Ishiki let out a hearty laugh, a genuine, booming sound that crinkled the corners of his eyes, which were now brimming with a few unexpected tears of amusement.
As he wiped the moisture away, he noticed the two figures dangling before him had fixed him with twin glares of pure, unadulterated anger.
He cleared his throat, a small, slightly embarrassed sound. "Honestly," he began, a gentle smile playing on his lips, "you two are practically mirror copies of your older brothers.
You, Izuna, have Madara's fiery spirit, and you, Tobirama, carry Hashirama's stubborn resolve. I have a feeling you two will become the best of friends."
This declaration, intended as light-hearted, only fueled their indignation. "Friends with him?" Tobirama spat, his voice laced with venom. "Who in their right mind would become friends with this arrogant and utterly evil Uchiha?"
"Like I would ever associate with this insufferable idiot Senju," Izuna retorted instantly.
In a synchronized display of mutual disdain, both boys turned their heads in opposite directions, their bodies still bound and suspended from a stout tree branch, their makeshift prison ironically highlighting their shared predicament.
Ishiki sighed, the amusement fading to a contemplative seriousness.
"Their hatred runs deep," he murmured to himself, the ancient, bitter enmity between the Senju and Uchiha clans seemingly an intrinsic part of their very blood.
"Before I can even dream of establishing peace between their families, this deep-seated hatred must first be eradicated."
A playful, cunning smile returned to his face as a simple yet effective plan began to take shape in his mind.
"So," he said, injecting a note of casual curiosity into his voice, "what exactly brought both of you out here to find me? Why the dramatic visit?"
Tobirama, still scowling, was the first to speak. "What exactly did you say to my brother that caused my father to punish him? Hashirama is currently under house arrest; he isn't even allowed to leave our compound."
Izuna nodded emphatically, confirming the Senju boy's concern. "Hashirama must have said something incredibly serious to warrant that kind of punishment."
Ishiki let out an internal sigh of relief. Just house arrest. Good. I thought for a moment it might have been worse.
He turned his full attention back to the boys, his eyes sharp with feigned puzzlement.
"You should have addressed your questions to your father or your brothers. Why did you decide to come all the way to me?"
Tobirama's expression soured further. "Father simply said it wasn't a matter for me, claiming I'm just a kid. And Hashirama," he paused, his jaw clenching, "Hashirama just smiled at me. That irritating, knowing smile that tells you nothing."
Izuna, meanwhile, was battling his own internal turmoil. I'm too terrified to ask my father. He looked genuinely furious.
Aloud, he muttered, "My brother, Madara, told me that if I managed to defeat you, he would then tell me everything."
Tobirama, in his own head, was still wrestling with the mystery.
Even though Father punished him, why does Hashirama still have that infuriatingly serene smile on his face? I don't understand it. I absolutely must get the answer from this man.
Ishiki looked from one boy to the other, the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place. He immediately understood the subtle, manipulative intentions of the two older brothers, Hashirama and Madara.
"It looks like both of you have come here for precisely the same reason," he observed, his smile becoming distinctly playful. "However, I can't tell you. My lips are completely sealed."
Both Tobirama and Izuna stared at him, their expressions a mix of frustration and rising determination.
Ishiki continued, his tone echoing Madara's challenge. "However, just as Madara promised, if you can defeat me within one month, I will tell you everything you want to know."
With that, he swiftly and expertly untied the ropes. Deprived of their support, the two boys immediately tumbled unceremoniously to the forest floor with a dull thud.
"But here's a reality check," Ishiki added, his voice becoming slightly challenging. "You two are far too weak to face me alone. Maybe you should try working together."
The suggestion was met with immediate, fierce resistance. "Who in the world would work with him?" Izuna retorted, scrambling to his feet, dusting off his robes.
"I certainly don't need his help to defeat you!" Tobirama declared simultaneously, his eyes flashing.
"Then so be it," Ishiki said, spreading his hands in a gesture of challenge. "I will give you exactly one month.
You are free to use any means necessary. If either of you can manage to simply lay a single hand on me, I will admit defeat and tell you everything."
The two young warriors immediately adopted fighting stances, ready to renew their attack.
Seeing their renewed aggression, Ishiki quickly intervened. "Hold on," he said, holding up a hand. "I will only grant you one chance a day. Today's chance is already over."
As he spoke, he casually walked toward a small fire where several fish were roasting on skewers, cooked to a perfect crisp.
The aroma of the cooked fish drifted on the air, and he heard two distinct, unexpected stomach growls from behind him.
Both Tobirama and Izuna immediately hung their heads in mutual, profound embarrassment.
Ishiki looked at the three perfectly cooked fish. He had cooked three out of habit, a routine he'd established during his earlier encounters with Hashirama and Madara.
"Hey, brats," he called out, and they both looked up, eyes wide. Ishiki tossed two of the cooked fish, one toward Izuna and one toward Tobirama.
They caught the fish instinctively, but their pride demanded a show of defiance. "Who wants your fish, Uchiha?" Tobirama scoffed.
"Don't worry," Ishiki replied, a soft smile gracing his features. "I cooked these for your brothers. They didn't show up today, so they are yours.
Besides," he added, his voice gaining a motivational edge, "you'll need strength if you ever hope to beat me."
At this undeniable logic, and with the enticing aroma filling the air, they both began to eat ravenously. Watching them, Ishiki's smile broadened, and he set about cooking the remaining fish for himself.
After they had finished their meal, Ishiki stood and looked at them one last time. "Now," he said, his voice firm, "try your very best to beat me tomorrow."
With the last rays of the setting sun illuminating the two figures, Ishiki watched the Senju and Uchiha boys walk away in separate directions.
With the day's events concluded, he returned to the village, ate a quick dinner at the village chief's house, and retired to sleep early, anticipating the new challenges the next day would bring.