Last Time . . . . .
"Madara, why do you keep entering Sakura-chan's mental space? What happened?"
"Madara, can you stop stalling and keeping us in suspense?!"
Opening his eyes again, facing Hashirama's inquisitive look, Tobirama's undisguised impatience and anger, and the others' overt and covert doubts and confusion, Madara hesitated for a moment, a rare occurrence. It wasn't that he didn't want them to see what had happened, but he really didn't want them to see that girl. He had no doubt they would be captivated by her; no one could escape her irresistible charm.
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"Madara, if there's anything inconvenient, you don't need to show me the images. Just explain verbally," Izuna said considerately.
He was a perceptive and observant person, adept at understanding people's hearts. Now, facing his most familiar older brother, even though they hadn't seen each other for almost a hundred years, Izuna still sensed Madara's strange reluctance. It wasn't that he didn't want to explain, but rather that he wanted to hide something. Was it related to Sakura Haruno?
Izuna had actually seen Madara's ambiguous actions towards Sakura. He was shocked that his older brother, who had almost no interest in matters of love, would behave this way. Had Madara suddenly become enlightened? But why? If Madara truly liked Sakura, Izuna would unconditionally support him. So, whatever Madara wanted to hide, as his younger brother, Izuna had to give him a way out.
Madara really wanted to explain verbally as Izuna suggested, but could verbal explanations convince Tobirama Senju? Could anyone believe that Sakura Haruno could shatter the seals covering thirty real worlds with a mere flick of her finger in her spiritual world—a story more absurd and exaggerated than a fairy tale? He would never have believed it if he hadn't witnessed it with his own eyes.
'Never mind.' Madara finally decided to show her the truth. Even if others saw the girl, potentially creating a bunch of competitors, Madara wasn't afraid of a battle of wits between men.
'You'll understand my explanation when you see it. Be prepared.' Madara said, forming a hand seal. 'Rinnegan: Resurrection Technique.'
Tobirama scoffed at the idea of mental preparation. What did Madara Uchiha think they were? A bunch of country bumpkins who'd never seen the world? After witnessing the descent of the Mother of Chakra and the destruction of the world by the Infinite Tsukuyomi, what could possibly frighten them?
But Tobirama quickly realized how naive he'd been. The flowering tree had expanded to the size of a universe, even forming a Flower Tree Universe. This had already reshaped Tobirama's worldview, but when he saw that terrifying Flower Tree Universe finally fall into a pair of hands, Tobirama began to wonder if he'd gone mad. When he saw the pink-haired, blue-eyed girl who resembled Sakura Haruno but was ethereally beautiful, Tobirama's mind went blank. Then, seeing their world contained within the Flower Tree Universe, and that the girl had destroyed the seal that he thought was impossible—a seal encompassing thirty worlds—with a mere flick of her finger, Tobirama was utterly speechless.
He considered himself a veteran of countless storms, but this wasn't just a storm; this was a cataclysmic upheaval! Tobirama felt as if his reason and emotions had been subjected to a devastating, apocalyptic shock.
Minato was equally shocked, but soon he was simply mesmerized, gazing at the stunningly beautiful girl before him. He had always thought Sakura Haruno was beautiful, with a lively and endearing personality—his type. But reason reminded him that he was a married man, and Sakura was his grand-student, the woman his son Naruto loved. Therefore, Minato was always clear about the line he could never cross. But the woman before him truly ignited the passion and possessiveness of any man; perhaps it wouldn't hurt to relax for a moment?
Obito stared, mouth agape. He'd always thought Rin was the only goddess in the world, but that was purely a metaphor, a description; it didn't mean he actually believed a goddess existed. Yet, looking at the flawless girl before him, Obito had to admit that if he had to name a goddess, no one but the person before him deserved that title.
Obito's heart pounded uncontrollably, his face flushed. This was only the second time since he was 11 that he'd felt such a flutter in his heart, besides Rin, and it was far more intense than the first. The first time was a sweet, innocent wonder; this time, it was a boiling, impulsive passion, tinged with the tainted desires of adulthood.
Itachi stared blankly at the pink-haired, blue-eyed girl. In the memories of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, witnessing Sakura's unwavering love and selfless devotion to Sasuke, he had envied Sasuke's good fortune. Sasuke had betrayed Sakura, and while Itachi was disappointed in him, he couldn't help but think that if it were him, he would never have let Sakura spend twelve years alone in her empty chambers like Sasuke had. But she was his brother's wife, so Itachi quickly abandoned this immoral thought. Yet, looking at the girl before him, who perfectly matched his taste and aesthetic sensibilities, Itachi's thoughts of taking her place resurfaced. If Sasuke was heartless, why couldn't he pursue Sakura? He would definitely cherish Sakura even more than Sasuke.
Sasori had always harbored an inexplicable fondness for the young girl who had defeated him, so he was very forgiving towards her. Even after being killed by her, he generously provided her with information about Uchiha Sasuke. Sasori, who disdained human emotions, had never understood what this fondness was. Only now did he clearly realize that he had fallen in love with this young girl. Although confirming his feelings through beauty seemed superficial, love for another person usually begins with appearance—the so-called "beginning with looks, captivated by talent, and loyal to character"—he had simply reversed it. He admired Sakura Haruno's talent, respected her resilience, and now he was completely captivated by her unparalleled beauty. Of course, he had always thought this girl was beautiful, but now her beauty was so breathtaking that it had simply enlightened him completely.
Izuna now completely understands why Madara hesitated. If it were him, he wouldn't want to let another man see such a treasure either. He was also deeply attracted to the girl in front of him, but Izuna didn't want to compete with Madara for her. If he gave up, Izuna looked at the girl in front of him and it seemed a bit difficult. Would Madara be willing to share her with him?
Hashirama's optimistic, even somewhat foolish, smile vanished, replaced by a thoughtful, deep expression. From the first moment he saw Sakura, Hashirama had always liked this young girl, but he had always believed his affection was that of an elder caring for a younger person. Now, looking at the girl before him, Hashirama knew that wasn't it, and he could no longer deceive himself. He was simply interested in Haruno Sakura—a sexual interest.
Sakura's pink hair was truly beautiful. He had never seen another person with pink hair. Paired with her bright, lively green eyes, it was like a cherry blossom tree in full bloom in spring. This was a color combination Hashirama had never seen on a human before. There were many beauties, but unique beauties were rare. Hashirama's sexual interest in unique women far surpassed his interest in ordinary beauties, but such women were incredibly hard to find. Mito had been one; her rare, vibrant red hair was a bright spot in the Land of Fire, a land where black and brown hair were the norm. Unfortunately, her reserve prevented Hashirama from ultimately deriving much pleasure from her.
Hashirama could have tactfully concealed his inner turmoil, maintaining the facade of a senior's concern for a junior. But now, seeing the girl before him, he knew there was no turning back. Contrary to his outwardly innocent and seemingly always-suffering impression, Hashirama had never failed to possess anything in his life.
Kakashi, on the other hand, felt his sense of crisis reach its peak. Sakura's unparalleled beauty, seemingly otherworldly, had captivated him, leaving him utterly mesmerized. But he quickly realized he wasn't the only one who had seen Sakura. He didn't believe anyone could resist such beauty. No wonder Madara's attitude had changed so drastically—that lustful bastard!
Kakashi told himself that he had to be confident. He was different from others. They were at most attracted by Sakura's beauty at the moment, but he had always loved Sakura, whether she was perfect or imperfect. She was his Sakura. If Sakura couldn't become the Sakura she was now in the real world, Madara Uchiha or other people would soon lose interest. His path to love wouldn't suddenly have a few more stumbling blocks.
The demonstration was over, and everyone had emerged from the memory, but they were all still in a daze, so no one spoke for a moment.
Tobirama Senju, arms crossed, remained silent for a while before finally trying to steer the conversation back to the original topic.
"No, who exactly is Haruno? Was that transformation Kaguya spoke of? How did she manage to break the seal on her spirit? What exactly is the Flower Tree? Is it from the Divine Tree? Is our world really in that Flower Tree universe? If so, what is Kaguya Otsutsuki's connection to all of this? And what did she mean by her last words?"
Hashirama cast an admiring glance at his younger brother. As expected of his brother, a perpetually single man, it seemed he'd forgotten to reincarnate with his emotional nerves. Even upon seeing the breathtakingly beautiful, goddess-like Haruno Sakura, he remained calm and focused, getting straight to the point.
Tobirama Senju wasn't nearly as composed as his brother claimed. He was merely maintaining a facade of calm, desperately trying to cool his overheated mind through analysis. He was a normal man, not a eunuch, not a monk, not impotent. Besides, even if he were, Tobirama didn't believe they could escape Sakura Haruno's charm. Therefore, he was inevitably deeply attracted to Sakura.
However, after the initial infatuation, reality had to be faced. Tobirama Senju was a man with a stronger moral compass and a greater sense of responsibility than anyone else. Sakura Haruno was his grand-disciple, far younger than him. He was the Hokage, she was a Konoha ninja; their statuses were inherently unequal. If he pursued Sakura Haruno, what would that be? An abuse of power? Using his authority to oppress someone?
Fortunately, the kind of unparalleled beauty that can disturb people's minds and spirits has not yet appeared in Haruno Sakura. Senju Tobirama believes that with his strong self-control, he can maintain his previous attitude. His heart may be moved, but it will only be chaotic for a while.