With a final, satisfying click, I finished checking over the rudimentary system I had managed to construct.
"That's it," Hashirama said, a kind firmness in his voice. "Practice this every day. After a few more days, I'll start teaching you some basic ninjutsu."
He clapped me heartily on the shoulder, his smile radiating genuine encouragement. "Don't worry, Ishiki. You definitely have the talent to be a good ninja," he reassured me.
Even though a part of me knew he was merely being supportive, his words landed with a comforting warmth. I hadn't realised how much I needed that simple affirmation.
In that moment, surrounded by the quiet woods and his easy company, I felt a deep, unfamiliar sensation: the tentative blossoming of true friendship. It felt like I finally belonged somewhere, even if it was just within this odd, fledgling bond.
My internal musings were abruptly broken by a loud, almost comical groan that echoed through the small clearing. My eyes, along with Hashirama's, immediately snapped to Madara, whose face was flushed crimson with mortification. He had the decency to look deeply embarrassed, instinctively clutching his rumbling stomach.
I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. "I know a good spot with plenty of fish," I offered, a wide smile spreading across my face. "Let's go."
We packed up the training equipment, and I led them to the secluded river bend where I had often fished in my past life.
I picked up my simple, hand-carved spear and waded into the shallows, ready to demonstrate my survival skills. Yet, just like the last time, the fish seemed to have vanished completely from my immediate vicinity.
"Looks like we're not going to eat any food today," Madara joked, though there was a hint of genuine disappointment in his tone.
He snatched the spear from my hand. With a blur of speed I couldn't quite track, he executed a precise, lightning-fast movement, plunging the spear into the water. In less than a minute, he had expertly speared several decent-sized fish. I could only scratch the back of my head, an awkward, sheepish grin plastered on my face.
They both ended up catching a respectable haul. As Hashirama and Madara continued their efficient fishing, I left them to it and gathered tinder and small branches to start a fire.
They returned with their bounty and were immediately drawn to the small, steadily growing flame I had nurtured.
Hashirama, his eyes wide with curiosity, knelt beside the fire pit. "Ishiki, how did you do that?" he asked, genuinely puzzled. "You don't even know any Fire Style Ninjutsu yet."
I straightened up, a surge of genuine pride replacing my earlier embarrassment. I smiled confidently. "I don't need ninjutsu for small tasks like this," I declared, and I proceeded to show them the age-old, practical method of fire-starting the friction technique, carefully demonstrating how to use the wood and tinder.
Both of them listened with rapt attention, utterly fascinated by the non-chakra-based survival skill. When I finished, Hashirama nodded thoughtfully.
"Ishiki, you truly are a smart one," he praised.
A smug, satisfied feeling bubbled up inside me. I puffed out my chest a little. "It's all too easy for me," I said, unable to resist a bit of humble-bragging.
This was, of course, the perfect opportunity for Madara to interject. "That's way too much work," he scoffed, already rolling his eyes.
He picked up a dry branch, focused his chakra, and with a swift hand sign, a small burst of flame erupted from his fingers, instantly lighting the end of the branch. "I can do it simply like this."
I glared at him, the brief moment of camaraderie evaporating. "Stop boasting, you pine-haired brat," I retorted immediately.
Madara's face hardened with indignation. "Calling me a brat? Look at your hair, it's like an old man's!"
"What do you know?" I shot back, placing a hand on my head. "I look far more handsome than you do!"
As our playful verbal sparring escalated into a full-blown argument, exchanging insults back and forth over the crackling fire, Hashirama stepped between us. "Alright, alright, that's enough," he said, holding up his hands. His voice was laced with amusement.
"The fish looks ready."
We both immediately fell silent, shooting each other one last venomous glance before pointedly turning away to focus on the food.
The delicious aroma of the roasting fish was enough to distract us, and we started eating with the fierce focus of three hungry boys.
We finished almost every single fish. As I wiped my hands on the grass, I glanced up at the sky. The last vestiges of twilight were fading, and the air was growing cool and dark.
Hashirama and Madara turned to me, their faces illuminated by the dying embers. "We'll meet again tomorrow, right here, in the morning," Hashirama confirmed.
I nodded, a mysterious smile playing on my lips. "I will show you my own magic tomorrow," I promised.
With that, we stood, offered brief, mutual nods, and began to walk off in three different directions toward our respective homes.
I finally got back to my modest dwelling and collapsed onto my bed, utterly exhausted. My mind replayed the entire day: the challenge of the system, the warmth of Hashirama's praise, the satisfying rivalry with Madara, and the sheer joy of a shared meal. So much had happened.
This life... it didn't feel like a lonely second chance anymore. It felt real. I felt truly alive, my heart no longer a hollow cavity. The solitude of my past was being replaced by the noisy, vibrant reality of the present.
I found myself genuinely looking forward to what this second life would bring. It would definitely not be like the first. And with a sense of profound peace and anticipation, I slowly drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.