Naruto, and Sasuke trailing after him like a fan club? Am I gonna end up as one of the "best buds" too?!
The thought sent a shiver down his spine. He quickly shook his head to clear out the weird ideas and pictured a grown-up Ino Yamanaka to remind himself: I'm straight. I'm straight. I'm STRAIGHT!
Hirofumi had been hoping for something like Wood Release, Sage Body, or even Sage Mode from Hashirama. But Asura's chakra? He couldn't help but wonder if the system was rigging the game. Indra's chakra from Madara, now Asura's from Hashirama—it was too perfect.
Still, he wasn't complaining. Asura's chakra was probably the root of all those abilities he'd wanted. After all, no other Senju could use Wood Release, and even those who transplanted Hashirama's cells only got a watered-down "greenery" version. With Asura's chakra, plus Indra's, Hirofumi's future was looking bright—maybe even Six Paths-level bright!
But getting stronger wasn't instant. These chakras would gradually boost his strength and potential over time. They wouldn't suddenly make him a god-tier ninja overnight.