You've got to understand, even though Ito Hirofumi had been training with Uchiha Madara for a while, Madara had never officially acknowledged him as a disciple!
In the world of Naruto, the bond between master and disciple is a big deal. It's not just about passing down jutsu—it's about sharing a deep, almost mystical connection tied to fate itself!
Madara had never taken on a single student before. As for Uchiha Obito? Pfft, in Madara's eyes, that guy was just a pawn.
But after spending time with Ito Hirofumi, something in Madara's heart started to shift. He was becoming more and more certain of one thing…
He'd been played by Black Zetsu!
Madara had been reflecting on this for a while. His Moon's Eye Plan was supposed to bring peace to the shinobi world, but that peace would only exist in an illusion—a fake, fleeting dream.
In contrast, Ito Hirofumi was dead set on actually uniting the shinobi world, bringing real, lasting peace…
Maybe this kid could actually pull it off?
The dream Madara couldn't achieve back then—maybe it was time to pass it on to a disciple.
So, Madara had made up his mind: he'd train Ito Hirofumi with everything he had, holding nothing back.
Ito's heart raced with excitement. Sure, Madara was his summoned beast, but Ito had no real control over him. But if they shared a master-disciple bond? That would mean Madara would go all-in to help him unify the shinobi world!
"Madara… are you saying you'll take me as your disciple?!"
Madara, ever the tsundere, tilted his chin up proudly.
"Hmph! Kid, you're still nowhere near ready to be my disciple…"
Ito knew Madara's personality well enough by now. No outright refusal? That was as good as a yes!
Nearby, Senju Tobirama couldn't believe his ears. Uchiha Madara, the guy who looked down on everyone, was actually willing to take Ito as a disciple?! Did this "evil" Uchiha really believe Ito could achieve what he'd promised?
Meanwhile, Senju Hashirama's eyes darted around mischievously.
In a flash, he and Tobirama rushed up to Ito!
"Hirofumi!!!" Hashirama boomed. "Need a master?! Just say the word, and from today on, I, Senju Hashirama, will be your sensei!"
Ito froze. What was going on today? The First Hokage was practically begging to be his teacher?!
Tobirama was just as stunned. His big brother, taking this kid as a disciple? Had Hashirama's way of thinking actually changed?!
Before Ito could process it, Hashirama burst out laughing, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Alright, it's settled! From today, I'm your head sensei! If you take on another master later, they'll just have to settle for second place!!!"
Ito and Tobirama both caught on at the same time. Ito realized Hashirama was clearly trying to one-up Madara, staking his claim as the "top" master!
Tobirama, meanwhile, facepalmed. He'd actually thought his brother had some grand change of heart. Nope! This was just Hashirama trying to outdo Madara. If Hashirama became the head sensei, wouldn't that make Madara the "second" master?
This was getting interesting!
Heh… Evil Uchiha, the second fiddle!
Madara gritted his teeth, glaring at Hashirama, who was trying to steal his disciple.
"Shut it, you idiot!!! Even if you take this kid as a disciple, you'll still be second! I was here first!!!"
"Madara~~~ Didn't you just say you haven't agreed to take Hirofumi as your disciple?" Hashirama teased.
"Who said that? When did I say that?! I already agreed ages ago! This kid's been my disciple for a while now!!!"
"Oh… well, alright then," Hashirama conceded. "But second sensei's not bad either! Hirofumi, from today, I'm your second sensei!"
Ito was honestly a bit dazed. He'd half-expected Madara to take him as a disciple, but the First Hokage Senju Hashirama signing up too? That was completely out of left field!
And he had a feeling this was all thanks to Madara. If it weren't for him, Hashirama probably wouldn't be fighting over the "sensei" title right now…
But man, this was awesome!
The two strongest shinobi in the world as his teachers? Who'd dare raise their voice at him now? Anyone trying to act tough would get a face full of his senseis!
Looking at the smug Madara and the goofy Hashirama, Ito, for some reason, blurted out something wild…
"Uh… Lord First Hokage, how about you just become my master's wife instead?"
The room went dead silent.
Hashirama sneaked a glance at Madara, his face suddenly flushing red.
Tobirama stood off to the side, grinning like a maniac, his eyelids twitching wildly.
Madara's face turned crimson, his Mangekyo Sharingan spinning furiously in his eyes before morphing into the Rinnegan!
"You damned brat!!! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?! Chibaku Tensei!!!"
Boom!
Ito was sent flying!
But he wasn't hurt. Even as he soared through the air, he shouted, "Madara!!! If you want to be my master's wife instead, I'm cool with that too!!!"
Hashirama's eyes lit up at that, sparkling with mischief.
Madara's face somehow got even redder…
"You little punk!!! Go to hell!!!"
What followed was Ito getting tossed around the summoning space like a pinball. Madara hit him with Vanshō Ten'in from the left and Shinra Tensei from the right, giving Ito the rollercoaster ride of a lifetime!
Hashirama, meanwhile, sneakily sidled up to Madara…
"Madara~~~ Why don't you learn that Sexy Jutsu and become Hirofumi's master's wife?"
"AAAAAARGH!!! You idiot!!! You're dead too!!!"
Boom!
Hashirama was sent flying as well!
"Wheeee~~~ Madara~~~ I'm soaring!!!"
In the distance, Uzumaki Mito watched the chaos unfold, holding a clay pot of some mysterious simmering soup…
"I should be under the cart~~
Not inside it~~
Watching you two be so sweet~~
…
He must really love you~~
Leaving me in the dust~~"
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