"Hachoo, hachoo." Uchiha Madara lay on the recliner, covered with a specially made blanket from the Land of Whirlpools, gazing at the gradually melting snow outside the window. He murmured, "Winter is passing."
"Yeah!" Tobi yawned beside him and nodded. "This winter was really cold!"
"Even Lord Madara caught a cold." Tobi shook his head regretfully. "It seems Lord Madara is really getting old."
"Hmph!" Madara snorted. "What's with this Land of Whirlpools, giving so many holidays?"
"How can anyone become strong without diligent training?"
"That Uzumaki Jun must be out of his mind."
"Yes, yes, Lord Madara is right." Tobi nodded. "I heard school will start again in a few days. Then Lord Madara will have to return to the apartment."
Has Lord Madara been acting strangely lately because he's old?
I should just go along with his temper, or else he might start throwing fits!
"School is starting?" Uchiha Madara stared at the snow outside, the corners of his lips curling slightly into a faint smile. He murmured, "Never thought I, Uchiha Madara, would become a teacher one day."
I wonder how Hashirama would react if he saw this?
He'd definitely be shocked!
"In a few days, Lord Madara will officially start teaching." Tobi stroked his chin, frowning as if deep in thought. "But with Lord Madara's temper, won't the kids cry in fear?"
"..."
Uchiha Madara turned his head and stared at Tobi, almost activating his Rinnegan, just silently glaring.
"Oh, oh!" Tobi quickly corrected himself. "Lord Madara is so strong, of course the kids will love you."
"After all, Lord Madara once fought the God of Shinobi to a draw... ahem, I mean, defeated the God of Shinobi!"
Uchiha Madara nodded in satisfaction. "In a few days, you'll be alone. Make sure to work hard. No matter what, you're a teacher now."
"No problem!" Tobi grinned, scratching the back of his head. "The kids really like me."
Though...
None of them have an artistic eye. The poop I drew was so cute!
Why doesn't anyone appreciate it?
"Oh, right, Lord Madara, I got a notice from above saying I should take you for a medical checkup in a few days." Tobi said, puzzled. "It seems all public employees in the Land of Whirlpools need to undergo health examinations."
"..."
Madara was silent for a moment before nodding. "I understand."
He had received the notice too, but...
As Uchiha Madara, he didn't trust anyone to examine his body. But since it was the Land of Whirlpools' policy, as a professor, he had no choice but to comply.
"I'll go with you in a few days."
"Also, did you drink the health supplements I brought the other day, Lord Madara?" Tobi rubbed the back of his head. "I don't really know what they are, but people who've taken them say they're good for the body."
"I drank them." Madara nodded, then stared intently at Tobi.
"What's wrong?" Tobi asked, confused. "Is there something on my face?"
"Nothing." Madara smiled faintly. "Tobi is a good kid."
Those supplements were indeed effective. After drinking them, even Hashirama's cells seemed to have been activated. At the very least...
He no longer needed a cane these days.
He even felt younger!
"Hehe." Tobi chuckled sheepishly. "Because you're Lord Madara!"
Just then...
"Ding dong, ding dong."
The doorbell rang.
"Go open the door." Madara glanced at Tobi. "Who could it be at this time?"
"Okay." Tobi stood up and walked to the door, calling out, "Coming! Who is it?"
"Hello, I'm a police officer from the Land of Whirlpools' Public Security Bureau." A deep voice came from outside. "I'm here for the national census."
"Census?" Tobi opened the door and stared at the person outside, blinking in confusion. "What's that?"
"Oh, it's a new task assigned by the higher-ups." Uchiha Fugaku said calmly. "It's to record the population of the Land of Whirlpools, including newborns."
"How many people live here?"
"Oh, I see!" Tobi nodded in realization. "There are only two of us here. Me and an old man."
Zetsu probably doesn't count, right?
He's never actually lived here.
"Are your names Tobi and Madara?" Uchiha Fugaku flipped through his notebook. "No other permanent residents?"
"No." Tobi shook his head. "Just the two of us."
Zetsu doesn't count!
Then...
"What's going on?" Madara walked over slowly, hands behind his back. "If it's nothing important, close the door quickly."
"All the warmth we saved up is being wasted."
"It'll be done soon." Tobi turned to look at Madara, who had come to his side. After hesitating, he forced a smile. "It's just a census."
He subtly shifted to block the doorway.
"Census?"
Madara frowned at the person outside, then paused, narrowing his eyes. "Hurry up and finish."
Then he turned and walked away.
As for Uchiha Fugaku...
"That old man..." Uchiha Fugaku muttered. "Why does he feel familiar?"
He had almost activated his Mangekyō Sharingan just now.
What was going on?
And...
Who exactly was that unfriendly old man?
Was he really Madara?
But remembering his current task, he shook his head and said calmly, "In that case, sorry for disturbing you."
He left immediately—he still had other places to survey.
Tobi glanced at the departing Uchiha Fugaku, then at Uchiha Madara, before closing the door. His heart pounded...
"Does Lord Madara know something?"
He recalled Madara's earlier words to him and grew anxious.
"Are you going to close the door or not?"
Just as Tobi was debating whether to tell Zetsu, Madara's voice rang out.
"Right away, Lord Madara." Tobi shut the door cheerfully. "It's sealed tight now."
He walked back to Madara's side.
But Madara said nothing, sitting in his chair with a cup of hot tea in hand. He took a sip and murmured, "The tea from the Land of Whirlpools has a nice flavor."
He used to hate slow, leisurely things like this, but now...
For some reason, everything around him seemed to be changing bit by bit.
"Does Lord Madara like it?" Tobi sat beside him, smiling. "Should I buy more next time?"
"No need." Madara shook his head. "The academy has some too. Don't waste money."
"This house..."
"You haven't finished paying the installments, right?"
"Almost done." Tobi scratched his head. "It's nearly paid off. No need to worry, Lord Madara."
Then...
Madara set down his teacup and stared straight at Tobi.
Just as Tobi thought Madara had figured something out...
"Tobi is such a good kid." Madara sighed, a faint smile on his face.
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