These days, Renya's routine was simple—either cooking for Tsunade or training at the training grounds.
He originally thought that Hashirama and his wife would be away for several days, but surprisingly, they returned on the third day.
When Senju Tobirama learned his brother had returned, he brought Renya and Tsunade to the gates to welcome them.
"Tobirama, Renya, I told you there was no need to come greet us..."
At the entrance to Konoha, Hashirama's face was deathly pale. When he saw the three of them, he forced a smile.
Renya's heart sank at the sight.
Why does Hashirama-san's condition look even worse than before?
It's only been three days. How did it get like this?
Tobirama couldn't hold back and asked,
"Big Brother… are you alright?"
He was truly worried about his brother's health.
If he had known this would happen, he never would've let him leave in the first place!
Hashirama waved his hand and smiled.
"Tobirama, don't worry. I'm fine. I just need a good night's sleep."
"Yeah, just some rest and I'll be fine!"
"Traveling these past few days has worn me out. Once I get some sleep, I'll be good as new."
His tone grew more and more resolute, as if he were trying to convince even himself.
As if all this really was just due to exhaustion…
Beside him, Uzumaki Mito's eyes reddened. She gently took her husband's arm.
"Hashirama, if you're tired, let's just go home and rest."
Her voice trembled, betraying the turmoil within.
If she had known it would come to this, she never would have agreed to travel to Uzushio with him.
When they had first left, Hashirama had seemed perfectly fine.
But just after leaving the Land of Fire, he suddenly collapsed without warning, unconscious.
That moment had terrified Mito—but thankfully, he regained consciousness not long after.
And that's when the real problem began.
After waking, his face was as pale as a long-suffering patient wracked by illness.
Clearly, his old wounds had flared up again.
When Hashirama saw her worried expression, he simply said:
"Sorry, Mito… I don't think I'll be able to go with you to Uzushio after all."
Mito said nothing. She helped her husband up and led him back the way they came.
At that point, returning to their homeland no longer mattered.
All she wanted was for her husband to be safe and sound...
Hashirama gently patted the back of her hand.
"Alright, let's go home and rest."
With that, the two of them walked forward into the village.
Renya and Tobirama instinctively stepped aside to let them pass.
As Hashirama walked past, he paused beside them.
"Tobirama, I want to rest for a few days. Don't come bothering me during that time."
"Tsunade, let's go home." Mito smiled and reached out to her.
"Yay! Grandpa, Grandma, you're finally back!" Tsunade grabbed her grandmother's hand and walked away with them.
"Grandpa, are you feeling unwell?"
"Mhm, just a little. I'll be fine after a couple days of rest."
"Then get plenty of rest! When you're better, let's play dice again."
"Haha, no problem. Little Tsuna wants to win back the allowance she lost last time, huh?"
"Of course! This time I'll definitely win!"
Renya and Tobirama silently watched the three of them disappear into the distance.
"Hashirama-san... is he really at the end of the line?" Renya murmured, his expression complicated.
The aura Hashirama gave off just now… it was like that of a dying old man.
The oppressive sense of death around him was suffocating.
Tobirama crossed his arms tightly, expression unreadable.
But his slightly trembling fingers gave away the storm within.
His mind was in complete chaos, his breathing growing labored.
Tobirama had always been a calm, rational man.
But seeing his older brother like that—it felt like something had gripped his heart and wouldn't let go.
Big Brother… really might be dying…
He had believed that his brother still had a few good years left.
But fate had played a cruel joke—this day had come far too soon.
Renya glanced at Tobirama's face and said nothing, quietly choosing to stay beside him.
He understood clearly that, in Hashirama's current condition…
He probably didn't have many days left.
Memories of the past years spent with Hashirama rose unbidden in Renya's mind, and his fists clenched unconsciously.
Even if he had always considered himself an outsider…
He was still a person.
A living, breathing human being with emotions.
He remembered who treated him well—and who didn't.
Seeing Hashirama like this… how could he not feel sorrow?
And as for Tobirama—Hashirama's own younger brother—how much worse must it be for him?
...
As the last rays of twilight vanished into night, Renya and Tobirama stood shoulder to shoulder at the gates of Konoha.
A breeze swept past them, stirring a few dead leaves that rustled at their feet.
Tobirama remained in the same position, arms crossed. The hem of his dark robe fluttered in the wind.
No one knew how long they stood there before the moon cast its silver light across Tobirama's face.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he rasped out,
"Kid… you go home first."
Renya instinctively looked up and saw the moonlight split that stern face into light and shadow.
The half hidden in shadow was unreadable, but the half bathed in moonlight remained cold—only the faint bloodshot tinge at the corners of his eyes betrayed the exhaustion he tried to conceal.
Renya opened his mouth… but the words died before they reached his lips.
In the end, he just nodded firmly.
He walked ahead, and in the stillness, he faintly heard the rustling of robes behind him.
Tobirama's footsteps followed at a steady pace.
Their two shadows stretched and merged along the stone path, extending deep into the heart of Konoha.
Along the way, Renya's mind was racing.
The strength of Hashirama's cells… the cause of his physical deterioration… whether there was any possible solution…
But no matter how much he thought, he could find no answers.
He didn't want Hashirama to die like this. But he had no way to stop it.
At some point, Tobirama had walked ahead of Renya.
He was thinking the same thing.
Over the years, he had tried everything—even human experimentation.
But he had yet to find a way to help his brother recover.
Before they realized it, the two of them had arrived in front of Hashirama's home.
They stopped instinctively and looked toward the tightly shut door.
Tobirama raised his hand, wanting to knock—but after a moment of hesitation, he let it fall.
Big Brother had said not to disturb him.
Tobirama understood… his brother didn't want him to see the state he was in now.
Renya's lips tightened at the sight, his expression heavy.
"Hashirama-san… let's go home."
Tobirama nodded, gave the door one last look, then turned to leave.
Only after the two of them had completely left did a weak voice echo from within the house.
"Mito… have they gone?"
A moment later, Mito's choked voice replied:
"Yes… they've gone home."
"That's good… that's good…"
"Hashirama, you have to hold on!"
"Sorry, Mito… I might not be able to keep my promise after all."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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