Third person
As they made their way back to the estate, an oppressive silence hung in the air between them. The quiet wasn't uncomfortable—it was something both men were used to. However, Tobirama couldn't shake the thoughts swirling in his mind, his gaze occasionally flickering toward Isshin. The man walking beside him had changed so drastically in such a short span of time that it was almost unsettling. Finally, Tobirama broke the silence, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity.
"Isshin… how did you get so strong and versatile in fighting?" Tobirama asked, his words lingering in the cool evening air.
Isshin had always been formidable, but recently, his development had been nothing short of extraordinary. His proficiency in **Fuinjutsu** had reached heights Tobirama hadn't anticipated, and now, the man could infuse medical ninjutsu into his seals—a rare and powerful combination. In close combat, Isshin held his own against two seasoned Uchiha, a feat that even Tobirama found difficult to achieve. Isshin's accomplishments seemed to grow by the day, surpassing both Tobirama and even his older brother, Hashirama, in certain areas. It was as if Isshin had transformed into a completely different monster.
A few years ago, Isshin had only been proficient in Fuinjutsu. Now, he was something more—a force to be reckoned with, a shadow looming large even over the most seasoned shinobi.
Isshin glanced at Tobirama, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He could sense the underlying awe in Tobirama's tone. The question, though expected, had finally been asked.
"It's a secret," Isshin replied, his voice cryptic yet playful. "But I'll tell you... only if you agree to do something for me. After the village is formed, there will be a task I'll need your help with."
Tobirama's eyes narrowed, his mind briefly weighing the proposition. He knew Isshin well—he trusted him. Whatever this "task" was, it couldn't be anything nefarious. Isshin wasn't one to make unreasonable demands. With a nod, Tobirama gave his consent.
"...Alright," he agreed, his curiosity outweighing his reservations. "What is it, then?"
Isshin's smile widened, his gaze turning thoughtful. "Emotions," he said softly, his tone laden with significance.
Tobirama blinked, caught off guard. "Emotions?"
"That's the reason I am who I am now. The driving force behind my growth," Isshin explained, his voice low but steady. "If I tell you more, it would lose its meaning. You'll understand it when the time comes."
Tobirama frowned, wanting to press further, but something in Isshin's eyes told him it was futile to ask more. The mystery would reveal itself in time, as many things often did.
And so, the rest of their journey passed in silence once again. Yet, Tobirama couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he had forgotten something—some small, elusive detail slipping through the cracks of his mind.
Here's an enhanced and expanded version of the passage with richer narration and smoother transitions:
Meanwhile…
"Isshin~!" Hashirama's voice echoed loudly through the halls, his tone a mix of concern and playfulness as he searched for his friend. His vision still blurry from the effects of alcohol, he had hoped Isshin was nearby.
After all, they had both been drinking heavily, and Hashirama assumed that Isshin might have passed out just like him.
"Are you there, Isshin?" he called again, his voice growing more insistent as silence greeted him. No response came, and a wave of mild disappointment washed over him. A pout formed on his lips as he realized he was alone in his moment of recovery.
Suddenly, a sharp pain surged through his head, forcing him to grip the nearby wall for support. "Ugh... where am I?" he groaned, wincing as the headache throbbed like a hammer in his skull. He rubbed his temples, attributing the discomfort to the night of heavy drinking. "These headaches... must be from all the sake!" he muttered under his breath, his face scrunching in regret.
27 Days Later
Time had a way of slipping by unnoticed. The gentle breeze stirred the trees around them, rustling the leaves in a soothing rhythm. Isshin stood next to Hashirama, his expression calm, almost philosophical as they watched the scenery in peaceful silence.
"Time really does fly, don't you agree, brother?" Isshin's voice broke the quietude, his words tinged with an almost sagely wisdom as he leaned back, inhaling the crisp, cool air.
Hashirama crossed his arms, his face caught between a smile and a scowl. "Agreed," he grumbled, "but I'm still angry that you fought Madara alone and left me drunk behind. You didn't even think to remember me after the fight!" His tone grew more animated as he recalled the incident, his hands gesturing wildly in mock frustration. "It's a good thing the civilians saw me there!"
Isshin chuckled, his laughter soft but amused at Hashirama's childish sulking. "You really are impossible sometimes."
"Impossible? How about we settle this with a little gambling?" Hashirama offered with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I heard there's a good place nearby. Might as well test our luck."
Isshin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I know you are an addictive gambler, but sure, sounds like fun."
"Oh, trust me," Hashirama replied with a grin, "there's a place with blackjack, roulette, and plenty more. You'll see."
They shared a laugh, the air between them lightening. After a moment, Isshin turned to him, his expression softening. "Anyway, how are you preparing for your marriage? I still remember your face when they told you that you'd be marrying Mito. You were so shocked, asking, 'Who's going to marry Mito?' And the elders just looked at you and said... 'You.'"
Hashirama threw his head back and laughed, the memory still fresh in his mind. "Hahah! Yeah, that day was something else. I couldn't believe it. It was so unexpected and—"
Before he could finish, a familiar voice interrupted.
"There you are." Tobirama appeared, his face stern as always, though there was a hint of exasperation in his eyes.
"Tobirama!" Hashirama beamed. "Did you bring the sake?"
Tobirama rolled his eyes. "I almost died bringing this," he grumbled, gesturing to the bottles in his hands.
"That's the spirit!" Isshin chimed in with a mischievous grin. "I knew you wouldn't let us down!"
With a resigned sigh, Tobirama set the sake down, and soon enough, the three of them were seated under the open sky, the sun beginning its slow descent behind the mountains. The clink of cups filled the air as they poured the sake and shared a few moments of rare relaxation.
After a few sips, Tobirama's expression grew serious. "There's some bad news and some good news," he began, the weight of his words hanging in the air between them.
Hashirama raised an eyebrow, instantly intrigued. "Start with the good news. We've had enough bad news lately."
Tobirama smirked slightly. "I brought enough sake to last us through the night and almost all the big clan have agreed to the submit."
"Now *that* is good news!" Hashirama cheered, raising his cup for a toast.
"And the bad news?" Isshin asked, his tone casual, though he could sense Tobirama's hesitation.
Tobirama's smile faded as he lowered his cup, his voice dropping into a more somber tone. "The Uchiha demands a meeting with you alone."