Hashirama and Tobirama were greeted warmly by the clan members as they returned to the Senju compound.
The air buzzed with the energy of clan members going about their evening routines, their faces alight with the warmth of homecoming.
Hashirama, ever the leader, returned their greetings with a gentle smile and a nod, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings.
"Where are they?"
He inquired.
His question was met with a prompt response from one of the nearby clan members.
"They are in the moonlight garden, Hashirama-sama,"
The clan member replied respectfully.
"Tonight the moon is in full bloom, and Mistress Mito wished to show them the garden's beauty."
Hashirama nodded in understanding, a small smile playing on his lips.
The moonlight garden was a place of serenity and beauty, a sanctuary within the bustling clan compound.
It was a favored spot of his wife, Mito, and he could understand her desire to share its tranquility with their guests.
"Let's go, Tobirama,"
Hashirama said, turning to his younger brother. Tobirama, however, hesitated, a flicker of apprehension crossing his face.
Despite his prowess as a Kage level shinobi, he harbored a slight fear of Mito. Her sharp wit and strategic mind were formidable, and he had learned through experience that crossing her was not a wise decision.
Hashirama chuckled softly, sensing his brother's unease.
"Still haven't gotten used to her, have you?"
He teased gently.
"She won't bite, Tobirama,"
He added with a brotherly smirk.
"Unless you provoke her, of course."
Tobirama offered a weak smile in response, knowing that his brother's words held truth.
Mito was not one to resort to violence, but her words and strategies could be just as devastating. She possessed a keen intellect and an ability to manipulate situations to her advantage, leaving her opponents feeling outmaneuvered and outsmarted.
They reached the moonlit garden, silvery glow casting an ethereal shimmer over the manicured lawns and sculpted hedges.
The air was thick with the smell of night-blooming jasmine, and the only sound was the gentle splash of the fountain in the center of the garden.
A pathway of white marble wound its way through the garden, flanked by rows of fragrant lavender bushes.
In the distance, a gazebo draped in climbing roses beckoned, promising a secluded haven within the moonlit sanctuary.
The vibrant hues of the garden served as a backdrop to the scene unfolding before them.
Mito, her posture relaxed and a gentle smile gracing her lips, was engaged in conversation with another figure.
Their voices mingled with the cheerful laughter of two children frolicking amidst the meticulously manicured greenery.
The children's playful voice punctuated the air, their boundless energy a stark contrast to the serene demeanor of the adults.
The garden itself was a tapestry of colors and textures. Moonlight dappled the lawn, casting intricate shadows beneath the outstretched branches of ancient trees.
Vibrant blooms of every imaginable color dotted the landscape, their sweet fragrance mingling with the earthy scent of freshly turned soil.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the soft murmur of a nearby fountain. The idyllic setting provided a sense of tranquility, a haven of peace amidst the bustle of the outside world.
Hashirama stepped through the doorway, a weary but relieved expression etched on his face. The familiar warmth of home washed over him, easing the tension that had coiled within him during his absence.
"You are finally back, Hashirama."
"Yes, I am back,"
Hashirama replied. He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on Mito's cheek, a gesture of affection.
Turning slightly, he acknowledged Sayoh, who stood beside Mito,
"And welcome back, Sayoh."
Sayoh offered a small smile in response.
Hashirama's gaze swept the area, searching for a familiar figure. His eyes met Mito's, and a silent exchange passed between them.
Mito's subtle shake of the head conveyed the message that Hashirama had been dreading. He nodded slowly, his heart sinking.
'He is no longer with us,'
Hashirama thought, a wave of sadness washing over him. He knew the depth of Sayoh's feelings for Shinji, the man who had annoyed them to no end but also loved.
"Where is Tobirama?"
Asked Mito, conspicuous absence of Hashirama's ever-present shadow.
Tobirama, with protectiveness, was typically inseparable from his elder brother, his vigilance heightened by a deep-seated distrust of the Uchiha clan.
His absence from Hashirama's side was an anomaly that did not go unnoticed by Mito, her brow furrowing with concern.
And then, a jarring metallic clang, a discordant note that sent a shiver down Mito's spine.
"Tobirama!"
The cry tore from her lips as her gaze fell upon a scene that sent her heart plummeting into her stomach.
There, amidst the startled Hashirama, Tobirama was locked in a fierce fight with Jiraiya.
The clash of their blades was a whirlwind of flashing steel and sparks, their movements a blur as they pushed each other.
Mito's breath hitched in her throat. Tobirama, driven by an insatiable desire to test the mettle of this young prodigy, had clearly forgotten the impropriety of his actions.
The tranquil atmosphere had been replaced by a tense clash of metal.
A flicker of anger flashed in Mito's eyes as she watched the spectacle unfold.
"Tobirama, I have told you not to annoy her… You won't listen are you."
Hashirama sighed. This was something his little brother couldn't stop. Annoying his sister-in-law unintentionally.
Mito's patience had reached its limit. With a resounding crash, she slammed her palm against the earth, her chakra surging through the ground.
The impact was felt throughout the garden, awakening the dormant seals that lay hidden beneath the soil.
Suddenly, the ground erupted in a vibrant display of nature's power. Countless flowers bloomed instantaneously, their stems intertwining and growing at an astonishing rate.
Like living chains, they shot up from the earth, their petals shimmering with an ethereal glow.
With incredible speed and precision, the floral chains wrapped themselves around Tobirama and Jiraiya, binding their limbs and holding them immobile.
Mito's voice boomed through the garden, her tone laced with both fury and authority, "Do not waste my garden!"
Craze: 4/6