"Huh? Uchiha Madara, that naturally evil... Brother, it's a family gathering, why are we bringing Uchiha Madara!"
Senju Tobirama was like a machine whose base code had been triggered, and he immediately started hissing—"Naturally evil Uchiha..."
He really couldn't understand his brother's thinking.
Why bring that naturally evil Uchiha, Madara, to a family new year's activity?
And wasn't his brother worried that something might happen?
The grudges between him and Uchiha Madara...
Senju Tobirama didn't believe that Uchiha Madara could truly let it go.
What would his sister-in-law think?
He and Uchiha Madara... ugh... were also entangled in endless grudges.
The four of them going to the movies together, who knows what kind of trouble would break out!
No way!
Absolutely not!!
Senju Tobirama's attitude was firm, shaking his head like a rattle drum.
"But, Tobirama, Madara is all alone at home for the new year... He's not married, has no children, and his parents and brothers are all gone. And I've been feeling that Madara has been acting strange lately, as if something is weighing on his mind. He's so withdrawn... I think it's necessary to let Madara feel..."
"It's just going to the movies together!"
"What's the big deal!"
"I was even planning to invite him over for new year's eve dinner!"
Senju Hashirama rambled on, but his core purpose was singular—he believed Madara had become even more withdrawn recently, and as his best friend, he felt it was necessary to let Madara feel the warmth of a family during the new year.
"I disagree!!!"
Senju Tobirama shouted loudly.
It wasn't enough that the naturally evil Uchiha, Madara, was participating in his family's daily activities; his brother even wanted to bring him into their home?
Uchiha Madara had only lost his parents, his brothers, his wife, and his children. Although he was indeed very lonely, the Uchiha clan hadn't been wiped out. No matter what, his brother didn't need to take care of Uchiha Madara to this extent!
However...
The next day, Senju Tobirama still appeared at the movie theater entrance. He had been dragged there by Senju Hashirama.
Uzumaki Mito was also there.
Even Senju Tobirama hadn't expected his sister-in-law to agree to his brother's outrageous request.
Under normal circumstances...
There was no way his sister-in-law, Mito, would agree to such an outrageous request from his brother.
But Uzumaki Mito still came.
Based on the clattering sounds coming from his brother's house last night... there was probably an unspeakable secret behind it.
Senju Tobirama dared not to think about it in detail.
Some things, as a younger brother, he had to keep silent about.
Uzumaki Mito held Senju Hashirama's arm, her face fully made up, looking bright and charming. Passersby would occasionally cast envious glances at Senju Hashirama.
Clearly, Uzumaki Mito had woken up an hour early this morning to prepare.
She had now entered a state of first-level combat readiness.
"There are so many people here today."
"I didn't expect so many people to come to the movies..."
Senju Tobirama averted his gaze, no longer thinking about those troublesome matters, and shifted his attention to the crowd at the movie theater entrance.
The bustling and lively scene made Senju Tobirama's mood slightly better.
When Konoha was first founded...
Although a wealthy merchant had seen the village's prospects and invested in the first movie theater, not many people in Konoha were willing to go to the movies at that time—the Warring States ninja wars had just ended, and everyone's lives were difficult. Who had the mind to watch movies?
But now, there was more than just this one movie theater in Konoha.
Three other movie theaters had opened in Konoha in the past one or two years.
This was a sign of Konoha's prosperity.
Under Konoha's protection, after several years of rest and recuperation, not only the Konoha ninja but also the villagers had saved up some money.
And who was to be credited for this prosperous Konoha?
Himself and his brother, fifty-fifty!
As for the Uchiha clan... at most, they would be given a participation award.
Thinking this...
Senju Tobirama's mood became even happier.
But the next second... the smile that had just appeared on his lips vanished.
Senju Tobirama saw Uchiha Madara.
"Yo, Madara, you're finally here."
Senju Hashirama greeted Uchiha Madara enthusiastically.
Uchiha Madara nodded, his gaze falling on Senju Tobirama.
And...
Uzumaki Mito, who was holding Senju Hashirama's arm, looking at him with a strange expression.
That look... was hostility!
"Strange... besides offending Uzumaki Mito by lending money to Hashirama for gambling... I haven't offended her in any other way..."
"Does she really hold such a grudge?"
"Women are so troublesome... it's better to have fun with Hashirama."
Uchiha Madara couldn't understand the reason for Uzumaki Mito's inexplicable hostility towards him... but it indirectly strengthened his own thoughts.
A man should marry, and a woman should be wed. Even Uchiha Madara could not escape the fate of being urged to marry.
As the leader of the Uchiha clan, he usually didn't manage much, leaving the family affairs to the clan elders.
But even so, the Uchiha elders were not satisfied at all.
The future of the clan rested on Uchiha Madara's shoulders.
But the dignified leader of the Uchiha clan still had no woman, not even a child!
This was simply outrageous.
Next door, the Senju clan's Senju Hashirama not only had a son, but he was about to become a grandfather!
The Uchiha elders were extremely anxious. Uchiha Madara's legacy had to be inherited by someone, and the best heir was naturally his child... Madara's child's talent would certainly not be bad!
The Uchiha clan had plenty of beautiful, age-appropriate, and talented girls for Lord Madara to choose from!
However, facing the clan elders' pressure to marry, Uchiha Madara was always unenthusiastic.
Women... too troublesome. It's better to have fun with Hashirama!
But for Senju Hashirama's sake, Uchiha Madara still took the initiative to greet Uzumaki Mito. Uzumaki Mito, for her part, responded with a polite nod.
As for Senju Tobirama... Uchiha Madara treated him as air!
This naturally evil Senju Tobirama, for him to be allowed to live and be treated as air was the greatest mercy.
"Tch~"
Senju Tobirama was very unhappy in his heart. He turned his head to the side, thinking that if he had been a little quicker back then... maybe...
What a shame!
And now he had to sit with Uchiha Madara to watch a movie.
Damn it!!
Then, a brilliant idea appeared in his mind.
"Brother, I'll go buy the tickets first."
"Oh! Then we'll wait for you here."
With his "unspeakable" little scheme, Senju Tobirama quickly went to the movie theater ticket office.
After waiting in line for a while, it was finally his turn.
"I want four movie tickets. Give me three seats together, and the other one far away, preferably in a corner of the theater!"
Senju Tobirama said impatiently.
The thought of sitting in the same row as Uchiha Madara to watch a movie made him feel uncomfortable all over.
It was clearly a movie for three people.
Why did Uchiha Madara have to be involved!
So...
If he could just throw Uchiha Madara to the side, that would be great.
"Huh? This... are you sure you want three seats together and one separate?"
"That's right!"
The ticket seller really couldn't understand Senju Tobirama's thinking. Normally, it was either couples sitting together or a family watching a movie... Who would come to the movies in a group of four and deliberately separate one person to isolate them?
What kind of strange hobby was this, or what kind of strange relationship was it?
So, to be cautious...
The ticket seller specifically asked again.
Senju Tobirama, for his part, immediately nodded decisively.
"Alright then, I wish you a pleasant viewing."
The ticket seller didn't ask any more questions, quickly issued the tickets, and then handed them to Senju Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama quickly took them.
Then he walked back with an extremely cheerful pace and saw his brother still standing there chatting with Uchiha Madara.
Hmm... sister-in-law's expression seems... a little off.
Sister-in-law, don't worry!
I'm here to help you!!!
...
"Brother, I've got the movie tickets, but it's a shame..."
"We came too late and couldn't get four seats in a row. There are only three consecutive tickets..."
There was not a trace of regret on Senju Tobirama's face. The corners of his mouth were turned up, a smile on his face, and he was even on the verge of humming.
This time, he could finally get rid of that naturally evil Uchiha, Madara!
Three consecutive tickets, one for me, one for brother, one for sister-in-law... Uchiha Madara, you can go and stay in the corner!
"Ah... how could this be!"
"This is too unlucky."
"Is there no way to exchange them..."
"How about I go and try to talk to them..."
Senju Hashirama took the movie tickets from Senju Tobirama and looked at them carefully, finding that it was indeed so.
This was not what he had planned.
Immediately after...
Senju Tobirama immediately added:
"I asked the ticket seller. These are the only three consecutive tickets, and I got them by using my connections... you know, brother, as a high-level official in the village, I don't like to use my power... I made a special exception for you this time."
If Senju Hashirama had personally gone to the ticket seller, he could have gotten not just four consecutive seats, but even a private screening.
But Senju Tobirama's words were righteous and faultless, completely blocking Senju Hashirama's idea of trying to exchange the tickets by using his connections.
Even if Senju Hashirama wasn't very smart, he knew the harm of abusing power.
Konoha needed a just Hokage.
Even if Senju Hashirama was just a figurehead, as the Hokage, he especially needed to be mindful of his words and actions in public, especially in small matters.
"I understand."
Senju Hashirama looked disappointed and gave up the idea of trying to use his connections.
He had originally planned to go and buy the movie tickets with Madara last night, but he had been delayed by something.
"Brother, this is fate. No one will care. Anyway, we're all here to watch the movie, not to fight for seats!"
"There's no need to worry about such a small thing."
Senju Tobirama comforted the somewhat dejected Senju Hashirama.
And Uchiha Madara, who was standing to the side, saw through Senju Tobirama's little scheme at a glance.
This naturally evil Senju Tobirama was doing this on purpose!
He had deliberately bought such movie tickets.
How could it be such a coincidence that out of four tickets, three were in a row!
Trying to exclude me?
Hmph!
As expected... you, you've always had bad intentions.
And so, Uchiha Madara strode forward.
He put the consecutive seat tickets from Senju Hashirama's hand into his own pocket, handed the single seat ticket to Senju Tobirama, and then said, "Ah~ Senju Tobirama, it's good that you don't mind."
"Then this ticket is for you."
Senju Tobirama stared blankly at Uchiha Madara, whose lips were curled up but whose eyes held a hint of mockery.
Damn it!
Aaaahhh!!
You beast!!!
Uchiha Madara, you dare to snatch my ticket.
"Senju Tobirama, don't just stand there. Take the ticket, the movie is about to start."
"What, didn't you just say that the seat doesn't matter..."
Uchiha Madara continued to twist the knife, his expression becoming more and more excited.
If it weren't for the crowd, he would have burst out laughing.
A mere Senju Tobirama, trying to show off his little tricks in front of him... under my Sharingan, all of Senju Tobirama's little tricks are useless!
"Tobirama, I'm sorry to trouble you this time."
"Next time we go to the movies, I will definitely book the tickets in advance!"
Senju Hashirama was as slow-witted as ever, not noticing the silent clash between Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Madara.
The reason they had all come to the movies today was to alleviate Uchiha Madara's loneliness... It was for this small reason that they had made such a big fuss.
Since Tobirama had just said he didn't care about the seat, then he would have to be inconvenienced this time.
Anyway, it seemed he didn't really want to sit with Madara to watch the movie.
"Brother... you..."
Senju Tobirama was very wronged...
His brother was siding with an outsider again.
What a careless mistake!
He should have just thrown the single seat ticket directly to Uchiha Madara from the start!
But... he had already said what he said... it was too late to go back on his word now!
In the end, Senju Tobirama glared at Uchiha Madara with a hateful look and then took the movie ticket.
"Hmph!"
"Fine... I'm telling you, Uchiha Madara, even if you sit next to brother, sister-in-law won't let you off!"
"Sister-in-law, say something fair!"
Senju Tobirama cursed in his heart, desperately hoping that his sister-in-law, Mito, would stand up for him.
But Uzumaki Mito was also cursing in her heart.
Because just a second ago...
In a moment of distraction, Senju Hashirama had broken free from her arm and run off to chat with Uchiha Madara, his arm around his shoulder.
"Madara, this movie's script was written by Uchiha Makoto himself..."
"Hmm~ interesting."
"Have you been to Akatsuki Village... I remember passing by last time... I was thinking of going... How about we find a chance to go and see it together?"
"Hmm... I'll think about it."
The enthusiastic Senju Hashirama, the cold-faced Uchiha Madara, the resentful wife... and a pitiful younger brother.
Each with their own thoughts, they walked into the movie theater together.
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