Chapter 93: The Third Wheel
When Uchiha Raizen returned to his residence, he found his two sworn brothers, Uchiha Ryoken and Uchiha Natsume ("Fatty"), waiting for him in the courtyard.
"Big brothers," Raizen greeted them with a warm smile. Despite his elevated status as an elder, in his heart, these two would always be the brothers who had stood by him from the beginning. "What brings you both here?"
"Second Brother," Fatty began, his usual jovial expression replaced by one of serious intent. "We want to serve as your personal Shadow Guard."
"Raizen," Ryoken added, his voice firm. "My thoughts are the same."
A genuine smile spread across Raizen's face. Their loyalty was a comfort. "Really? You want to be my guards? You do realize that whenever I leave the compound, I seem to attract nothing but S-rank trouble. I'm always facing down some monstrously powerful enemy. You should think carefully. Being my guard is not an easy life."
"Uh… is that your only objection?" Fatty asked, sharing a puzzled look with Ryoken.
"I seem to recall that the appointment of an elder's Shadow Guard requires the patriarch's initial approval first," Raizen said, a knowing glint in his eye. "The fact that you're waiting for me here means Madara has already given his blessing. The next step is my consent, followed by some paperwork and getting you fitted for your new armor. So, how about some food and drink first? We can handle the formalities later. Haruka," he called out to his fiancée, "could you please prepare a meal for us?"
"Of course," Haruka replied with a bow before heading inside to make arrangements.
"Second Brother, your… condition…" Fatty started, glancing meaningfully toward the kitchen.
"Ah, Raizen's situation is a bit… special," Ryoken interjected with a playful grin. "It's due to his unique ninjutsu training, I believe. I'm afraid our little sister-in-law will have to wait a while longer."
The three of them fell into easy conversation, their camaraderie unchanged by rank or power. They ate, drank, and reminisced late into the evening before Raizen finally completed the official paperwork for their new positions.
He had another commitment that night and couldn't linger.
After his brothers left, Raizen made his way to the familiar riverbank.
When he arrived, the other two were already there, waiting.
"Did you plan on arriving at midnight?" Madara chided lightly upon seeing him.
"How was I to know you two would be so impatient?" Raizen retorted. "Alright, let's hear it. Why did you summon me here to be the third wheel?"
Though they didn't understand the term "third wheel," both men moved to stand beside him.
"Here's the matter," Madara began. "We have decided to move forward with the union of our clans. Within the Uchiha—"
"Pause, Madara," Raizen interrupted, holding up a hand. "I have no desire to be involved in the clan's internal administration. You know I'll fight for us, but managing people? That's my idea of hell. The Great Elder is handling things just fine. My focus is on the mission to the south."
He knew this was the perfect opportunity for pickups. Staying in the clan yielded no new ninjutsu orbs. Besides, with four chakra natures already mastered, he was keen to see if he could acquire the fifth and final one: Earth Release.
"See? I told you he'd be more interested in that," Madara said, a triumphant smirk directed at Hashirama.
"Then let's go together!" Hashirama declared, his face brightening. "The three of us! With our combined strength, there isn't a force in the entire Warring States Period that could stop us!"
And so, the two legendary rivals began to enthusiastically plan their journey, their earlier animosity forgotten in this new shared purpose. Raizen stood slightly apart, watching them talk over each other with grand gestures. A profound sense of being an unwanted accessory settled over him. I really am just a light bulb here.
The meeting stretched late into the night as they finalized their plans. If not for the ongoing war, it seemed the two could have talked until dawn.
Finally, they parted ways to make their own preparations. Raizen returned to the Uchiha compound and headed straight for his bed, the image of Madara and Hashirama's renewed friendship both a hopeful and strangely lonely sight.