Deep within Uchiha Madara's secret base, before the colossal Gedo Statue and beneath the stone likeness of Hashirama, a strange scene of domesticity was unfolding.
Uchiha Madara was holding Shiro, gently trying to lull him to sleep.
In truth, he had been holding the infant for the better part of the day, utterly unwilling to let him go. He had even taken Shiro with him to relieve himself, such was his reluctance to be separated. Another person watching might have made Madara self-conscious, but with Shiro's innocent eyes on him, he felt no shame at all. In fact, he felt a surge of pride.
Pshhh…
The stream traveled nearly two meters.
Madara nodded with deep satisfaction. "While not quite what it was in my prime, two meters is an admirable distance."
This was the most direct, undeniable proof that his vitality was returning.
The real reason Madara was so inseparable from Shiro was, admittedly, born from a desire to hasten his body's recovery. But a far greater reason was that Madara found himself genuinely growing more and more fond of the child with every passing moment. He cherished him to an almost obsessive degree, holding him as if he were the most precious, fragile treasure in the world.
Shiro, for his part, was basking in the doting attention of the legendary Uchiha. It seemed his most vulnerable period of infancy would pass by smoothly. He never imagined that the fearsome Lord Madara could possess such a tender, gentle side…
It was just a shame about his habit of not washing his hands after using the toilet.
But personal enjoyment aside, the efficiency of White Zetsu and Obito was proving to be appallingly slow. They had been gone for hours, and still, there was no sign of the diapers or milk he desperately needed. Shiro was now in a precarious situation, feeling discomfort from both ends.
His stomach rumbled with hunger, while his lower half was uncomfortably full. Shiro truly wanted to just let go and relieve himself, but because Lord Madara held him so tightly, he couldn't bring himself to soil the old man's thin, worn clothing.
In a desperate attempt to communicate, Shiro began to smack his lips repeatedly, his small hands patting his own little belly.
"Abba abba…"
"Abba abba-labba-labba…"
Seeing the little angel in his arms suddenly become restless, Lord Madara immediately shifted into caregiver mode. He began to sway gently, his voice a low, soothing hum. "Little Shiro, what is it? Are you cold? Don't you worry, your godfather will hold you tighter. We'll huddle together for warmth."
As he finished speaking, Madara exerted a slight pressure, pulling Shiro even more securely against his chest. This was definitely not he image the image of the fearsome ghost of Uchiha but shiro couldnt marvel this show of affection because he was in a very tense situation himself.
"!!!"
Shiro was going into a full-blown panic.
His bladder absolutely could not handle being squeezed right now!
And it wasn't just the squeezing; it was the squeezing combined with the swaying, and worst of all, the strange whistling hum Madara produced to soothe him.
Lord Madara, you're pressing too hard! Stop, I… I can't hold it!
Ugh… it's coming!
The sound was the final catalyst. A call of nature that no mortal, not even an infant, can ignore.
Whoosh…
A spreading warmth seeped through his swaddling clothes, soaking into Madara's robes beneath. Immediately after, a pungent, unmistakable scent began to permeate the air…
"Hmm?" Lord Madara's expression froze. "Shiro, you didn't… did you?"
He leaned in and sniffed the swaddling, his brow furrowing.
Sure enough…
He had peed.
Shiro's face was bright red with embarrassment, but he was still smacking his lips. "Abba abba-makabaka…!"
Lord Madara, that was only the prelude! You have to put me down now, because what's coming next isn't just liquid! You won't be able to handle it!
Just at that critical moment, Obito finally returned.
"Obito, get over here at once! Shiro has wet himself. You change his diaper!"
"Ah, this…" Obito said, his voice flat. "I don't like children."
Uchiha Madara's brow tightened into a dangerous scowl. "Are you defying me? Do you no longer wish to see Rin?"
Obito's visible eye twitched. "What does seeing Rin have to do with changing this brat's diaper?"
Lord Madara spoke with absolute authority. "It has everything to do with it, because I say it does!"
Obito sighed, cursing internally. Damn this manipulative old man…
But he was dependent on Madara, and he had no choice but to obey. With a look of profound disgust, Obito took Shiro from Madara's arms and placed him on a nearby stone slab. He opened the swaddling, pulled out a diaper, and prepared to perform the unpleasant task.
"Eh? Wait! What is that smell?"
"…"
"Damn it! This stinking brat pooped!"
Lord Madara roared from his throne, "Obito, who are you calling a stinking brat?!"
"Where? Let me see!" The White Zetsu half of Obito's body twisted around, peered at the mess for a moment, then rested a hand on its chin thoughtfully. "Wow. The shape is quite impressive!"
Obito snorted. "If you like it so much, you change him!"
White Zetsu giggled. "Hehe, I am a part of you now, and you are me. What's the difference who does it?"
"Sigh…" Obito gritted his teeth and got to work, cleaning Shiro as quickly as possible. After he had fastened the fresh diaper, he heard a soft "wahahaha" laugh. He looked down and realized Shiro had been smiling up at him the entire time.
It was the first time their eyes had truly met.
After a few seconds…
Obito, too, was completely captivated.
The child possessed the same magical charm White Zetsu had described, an irresistible quality that made you want to protect him. The disgust that had filled Obito moments ago evaporated, replaced by an unfamiliar wave of gentleness and affection.
The feeling Shiro gave him was entirely different from what he felt for Kakashi or Rin. Kakashi was friendship. Rin was a painful, unrequited love. But Shiro… he was something beyond both of those emotions, a connection that felt as deep and primal as blood.
The world called it "family."
But Obito didn't understand that. He had never known it. So even as he felt it now, he couldn't put a name to the feeling.
This child truly is adorable. No wonder even that cold-hearted old man likes him so much. I didn't expect that I would, too…
While lost in thought, Obito noticed a strange sensation spreading across his scarred face. A subtle, warm current was flowing into the empty socket of his left eye.
Is my eye… healing?
Could this be the rejuvenation Madara was talking about?
Obito was stunned. His fondness for Shiro deepened into something closer to awe.
From the side, Uchiha Madara's impatient voice cut through his thoughts. "Hey, Obito, are you finished yet? When you're done, bring Shiro back to me. I want to hold him."
"Uh…" Hearing this, Obito immediately began to undo the diaper he had just fastened. "Not yet. Wait a moment."
"What is taking so long to change one diaper? Hurry up!"
"Mm, I know…"
He proceeded to fasten it and unfasten it, again and again. Finally, just as Madara's patience was about to snap, Obito reluctantly handed the child back. After Shiro was safely in Madara's arms, Obito began to follow them everywhere, refusing to leave their side.
Madara glanced at him, curious. "Boy, what are you doing? Why are you always following me?"
Obito awkwardly looked away. "Um… just taking a stroll." As he spoke, he snuck glances at Shiro from the corner of his eye.
Madara saw right through him. "What? You want to hold my son, too?"
Obito nodded eagerly. But just as he reached out, White Zetsu burst from the ground, blocking his path. "Lord Madara, it is my turn to hold Shiro now, is it not?"
"Hmph. You've finally returned." Madara glared at the clone, then noticed its empty hands. His voice turned to thunder. "Where is the milk? Where is the milk my son requires?!"
"Here, here!"
The next moment, a dozen White Zetsu clones erupted from the cavern floor. One by one, their bodies split open, and from within emerged more than ten full-figured young women.
Uchiha Madara was dumbfounded. "White Zetsu! I told you to find milk! Why did you bring back a group of women?!"
White Zetsu explained, puffing out its chest with pride.
"This is a team of wet nurses I procured from the Daimyo's mansion in the neighboring country. They were originally in service to the Daimyo's youngest son. I felt their quality was excellent, so I brought them all."
"I figured, why look for the milk when you can bring back the source? This way, it's always fresh, and it's a sustainable resource. Little Shiro can eat whenever he is hungry. It's a guaranteed supply!"
After hearing the explanation, both Madara and Obito cast an approving glance at the clone.
"Well done!"